Rick Russell, LifeWord’s Chief Programming Officer, received the following note the first week of January. It is a great reminder of our mission and calling. To read more stories of changed lives, visit www.lifeword.org.
“Last month we had a very interesting visitor who traveled for twenty hours to come and meet us. He is a listener of the Kannada LifeWord program. It was interesting to know that he came to know Christ as his personal savior through the broadcast. This man traveled all the way by himself and was completely blind. He came wanting to meet us just to let us know how thankful he was for the program. He only spent a couple of hours with us and then headed straight back to where he was from. It was a very touching time for all of us who met him. In a country like India where our system neglects the physically challenged, it was such a joy to see his own just to come and thank the ministry. Let us all continue to work together so that we can reach out to many more like this young man who needed a savior.”
Prashant Prakash, Producer
- Kannada broadcast, India
I know when you sit down and when you rise up…Ps. 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways…Ps. 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered…Matt. 10:29-31
For you were made in my image…Gen. 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being…Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring…Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived…Jer. 1:4, 5
I chose you when I planned creation…Eph. 1:11, 12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book…Ps. 139:15, 16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live…Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made…Ps. 139:14
I knit you together in your mother’s womb…Ps. 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born…Ps. 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me…Jn. 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love…I John 4:16
It is my desire to lavish my love on you, for you are my child and I am your father… I John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could…Matt 7:11
For I am the perfect father…Matt. 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand…James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs…Matt. 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with home…Jer 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love…Jer. 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore…Ps. 139:17-19
And I rejoice over you with singing…Zeph. 3:17.
I will never stop doing good to you…Jer. 31:40
For you are my treasured possession…Exodus 19:5.
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul…Jer.32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things…Jer.33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me…Deut. 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart…Ps.37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires…Phil. 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine…Eph. 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager… 2 Thess. 2:16, 17.
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles…2 Cor. 1:3,4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you…Ps. 34:18.
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart…Isa. 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes and will take away all the pain you have suffered on earth..Rev. 21:3, 4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my Son, Jesus…Jn. 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed…Jn 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being…Heb. 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you…Rom.8:31, 32
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins…2Cor 5:18, 19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you…I Jn 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your live…Rom.8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me..I Jn. 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again…Rom. 8:38, 39
Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen….Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father.Eph. 3:14, 15
My question is…Will you be my child?…Jn 1:12, 13
I am waiting for you…Luke 15:11-32.
Can real life and the Bible mix? Can real wisdom be found in the common, everyday events when viewed through the scriptures? Retired BMAA Pastor James Barr believes so! The former Senior Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church brings together the wisdom found in the scriptures with real life challenges in his newly released book, For His Glory: A Kaleidoscope of Wisdom.
Compiling a series of personal memoirs, historical facts, and biblical biographies, Pastor Barr presents the reader with practical and useful views that will enrich his or her life. Short, pointed and positive, For His Glory: A Kaleidoscope of Wisdom, is a collection of inspirational thoughts presented in an easy and enjoyable manner. Like looking through a kaleidoscope, the beauty of God’s wisdom and glory come to life for today’s reader. Although deep biblical truths are shared, they are shared within an often amusing common sense manner from which all ages can benefit. Currently Pastor Barr’s book is only offered online.
James (Jim) Barr has a total of almost forty years in the ministry serving as Pastor, and Missionary. Brother Barr also conducts both short and extensive fun workshops on Finding God’s Wisdom for Your Life for churches, bookstores, auxiliary church groups, and clubs. He may be contacted by email at: pastorbarr@hotmail.com or by phone (812) 325-0158. To purchase the book and find more information concerning author Barr and his book is also available at www.amazon.com/author/jamesbarr or through the author’s website net153.com
For His Glory: A Kaleidoscope of Wisdom by James Barr
by Dennis Baker, President, BMA of Missouri Brotherhood Auxiliary
Ephesians 3:1-13
Paul’s letter to the church of Ephesus demonstrates that the purpose of the Lord’s New Testament Church was the inclusion of all nationalities in the proclaiming of God’s eternal plan of redemption to all of humanity. Paul’s personal testimony concerning his role in God’s mission of sharing the unsearchable riches of Christ with the Gentiles exposes some important principals relating to servant leadership.
- Servant leadership focuses on God’s plan. V 2,”Dispensation of the grace of God,” denotes an arrangement or plan. Paul states the he “was made a minister, according to the grace of God, V7.” Paul was not selected by his own choosing but was entrusted to proclaim the Gospel to the Gentiles. Paul viewed his calling as a privilege and sacred trust. Paul was divinely appointed by God, his apostleship was nothing less than the result of the working of God.
- Servant leadership involves stewardship. Paul’s stewardship of grace has particular reference to the inclusion of all people groups in God’s mystery of redemption. The inclusion of all nationalities into the “family of God” and the Lord’s New Testament church was revealed in the Old Testament, but what was not foreseen in Old Testament times was the fact that God’s promised blessings would incorporate the Jewish and Gentile believers on the common ground of Divine Grace. God’s favor is not to be enjoyed as a private luxury but shared with others.
- Servant leadership has a purpose, V. 8. “Unsearchable riches of Christ,” reveals a missionary purpose. It refers to the boundless resources of Christ for meeting the needs of sinful humanity, V. 9. “Make all men see” has reference to a theological purpose. God’s intention has always been to offer redemption to all nationalities, but for all practical purposes that intention lay unrevealed until the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ was revealed to the world.
