A while ago while visiting a relative in the hospital there was an episode on the television called Hoarders. It is appalling to see people live in such a mess of an environment that is unhealthy and nasty! To label it a little more plainly: they are people that have too much junk. Usually as a result of a tragedy or some deeply-rooted issue, but it’s about to kill them in one form or another.
Articles
Thursday, April 8, 2021
Spiritual Hoarding- By April Coonfare
Sunday, October 18, 2020
Four-wheeling For Jesus ~ Leonard Woeppel
Living for Jesus can be exciting in unexpected ways. The
members of the church have diverse backgrounds and experiences. Church members
need to be open to the opportunities that the world provides to spread the
gospel of Jesus Christ. We have to prepare ourselves for the unexpected and the
dangerous if we are going to fulfill the Great Commission given to the
disciples. Some people will knock on the doors of the church and say ’Let us
in, but they will not be many. Disciplined missionaries are needed to reach all
the rest.
Four-wheelers spend long hours preparing their vehicles and
themselves for off-road trips. As Christians and disciples of Jesus Christ, we
need to prepare as well. We need financial resources and reserves to sustain us
while we are in the field. Four-wheelers often carry extra gas and repair parts
when they undertake a difficult trip. As Christians, we need to gain a firm
understanding of where we are going and what we should expect to happen. Four-wheel enthusiasts pour-over road and trail maps before they depart on a trip.
They want to gain an understanding of the terrain they will encounter.
Christians need to acknowledge that when we are missionaries; everything may
not work out as we have planned. We need to be prepared for the unexpected.
Four wheelers are notorious for being overly prepared. A rainstorm or a late
season snowstorm can turn a pleasant drive in the mountains into a nightmare
of danger.
Missionaries often encounter unexpected opportunities in
their designated field of responsibility. They have to be wise enough and
talented enough to recognize and take advantage of those things they encounter.
Plans can change on the fly. Opportunities arise at inconvenient times. Are our
eyes open to see all that Jesus has made available? Four-wheelers can encounter
roads and trails not marked on maps. Short cuts around dangerous obstacles
present themselves to those who have their eyes open. If a group of four-wheelers goes on a long multiday trip the journey requires them to find places
of rest to restore themselves and repair their vehicles. Missionaries and
church leaders need time off to recharge themselves as well. No one should
expect a missionary to go on and on and on without rest and recuperation.
When four-wheelers finish a trip into the mountains they are
quick to recount their adventures and the beautiful things they saw along the
way. As Christians, we need to be prepared to testify about our personal
experiences as well. Relevant and truthful information is needed to encourage other
Christians to join in the struggle. Many hands make the work of a missionary
easier. Personal motivation does not appear like magic. Individuals all want to
find fulfillment in their work. Individuals who have been in the field need to
inspire and encourage those who seek to serve. Missionaries are the shock troops of the
church. They go where no one has gone before; often into very dangerous places.
The Christian experience is unknown and unwanted in large sectors of the world.
Missionaries are people called by God to serve as the spear point of the
church.
Four wheelers and four-wheel clubs exert power far beyond
their numbers. They know what the uncharted regions of the world are like. They
have been there and done that many times over. They have conquered the dangers the rest of us
are afraid to face. All Christians need to remember from where they came and
where they are going. Personal experiences in the field can help shape and
train those who are new to the struggle. Jesus wants all of us to help in the
quest to fulfill the Great Commission. Are you prepared to do your part?
Sunday, August 2, 2020
LOVE LIFE, LOVE GOD - By Leonard Woeppel
Sunday, July 12, 2020
Making Time for God ~ By Leonard Woeppel
Sunday, May 31, 2020
Repent with Tears By, Vicki Leonardson
“How have we wearied him?” you ask.
You have wearied him by saying that all who do evil are good in the Lord’s sight, and he is pleased with them. You have wearied him by asking, “Where is the God of justice?”
"That is why the Lord says,
“Turn to me now, while there is time.
Give me your hearts.
Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.
Don’t tear your clothing in your grief,
but tear your hearts instead.”
