Minister's Blog

Our Practicing Put into Practice
Sports analogies are often overused, but I believe the one I am going to share is appropriate. College football is the only sport I follow, which makes me excited about this time of the year! During the mid to late summer, I begin to really get excited. One reason for this is the practice reports. I listen to a short podcast nearly every day that details how the team looks in practice and what the coach had to say at the end of the day. I enjoy listening to these things, not because I am really that interested in practice, but because I cannot wait for the first game! If there were no games scheduled, I would have no interest whatsoever.
We call the protracted meetings of the past week, “revival.” While the corporate worship gathering should never simply be termed “practice,” our prayer and hope is always that the effectiveness of these meetings would not be measured by attendance, feelings, or excitement, but by changed lives. If we return to the practice/gameday analogy, we would be looking for results on the field. Is there renewed love for the Lord that would drive someone to become more consistent in their practice of the spiritual disciplines (prayer, Bible study, giving, etc…) that they may grow in personal holiness? Are there sinful practices that have been renounced because a renewed fear and reverence of God? Is there a renewed commitment to witness with boldness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ? We are citizens of the Kingdom, and these are elements of the Kingdom’s advance in our own lives and how the Kingdom advances in this world.
I would encourage you on the back side of this very busy revival week to take some time for prayer and reflection. How were you encouraged, convicted and blessed? Are there areas where God is calling you to repent of sinful or foolish practices, habits, or associations? Is there some step of obedience the Lord is calling you to take? Write these things down, commit to pray daily about them and take necessary steps of obedience, and share them with someone else for accountability. It’s Gameday! Let’s play (run) in such a way to win! 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
September’s Sunday Morning Sermon Schedule (Lord Willing)
September 1—Mark 6:45-52, The Lord Walks on Water
September 8—Mark 7:1-13, Religion and the Word of God
September 15—Mark 7:24-30, Christ the Hope of the World
September 22—Mark 8:1-10, The Feeding of the Four Thousand
September 29—Mark 8:27-33, Peter’s Confession and Rebuke
Sunday Night Teaching Schedule 5:00pm (The Baptist Faith and Message)
September 1—Shadd Pittman: Article 1, The Scriptures Part 1 (Canon and Providence)
September 8—Paul Watts: Article 1, The Scriptures Part 2 (Inspiration)
September 15—Shadd Pittman: Article 2, God
September 22—Stephen Nutt: Article 3, God the Father
September 29—Fellowship and Hymn Sing