A Word on Behalf of Child Evangelism Fellowship

Mat 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

I attended a monthly CEF prayer breakfast this morning. Among the attendees were Dr. Warren Weirsbe and his dear wife, Betty. For those of you who may not know this brother, he was pastor of the Moody Bible Church in Chicago, Calvary Baptist in Covington, KY and was the teacher at Back to the Bible here in Lincoln. For more info on this good brother, check out http://classicchristian.posterous.com/menofgod-warren-w-wiersbe-pt1

This morning, he told me that, next to Sunday school, CEF is the most efficient way to win children to Christ in the whole world. They have been involved with CEF for decades. I think he is on to something. One other ministry I can think of is also having a Major impact world-wide for children, MANNA Ministries.

So, I am going to give this plug to CEF in my blog today. Here in Nebraska, CEF supporters have been presented with a $50,000 matching funds challenge. For the next couple of months, all pledges to CEF will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $50,000.

These people are reaching out to children, the world’s greatest and most receptive mission field, through Good News Clubs in the schools and in the Neighborhood Bible Clubs. They are raising up an army of young people, trained to be missionaries in their own right, to win these kids.

CEF works in league with local churches to help build those churches through evangelism to children. For more info, check out: http://www.cefnebraska.org/

Let me know if you are interested in helping. Blessings!

Going to work isn't optional, the kids have to be in school. So why is church and option???

The dangers of missing work…
1. Your co-workers will regret that a valued member of the team will not be present
2. Production will be down, your job incomplete
3. Your boss will scramble to somehow fill in the gap
4. You will be professionally stunted, gaining no valuable skills and experience for the duration of your absence.
5. Your positive influence cannot inspire fellow employees or potential customers.
6. All the amenities invested to ensure your comfort and productivity will have been in vain for the time you are absent. Lights, air conditioning, phone, computer, desk, coffee, water cooler, etc., will all be wasted on your behalf.
7. Great company victories, accounts procured, sales made, deals sealed, and goods produced will be minus the fingerprint of your influence.

Better not play hooky from school…
1. Your friends will be sad without you.
2. School may not meet its standards (AYP)
3. Teacher will have to readjust the class
4. Your learning will have gaps\
5. You will not have the opportunity to be a friend to a lonely classmate.
6. Your desk will sit idle, school lunch prepared for you will go to waste.
7. The “A” on your test will instead be and “incomplete”

The problems of skipping church…
1. Other congregants will dearly miss a good brother or sister whose pew is vacant.
2. Your ministry at church will not be executed.
3. The Pastor will wonder how the body can function properly with missing body parts.
4. You will miss the opportunity to fellowship, grow in Christ, and respond to the message God has for you on the Lord’s day.
5. Your encouragement of others will not take happen, you won’t be a blessing to a brother or sister who needed you.
6. The expense that the church has gone to for your worship experience will have been wasted. The pew that was purchased for your comfort, the lights and air conditioning, the refreshments, all intended for you, all in vain. The meal that the pastor labored over for hours, the table set, and the delivery made, just for you… all for nothing.
7. As souls are saved, victories are gained, lives are restored, you will not be on hand to rejoice with your church in what God is doing. Rewards will go to others.

Jesus Addresses Current Events

Luke 13:1 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?


It seems obvious by a cursory reading of the Scripture that disasters or other tragedies sometimes can come about as a result of judgment, self-affliction or just pure happenstance.

It is possible that this tragedy brought about by the wicked Pontius Pilate stemmed from an act of worship by some rabble-rousing (in Pilate's estimation) Galileans.

We read in Acts 5:37, After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

Some believe this happened contemporaneously with Jesus' ministry. Now, some took it upon themselves to act as the cable news service to deliver this tidbit of information to Jesus and His disciples.

Strange how Pilate and Herod despised each other as they pulled stuff like this on each other to get under the skin of their nemesis. Yet, when Jesus was the one accused, they worked together to orchestrate His crucifixion.

But the fact remains, people were slaughtered at the hands of a despot, and he committed sacrilege.

Speaking of current events, these days we are hearing about floods, typhoons, earthquakes, nuclear accidents, tornadoes, wildfires, economic upheaval, genocide, wars and skirmishes.

It should not go unnoticed by us that nothing goes unnoticed by the Lord. He is, in fact, up on the latest news. He loves those who suffer cruel fates. It behooves us to be busy about the Lord's business and see that these people get the gospel and repent before they perish.

