Sunday, January 18, 2009

A Shout-Out To Generation Now!

It is 8:25 am on Sunday morning and I am sitting at my desk preparing for today's services but I'm having trouble staying focused. I'm sitting here thinking about Revivalution Youth Ministries. That happens to be the name of our youth ministries here at First Church. Two things come to mind about this unique group of young people. 1. They know how important it is to have the Spirit of God flowing freely in a service. Whether it is a Friday night service or a Tuesday night service they want the anointed presence of God in the building. 2. They know what it takes to have a sustained spiritual harvest. We commonly refer to it as "revival". This morning at 7:30 am they were already gathering in the prayer room to prepare to go out and wake-up their bus routes so we can get the first Sunday School session started at 9am. Now without seeming nepotistic I am directly affected by this phenomenon by the fact that my son Seth (15) is amongst that group. It is primarily made up of young people 13-21 with a few more mature team captains to lead the way. So here is my thought: what a great group of young people, at their respective ages to have their hearts and heads in the right place is a great testimony to Generation Now! No they are not perfect and they still have problems with life and other things. But, considering where they are at this stage and where many of us were at this same age...I think I need to say something about them today.

That's what's on my mind!

JS

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

It's A New Year!

It seems at this point that I'm not a very good blogger. I haven't written anything for almost a month now and if I wasn't making a concerted effort it could be several more weeks before I wrote anything else. Every year seems to start the same way for me...busy! It has been very hectic around here since the Christmas holiday season. But come mid-January I think things are settling down and I can start enjoying some consistency in my schedule.

So the new year is off and running and many adjustments are being made, along with the addition of some new things this year looks to be a great year. I am challenged and excited about what lies before us in 2009.

With the economic uncertainties coupled with the world-wide political climate I am sure that this year will hold some new challenges for us all. However, I am also excited about this coming year. With all of the before mentioned issues I feel that this is the greatest atmosphere for a nation-wide Spiritual awakening. What a great time to be Apostolic! Invest yourself in the only stable thing around us...the Kingdom of God! I recommend three things that each of us do on a daily basis to make the most of the opportunity before us.

Pray! Make an effort to seek God.

Study the Bible! Establish yourself in the Word of God.


Reach upward! Start striving to know God intimately.


Php 3:10 [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] Amplified Bible

One more thing before I sign off. I recommend everyone read this blog by my good friend Pastor B.J. Wilmoth. It will help you start the new year on the right foundation.

http://pastorbjwilmoth.blogspot.com/2008/12/remembering-who-i-am.html


That's what is on my mind!


JS