A Prophetic Word!

Max Lucado has a pray for tough times.

More on Proposition 8 - Interview with The Parker Family

A serious matter...

I would like to direct your attention toward another blog today. Dudley Rutherford is the Senior Pastor of Shepherd of the Hills Christian Church in Porter Ranch, Ca, one of the fastest growing churches in the Independent Christian Church and Church of Christ movement. His most recent entries are a must read for all of us who carry the Name of Jesus and are contending for the Faith.

Many of you already know that I am from California. This is my great friend and mentor. I credit Dudley for turning my heart toward God's calling to preach and the burden to reach the masses with the gospel of Jesus Christ. I believe that my home church, as well as many others in California are living in an Epic time for the Kingdom of God! They need our prayers. We need to pray that they stand firm, and live courageously as they contend for the cause of Christ.

I believe that Christians have been silent too long. We have embraced our love of comfort with arms of complacency.

Not only do we need to consider the issues during this critical election, we need to consider where we stand with God and His Word.

Please take time to read his blog and feel free to write me your thoughts.
http://dudleyrutherford.blogspot.com/

David

Pray for Proposition 8

On November 4 voters will go to the polls in California. One of the propositions on the ballot is Proposition 8 amending the California constitution to provide that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.

Back in 2000, 61% of Californians (52 of 58 counties) voted to preserve the traditional definition of marriage (the 6 counties that did not are all in the vicinity of San Francisco). But then the California Supreme Court, by a 4-3 vote, overruled the will of the people and the design of God by saying that marriage does not depend upon the individual’s sexual orientation.

One of the reasons we should be praying for the November 4 vote is because there are no residency requirements in the Golden State. Homosexual couples can travel to California, marry, and return to their home state that will then be forced to recognize their marriages or face legal challenges.

University of Pennsylvania constitutional law professor Kermit Roosevelt, quoted in the Los Angeles Times, said, “[M]ore states [will] follow California’s example and the U.S. Supreme Court [will] eventually rule in favor of same-sex marriage….That decision will come at the end of a process that is now just beginning.”

All the more reason to pray.

Reprinted with permission from: Knowlesletter, October 2008, Vol.16, No. 10

Declaration to Satan!

I shared this prayer that at the close of my sermon on Sunday. I obtained this prayer from a great friend and Pastor in CA, Dudley Rutherford. Many have asked for a copy of it, as I promised, I am posting it to the blog. May you continue to stand strong against the devil's schemes. This is no time to stand on the sidelines. Never stop praying against the devil. Remember that we who have put our faith in Jesus our victorious!

Pray! Pray! Pray!

Declaration to Satan
Satan, take note and listen well!
We are the Church of the Living God.
We are bought with blood, charged with power, married to Jesus,
indwelt with His Spirit, destined for victory, immune from destruction.

We’re part of the company of the committed,
the crowd of the covenant,
the congregation of the courageous.
We’re a fellowship of the faithful, a battalion of believers,
a regiment of the redeemed,
a division of the devoted, an army of the approved,
a team of the triumphant, and a platoon of the powerful.

Satan, you will not conquer me.
For I am blood-washed, daily-delivered, strongly-sanctified,
Spirit-soaked, in-Word, and indwelt.
You are wasting your energy on me.
My fate is set. My victory is assured.
I am linked with a sovereign and eternal power.

You are a deceiver, but you will not deceive me.
You are a roaring lion, but I am not devourable.
You are extremely subtle, but I am on to your ways.
You parade as an angel of light, but I walk in a stronger light.
Your days of deception are over with me.
I won’t be detoured, derailed, distracted, distorted, discouraged, or disillusioned by your schemes.

I am off limits to you now. My doors are closed and locked and I've thrown away the keys.

You won’t walk in, crawl in, slither in, sneak in, pry in, or barge into my life.
I have permanent and precious friend who lives inside of me, and He will not share this temple with anyone, especially you.

His name is Jesus.

He and I know that you know your time's almost up.

You may lie, lure, linger, lurch, and laugh, but you won’t get in.
Your days are numbered; your designs are dwindling; your evil is eroding; your devilishness is dissolving; your progress is poisoned; your success has been subverted.
So get off my property; get off my porch.
Get out of my sight.
For He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world.
Leave my family alone; leave my children alone; leave my church alone; and leave my friends alone.

God is on my side. Rather, I’m on God’s side.
I have the same power that delivered Jesus from temptation and sin.
I have the same power that raised Him from the grave.
I have been promised the victory, and I have claimed that victory.
You can summon all your hosts, but you will lose the battle!

