Lessons from the NBA

I love basketball, but I'm not a huge NBA fan.  I prefer the college game. However, I get interested in the NBA during the playoffs.  I watched the end of last night's semi-final game between the Thunder and the Mavs.  The Thunder controlled and even dominated most of the game.  It really wasn't even close.  Then at the end of the game, they completely fell apart and ended up blowing a big lead.  They ended up going to overtime and lost the game.  I couldn't believe they had played so well, but finished so poorly.  What a great spiritual lesson.  It is important to finish well.  Paul said at the end of his life, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Tim 4:7)  May we have the same testimony when we come to the end of our lives.  Let's finish the race!

Urgent Prayer

I would like for you all to join me in praying for those who have been devastated by the tornadoes around the south.  The town I grew up in (Ringgold, GA) has been leveled.  I have contacted my family and they are all OK, but have damage to their property.  Others will be mourning, the death of loved ones and the loss of all their homes.  It will take much time to put the pieces back together.  

At this point, we will pray.  We may want to send some help to various places in Arkansas and even other states in the days to come.  Please pray!

Red Letter Day

What an amazing day yesterday!  We unveiled the new stage design, but that was not the reason that yesterday was a read letter day.  We shared the Lord's Supper together and had a wonderful time of reflecting on the death of our Savior, but that was not the reason that yesterday was a red letter day.  The reason yesterday was a red letter day, happened during the evening service.  God laid it on my heart to "Call out the Called" and so I preached a message calling out those that God has set aside specifically for ministry.  The response overwhelmed me.  Joe and Bev Hall responded by publicly announcing their move to Texas as Joe re-enters the ministry from retirement.  Matt and Cara Smithson announced publicly that God is calling them to me missionaries.  Cody Sing came, with his wife Olivia, broken, knowing that God was calling him to ministry.  Two others came to me privately, acknowledging that God was calling them and that they were not yet ready to make a public announcement.  This truly was a red-letter day for FBL.  Honestly, I had no idea that any would respond.  I praise the Lord for His powerful move last night.  I really believe that this is just the beginning.  My prayer is that FBL will be training ground for sending preachers and missionaries around the world with the saving message of the gospel.

Bible Conference and New Series

Well, the Bible Conference is over and I really enjoyed it.  God used each of our speakers to minister and challenge us.  Chris Hodges spoke to us about what it means to be "in Christ."  Dr. Eric Thomas preached a powerful message encouraging us to invite others to the banquet table of God.  Herb Hodges challenged us to make disciples of the nations by teaching us about the "seed."  Finally, Dr. Fred Luter brought the house down with a moving message of God delivering His people through trouble.  Three Bridges did a wonderful job of leading us in music each night.  

Now, we shift our attention to Calvary.  For the next few weeks, I will preach a series of messages entitled, "The Road to Calvary."  We will look at the last days of Jesus life on earth, His crucifixion, and His glorious resurrection.  Join us each week and invite your friends.

A Call to Prayer

I've been debating about whether to post this blog now or next week, but I feel now is the time.  Sunday I will preach a message calling our church to prayer.  God has been moving in my own personal prayer life and usually when He moves in me privately, He is leading me to proclaim something publicly.  So, Sunday morning we will study prayer, but Sunday night we are going to pray.  We are going to simply get before the Lord and pray!

Which word best describes your prayer life:  fervent or famine.  I am convinced the body of Christ as a whole is experiencing a prayer famine.  God has called us and is preparing us for an enormous task.  There is no way to accomplish our assignment without an renewed sense of prayer.  Therefore, I am calling our church to prayer. We must get on our face before God and pray.  Pray as we have never prayed before.  See you Sunday.