Becoming a Servant for the King

S Matthew 23:11 ESV

The greatest among you shall be your servant.

O

What a reversal of mindset! Our world and our culture is all about ME. I mean the song by Toby Keith ( I really don’t like country music), “I want to talk about me” is an anthem for us. It is all about me and here Jesus says it MUST be about others. If we want to be great in the Kingdom of God. The one that continues on for all eternity, we must be servants. We must put others first and get their best interests at the forefront. This is a HUGE shift in thinking and also in living.

A

As I read that verse over and over again, as I think about it and meditate on what it means to be great and to be a servant; I see that there is a total shift that has to happen in my life. I know what “I like and what I want,” but Jesus says that if I am going to be great in His Kingdom then I must serve. Serving others must be a disciplined area in my life, meaning I must discipline myself to do it or I won’t. I am looking for places and people to serve. This is becoming a focused activity, because if I don’t, then I will NEVER do it.

P

Lord, my prayer is to be about Your work and to be seen as GOOD in Your eyes. You have stated that to do so I must serve others. I come asking You to show me those whom You would have me to serve. I am Your vessel, mold me and make me into who You desire me to be and to do what You desire me to do.

Amen.

Staff Appreciation

As I sat in staff meeting yesterday I started to think about the people in the room and how THANKFUL I was that they were there.

Liz Alexander flat LOVES kids! She is always thinking about how they are doing and what will be the best way to reach/teach/grow them. She is PHENOMENAL! Every week, well lets just say a lot of weeks, Liz will call me/text me just to say how much she loves her job. I try to thank her for all that she does and means to the kids at Riverbend. I fall short!

Clay Taylor is pouring his life into the youth. He desires to see them grow spiritually and to grow together as a group. The Source ministry is growing numerically, but even more I believe the youth are growing SPIRITUALLY. Clay is doing a great job and I am so thankful for him to be here at this time to pour into the lives of our youth.

David Fields is GREAT. The other night I had a nightmare that he left. I don’t think I slept well for two nights after that! He does an AWESOME job with the praise band and leading us to God’s throne each and every week we come together. I truly believe we have the BEST worship pastor around, but even more than that, his look/slant/view on other ministry areas is spot on and needed.

I am blessed beyond measure to be a part of this staff! Riverbend we are blessed to have have each of them leading out in their perspective areas. We don’t say it enough, but sometime this week call/text/facebook/email/whatever one of them and tell them thanks.

Staff I LOVE YOU and appreciate ALL that you do!

Pastor Brian

SOAP Thursday 1/13 Matthew 11:1-30 (28-30)

S Matthew 11:28-30 ESV

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

O

Here are a few directions and then a couple of statement/promises made by Jesus.

1. We are to Come to Him; Take His Yoke and Learn from Him.
2. He will give rest; He is gentle; His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
3. Once we act (#1) then we will see His actions (#2). He has already done His, but we are somewhat blinded by life, until we bow before Him.
4. To do this one must die to self. One must allow Him to rule/reign in their life. He is key to life!

A

Coming to Him is not as hard as staying w/ Him. I must come and stay/remain there with Him. Once I stay there with Him I will see His actions and I will be able to learn from Him and take His yoke. I know He cares/LOVES me because of His coming and dying for me. The “ball” is in my court. I will come and take Your yoke and Your rest Oh Lord.

P

Lord please teach me as I come and remain with You today. God I NEED You and I desire for You to fill me with Yourself today. Lord I know You are faithful to complete all that You say. I believe You are in control of this life and that You will use me for Your glory today. I die to self and to sin! Please fill me with Your presence.

Amen.

S Matthew 10:1-42 (37-39)

[37] Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. [38] And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. [39] Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

O

Love - phileo - to have affection for. The one who has more affection for physical relationships (father, mother, sister, brother, son or daughter) more than for JESUS is not worthy of Him. The relationship bond between a person and their physical family is strong, but the bond between them and JESUS MUST be stronger. If not we are that relationship is not worthy, it doesn’t have weight or value.

Taking up “his cross” or your cross is HUGE. It was and still needs to be looked at as sign of death. Even though we wear them as jewelry the cross denotes death. JESUS is saying we must die to be able to follow Him. Death to sin; death to desires; death to self must come about to be worthy of Him. He is MORE than worthy, and when He has given Himself to you, you won’t be disappointed.

A

Love and Affection to JESUS is of utmost importance, as well as dying to self. LOVE is spelled - TIME. Time in His Word. Time on my knees. Time teaching, learning, growing, reading. Losing Life (the physical life and its desires) will find life (eternal, permanent, true life).

P

Lord I bow my head and cry out to You today for forgiveness. Lord I see where my LOVE has been. It has been on self and physical things. My love/affection has not been on You. I have given “lip service” and I desire to give You what You are WORTHY of. Father and Savior I give myself to You right now. I die! Please fill me with Your Spirit, and rule in me. I am Yours; I ask You to guide me today and send me out just as You sent out the 12. Oh Lord, I desire to be used and to magnify Your Holy Name to those around me today.

