Directions made easy

Google maps can tell me just how to get to my destination, even draws me a picture. But I still get lost along the journey?? Paper in hand and lost, just doesn't seem right for a "smart" guy like me.

God understands me better than I do. He gives me written directions in His Word with plenty of illustrations and real life experiences to help me find my way, yet i still get lost along the way sometimes. So when I cannot follow the directions, the Holy Spirit takes over. God really does understand me better than I do!

Father, lead me today by Thy Spirit and help me find my way, Amen!

Worship vs interest

"It's about getting back to Worship" has been the thought on my heart recently. "Who's first in your life?" has been the question I've tossed at the church. Worship is a personal and purposed decision. True unity within the body of Christ cannot exist without true Worship with the God of Heaven.

Is Worship lost? No, just misunderstood. Oswald Chambers says "Worship is giving God the best that He has given you." God gave Abraham Isaac and God said give him back. We are created for God's pleasure and God's pleasure is found only in the best. So the best I have to offer is myself! The best you have to offer is yourself. Worship is offering your best (yourself) to God.

Rev 4:8 says "they rest not saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was and is and is to come."

Father, help us to stay close to You through our Worship with You. In the Name of Jesus! Amen

Waiting

This morning I find myself in the church office waiting for what tomorrow will bring. Tomorrow morning, at the close of the Worship service, the church will vote for me as their pastor. It's actually the third vote on my journey here at Goshen FWB.

• The First occurred in may 2010 to bring me as an associate pastor.


• The Second occurred Jan 23, 2011 to call me as pastor. I had the majority vote but not the required 3/4 majority, so I was not called to be the senior pastor.


• The third vote comes tomorrow, Lord willing, after an interesting chain of events.

1. Jan 9 2011...Senior pastor retires from Goshen FWB


2. Jan. 23, 2011...My vote did not call me as pastor


3. Jan 24, 2011...members began to remove their membership from Goshen Church.


4. March...The attempt to formulate a pulpit search committee failed. There was only one volunteer.


5. April...General Board voted to submit to church the recommendation to re-consider yours truly as pastor.


6. April...Church voted to re-vote me as pastor.


7. Tomorrow, June 5, 2011, there's a vote pending to call me as pastor.

Today I find myself waiting...need I say more?

Yes!

Through this process to become the pastor of Goshen FWB I've been...

• tested


• tried


• trusted


• treated wrongly


• tempted to quit


• loved, encouraged, strengthened!!!

What A journey this has been! It's been amazing in every way possible!

I know God is in control of my life and ministry no matter how tomorrow's vote turns out. God has proved Himself to me in many ways this past year. Praise to my God in Heaven!

"Thank you" to all those who have encouraged me and are praying for me still!

Grateful indeed!

Pastor Paul

FaithFriends are the BestFriends

Cake and "50" flaming candles......

Yes, today's my birthday. Yes, I'm 50! Yes, I'm beginning to feel my age a little... Yes, I made it down the hall this morning. Yes, Yes, Yes...it's all good!

Why? Because I can do all things through Jesus who strengthens me!!!
Why? Because Jesus turned my life around and upside down!
Why? Because Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.

YES...Why? ... Because! ... Jesus!

Living certain...

Jabez prayed "that the hand of God might be upon me..." (1 Chronicles 4:10) Certainly Jabez understood and believed that God was with him and that God could do all things. No doubt in his prayer! Might points to the very real possibility.

Pray with Expectation!

Value

It's amazing those things we consider to be of value. Our cars and houses, our IRA's and diamonds, our pets and yes, our children...the list goes on and on. But what about God's Holy Word?

A few weeks ago, I decided to begin studying Biblical Characters in our Wednesday Night Prayer Service. Already, our people are realizing the value of study. There's real life lesson to be learned and applied to our lives.

ADAM --> Don't blame God!
CAIN --> Check your heart attitude!
ABEL --> God "respects" the faithful
NOAH -->Determine to say true til the end!

Yes, there is much value in God's Word!! (and Prayer)

Father, help us to have a desire to learn from Your Holy word, to want to know You more and more, and to want to be found faithful to You. Bless our church as we study Your truths together. Bless us Lord Jesus. Amen

Hope to see you Wednesday! (Abraham)