Twelve Gifts from God

This was sent to me by a Christian friend, Chuck Leach, I met while pastoring in Leavenworth, Ks. It was a blessing to me so I thought I would, add some Bible verses and pass it on. 

1.     The gift of work – He who loves his work never labors.  Ecc 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

2.     The gift of money – Money is nothing more than a tool. It can be a force for good, a force for evil, or simply be idle. Ecc 7:12 For wisdom is a defence, and money  is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

3.     The gift of friends – It is a wealthy person indeed, who calculates riches not in gold but in friends.Pro 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

4.     The gift of learning – Education is a lifelong journey whose destination expands as you travel. Pro 9:9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

5.     The gift of problems – Problems may only be avoided by exercising good judgment. Good judgment may only be gained by experiencing life’s problems. Nah 1:7 The LORD is]good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

6.     The gift of family – Some people are born into wonderful families. Others have to find or create them. Being a member of a family is a priceless membership that we pay nothing for but love. Deu 5:16 Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

7.     The gift of laughter – Laughter is the medicine for the soul. Our world is desperately in need of more medicine. Pro 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

8.     The gift of dreams – Faith is all that dreamers need, to see into the future. Pro 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy ishe.

9.     The gift of giving – The only way you can truly get more out of life for yourself is to give part of yourself away. Luk 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

10.  The gift of gratitude – In those times we yearn to have more in our lives, we should dwell on the things that we already have. In doing so, we will often find that our lives are already full to overflowing. Psa 26:7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.

11.  The gift of a day – Life at its essence boils down to one day at a time. Today is the day! Psa 118:24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

12.  The gift of love – Love is a treasure for which we can never pay. The only way to keep it is to give it away. 1 Joh 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

101 Ways To Help Your Pastor

In Prayer By Praying...