A Blessed Fourth of July!

Psa 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

To those of you dear readers who call America your earthly home, I want to wish you a very happy and blessed birthday. Our nation was brought forth as the result of a church relocation. Those pilgrims moved their local church from England to Holland to Plymouth, Mass.

Our nation was built on the Principles of the Word of God. Our founding documents are rife with Scriptural directives. Our early leaders were committed believers in Jesus Christ. The least religious of our founders were abundantly more conversant in the Scriptures than many of today's theologians. Every state constitution proclaims dependance on the God of heaven.

In short, America is a Christian nation, our president's statements to the world notwithstanding. Though a large part of our population may yet be unredeemed, The ten commandments and the golden rule still guide our public conduct.

Yet, the anti religious God-haters are cutting a wide swath in our public discourse and are making great gains in our culture. It is incumbent upon Bible believers that we stay ever so close to the Savior and stand strong in our biblical conviction. Mostly, we must bravely stand and be extremely vociferous in our demands that God and the Bible be not cast aside from the fabric of our culture.

II Chronicles 7:14 must be applied if our nation hopes to remain a shining light on a hill, a beacon to the world for hope, liberty and righteousness.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.


May God bless you and keep you safe on America's birthday.

Confessing Christ

Luk 12:8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: 9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.

Confess - "homologeo" to acknowledge, to declare.

I confess with absolute certainty that Jesus Christ is God the Son and the Son of God. He existed from eternity past. He was born of a virgin, worked countless miracles, taught eternal truths, and lived a sinless, exemplary life. He is the Lamb of God that is the only sacrifice for the sins of mankind. He died a vicarious death on a cross, was placed in a borrowed tomb, and rose again on the third day with complete victory over sin, death, hell and the devil. He ascended to the Father where He intercedes on our behalf. He is soon to come for His own, then He will judge the world. He will rule and reign on the earth for a thousand years and then forever in Heaven as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Oh, and He is my personal Savior and my best friend. I love Him and desire to worship, glorify and serve Him the rest of my life.

Whom Will Ye Fear?

Luke 12:4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? 7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Jesus said that He is forewarning us as His friends to revere or reverence the Lord. Strong language tempered by a tender relationship.

We need to realize that the fear of man brings a snare (Prov 29:25). It has been said of some of the giants of the faith that they feared no man, only God. Can you imagine how liberating that must be?

Seeking to know God better, John Chrysostom became a hermit in the mountains near Antioch in A.D. 373. Although his time of isolation was cut short by illness, he learned that with God at his side, he could atand alone against anyone or anything. That lesson served Chrysostom well. IN A.D. 398 he was appointed patriarch of Constantinople, where his zeal for reform antagonized the Empress Eudoxia, who had him exiled. Allowed to return after a short time, Chrysostom again infuriated Eudoxia, who sent him away again. How did Chrysostom respond to such persecution? With these words: "What can I fear? Will it be death? But you know that Christ is my life, and that I shall gain by death. Will it be exile? But the earth and all its fullness are the Lord's. Poverty I do not fear; riches I do not sigh for; and from death I do not shrink."

Teach us to Pray

Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. 2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. 3 Give us day by day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

Notice, that old "rock" group, Peter and the Disciples, did not ask Jesus to teach them how to pray. They asked Him to teach them to pray. That subtle difference means a bunch.

It's not that I don't know how to pray. The basic parts of prayer are familiar to me:
Adoration of the Lord? Check.
Supplication? You bet.
Intercession? Mmm Hmm.
Garnering forgiveness? Roger.
Requesting the filling of the Holy Spirit? Positive.
Praying to the Father and in the name of Jesus? Got that down.

I have to admit, my problem is the fact that I just don't pray as I know I should. So I chime in with the apostles, Lord, teach me to pray.

And so, the Lord brings me to situations where my nest is stirred. Discomfort, difficulty and need rear their ugly heads and it is time to approach the Father. I am reminded Who is the source of my supply. I am gently reminded to lift my eyes to the hills from whence cometh my help. He teaches me to pray by reminding me of my dependence on Him.

By all means, Heavenly Father, bring me to thy holy throne today. Force me to my knees, cause me to pray. For in prayer, my fellowship with thee is sweetened. I long for your holy presence. Help me to pray without ceasing, to pray believing, to pray fervently and to pray like your Son did while here on earth. I pray it in Jesus' name, Amen!