Brethren, this last Friday evening I was honored to be one of the speakers for the Barnes Lectureship at Barnes, OK which is located just southeast of Midwest City, Ok. This is now 7 or 8 years they have had me come and participate in their lectureship. And, it is an honor to go and represent the Wagoner congregation there. You, Wagoner, don’t know the brethren there and, the brethren there don’t know the brethren here so, I get the chance to make some connections between the two and let them know about the church here and all we are trying to do to serve the Lord. This is just one way of working to build fellowship in the Lord’s church among the various congregations.
Hopefully, I am planning to leave tomorrow about noon for Oklahoma Christian University in OKC for a special preacher’s session entitled “KERYGMA.” It is by preachers for preachers designed to help us learn to preach better. To try to see better about what is needed in our particular congregation, to learn how to build better lessons and improve our delivery. The whole point will be to deliver the whole truth of God’s Word in a better, plainer method that will help our brethren grow and mature in God’s word. I really appreciate the men here for allowing me to go participate in this special session. I should return late Tuesday evening.
Now, for some quick thoughts for each of you to think about. How devoted, how dedicated are you to growing as close to God, to our Lord, Jesus Christ and your brothers and sisters in Christ as possible? What is involved in this? What does it take for one to truly grow in all of these areas? There are several things that are absolutely essential for this growth to happen.
1. Study God’s Word. We are told we must study to show ourselves approved to God so as not to be ashamed (2 Tim. 2:15). This is the ONLY place we learn what we must do to be pleasing to God and save our souls eternally. How much time do you put into studying Gods’ word?
2. Praying and meditating - We are commanded three different times in the N.T. to be devoted to prayer. Do we see devotion to prayer in the scriptures? Jesus, Himself, went off alone to spend time in prayer with His Father. The apostles and the newly established church prayed and prayed. How much time do you spend alone in prayer with the Father? Also, meditation, not just reading God’s word but meditating on it, thinking, reasoning and applying it to one’s life. This also can be a part of our prayers.
3. Planning - How much planning do you put into your Christianity. Do you plan your life around your service to God or, you plan your service to God around your life? Which comes first for you. James 4:13-17 tells us plainly that the Lord and His will for our lives must come first above every thing else. We do not even know if we will have tomorrow or not.
Brethren, may we all grow and work together to honor our God!
Until next week, I love you all,
Dan
Hopefully, I am planning to leave tomorrow about noon for Oklahoma Christian University in OKC for a special preacher’s session entitled “KERYGMA.” It is by preachers for preachers designed to help us learn to preach better. To try to see better about what is needed in our particular congregation, to learn how to build better lessons and improve our delivery. The whole point will be to deliver the whole truth of God’s Word in a better, plainer method that will help our brethren grow and mature in God’s word. I really appreciate the men here for allowing me to go participate in this special session. I should return late Tuesday evening.
Now, for some quick thoughts for each of you to think about. How devoted, how dedicated are you to growing as close to God, to our Lord, Jesus Christ and your brothers and sisters in Christ as possible? What is involved in this? What does it take for one to truly grow in all of these areas? There are several things that are absolutely essential for this growth to happen.
1. Study God’s Word. We are told we must study to show ourselves approved to God so as not to be ashamed (2 Tim. 2:15). This is the ONLY place we learn what we must do to be pleasing to God and save our souls eternally. How much time do you put into studying Gods’ word?
2. Praying and meditating - We are commanded three different times in the N.T. to be devoted to prayer. Do we see devotion to prayer in the scriptures? Jesus, Himself, went off alone to spend time in prayer with His Father. The apostles and the newly established church prayed and prayed. How much time do you spend alone in prayer with the Father? Also, meditation, not just reading God’s word but meditating on it, thinking, reasoning and applying it to one’s life. This also can be a part of our prayers.
3. Planning - How much planning do you put into your Christianity. Do you plan your life around your service to God or, you plan your service to God around your life? Which comes first for you. James 4:13-17 tells us plainly that the Lord and His will for our lives must come first above every thing else. We do not even know if we will have tomorrow or not.
Brethren, may we all grow and work together to honor our God!
Until next week, I love you all,
Dan
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