Category: Pastor’s Blog

We had a great service today.  It was a packed house and a packed altar.  Cant wait to see what is in store at 6:00 this evening.

Pastor Custer

A group of frogs were hopping through the woods, going about their froggy business, when two of them fell into a deep pit.

 

All the other frogs gathered around the pit to see what could be done to help their companions.

 

When they seen how deep the pit was, the rest of the group agreed that it was hopeless and told the other two frogs in the pit that they should prepare themselves for their fate, because they were as good as dead.

 

Unable to accept this terrible fate, the two frogs began to jump with all their might. Some of the frogs shouted into the pit that it was hopeless, and the two frogs wouldn’t be in the situation if they had been more careful, more obedient to the froggy rules and more responsible.

 

The other frogs continued sorrowfully shouting that they should save their energy and give up since they were already as good as dead. The two frogs continued jumping as hard as they could, and after several hours of effort, grew weary.

 

Finally, one of the frogs took heed to the call of his fellows. Spent and discouraged, he quietly resolved to his fate, lay down at the bottom of the pit, as the others looked on.

 

But the other frog continued to jump with every ounce of energy he had, although his body was wracked with pain and he was completely exhausted. His friends started back up again encouraging him to just give up, stop the pain and die.

 

The weary frog jumped harder and harder until finally he leaped out of the pit.

 

Amazed, the other frogs celebrated his miraculous freedoms and then gathered around him and asked, “Why did you continue to jump even after we told you it was impossible.”

 

Reading their lips the frog explained to them that he was deaf, so when he seen their shouting and gestures he thought they were urging him on, which inspired him to try harder despite the odds.

 

 

The message is simple, every now and then we just need to put some spiritual ear plugs in and ignore those that try to hold us back. If you find yourself in a pit, spent and tired, keep trying a little harder, keep pushing a little further, that pit is not your final destination!

 

Psalms 121:1-2

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills,
from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the Lord,
which made heaven and earth.

This is something we often neglect yet it is a very vital reminder that we should be constantly interceding for the leadership in the church. The Pastor, his staff, the ministry teams etc…

 

Last night the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Golden State Warriors for the NBA championship.

From here they will enter the offseason where they will recuperate, rest, and spend time with family for the next few months until training starts back up in preparation for the next season.

 

The same happens in pretty much all sports, football, baseball, basketball, hockey…

They all have off seasons in order to continue to stay healthy to play the game they love for the years to come, its necessary to prevent wear in tear on the body.

 

The Pastor doesn’t get an off season. The ministry team doesn’t get an offseason. They may take a day off or two for a day vacation but essentially their lives or dedicated to the kingdom of God.

 

They spend many nights from their family in order to serve yours, they buy groceries they will never eat, pay bills that aren’t theirs, pay for gas in cars that don’t belong for them, all for the sake of serving others.

 

You will really here them complain or ask anything in return. They understand they are spending valuable time they will never get back in order to serve the church because their reward is laid up in heaven.

 

Of course they try to keep a balanced life between church and family, its biblical and important in order to prevent burnout. Yet as I type this and I allow you to get a look at the inside of a ministers mind I can tell you we don’t spend as much time with family as we should.

 

Please don’t take this as a complaint because we are happy to do it, souls and the church are our passion, its our calling and its our burden. What I’m trying to do is explain that theirs two sides to this coin. The church sees a preacher thats blessed, they see someone in a suit that has it altogether. Essentially on the outside all is well.

 

Yet on the other side of this coin they are constantly under spiritual attack. Perhaps the guilt of not being able to get through to a saint they have been working with in the church.

 

Late nights in prayer interceding for your families and lost loved ones.

Leaving their family outings to go visit someone in the hospital.

Discouragement from time to time because of a program or idea that just doesn’t seem to be working.

Maybe the AC goes out, or the bathroom requires maintenance.

Complaints about the music or temperature in the room.