Amen.

SOAP Tuesday 1/11/11- Matthew 9:1-38 (9)

Remember my posts are not for your consumption so to speak. They are examples! The challenge is for YOU to get into God's Word and allow Him to speak to YOU. Remember-we are reading about Jesus so that we can be like Jesus.

S Matthew 9:1-38 (9)

As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

O Matthew was doing his job. A very well paying job, collecting taxes. Leaving this job would probably mean that he would no longer have an income, and that he would be hated by both the Romans, his former employer and also the Jews those whom he collected taxes from.

Matthew would be a loner! This meant the stability of life was over and also that he could probably turn to no one in a crisis.

Yet Matthew dropped it all and followed Jesus.

A

I must be willing to drop whatever and follow Christ. He is ALL to me and therefore when He directs me I must follow. Will it always be easy, popular, quaint, “bed of roses”? No! But I must come to the place where I see Him as provider and protector of my life and if He is, then I must be willing to go where He desires me to go.

P

Lord please show me Your way for my life! God I am yours and I desire You to lead me. I will follow You!

Amen.

SOAP Matthew 4:1-25 (1-3, 10) 1/6/11

S Matthew 4:1-3, 10

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. 3 And the tempter came andsaid to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." 10 Then Jesus said to him,"Go, Satan ! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY."

O

1. The Spirit of God led Jesus into the Wilderness. The wilderness is a unique place spiritually speaking. It is a place of learning/wandering/discipline. Here it is a place of retreat from the world and a place of trials.

2. The Spirit led Christ to be tried by the devil. This was all in the plan of God. He has Christ go and be tempted like I am. Christ fights off temptation the ONLY way I can-with Scripture.

3. Satan comes at an opportune time. After 40 days of fasting from food. Jesus is hungry and at that time Satan comes.

4. Jesus is still in control of Himself. Satan could not make Him sin; all he can do (and does well I might add) is tempt.

A

There are two things I must apply from this passage if I want to learn from it. 1. I must determine why I am in the wilderness. Is it to learn? to be disciplined? a retreat? When I find myself there, I must know why I am there. 2. Satan has no POWER over me. I am not his! He can't make me do anything. Sure he bluffs a GREAT game, but I must remember that he is not in control. The way I combat him is by God's Word. Jesus could have "thumped" him across the universe, but you and I can't. So Jesus fought Satan off the only way you and I can. So I must remember that and put it into practice when I get tempted.

P

Lord my prayer is a simple one. Please show me why You have me in the wilderness when I am there. May I not be upset, angry, calloused to it, but may I seek You and be able to sense why You have me there. Lord I know that You don't allow Satan to tempt me more than I can withstand (with Your help), so please show me the way out of each temptation that Satan brings at me. Lord I love You; thank You for Jesus.

Soap Wednesday 1/5/11- Matthew 3:1-17 (11-12)

S Matthew 3:1-17 (11-12)

“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

O

1. John knew his place and the place of the one coming after him.
2. His orders were to go out and tell that Messiah was coming; “the kingdom is at hand.” He did and a part of that was to baptize with water those who were seeking repentance/ coming back to the Father.
3. Jesus on the other hand was coming and when He comes He will “reap” the wheat. He will stand on the threshing floor and reap the harvest. Those not a part of the harvest will be burned with fire.
4. The harvest will come to an end, and Jesus will come and go to the threshing floor. I don't know when that will be, but it will come.

A

My actions today are to be similar of John the Baptist’s. He went out to tell of Jesus’ coming. I am to do the same. John went out before He came the 1st time; I am to go out before His 2nd coming. Jesus is coming! Therefore I must, I MUST, go.

P

Lord show me today who You would want me to speak with. God I am Yours! You direct my going out and my coming in. Use me today for Your Glory!

SOAP Tuesday 1/4/11- Matthew 2:1-23 (1-5)

S Matthew 2:1-23 (1-5)

Wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

O

1. The Wise men from the east were looking for the Christ. They came to capital of country where the star led them. They were looking for Christ!
2. Herod the king, was from Israel, and he did not even know where the Christ was to be born.
3. Scribes told them where He was to be born. Bethlehem- a small town outside of Jerusalem. Not where one would think the King of Kings would be born.

A

My thoughts are drawn to this part of the passage b/c there are three types of people in the passage. 1. Those from afar who want to know about Jesus and where they can find Him. 2. Those close by who don’t know about Him, nor care! 3. Those who know, but seem to be indifferent or don’t care about what they know.

I definitely don’t want to be like the last two, and the only way that will happen is to be in His Word and Grow.

P

Lord please show me Yourself today. God as I am in Your Word please allow it to come alive and reveal Yourself to me. I desperately desire to be Yours and to have You control my life. I know where You are and also how to be close to You. Please direct my path today!

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