1 For his safety as he travels about.

2 For his good health - physically.

3 For his wife.

4 For his children.

5 For his personal financial needs.
6 For his emotional needs - depression, etc.
7 For his spiritual needs - grace, peace, mercy.
8 For his personal walk with God - spiritual growth.
9 For his besetting sins and character flaws.
10 For his witness - to be faithful to it.
11 For his witness - boldness.
12 For power/unction of Holy Ghost on his life and ministry.
13 For his effectiveness as a leader.
14 For his effectiveness as a husband.
15 For his effectiveness as a father.
16 For him to have many open doors of ministry.
17 For his open doors to be prolonged and sustained.
18 That he would be delivered from unreasonable people.
19 That he would be delivered from wicked people.
20 That he would be delivered from ensnaring people.
When You Are In Public...
21 By always promoting his good qualities.
22 By never involving yourself in gossip about him.
23 By highlighting the helpful lessons and messages which he has preached recently.
24 By treating him with highest respect.
25 By defending him when criticized in a Christ-like way.
When You Are At Church...
26 By seeking ways to be more involved in church activities.
27 By seeking ways to possibly take the leadership roles in activities. BE AVAILABLE!
28 By being faithful to all the public worship services unless Providentially hindered.
29 By being on time.
30 By being polite to others.
31 By keeping church politics to a minimum.
32 By being willing to give your seat up to others; including visitors.
33 By picking up any trash on the floors and in the churchyard. Also by straightening things up that are out of place.
34 By keeping restrooms looking neat and clean.
35 By turning lights off.
When Your Church Has Business Meetings...
36 By attending each meeting.
37 By having a co-operative spirit.
38 By agreeing to disagree agreeably.
39 By only offering helpful suggestions.
40 By not carrying grudges to or from a meeting.
With Church Problems...
41 By not being one.
42 By not trying to think FOR the pastor.
43 By not jumping the gun and thinking the pastor is not doing anything about a particular situation that means a lot to you.
44 By staying out of the way unless directly involved.
45 By not gossiping about problems with other church members.
46 By praying for wisdom to be given to pastor on how to handle the problem(s) at hand.
47 By praying for the individuals/groups involved to do what is right.
With Enlisting More Laborers...
48 By being one.
49 By training others to take your place... if you hold a position.
50 By praying for more laborers.
When Approaching Him...
51 By speaking to pastor in the way you want to be spoken to.
52 By not assuming pastor has been made aware of your specific need or circumstance.
53 By not demanding an answer to anything.
54 By not putting him into a corner with no way to come out.
55 By keeping your questions and problems till after the worship service.
56 By waiting until there is nobody around for privacy.
57 By trying to speak with pastor initially in his office, and not in public first. - testimony
As A Church Leader...
58 By making visits for him.
59 By shielding him from unnecessary nonsense.
60 By praying for him.
61 By never seeking to undermine in any form or fashion.
62 By speaking positively of him; especially when around those who are disgruntled.
63 By being on the lookout for potential issues and ready to help.
Monetarily...
64 By helping to provide a livable wage as a church member.
65 By supporting a yearly raise.
66 By paying (church) for his gas. - visits, etc.
67 By providing (church) a retirement package.
68 By covering health insurance for him and family. (church)
69 By giving him a love gift at Christmas.
70 By giving him a birthday present.
71 By providing a monthly library fund for the purchase of new books. This helps him when developing a series and other studies.
By Being friendly...
72 Seeking to have him and family over for dinner.
73 Enjoying recreational activities with him and his family.
74 Even when you are in a disagreement him.
By Promoting His Ministry...
75 In an ad in the paper at your own expense.
76 On the radio in an advertisement, etc.
77 On facebook. - Fanpage of church/pastor
78 On twitter.
79 Giving away CD's cassette tapes, and DVD's of his messages to your friends and co-workers.
80 When sending emails to your friends and acquaintances.
In Sharing The Gospel Of Jesus Christ...
81 By participating in door to door soul-winning.
82 By participating in a neighborhood literature distribution campaign.
83 By helping at tract tables at flea markets and fairs.
84 By having unsaved friends over for a party and inviting your pastor over to witness to them.
85 By helping a group who goes street preaching.
86 By helping in a jail ministry.
87 By helping in an addiction ministry.
While He Is Preaching...
88 By paying attention.
89 By not talking. This can distract others from hearing the message.
90 BY TURNING YOUR CELL PHONE OFF!
91 Try to keep babies quiet. It is sometimes best to take small babies to a nursery area.
92 Smile! Sour looks can be discouraging.
93 Shout "AMEN!" when God speaks to your heart about something the preacher says. This will encourage your pastor while he is preaching.
Behind The Scenes...
94 By encouraging others to encourage the pastor.
95 By sending an anonymous gift of a favorite snack, etc
96 By helping to organize a "Pastor's Appreciation Day" for him.
97 By taking care of known projects that he has around his home.
98 By doing something special for his children.
With His Vehicle...
99 By being sure his oil is changed regularly.
100 By providing new tires when necessary.
101 By possibly helping with a car payment.

EMPHASIS ON DISCIPLESHIP

1. Determining the Church's Responsibility 

A church must make a concerted effort to teach people the Word of God to bring them to maturity. Everyone is to be involved in that process: the pastor is to perfect the saints, and the saints are to do the work of the ministry that the Body of Christ may be built up (Eph 4:12). We are all to be involved in the process of discipling people. Paul instructed Timothy to pass on what he had learned to faithful men who would "be able to teach others also" (2 Tim. 2:2). Older men and women are to teach the younger ones (Titus 2:3-5). Even young men are to be examples to others (Titus 2:6-7). Every Christian ought to be reproducing his life in the lives of others. A church should emphasize discipleship. Every Christian should be involved in edifying other believers.

2. Describe the Discipling Process

       A. Teach biblical truth -  The Greek word translated "disciple" means "learner." If someone is a learner, that assumes someone else will teach him. Discipling Christians means teaching them biblical truth. When I disciple people, I give them books to read and tapes to listen to that deal with biblical topics I want them to understand. Besides teaching from the pulpit, I teach them biblical truths on a personal level from the Word of God.

       B. Apply Scripture to life  -  You need to make the Bible come alive to the person you're discipling by making it practical. He must know how to apply biblical truth. You'd be amazed how many people learn principles that they never put into action. I ask questions that get the disciple to think through his own set of circumstances from God's perspective. I want him to see life spiritually.