 

All while trying to work a full time job in most cases, balancing their family, as well as church life.

Yes surely the leadership of the church is under attack now more than ever before.

 

So theres no offseason, Sunday ends and they prepare for the rest of the week, and the week after that. So what can be done to help take the load off the leadership?

 

Pray for them. Pray for your Pastor. Pray for the ministry. Intercede for them and fight with them. Get involved so they don’t have to do it on their own. Tell them you love them and appreciate them from time to time because from experience that alone reminds us why we continue to do what we do.

 

Your prayers have the power to revitalize them and restore them. Your prayers give them strength. Pray for them.

 

My Pastor doesn’t know I typed this but it needs to be said from time to time in order to remind us the weight and burden that sits on the shoulders on the men and women of God.

 

God bless,

-Bro. Taylor

 

May 28th 1971,

 

The most decorated combat hero of World War II is tragically killed. Audie Murphy was not supposed to be a hero. In fact when he first tried to join the military, the marines rejected him because of his small size.  The paratroopers rejected him to. Disappointed and with the help of his sister forging documents on his size and age, he was eventually accepted in to the infantry.

 

The young Texan wasn’t one to be kept down as he soon proved himself to be a skilled marksman and a brave soldier.

 

Perhaps his most famous demonstration of bravery occurred on January 26th, 1945. He was in the small town of Holtzwirh France, with his unit of only 40 men. They were ordered to hold a certain road until reinforcements arrived.

 

Unfortunately the Nazis chose that moment to attack. Murphy’s men were badly outnumbered as they were up against 250 soldiers and 6 tanks.

 

Murphy ordered his men to fall back into the woods as he picked up his field phone and called for an allied artillery attack. As ally fire fell he was able to take control of a burning tank, as well as the machine gun attached .

 

Germans were all around him, but he fired on the Nazi infantry for an hour until the ammunition ran . The whole time he was talking on his field phone helping to direct artillery fire.

 

When his ammunition was finally exhausted  he left the tank, refusing medical attention for his injuries and wounds as he organized his men into a counter attack. When it was all said and done in the end Murphy and his 40 men defeated the 250 Germans.

 

There will be times in your walk with God that it will seem like you are on your own, standing on unstable ground trying to hold off the enemy until help arrives, my simple word this evening for you is to simply hold on and keep fighting.

 

God never said you wouldn’t get hurt or wounded, He did however give us the tools needed to overcome those things that come against us. Will it get lonely at times? Yes. Will it hurt? Yes. Will it push you to your limits spiritually? Yes. Hold on, give it everything you’ve got because your victory comes in the morning.

 

When Murphy finally made it home he earned every medal and award you can obtain in military honors, and became the most decorated war hero in our nations history.

 

Hold on a little longer, because your rewards are greater than the battle.

Storms

Author unknown

I did not know his love before, the way I know it now. I could not see my need for Him, my pride would not allow. I had it all, without a care, the self sufficient lie. My path was smooth, my sea was still, not a cloud was in the sky.

I thought I knew his love for me, I thought I’d seen His grace, I thought I did not need to grow, I’d thought I found my place. But then the way grew rough and dark, the storm clouds quickly rolled; The waves began to rock my ship, I found I had no hold.

The ship that I had built myself was made of foolish pride. It fell apart and left me bare, with nowhere else to hide. I had no strength or faith to face the trials that lay ahead, and so I simply spoke His name and bowed my weary head.

His loving arms enveloped me, and then He helped me to stand. He said, you must face this storm, but I will hold your hand. So through the dark and lonely night He guided me through the pain. I could not see the light of day, or when I’d smile again.

Yet through the pain and endless tears, my faith began to grow. I could not see it at this time, but my light began to glow. I saw God’s love in brand new light, His grace and mercy too. For only when all self was gone could Jesus’ love shine through.

