theamenministry

Mild, Medium, or Hot?  These are the usual choices you and I have when purchasing or ordering certain brands of salsa.  When it comes to the degree of passion we have for the Lord, we also have a choice, but choose wisely.

Too many Christians choose to be mild.  Too many worship services are mild.  Mild is safe, mild is tame, mild is, well… mild.  We should want our lives and our passion for Christ and for the lost to be flaming, set your world on fire, hot for the Lord.  We get passionate about sports, passionate about food and our favorite places to eat, passionate about our children and grandchildren, and so many other things in this life.  I believe there are actually many people who are waiting for those of us who know the Lord to get passionate about Him!  Unfortunately, there are some within the church who prefer mild.

David’s wife, Michal, was offended when David unashamedly worshiped and praised God with all his might as the Ark of the Covenant was being returned to its’ rightful place.  Apparently, she was embarrassed by David’s passionate worship of God and so, she rebuked him.  Basically, David said to her, “Sweetheart, you think what you saw today bothered you, I’ve got news for you, it’s going to get worse.  I’m going to praise God even more!”  Michal was bitter and sadly, the Bible records that she had no children.

How true of those who are mild and medium for the Lord; they bear no harvest for Christ.  Friend, ask the Lord to keep you on fire for Him everyday of your life.  Love Him, worship Him, live for Him, and serve Him with all your heart and might.

In Christ’s service,

Allen

Read Full Post »

The Sunday morning message challenged the congregation to realize there really is a way that each one of  you can serve the Lord.  Not everyone is called to be a pastor, a missionary, a Bible teacher, a soloist, or a worship leader, but we need to realize there is at least one thing we can do to serve Jesus and others.

I gave the invitation and, as always, invited people to come to faith and trust in Christ.  As a part of the invitation and decision time, I also invited all who were led to come and pray and ask the Lord to show them how they could serve Him.  Almost immediately, a young lady in her twenties came forward and asked me to pray with her.  She said to me, “Bro. Allen, I want to do something to serve the Lord, but I don’t know what it could be?”  We prayed together and I told her that I would think about it and pray about it and that she needed to do the same.  We would see how the Lord would lead.

As I thought about Toni’s question and prayed for her, the Lord gave me an idea.  I purchased the necessary items she would need and headed to her house to explain my idea.  I knew that Toni had an electric typewriter.  (This was before the days of personal computers).  I gave her several boxes of various themed greeting cards that were blank on the inside.  I asked her if she would begin a ministry of sending get-well cards, sympathy cards, and other types of cards to our members as they had need.  She was so excited!  Now she had a way that she could serve the Lord.  You see, there is something that I haven’t told you yet about Toni.  Toni has Cerebral Palsy.  She could only type those messages one slow, painstakingly patient keystroke at a time.  But type she did.  Can you imagine the blessing it was for people to receive those cards of encouragement and then realize that Toni had typed that personal message for them?

Toni has Cerebral Palsy, but she did not use it as an excuse for not serving the Lord and being a blessing to others.  Perhaps you need to quit making excuses and instead, start asking God to show you how He can use you for His glory.  Ask Him.  He will show you.  What are you waiting for?

In Christ’s service,

Allen

Read Full Post »