       C. Solve problems biblically  -  Biblical problem-solving is a key to effective discipling. People learn best when they have a need to know. You always learn best when you have to know the answers. Effective discipleship involves giving someone biblical answers to problems he has and teaching them how to apply them. You can't just lecture; you've got to know enough Scripture to give your disciple answers when he needs them.

You may think you don't know much. Yet there are people who don't know as much as you. Find one of them and begin to disciple him. It is a great joy to see your disciples mature and grow. A Christian ought to be sharing the life he has received from God with others.

CAN GOD REALLY KEEP YOU SAVED?

2 Tim. 1:12

         In this verse, the Apostle Paul makes a bold statement concerning his salvation. He tells us that he is confident that his salvation is eternal in nature. But, is it really? Is salvation something we can count on, or is it something we must simply hope will work out for us in the end? Can a Christian truly have absolute assurance that he or she is saved? And, can the Christian be sure that he or she will never be lost again? Is there anything you or I could do that would cause Jesus to take away our salvation? Is it possible for us to decide that we didn't want to be a Christian anymore and lose it that way? What I am asking is can God really keep you saved?

         Most people would say "No!" Most denominations hold a view that says man can, by the exercise of his own free will turn from God to sin at any time and be lost. This is the view held by the Methodists, Wesleyans, Free Will Baptists, Lutherans, Episcopalians, most holiness and charismatic groups, and the Anglican Church. In other words, the majority of Protestant denominations believe that it is possible for a person to be lost after they have come to Jesus Christ for salvation. This view is called the Arminian view of salvation. It teaches that man's free will allows him the right to choose between salvation and sin at his own choice. This view of salvation is based in a faulty understanding of the Bible and of salvation itself. Slipshod theology is the root of the Arminian point of view!

         We Baptists, on the other hand, believe that once salvation has been granted by God, salvation can never be taken away. We hold that once a person has been saved by grace, they are forever saved and nothing will ever be able to change that fact! We believe that man is saved by the exercise of his free will, but that at the moment of salvation, the believer is instantly and eternally changed and adopted in to the family of God. We believe that the believer is declared righteous through justification and that eternal life is a present possession. We hold that it is impossible for a born again one to ever be lost, or to ever go to hell.

Now, who is right? Can salvation be lost as the majority of the church world teaches? Or, is salvation an eternal gift that can never be taken back? I believe that Paul clears up the issue in this verse. Please allow me to take this one verse, as well as some supporting texts, and answer the question, "Can God Really Keep You Saved?" By the way, my answer at the outset is "God Can!" Hopefully, we will all be of the same mind by the conclusion of the message.

I. PAUL'S CONVERSION
A. Involved A Person - Paul says he knows in "Whom" he had believed. When Paul was saved on the way to Damascus, his conversion was the direct result of meeting a person, Acts 9:4-6. Paul was a highly educated man, Acts 22:3, and he was a holy man when his life was compared with the requirements of the Law, Phil. 3:6. But, his salvation could never be earned with such things. It took a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ to bring about Paul's salvation.
B. Involved A Plan - Notice that Paul says that his conversion was the result of "belief." Salvation cannot be worked up or prayed down. It can only be accomplished through simple faith. Notice what the Bible says about the means and manner of salvation - John 3:16; Rom. 6:23; John 3:36. Salvation can only be yours through faith in Jesus Christ.
C. Involved A Permanence - Notice the use of the words "I have believed." In the Greek, this verb is in the Perfect Tense. This means that it is an action that has been completed in the past, once and for all, not needing to be repeated ever. Paul is saying that when he placed his faith in Jesus Christ, it was a one time for all time action. He says that what was accomplished then was also finished then. Paul knows that his salvation is a permanent thing. It never needs to be redone and will last forever.
(Ill. The same is true for the salvation you and I enjoy through Jesus Christ. When you come to Jesus, the work He does in you is a permanent work. It will never have to be repeated. In fact, it cannot be repeated. If salvation were ever lost, it could never be redone until Jesus came, was virgin born, died on the cross and rose again from the dead, Heb. 6:4-6.)