It was not easy in the storm, I sometimes wondered why. At times I thought I can’t go on. I’d hurt, and doubt, and cry. But Jesus never left my side, He guided me each day. Through pain and strife, through fire and blood, He helped me all the way.

And now I see as never before  how great His love can be. How in my weakness He is strong, how Jesus cares for me!  He worked it all out for my good, although the way was rough. He only sent what I could bear, and then He said enough.

He raised His hand and said be still. He made the storm clouds cease. He opened up the gates of joy and flooded me with peace. I saw His face now clearer still, I felt His presence strong, I found anew His faithfulness, He never did me wrong.

And now I know more storms will come, but only for my good, for pain and tears have helped me grow as nothing ever could. I still have so much more to learn as Jesus works in me; If in the storm I’ll love Him more, thats where I want to be!

Ive recently started reading a book titled: The Impassioned Soul, by Morton Bustard.  And a section of this book really stood out to me that I felt somebody needed to hear, its a little lengthy but if you’re going through a trial in your life and it seems like the pain wether physical or spiritual, or maybe even emotion just won’t go away, I urge you to read to the end. I pray it will bless you as much as it did me.

 

Pain is not forever:

Recently a dear friend of mine wanted to know if God was angry with her. The reason she had this question in her mind was from her suffering with leukemia.

 

Approximately a year earlier, little 8 year-old Kelly had been diagnosed with this disease. After much prayer, the cancer went into remission. It would appear that she would get to enjoy a full life. Later we would learn that this would not be the case. The cancer emerged from dormancy with a most horrible vengeance.

 

As we knelt on the floor beside her chair, my pastor and I both affirmed to this precious little girl that God was not upset with her. It was just the opposite. His love for her never wavered .

 

Service after service I watched this sweet family worship when it wasn’t convenient. As Kelly sat on the pew, hardly able to move, Dad would stand with tears streaming down his face in adoration of his Lord. They did not get mad at God or accuse Him foolishly. Of course they questioned why.

 

Asking why is human. There is no sin in inquiring why trials come and why we have to face the situations that confront us. In His blood-covered, pain-ridden body Jesus looked into the heavens and asked why.

 

The bible says it rains on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45). Good and bad people are stricken with cancer. The Psalmist David declared, “Many are the afflictions of the unrighteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all” (Psalms 34:29). David did not say “from” but “out of”. There is a major difference between the two.

 

The fact that God still loved her was proven beyond any doubt early the next morning. I was on a plane bound for Canada while Kelly’s family and pastor knelt at her side. Words were scarce from Kelly. Being subjected to pain of this magnitude, coupled with the treatment for the disease, left her absolutely exhausted.

 

Through it all this little warrior put up a tremendous fight. When all eyes were focused on her, she thought of others. On one of my family’s earlier visits to see her, she gave my youngest daughter a cap. Kayla cherishes it to this day.

 

That morning, from a body racked with pain, Kelly managed to squeak out the words, “I see Jesus; He’s coming for me.” Those around her bedside admonished her to go and not linger for their sake. Releasing a loved one is not easy, but the task is much lighter when the final destination is considered.

 

In a moment it was over. Kelly’s face had no expression as she lay lifeless. Those present wept over the emptiness. This petite and precious child left one enormous void.

 

After several minutes passed, the room was vacated except for the motionless body of the child who had brought so much sunshine into each of our lives. When her mom and dad returned to where Kelly lay, they were astonished by what they saw. A smile graced the countenance of darling little Kelly.

 

I have no answer as to why an adorable eight-year-old was taken from this life. I along with everyone who knew her, wanted nothing less than her complete recovery. If there was a lack of faith, it certainly camouflaged itself well. The entire household possessed a strong love for God and a firm belief in His Word. Amid the emotions and the questions, her countenance spoke volumes.

 

When the news of her departure reached me and I was told of her smile, I remembered the words of our pastor. “Kelly, I promise you that you will not be in pain forever.” God obviously had no ill feelings toward Kelly; the smile said it all: Pastor, you were right. I’m not in pain anymore.