We are the Church of the Living God! Blood-washed, Spirit-filled, battle-scarred, unrelenting and indestructible. And in the blessed words of Jesus Christ, the gates of hell will not prevail against us.

In Jesus’ name.
In Jesus' name.
In Jesus' name.

Are you listening?
In Jesus' name.

Amen and Amen!

We are the Champions!

Hi there. This is Alana. You'll see my name over there to the side listed as a "contributor", although I haven't contributed much here on this blog, except for simply getting it started. I have been a member of what I call "blog world" for a little over a year and it has blessed me greatly. I think this blog has a lot of potential for helping us create more community within our church. Dave and I have been brainstorming ideas to spruce things up around here (the blog) as well as adding content that will leave you wanting to visit more and perhaps even join in the discussion.

One of the ideas we've spoken about is a forum type discussion on the sermon. Of course, in order to have a forum, we'll need you to get involved via the comment section. If you'd like to join in the discussion, simply leave a comment. In order to leave a comment, you must first create a google account with a username. Then at the end of the post, you simply click on "post a comment" and offer your thoughts.

I thought this week's sermon was a great place for us to start, so I will offer a few of my thoughts and then offer a couple of ways for you to enter the discussion, if you so choose.

The title of today's sermon was "Victory". Dave's starting thought was...

Don't forget: We are in a battle. (Ephesians 6:12)

I think as I mature in life and in spiritual life I am becoming more and more aware of this. I have started to recognize the areas that Satan targets me and have learned to resist him with scripture and calling on God to fight the battle for me. Because after all, we know in the end that He is the victor! This brings me great comfort and empowers me to fight instead of walking around in defeat. There are a couple of areas in my life that he has learned are easy targets. Although, by the grace of God, I see the targets getting smaller! For the sake of being transparent and in hopes of starting of the discussion, I will share a couple of them with you.

One area is in my desire to please men. I have always been a people pleaser, and although not all of you will relate to this, some of the darkest times in my life were when I had conflict with someone and was unable to resolve it. I'm also a peacemaker, so when there is unresolved conflict in my life it can take me to a dark place. A dark place where Satan is waiting and more than willing to "devour" me.

Another area is in my want for things. This manifests itself in different ways for me. One way is in regards to food and another way is with actual material things. I have bought into the lie for too long that these are needs and not wants and that I would not be "okay" without them. God has been teaching me lately that I can be more than okay without these things. In fact, I can be FREE without them. He has no desire for me to live in bondage.

Okay, it's your turn to enter the discussion. Here are a few questions to get you started...

1) Are you aware of the "battles" in your life?
2) In which battles have you found victory?
3) In which battles are you still struggling?
4) What are some of your favorite scriptures for "resisting" the Devil?

"...for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."

1 John 5:4-5

HOPE!

I hope that this video encourages you during this time of economic uncertainty. Crown Financial Ministries has so many resources to offer the local church. This is a great message from the CEO of the company. I think TLCC can make an impact in this community, specifically in the area of finances. Put your trust in Jesus!

Your vote counts! Please watch this video and vote with wisdom and discernment. There are issues that deserve our attention and our vote.

Will you give your Life for the Kingdom?

Patriot Nathan Hale Was Hanged
September 22, 1776
"I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." Have you heard this famous declaration before? American patriot Nathan Hale said it on September 22, 1776, his last words before he was hanged for spying on British troops. How did this come to pass? Hale, born in Coventry, Connecticut, on June 6, 1755, and a teacher by trade, joined his five brothers in the fight for independence against the British.

Five of Nathan Hale's brothers fought the British at Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts, on April 19, 1775. Nathan joined them on July 6. From there, he quickly rose to the rank of captain in the military. He fought under General George Washington in New York, as British General William Howe began a military build-up on Long Island. Washington took his army onto Manhattan Island. At the battle of Harlem Heights, Washington, facing Howe in battle yet again, asked for a volunteer to go on a spy mission behind enemy lines. Hale stepped forward.
Disguised as a Dutch schoolmaster, Nathan Hale set out on his mission on
September 1.
For a week he gathered information on the position of British troops, but was captured while returning to the American side. Because of incriminating papers Hale possessed, the British knew he was a spy. It is said that his cousin, a British sympathizer under Howe's command, betrayed him. Howe ordered young Hale to be hanged the following day. That's when Hale, who gave his life for his country, said those famous words.