II. PAUL'S CONFIDENCE
     A. Based In The Person Of God - Paul says this, "I know in Whom I have believed." The word know means to "know by personal experience." Paul is telling us that he has the confidence he does in the Lord because he knows the Lord. He has experienced God's power first hand and he knows what God can do.
     B. Based In The Power Of God - Next Paul reminds us that God is "able". This word simply means that God has the power to do a thing. Paul tells us that his salvation, and our as well, is based in the power of God. Peter tells us that we are "kept by the power of God", 1 Pet. 1:5. In simple terms, our salvation is only as strong as God's power to keep us saved.
      C. Based In The Promises Of God - Paul tells us that he is "persuaded" about God's ability to preserve the soul. Paul's confidence is not a blind leap into the dark, but it is a confidence based squarely upon the precious promises of God. Notice the promises related to salvation that you and I can take to the bank.
              1. Salvation is by grace, not works - Eph. 2:8-9.
              2. Everlasting means exactly what it says - John 6:47; John 3:16.
              3. Everlasting life is a present possession - John 3:36.
              4. Salvation is Christ's gift and will never be revoked - John 10:28.
              5. Nothing can remove us from His hand - John 10:28-29.
              6. The believer is no longer condemned - Rom. 8:1; John 5:24.
              7. Sin is not charged to the believer - Rom. 4:5-8.
              8. Nothing can separate the believer from the love of God - Rom. 8:38-39.
              9. The believer will never be cast out - John 6:37.
             10. The believer has been born again and cannot be unborn - John 3:3; 5-7.
             11. The believer is called a child of God and the father child relationship is one that cannot be ended - 1 John 3:2.

III. PAUL'S COMMITMENT
     A. He Committed His Soul - Paul was trusting Jesus with his eternal soul. I believe that this is the "that" he was speaking of in this verse. So are you and I! We need to be as confident in our salvation as Paul was in his, and we can be if we are willing to take the Lord at His word and accept that fact that He saves and keeps those who come to Him by faith.
     B. He Committed His Service - Paul had given his life, after salvation, to doing what the Lord wanted him to do. Paul's total surrender was based in the knowledge that the Lord had saved him with a perfect salvation that would last for all eternity. Such a gift demands such a surrender! (Ill. This is the principle taught in 1 John 4:19.) My friends, we are wasting our time serving the Lord if we are not kept by His power. It is true that His life is the best life, however, as Paul said, "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.", 1 Cor. 15:19. On the contrary, we serve and love Him because of that which He has done on our behalf!
     C. He Committed His Salvation - As this verse closes, Paul speaks of "that day." He is writing about the day when he must leave this world and face the Lord in judgment. He knows that when that day comes, he had better be found in Christ. For to be found in the flesh and in the substance of the natural man is to invite certain damnation. Paul knew that when "that day" came he would be found in Jesus, regardless of what happened down here in this life, Phil. 3:9.

SOME THINGS IN HELL WE NEED
Luke 16:19-31

I.    THE CLEARNESS OF SIGHT....V 23
Pro 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
Mar 8:22-26 And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.  We need to see:

          A. The Punishment of Hell.-V 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
          B. The Paradise of Heaven....V 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

II.   THE CRIES OF SUPPLICATION....V 24-25

         A. Tears of Memory....V 25; Psalm 137:1

         B. Tears of Mercy....V 24; Psalm 126:5-6
III.   THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF SUFFERING... .V 24, 26 To most people there is none....
         A. The suffering of the fire....V 24
         B. The suffering of the fears....
         C. The suffering of the foreverness....V 26

IV.   THE COMPLETENESS OF SEPARATION....V 26;
         A. The Saints in their place....
         B. The Sinners in their place....

V.   THE CONCERN FOR THE SINNERS....V 27-28
         A. Send Lazarus...He became missionary minded....
         B. Testify...He didn't ask for a preacher or a sermon

VI. THE CORRECT WAY OF SALVATION... .V 30-31  It's pathetic how few churches today present a clean cut Gospel message.

THERE MUST BE:

A. The Repentance of Sins.-.V 30
B. The Resurrection of Someone....V 31 Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
C. The Responding to the Scriptures....V 30-31

Happy Father's Day
One of the greatest joys of my life is being the father of two wonderful daughters. My girls are one of lifes biggest blessings. My desire is to be a good father to them and I have God my Father as an example to try to follow.
 