 

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and wept, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. (Psalms 126:5-6).

 

Notice that David did not say “they that sow with tears,” but rather “in” tears.” That means sowing when its not convenient, being faithful through times of pain and heartbreak. It implies squaring our shoulders and meeting the task head-on through life’s storms and winds of adversity.

 

There is a reason as well as a reward for enduring such hardship. When all is said and done, we will have experienced a relationship with God we never had before. We never know him as the Lily of the Valley, until we tread through the deep, lonely, valley (Song 2:1). God could have spared the three Hebrew boys from having  to enter a fiery furnace, but if He had, they never would have seen the fourth man (Daniel 3:20-25).

 

We also have an enormous harvest. The barns and silos will be teeming with joy. Tears of sorrow will vanish, and our joy will be full.

 

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not (Galatians 6:9).

 

All through life there is pain. There is pain of childbirth and the pain in growing. Many have made their exit from this life in pain, only to cross the chasm from the temporal to that great eternal place where no pain is felt.

 

Look into the sparkling eyes of a little girl. She dreams of being a ballerina. But before she dances with grace, she will practice in pain. We can endure pain more easily when there is a purpose for it.

 

Pain can be precious. A mother thinks so when she beholds the beauty of a newborn. It is worth it to the lad who becomes strong and tall- as well as to the person who knows Jesus is his Savior, when he is ushered by an entourage of angels into the presence of the King.

2 Corinthians 3:1-2

Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men.

 

We all have those in our lives we would love to see in church but for whatever reason they just won’t go. It can be discouraging at times, it can be stressful when that burden on your shoulders becomes too heavy to bare.

 

I want to encourage you today, living for God in front of them is just as important as living for God in our personal lives. We are living epistles, we are a living testimony. The way we carry ourselves in front of loved ones outside the church, speaks volumes of your walk with God. You might just be the only bible they will ever read, meaning when they see us they should be able to “read”

Forgiveness as the scripture says

Grace as the scripture says

Love as the scripture says

A living sacrifice

An ambassador of hope

Some who doesn’t fall in with the rest of the crowd along with temptation

 

Its one thing to read the scripture, its another to LIVE it. Dont just be hearers of the word, lets be doers as well, because let me tell you from personal experience: they are watching you, you’re different, you’re on a pedestal and they are looking to see if you fall. Give them something to look at, let them see the grace of God at work in your life. He created us in His image, I don’t know about you but I want to represent God in a way thats pleasing to Him.

 

One day they are going to walk through the doors of the church, and you’re going to ask them what changed your mind? And they are going to say, you.  I want whatever you have that is making you so happy all the time. Theres a “glow” you possess that I cannot ignore any longer.

 

It will be one of the greatest feelings in the world.

We have all heard it said before, “They need to keep a better eye on their kids.”

“That child needs discipline, I bet he minds then.”

“Did they really just spank their child? Thats whats wrong with him.”

And if we are honest with ourselves most likely we have thought the same ourselves from time to time!

We have always had a decent size Sunday school attendance, but yesterday it hit me like a ton of bricks.

I looked out after we dismissed Sunday school, I watched as kids ran to their teachers and followed them to class, excited looks on their faces. After everything settled down again I looked up and what was once a full congregation was now just about half gone! It seems like our Sunday school makes half our attendance on Sunday mornings!

God then quickened my Spirit, and He said, “This is a sign of a healthy church.”

I didn’t quite understand at first I mean, nearly half the church was gone!

But then I saw smiles on new parents faces as they watched their happy children excited to learn about God, and I can’t say for sure, but ill bet it was taking their minds back to when they were kids going to Sunday school, how much fun they used to have, the love their teachers showed them.

Thats when God spoke to me again, these kids are one of the keys to a growing church, they are going to be the catalyst that catapult the church into revival mode. Their parents will be more and rooted for the sake of the kids as God deals with them on a more personal level.

look, Jesus himself said suffer not the little children, He placed emphases on how we must come as little children, oh what would happen if we got as excited about coming to church on a Sunday as much as kids do?

