George Mueller was known as a man of prayer and faith. He lived his faith and built orphanages. He said, “Faith does not operate in the realm of the possible. There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Faith begins where man’s power ends.”

A story that teaches faith has circulated in various forms in Christians circles for years. A house was on fire and a young boy went to the roof to escape. His Dad on the ground knew the only way to save his son’s life was for him to jump. He called, “Jump! I’ll catch you.”

It was dark, there was smoke and the boy couldn’t see his dad. He was afraid to leave the roof and protested, “But Dad, I can’t see you.” Dad said, “But I can see you and that is all that matters jump!” Though he could not see his dad in faith he jumped and his Dad caught him.

The story of Job is in the Bible to teach faith and trust in God. Despite all of the heartbreaking trials, Job still believed God. Belief affects attitude and reaction to the things that happen.

What if Job’s faith was in his children, property, or employees? His world would have ended when he lost them, but that was not the case. When everything was lost Job still exclaimed, “I know that my Redeemer lives.” His faith was in a Sovereign God that always knows and does what is best. He sees the big picture, He will carry you through!

Post a faith story here of a time when like the boy you jumped trusting God.

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 KJV

For many this is vacation season, a time for a change in scenery, to get away and rest mentally, emotionally, and physically. Vacation is not a season to rest from God but with God.

I have been thinking about a phrase in Psalms 91;1, “the secret place of the most High… ” Dwell upon that phrase. What does that mean? Can you describe it?

I think God’s secret place has more to do with to do with a relationship than a specific location. The Psalmist wrote “The LORD is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant.” Psalms 25:14 NLT

A covenant is an agreement, a contract, it is God’s promise to us. To know God’s secret requires a faith relationship with Him that is based on reverence and righteousness.

The key to dwelling in God’s secret place is to love Him with all our heart. That is possible only through His indwelling Holy Spirit. To dwell in God’s secret place is to live life as a fulfilling adventure with Him revealing a little more of Himself at every turn of life’s road.

Instead of seeing life as a series of crises and catastrophes, see it as dwelling in the shelter of the Most High as God teaching you his promises.

To learn his covenants best, plan daily some solitude time with Him, draw close and enter into God’s secret place.

In Matthew 9:29 Jesus said to two blind men “According to your faith it will be done to you.” The Message said, “He touched their eyes and said, “Become what you believe.” We only go as far as our faith is strong enough to take us. What do you think are the things we can do to strengthen our faith?

VITAL SIGNS
A few days ago I went to my doctor, (no I am not sick), just a checkup. I guess I think about simple stuff others don’t notice. Upon entering the nurse does four things before I ever see the doctor. First I am weighed – ugh – depressing. Then my blood pressure, pulse, temperature are measured. Why?
The doctor uses those basic readings to assess my basic physical well being. It is a beginning point for him to determine how good, or how bad, my overall health is at that moment.
I have been thinking. If it were possible to measure my spiritual vital signs what would it say about my spiritual health? What would it suggest about my spiritual future and longevity?
What about you, are your ready to run a marathon or seek admission to a spiritual ICU?
What do you think are the “Vital Signs” of personal spiritual health?

How do you think thing might be different if this verse were applied by all professing Christians? “Serve only the Lord your God and fear him
alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him.”
Deuteronomy 13:4 NLT

Acts 13:22 is one of the most amazing verses in the Bible. In the second part of that verse it says, “God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.” Acts 13:22b NLT

David was not perfect but he was committed to his God and his responsibilities. As a humble shepherd boy taking care of sheep a lion and a bear came to kill the sheep. David risked his life to protect the, and God enabled him to kill the lion and the bear. David was faithful in daily things and God made him ruler over much. We must learn from David to be faithful in the little responsibilities that God gives, only then will the Lord trust us with greater responsibilities.

David turned unsightly, untrained, people into a formidable army because they recognized that David had a heart after God’s own. They were inspired to believe life could be better, he gave them hope.