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is merciful and compassionate,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
He is eager to relent and not punish." Joel 2:12-13
Sunday, May 17, 2020
Running Away, Again- By, Leonard Woeppel
Courage is learning to stand your ground in the face of situations that imperil your life. Why do some families have long time traditions of serving as police or firefighters? Military service seems to run in a certain family also. What makes these people different? Scripture tells us to avoid living our lives in fear. Jesus feared for his life but accepted HIS fate with joy because it served a higher purpose. It is clear to see that some people recognize a need that is superior to their personal safety or survival.
Modern society makes fun of those who serve to protect them. Recent attacks on firefighter and police illustrate the fact that a lot of people are acting out of their own self-interest to the detriment of society. Even doctors are not immune to the attacks from people looking for drugs or money to buy drugs. We need to see the root cause (s) of our problems and find better ways of solving them. Again; running away does not help.
Jesus did not believe in living a life of fear. The Bible contains numerous verses mentioning fear. (Isaiah 43: 1-3, Psalm 23, John 14: 27, Joshua 1: 9, Mathew 6:34, Psalm 27:1, Psalm 56: 3-4) As Christians we know the Bible is the truth. Why then should we live a life filled with fear? The heart of the matter is our unwillingness to live out our faith. Faith is the answer to all of our questions. Faith makes us fearless. Faith gives us the strength to do what is right. If we wear the title of Christian with pride; we need to start acting like it.
Cowards never feel safe. Cowards blame others for their own
misbehavior. Life does not come with a guarantee. Bad things happen to good
people. People who live in fear will never achieve greatness. Look at your life
and ask yourself if you have been afraid too much. Mediocrity is the fate for
those who live their lives in fear. The disciples of Jesus lived with the fear
of persecution all of their lives. They persevered and succeeded because they
had faith in the promises of Jesus. The promises of Jesus are still true today
and should inspire us to live a life without fear. Do not run away from life.
Live life with the knowledge that Jesus is on your side and you will be a
better person and a better Christian. The Good Life that Jesus promised to
those who love Him will never be a reality in your life if you live in FEAR..
Monday, May 11, 2020
Worthless by, Vicki Leonardson
Again and again, the Lord had sent his prophets and seers to warn both Israel and Judah: “Turn from all your evil ways. Obey my commands and decrees—the entire Law that I commanded your ancestors to obey, and that I gave you through my servants the prophets.”
But the Israelites would not listen. They were as stubborn as their ancestors who had refused to believe in the Lord their God. They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their ancestors, and they despised all his warnings. They worshiped worthless idols, so they became worthless themselves. They followed the example of the nations around them, disobeying the Lord’s command not to imitate them.
They rejected all the commands of the Lord their God and made two calves from metal. They set up an Asherah pole and worshiped Baal and all the forces of heaven. They even sacrificed their own sons and daughters in the fire. They consulted fortune-tellers and practiced sorcery and sold themselves to evil, arousing the Lord’s anger.
Because the Lord was very angry with Israel, he swept them away from his presence. Only the tribe of Judah remained in the land. But even the people of Judah refused to obey the commands of the Lord their God, for they followed the evil practices that Israel had introduced. The Lord rejected all the descendants of Israel. He punished them by handing them over to their attackers until he had banished Israel from his presence.
For when the Lord tore Israel away from the kingdom of David, they chose Jeroboam son of Nebat as their king. But Jeroboam drew Israel away from following the Lord and made them commit a great sin. And the people of Israel persisted in all the evil ways of Jeroboam. They did not turn from these sins until the Lord finally swept them away from his presence, just as all his prophets had warned. So Israel was exiled from their land to Assyria, where they remain to this day." 2 Kings 17:7-21
I'm mystified as to why many folks choose not to serve God.
"They worshiped worthless idols, so they became worthless themselves." 2 Kings 17:15
Why?
"And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him."
2. You are living in delusion, believing a lie.
3. You are planning to serve God later in life. You are not ready to leave your current lifestyle which may be against God's word.
"How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone." James 4:14
4. You feel like God has forsaken you. Serving God hasn't worked out very well for you.
5. You have been hurt by Christians or family.
"Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.” Luke 17:4
6. God is not drawing you any longer.
"For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me..."