Since the letter was written to the church of Ephesus these principals have application not only to ministers but every member of the Lord’s New Testament church. Servant leadership involves your role in God’s mission, of sharing the unsearchable riches of Christ. Remember it is nothing less than the working of God. Servant leadership involves stewardship. God’s favor is not to be enjoyed as a private luxury but shared with others. Servant leadership has a missionary and theological purpose.
It is encouraging to know that God has a role for each of us in His Divine Master Plan. There are no second-class citizens in God’s kingdom. We are all equals.
published in January 2012 issue of the Missouri Missionary Baptist Paper
Start the new year off right with a commitment to get more of God’s word in your life. Here are a few suggestions for bible reading plans. There are more plans available at: BackToTheBible.org
Research shows that it takes 21 days to form a habit. Make God’s word a habit, and take the 21-day challenge.
Chronological:
Read the events of the Bible as they occurred chronologically. Download it here.
Blended:
If you prefer not to read straight through the Bible but want to add variety to your Scripture reading. Download it here.
2012! Wow! Can you believe it? The new year is here and for many of us it is a time to declare that this next year will be different from the last. I know of one pastor who challenged his congregation to commit to doing five new missional activities during 2012. That’s a great challenge.
Another friend of mine, Dr. David DeVries, (www.MissionalChallenge.com) is a great communicator and teacher on how our primary task as Christians is to make disciples…Disciple makers that make disciples. He really believes that we ought to reach out to where people are and engage them with the gospel…in deed and in word. It makes sense to me. We will not reach very many souls if we simply wait for them to show up in our church services. In one of Dr. Dave’s blogs he wrote about 4 ways that we can show people outside the church that we care about them. The following list is from his blog:
1. Serve
How can you meet genuine needs? Can you offer to babysit your neighbor’s kids? Can you help your neighbor with a home-improvement project? Find out a need in their life right now – and offer to help meet that need. (If you don’t know what they might need – Ask them!)
2. Time
How could you give someone the gift of time? People are busy. You probably need more time in your day. Think of ways to give someone more time. Offer to pick up there kids and give them a ride home from practice or school. Offer to let someone go in front of you the next time you are standing in line at Starbucks or the grocery store. That’s a gift of time. Give up a close parking spot to someone so that they don’t have to walk as far – especially if it’s someone that you know.
3. Affirmation
Encourage others. Send an encouraging note, email, or text message. Tell them something you appreciate about them. Acknowledge their efforts. Celebrate their progress. Affirm their kids. These things are always encouraging. Give them the gift of your affirming words.
4. Gifts
Who doesn’t like gifts? I do – and I’m so grateful when someone gives me even the smallest gift. It’s a tangible expression of care. If you like getting gifts, others you know probably do too. Can you bake an apple pie for a neighbor? Can you buy a cup of coffee? Can you give someone a gift card? Gifts can open up an amazing opportunity for conversation.
I must admit that his list of four ways to care for others is simple, very simple! Yet how many times do we let an opportunity to do one of those four things simply get pass us? Maybe a good resolution for this new year would be to do all four for someone outside of your church family before this winter is over. And come Spring, recommit to do all four again. And when Summer comes…well you get the point.
“For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.” — Jesus (Mt 25:35-36)
By Danny Kirk, Missions Director
My Identity is Found in Christ
by Jim Ainley, ALIVE Committee Chairman
The stage for Alive 2011 was set at the Airport Hilton in St.Louis during the last three days of December. Nearly 280 students and sponsors attended the conference designed to teach us about our identity and how it is found in Christ alone. We were led in worship by Broken Vessels (www.brokenvessels.com), a band with members from Tennessee and Louisiana. They did an excellent job in setting our hearts towards heaven and preparing us to listen to God through His Word. Dustin Wisely from Magnolia, Arkansas was the main speaker. He spoke like a polished veteran, and without a lot of hype and fanfare simply shared the Word of God. He reminded everyone that if we really want to grow, then we have to be in the Word. And as God often does, He touched and changed lives through the preaching of His Word. At least 6 people gave their lives to Christ, and many others recommitted their relationship with God.
A new feature in this year’s conference was small group break-out sessions. Blake Shelby of PSE Archery and Johnny LaGrand (from Potosi) of Mountain Screamer Game Calls spoke to the young men about being a godly man in a world that is telling us to be otherwise. Erin Kingston (war veteran and formerly from Bethel Baptist Church, Lonedell) and Jaclyn Rowe (FBC/Potosi; www.jaclynrowe.com talked to the ladies about such real life issues as modesty, hypocrisy, being a true woman of God, and where to find our identity when things don’t go like we planned.
On the lighter side, 321 Improv (www.321improv.com) entertained us and made us laugh till we cried. Check out their website to see what they are all about.
The Alive Committee would like to thank you for all the support and prayers, and we look forward to seeing you at the 2012 Alive Conference. Be looking for our new website coming early 2012. Like us on Facebook: Alive Ministries – Youth Alive Conference
Here are a few pictures from the recent Youth Alive Event in St. Louis.
The youth alive devotional book is available online for free from:
http://ozarkinspirations.webs.com/Writings/ALIVE2011.pdf
2012 BMAA Meeting Information.pdf