We live in a dying world with many dying churches. More and more people are finding themselves in distress and generally discontented with a meaningless life. If we live our lives with a heart after Gods own, we will draw people from this lost world to us and make them into a mighty army. Let’s seek to be people after God’s heart and do everything He wants is to do.

BREAKTHROUGH FASTING

Pikeville Church is on an exciting journey. Many from our congregation have accepted the challenge and are participating in Breakthrough 2010, a 21 day fast. Fasting is to lay aside any pleasurable and/or vital activity for a period to intensely pursue God and know His mind with the intent of obeying His revealed will. It is not just for the super spiritual. Jesus taught it is to be a normal part of every Christian’s life.

Fasting is a tremendous aid to help us get refocused on what is really important and get past strongholds and things that have hindered our Christian walk. Paul said in Romans 8:506 NLT Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

It is amazing how dust builds up even in a clean home. Though the homemaker may clean on a regular basis, there are times when we need to do a little extra. Occasionally we need to pull out the refrigerator or move the couch and get behind it.

In our spiritual lives things can also build up. Because of pressures, frustrations, and disappointments we can lose the manifestation of the Fruit of the Spirit in our life. We can lose our peach, joy and passion while still doing the right kinds of things.

Accept the fast challenge to spend these days thinking about those things that “please the Spirit.” As Paul said, “letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.”

The first of the year is a great time to do some serious soul searching, deep cleaning. Let serving God become something you delight to do and not just something you have to do. David said, Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Psalm 51:10-12 NLT

Creative Ministry published the eight characteristics of a healthy church, I do not know the author. I have been thinking though these for several days. I am listing them here and asking that you meditate on each of these.

Should God give you insight to any of them or plant an idea of ways to improve Pikeville Church please share it with me. Our Lord deserves excellence, let’s be the best we can be. This is great food for thought.

1. Empowering leadership: Leading via vision casting, mentoring, equipping, delegation, and change.

2. Gift-oriented ministry: Understanding and matching spiritual gifts to task for meaningful service.

3. Passionate spirituality: Faith lived out of a love relationship with Jesus Christ by practicing spiritual disciplines.

4. Functional structures: Combining the life in the church with systems, goals, and planning to move forward.

5. Inspiriting worship services: God-centered worship with transforming preaching that leaves the congregation edified and uplifted.

6. Holistic small groups: A spiritual atmosphere of transparency, trust, and sharing with the application of biblical truths to daily living.

7. Need-oriented evangelism: Connecting to already existing friendship by listening, meeting needs, and connecting the gospel to personal situations.

8. Loving relationships: A relational environment of affirmation, encouragement, joy, and intentional conflict resolution.

I recently attended a seminar at Pitt Memorial that was designed for ministers and nurses. The focus was on the healing power of “presence.” Research documents significant value to having a person that represents God present when people are in crisis and have need.

It is a powerful concept that underscores the fact that if all ministry occurs in traditional formats within the walls of the church then little real ministry would occur.

Out of the 132 personal contacts of Jesus with people in the New Testament, 122 of them took place outside of the place of worship. He met them in homes, businesses, the streets, and countryside.

Think about it, 92% of His ministry was in homes and the streets. The lesson is clear, the church must multiply persons that represent God to people and together touch people where they are and do it while they are in need. That is what “Spiritual Parenting” and “Maturing Disciples” is designed to do.

Sometimes change can be frightening. Most are most comfortable with what has always been yet we desire things to improve and get better. When the familiar is replaced with the unfamiliar it sometimes causes fear. Even after change has occurred, we can still be surprised and startling.
Change is inevitable though much of the change we experience is good. I am glad for cars, planes, central air, computers, the internet, and a growing church. We experience it all of the time.
We get to choose if we are going to be afraid of change, or anticipate and plan for it. We can even embrace it and triumph through change. By anticipating change we can plan in advance and avoid being startled or surprised.
Someone sent me these two words of encouragement recently. They blessed me and I hope they will you.”

“Don’t measure the size of the mountain; talk to the One who can move it.”
“Instead of carrying the world on your shoulders talk to the One who holds the universe on His.”