We all know the familiar scripture, “Train a child in a way that he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

I believe that this does apply to parents, but what if we apply it to the church as well?

Allow me to put it like this, you want to find a way to make a new set of parents in the church mad, offend one of their children or upset one of them and that family will never come back. Now thats a hard pill to swallow.

My point is this as I close:

Love these kids, love their parents, get to know them, lead them by example in prayer and worship. Because if you think about it, that kid behind you might just be your pastor one day. That child on the other side of the church my just be a future music director. That little girl in the front crying, could be a Sunday school teacher one day.

BUT it won’t happen unless we love them and cherish them, for they are the future generation 😉

Intercessory Prayer

Intercessory prayers are very important in the body of Christ, many times the only chance our lost loved ones have to be saved is by us standing in the gap and interceding on their behalf.

So then begs the question, what effects do my prayers have for someone else who’s living in the world?Do my prayers really matter?

Lets look no further than the story of Abraham talking with God about sparing the city of Sodom and Gomorrah if He were to find righteousness within the city. Now this is just me but I don’t believe Abraham was sitting on an old rock and having a conversation over the campfire. Abraham was interceding on behalf of his nephew Lot and his family, as well as anyone that might have any hope of coming to God. I believe this was and still is an example of intercessory prayer!

I also believe that had Abraham not step into the gap between God and the sister cities, we would have had a very different outcome that day. Why? Because God listens to our burdens, He hears our cries,
and he sees our hearts, and our sacrifice.

Likewise our prayers can make a difference in the lives of our lost families and loved ones, its a key to soul-winning. when we are in our prayer closet and our brother or sister are at the bar, or perhaps simply living a lifestyle that not pleasing to God, our prayers can cause God to move and speak to
that person right where their at, and speak to their hearts and knowing somebody is praying on their behalf. How powerful to know that God isn’t confined to our church buildings or our prayer closets, that our prayers can reach different zip codes, counties, states, and even around the world!

We should be sensitive to when God speaks to us throughout the day, when a name pops in our head or someones face, more times than not God is trying to tell us, stop and pray. I can tell you many stories of people in the church, who were almost in an accident or was dealing with a situation, only for God
to come through at the last minute and deliver for them, then come to find out through the “grape vine” someone received the burden to pray at that exact moment.

Theres also times when we need to intercede for those in the church as well.

The following is an excerpt from a book titled: The Intercessors

“We should pray for our pastor and his wife, for they labor to provide us with spiritual food. The pastor studies, prays, visits, encourages, preaches,and performs many other services in which he pours out his life for his congregation. His wife sacrifices her own feelings and desires to unselfishly allow him to fulfill his burden. By investing our intercessory prayers in them, we bless ourselves as well as them.

We should pray for our brothers and sisters in the church. We are our brothers keeper. In some forests, trees seldom topple over because they are so intertwined that they support on another in their branches and roots. By investing intercession in our brothers and sisters, we also help solidify, and
strengthen our own walk with God.

Investments sometimes demand sacrifice in order to bring benefits later. People will save a portion of their income to invest when they would really like to spend it now for something. But they wisely know
that it will pay dividends down the road.

Intercession may be sacrificial at times, It may be physically and emotionally demanding. At times a prayer burden will take a tremendous toll on a person. But taking time to pray when other things
press us for attention is investing now for a heavenly payday later.

Intercession is being kingdom minded. Intercession is seeking first the kingdom of God. Intercession is denying oneself, taking up the cross, and following Jesus. If we lay up treasures in Heaven, we will never be sorry.

One song asked, “What good has my life been? Someday ill surely know. How many souls did I win? Eternity will show.” These words place our priorities in proper focus. By being used of God in proper
intercession, our lives can touch many others for eternity.”