Taken from www.americaslibrary.gov

Jesus commands that his followers must be willing to give their very life for him and the Kingdom. How is your life of Jesus-like self denial going?

Blessings!

One CRAFTy win!

Last night, I stayed up to watch UCLA upset the Vols in OT. What an exciting game. The first half didn't look that promising. the score really didn't tell the whole story at the end of the first half. Only down by 7 points, the Bruins went in the lockerroom with four interceptions from the third string quarterback.

Craft, came out and played a completely different second half and led the Bruins to an electrifying victory in OT.

No matter what the first half look like for you this morning, don't give up!
God's mercies are new every morning.

There are so many great lessons from this game. Many of the seniors on the team encouraged Craft and let him know that they were't giving up on him.
That was the first thing he stated in the post game interview.
Never underestimate the power we have to encourage one another!!

Be encourged. Don't Quit. We win! Because He already won. All we have to do is get out on the field and play!!!

The Spoken Word

Imagine a church that looks like God! TLCC can be this church, even in Southwest MO!

everyone is a missionary!

So, the other day I read this statistic that if the world was a village of 100 people, 67 of them would not know Jesus.
Do the math. 33 people know Jesus. 67 don't. why? What are the 33 doing with the GOOD NEWS? Could they be doing more?
I want to make a difference in my "village" that I live in. I know that you do too. Oh, how the number of 67 could dramatically change if the 33 were burdened, motivated, and convicted to be the missionaries that God has called us to be.
Let's win our village to Jesus!
In the fall of 08 we are going to be speaking about missions around the number "67". Put your creative hats on a think with the team as we come up with ideas that center around this incredible number.
What could you do with 67 dimes?
Send out 67 postcards?

we would love to use one of your creative ideas!

David

When God Changes a Life!

This was on Dave Ferguson’s Blog, I wanted to share it with you!


If you are a baseball fan then you watched Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers set a new single round record with 28 homers in the first round of Home Run Derby. Much more amazing is Josh Hamilton's story of how God saved him from a life of drugs and alcohol that almost ruined him. He said, "When I get the urge to have a drink or do something I'm not supposed to do, I think about what a hypocrite I would be to my Christianity and my sobriety." He continued, "My wife told me in the midst of my addiction that God was going to let me get back to baseball." Then Josh Hamilton added, "Being able to share my story, that's what it's all about." If you want to read more about his story here is one version in the Dallas News. My favorite line of the night was from one of the ESPN announcers while Hamilton was clobbering homer after homer out of Yankee Stadium, "It's not a good night to be an atheist."

I have a dream too!

I have a Dream by John Stott

In a sermon given by John Stott, preacher and author, given on the 150th anniversary of All Souls Church in 1974, he concluded his sermon with his own dream for the church. He was asked to celebrate the history of the church while looking to the future.

This is what he wrote: (by John Stott, The Living Church, Intervarsity Press: 2008)

I have a dream of a church which is a biblical church-
which is loyal in every particular to the revelation of
God in Scripture,
whose pastors expound Scripture with integrity and
relevance, and so seek to present every member
mature in Christ.
whose people love the word of God, and adorn it
with an obedient and Christ-like life,
which is preserved from all unbiblical emphases,
whose whole life manifests the health and beauty
of biblical balance.
I have a dream of a biblical church.

I have a dream of a church which is a worshipping church-
whose people come together to meet God and worship him,
who know God is always in their midst and who
bow down before him in great humility,
who regularly frequent the table of the Lord Jesus, to
celebrate his mighty act of redemption on the cross
who enrich the worship with their musical skills,
who believe in prayer and lay hold of god in prayer
whose worship is expressed not in Sunday services
and prayer gathering only but also in their
homes, their weekday work and the common things of life.
I have a dream of a worshipping church.

I have a dream of a church which is a caring church-
whose congregation is drawn from many races,
nations, ages and social backgrounds, and exhibits
the unity and diversity of the family of God,
whose fellowship is warm and welcoming
and never marred by anger, selfishness, jealousy or pride,
whose members love another with a pure heart
fervently, forbearing one another’s burdens,
which offers friendship to the lonely, support to the
weak, and acceptance to those who are despised
and rejected by society,
whose love spills over to the world outside, attractive,
infectious, irresistible, the love of God himself.
I have a dream of a caring church.
I have a dream of a church which is a serving church-
which has seen Christ as the Servant and as heard
His call to servant too,
which is delivered from self-interest, turned inside
out, and giving itself selflessly to the service of others,
whose members obey Christ’s command to live in the
world, to permeate secular society, to be the salt of
the earth and the light of the world,
whose people share the good news of Jesus simply,
naturally and enthusiastically with their friends,
which diligently serves its own parish, residents and
workers, families and single people, nationals and
immigrants, old folk and little children,
which is alert to the changing needs of society,
sensitive and flexible enough to keep adapting its
program to sever more usefully,
which has a global vision and its constantly
challenging its young people to give their lives in
service, and constantly sending its people out to serve.
I have a dream of a serving church.

