Bulletin – September 1, 2013

A man was sleeping one night in his cabin when suddenly his  room filled with light, and God appeared.  The Lord told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front  of his cabin.  The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might.  So, this the man did, day after  day. For many years he toiled from sun-up to sundown, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might!  Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.
Since the man was showing discouragement, the Adversary (Satan) decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the man’s weary mind. (He will do it every time!)  “You have been pushing against that rock for a long time and it hasn’t moved.” Thus, he gave the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure.  These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man.  Satan said, “Why kill yourself over this? Just put in your time, giving just the minimum effort, and that will be good enough.”
That’s what the weary man planned to do, but decided to make it a matter of prayer and to take his troubled thoughts to the Lord.  Lord,” he said, “I have labored long and hard in Your Service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked.  Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?”

The Lord responded compassionately, “My friend, when I asked you to serve Me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all of your strength, which you have done.  Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it.  Your task was to push.  And now you come to Me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so? Look at yourself.  Your arms are strong and muscled, your back shiny and brown;  your hands are callused from constant pressure, your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much, and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. True, you haven’t moved the rock.  But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom.  That you have done. Now I, my friend, will move the rock.”
At times, when we hear a word from God, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He wants, when actually what God wants is just simple obedience and faith in Him.  By all means, exercise the faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God Who moves the mountains.

When everything seems to go wrong………………..Just P.U.S.H.
When the job gets you down…………………………..Just P.U.S.H.
When people don’t do as you think they should…………….Just P.U.S.H.
When your money is “gone” and the bills are due……..…..Just P.U.S.H.
When people just don’t understand you………………Just P.U.S.H
.

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Bulletin – August 25, 2013

Character At Play

A college football coach in the Bronx (New York) built his team around good character qualities. Instead of displaying their names on the back of their jerseys, the Maritime College players displayed words like family, respect, accountability, and character. Before each game, Coach Clayton Kendrick-Holmes reminded his team to play by those principles on the field.

The apostle Peter had his own list of Christian qualities (2 Peter 1:5-7) that he encouraged believers to add to their life of faith:

Virtue. Fulfilling God’s design for a life with moral excellence.

Knowledge. Studying God’s Word to gain wisdom to combat falsehood.

Self-control. Revering God so much that we choose godly behavior.

Perseverance. Having a hopeful attitude even in difficulties because we’re confident in God’s character.

Godliness. Honoring the Lord in every relationship in life.

Brotherly kindness. Displaying a warmhearted affection for fellow believers.

Love. Sacrificing for the good of others.

Let’s develop these qualities in increasing measure and integrate them into every part of our life.

Just as the body grows in strength

With exercise each day,

Our spirit grows in godliness

 By living life God’s way. —D. De Haan

Godly Exercise is the key to Godly Character.

Article by Anne Cetas, Our Daily Bread, Copyright 2013 by RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights  reserved. Further distribution is prohibited without written permission from RBC Ministries

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2013Aug25

What Prayer is Not

We spend a lot of time talking about what prayer “is”.  Today I want to talk about a few things that prayer is “not”.

Prayer is not something you give God as leftovers.  He wants to hear from you first.  Prayer should never be a “Plan B”.

Prayer is not unanswered.  Sometimes the answer is “yes”, sometimes it is “no” and sometimes it is “wait”.  Sometimes not having an answer, is the answer.  An old quote says it well…”There are times God punishes us mildly by ignoring our prayers and severely by answering them.”

Prayer is not just a 30 minute session at the altar at church.  Prayer is a way of life.  It is a constant state of mind.

Prayer is not ordinary.  Prayer should be expecting the miraculous.  It is communicating with the God of the universe, so it could never be described as “ordinary”.

Prayer is not you solving the issue for the Lord.  Your prayers should be taking a situation before God and laying it at his feet, not giving Him instructions on how He should fix it.

Prayer is not a one-way conversation.  Spend more time listening in your prayer time than talking.

Prayer is not an option.  It is a biblical mandate.

Prayer is not a means by which to escape the biblical principal of reaping and sowing.  You will reap what you sow.  Many people make bad decisions and expect to pray themselves out of the consequences.  It doesn’t quite work that way.

Prayer is not a guarantee against suffering.  Prayer may not keep you from suffering, but will certainly help you to endure it.

From Flo Shaw,  World Network of Prayer

Bulletin – August 11, 2013

Are You Conformed or Transformed? 

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

 If we allow it, the world will squeeze us right into its mold or shape. We will find ourselves taking on its morality, its way of thinking, its value system. From constant exposure it is easy to become desensitized to the sin around us. Profanity does not make us uncomfortable, and there is no blushing at dirty jokes. Seeing an unmarried couple live together may not be condoned but is tolerated. Killing the unborn is not shocking. Magazines and books portray lifestyles and language in conflict with biblical standards. Entertainers set dress and morality standards of society.

 But there is a way to keep ourselves from this conformity. We must daily renew our minds through the Spirit of God. Our thought patterns must be those of God rather than of the world around us. As we are changed by the Spirit, the world will not have the power to squeeze us into its shape. We will know what “is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 Pray that God will keep you sensitive to His Spirit and His Word.

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2013Aug11

What Is In Your Hand?

If you have a tendency to despair over lost opportunities or if you worry about the future, ask yourself this question: “What is right in front of me?” In other words, what circumstances and relationships are currently available to you? This question can get your focus off a past regret or a scary future and back to what God can do in your life.

It’s similar to the question God asked Moses at the burning bush. Moses was troubled. Aware of his own weaknesses, he expressed fear about the Lord’s call for him to lead Israel out of bondage. So God simply asked Moses, “What is that in your hand?” (Ex. 4:2). The Lord shifted Moses’ attention away from his anxiety about the future and suggested he notice what was right in front of him—a shepherd’s rod. God showed Moses that He could use this ordinary staff to perform miracles as a sign for unbelieving people. As Moses’ trust in God grew, so did the magnitude of miracles God worked through His servant.

Do you think about past failures too much? Do you have fearful thoughts about the future? Recall God’s question: “What is that in your hand?” What current circumstances and relationships can God use for your benefit and His glory? Entrust them—and your life—to Him.

Onward and upward your course plan today,
Seeking new heights as you walk Jesus’ way;
Heed not past failures, but strive for the prize,
Aiming for goals fit for His holy eyes. —Brandt

You can’t change the past,
but you’ll ruin the present by worrying about the future.

 Article by Dennis Fisher, Our Daily Bread, Copyright 2013 by RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights  reserved. Further distribution is prohibited without written permission from RBC Ministries

South Texas District Camp Meeting 2013

Camp Meeting is HERE!  Come join with others from all over the South Texas District for ole’ time Camp Meeting church at the Pasadena Convention Center August 14 – 16th.  Speakers are Bro. Brian Kensey and Bro. Raymond Woodard.  Make plans and mark your calendars for this special event.  If you know someone that has never experienced “Pentecost” make it a point to invite and bring them. Make a difference in the world!

South Texas District Camp Meeting 2013

South Texas District Camp Meeting 2013

Camp Meeting is Back!  Come join with others from all over the South Texas District for ole’ time Camp Meeting church at the Pasadena Convention Center August 14 – 16th.  Speakers are Bro. Brian Kensey and Bro. Raymond Woodard.  Make plans and mark your calendars for this special event.  If you know someone that has never experienced “Pentecost” make it a point to invite and bring them. Make a difference in the world!

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