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD FATHER

Let’s use the letters of  F-A-T-H-E-R.

F = Faithful to God, Wife, and Children.
A= Affectionate – Loves God, his wife and his children.
T= Trustful – Trusts in God, and you can trust him as a father.
H= Honorable – Because of the position as a Godly father.
E= Extraordinary – A real father is special in his kids lives.
R= Respected – His children respect him.

* Everybody needs a father that is Faithful, Affectionate, Trustful, Honorable, Extraordinary, and Respected.

* The good news is if you’re a daddy and you are not these things - - praise God you can be!!

A FATHER'S RESPONSIBILITY

Gen 18:17-19

Have you ever noticed that on Mother's day we tell Mothers how great they are and on Father's day we tell Father's what they need to do to be great Fathers-it's almost as if a Mother "automatically" becomes great while a Father must continually work at it!!

There are a number of "description" given of a Father. A father is:

Ø  a person who growls when he feels good and laughs very loud when he's scared.

Ø  a person who gets very angry when the school grades aren't as good as he thinks they should be.

Ø  a person who hurries away from the breakfast table, off to the arena which is sometimes called an office. There, with calloused, practiced hands he tackles the dragon with three heads: weariness, work, and monotony.

Ø  a person who gives his daughter to a man who isn't nearly good enough so he can have grandchildren that are better than anyone else's 

A Dad is a fellow who has replaced the currency in his wallet with snapshots of his family.
Someone has said (and I believe it is true) that "A Boy loves his mother, but he follows his father." That places a tremendous responsibility on Fathers. Let's look at a few of them:  Leave his parents, Learn his children, lead his home, love his wife.  The Father is:

THE PROVIDER- The Father is charged with providing for the family. Paul says that if a man will not provide for his own he has denied the faith and is worst than an Infidel. He told the Thessalonians that if a man would not work neither should he eat. It is the responsibility of the Father to provide food and shelter for his family.
The entrance of sin into life meant that man had to earn his living by the sweat of his brow. This turned work into a JOB instead of a JOY. But then God gave us a "Two edged sword" to allow us to turn our labor into Joy again.
A) The Privilege of Providing for a Family- This meets some deep inner need of man and makes him feel complete.
B) The New Birth- It is the presence of Christ in a man's heart that changes work from wearisome into wonderful. Matt 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

THE PROTECTOR- Families need an Authority Figure. The lack of such a Figure can be seen in today's society: Suicide, drug abuse, alcoholism, and sexual promiscuity are epidemic among teenagers. An estimated 20 teens attempt to end their lives every 30 minutes. Approximately 685 teens become drug users ever 30 minutes. Some 23 teenage girls have abortions every 30 minutes. More than 3 million American teenagers have been treated for alcoholism since 1980. About 9,000 teenagers are killed each year while driving drunk.
A) Father's have to be worthy of and accept that responsibility. A man inherits some respect but most of it has to be earned by consistent living.
B) Wives are commanded by God to give this respect to the husband- Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

THE PUNISHER- Prov 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son; but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. Never punish your child when YOU'RE angry- you're not punishing them to satisfy your Pride but for their good . Compliment and criticize your child's behavior--not the child.

THE PATTERN- A man was crossing a field to a tavern one day when he looked behind him and saw his son. "Look dad", the boy exclaimed. "I'm following in your footsteps". The dad immediately turned around and went back home. One study found that where both parents are faithful to the Lord 93% of the kids remain faithful. If one parent was faithful the figure dropped to 73%. When both parents were only moderately faithful then only 53% of the young people remained faithful and when both parents were only occasional attendee's the figure dropped to 6%. These statistics speak a loud and clear message. Your children will follow you leading.

THE PRIEST- DEU 6:4-9 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

Fathers, Your responsibilities are awesome. You need help. The Heavenly Father wants to enable you to be the Father you should be. Commit yourself to him today.