I have a dream of a church which is an expectant church-
whose members can never settle down in material
affluence or comfort, because thy remember that
they are strangers and pilgrims on earth,
which is all the more faithful and active because it is
waiting and looking for its Lord to return,
which keeps the flame of the Christian hope burning
brightly in a dark, despairing world,
which on the day of Christ will not shrink from him
in shame, but rise up joyfully to greet him.
I have a dream of an expectant church.

Such is my dream of a living church. May all of us share this dream, and under God may the dream come true!

Amen Church! Amen!

In Love,

David

Sabbath Rest

On Wednesday Nights at Tri-Lakes Christian, a group is studying Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero. Great Book! In the most recent chapter that we studied entitled, Discovering the rhythms of the daily office and sabbath, he shares a marvelous story concerning the sabbath and that we are more rested and productive in our journey with the Lord and in this world when we take time to sabbath.  

There is a story of a wagon train of Christians traveling on their way from St. Louis to Oregon. They observed the habit of stopping for the Sabbath during the autumn but as winter approached the group began to panic in fear they would not reach their destination before the snows began. a number of members of the group proposed they quit the practice of stopping for the Sabbath and travel seven days a week. This caused an argument in the community until it was finally decided to divide the wagon train in two groups. One group would observe the Sabbath day as before and not travel. The other would press on. 

Which group arrived in Oregon first? Of course-the ones who kept the Sabbath. Both people and their horses were so rested by their Sabbath observance they could travel much more efficiently the other six days. 

See you Sunday! 

David

The Greatest Highlight!

Right now you can place your vote for the greatest highlight of history in sports, on ESPN with Chris Berman as the host. The two final highlights to choose from are the Boise State's Statue of LIberty beats Oklahoma and the "Miracle on Ice" when Mike Eruzione's goal gave the USA hockey team the lead against U.S.S.R.. you can view them at www.ESPN.com
Which one will you vote for?

Funny how both are victories? Would they even be considered if they didn't end in victory?

The two greatest highlights that have my vote would never been found on the list of ESPN. Both end in victory. One is a victory over sin, the other over death...

One is Calvary, the other an Empty Tomb...which one wins your vote. I know, you can't have one without the other. Without Calvary, there is no resurrection. Without the resurrection the death of Jesus would not have been the perfect sacrifice.

This Easter we celebrate the amazing highlights of Jesus' death and resurrection. God died and God came back to life!

Chris Berman...which one has your vote?

Biblical Mannhood on Ice!

On the sovereign grace web site, C.J. Mahaney had this picture and thought. I completely agree...

"In the midst of the Super Bowl hype you may have missed an example of masculinity.

Last Thursday, after the Washington Capitals defeated Montreal 5-4, Alexander Ovechkin was quoted (in broken English) saying, “Today was special day. I broke my nose, I have stitches, I score four goals.”"

I pray that the men of Christ realize that Biblical manhood is not for wimps. We are in a battle. Men, I pray that today is a special day. As you fight for the souls of your sons and daughters, may you walk away with a broken nose and some stitches!

Being a Christian man never sounded so cool!

I wonder if Christ ever asks, "which one of you will fight like a man?"

Blessings,

David

Tornadoes Ravage the Ozarks

The night after the storm. An early estimate is around 10 to 12 tornadoes touched down last night across the Ozarks. 

Currently by the Grace of God, only two people lost their lives. several were injured. Our thoughts and prayers wre with those today. 

TLCC has a few families that were directly in the path of the severe weather last night. We are thankful that everyone is safe and doing well today. 

Blessed be the Name of the Lord. He gives and takes away. Our hearts will praise Him in the storm and we will praise Him in the warmth of the sun. 

I love you all. If there is a need because of the storm last night that you are aware of. please contact the church office so that we can be of assistance during the recovery efforts. 

Blessings! 

David Patrick