theamenministry

If a disciple of Jesus is someone who follows Jesus and looks more and more like Him as they walk through this life, then we must ask the question, “What did the life of Jesus look like?”  In other words, as Jesus lived out His daily life, what did that look like?  In my opinion, part of the answer lies in Galatians 5:22-23.  This is the passage that lists the fruit of the Spirit.  I believe that when you look at the fruit of the Spirit you are actually looking at the character and personality of Christ.  So we know that as we grow in Christ and are being filled with the Holy Spirit and transformed by the Spirit into the image of Christ, we will look more and more like Jesus.  The fruit of the Spirit will become more and more evident in our lives.

However, I want us to think more specifically about what the daily life of Jesus looked like.  I realize there could be many answers to this question and they would probably all be correct.  But, if you looked at the daily life of Jesus with, say, a telescope instead of a microscope, what would be the overall description of His daily life?  If you had to narrow it down to just a few things, what would they be?  If you were to offer a half dozen or so one-word descriptions of the daily life of Jesus, what would they be?

Think about it.  Next time, I would like to share my thoughts on what those characteristics would be.

In Christ’s service,                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Allen

Read Full Post »

Last night I taught the mid-week Bible study at SweetWater Baptist Church.  We were studying Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8, and other related passages.  When we got to the part about evangelism, I asked two of the questions that I asked in yesterday’s post.  Those questions were, “Have you ever heard of grandparents being trained to share about their grandchildren?” and “Do you have to force a college football fan to talk about their favorite team?”  Their response?  They laughed!  Those wonderful folks got it!  They  understood exactly the point that I was making.

Again, let me say, I am thankful for all the training and evangelism tools that we have.  Training is important.  It helps to prepare us and can give us more confidence as we witness to others.  However, we probably have more trained church members than ever before while we are seeing fewer baptisms than we have in decades.  What’s missing?

I want you to focus on two phrases in Acts 1:8.  Acts 1:8 goes hand-in-hand with Matthew 28:18-20.  What are the two phrases?  “You shall RECEIVE” and “You shall BE.”  Every believer receives the Holy Spirit when we are born again.  However, there is a command in Ephesians 5:18 that we are to be filled with the Holy Spirit.  What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit?

A lot of people make it out to be a lot of different things.  I believe the best understanding is right there in the verse.  In the first half of verse eighteen, Paul writes that we are not to be filled with wine.  When a person is filled with alcohol, it affects the way they think, the way they see things, the way they hear things, the way they walk, talk, act, and react.  We call it, “being under the influence.”  So, when you are filled with and under the influence of the Holy Spirit, it will affect the way you think, the way you see things, hear things, walk, talk, act, and react!  The Great Commission is a command, but so is Ephesians 5:18.

“You shall RECEIVE…You shall BE…”        When you read the first few chapters of the Book of Acts, you see that being filled with the Holy Spirit gave the believers a boldness to share Christ with others.  When Peter and John were dragged before the Council, they were severely threatened and commanded not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.  What was their response?  In Acts 4:20 we read their reply, “…we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

Where did this boldness come from?  The answer is found earlier in Acts 4:13.  “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled.  And they realized that they had been with Jesus.” (NKJV) Friend, are you spending time daily with Jesus?  Are you daily filled with the Holy Spirit”  “You shall RECEIVE, You shall BE.”  When Christ is our first love and we are filled with Him, we cannot help but speak of Him everywhere we go.  Sharing Christ with others will be as natural as an artesian well overflowing from within our innermost being.

Last night, after the Bible study at SweetWater, one of the men shared a story with me.  He said that years ago he heard the story of a man in Brazil that was saved at an evangelistic crusade.  The man immediately wanted to serve the Lord and tell others what had happened to him.  However, some of the leaders cautioned him and said to him, “You cannot do that until you have been trained.”  But, the man said that he could not take the time for that just now.  Two years later, this man returned to the town where he had been saved.  The leaders of the church asked him where he had been and what had he been doing?  The man replied, “I have started several churches and we have seen hundreds come to Christ.”  The leaders said, “How could you do that?  You have not received training?”  The man said, “I just told them all about Jesus.”   YOU SHALL RECEIVE.  YOU SHALL BE.

Until next time–in Christ’s love,                                                                                                                                                                                     Allen

Read Full Post »

My initial burden that led to the writing of these posts actually centered on the fact that, for the most part, we have dropped the ball when it comes to discipling new believers and believers in general.  With that in mind, however, we need to take a moment and talk about evangelism because a person cannot be a disciple of Jesus unless they have been born again.  For ages, people have seen evangelism and discipleship as the two-fold command of our Lord’s Great Commission in Matthew 28.  Speaking of evangelism and discipleship, I must mention something here that I heard years ago and have never forgotten.  Early in my ministry I heard someone say, “Evangelism is incomplete until the evangelized become evangelists.”  How true that statement is.

I realize that not everyone who follows our ministry is a Southern Baptist.  We are so thankful that people of many denominations pray for us, follow the ministry, and have even supported us financially.  The Body of Christ is so much bigger than any one denomination, ministry, or church.  However, as a Southern Baptist, I must say that  many have been troubled, saddened, and even alarmed by the fact that Baptists are baptizing fewer people now than we have in nearly seventy years!  It is not the purpose of this post to try and analyze this sad fact.  I believe that more than anything else, this should show us the need for revival and spiritual awakening. It is sad to say, however, that there are many, even in leadership positions, who feel that this is simply the catch-all, “spiritual”, preacher answer to this dilemma.

Having said that, we need to consider, “Have ideas and motivation for evangelism and discipleship become things that we basically program, package, promote, and then purchase in a Christian bookstore? ” Are baptisms at their lowest point in decades because we continue to try to motivate carnal church members to be soul-winners and then wonder why hardly anyone ever shows up for “visitation night” or other evangelistic outreach events?  Why do we have hundreds of people who have been trained in Evangelism Explosion, Continued Witness Training, Faith, etc., yet our baptistries have cobwebs growing in them?

As I wrote in an earlier post, I am not trying to sound negative, harsh, judgmental, or holier-than-thou.  But, we must honestly face these issues, ask these questions, and ask the Lord to speak to us.  We must cry out to God for revived hearts among His people and for spiritual awakening among the lost.  I am thankful for evangelism training and for every tool we have for evangelism and discipleship.  However, have you ever heard of anyone being trained to share about their grandchildren?  Do you ever have to motivate a college football fan to talk about, quite enthusiastically I might add,their favorite team?  Do you have to force someone who loves to hunt and fish to talk about their latest experience?

You may be thinking, “Preacher, you’re being ridiculous.  What’s your point? What does this have to do with evangelism and the Great Commission?”  Part of the answer may be found in a passage in Acts and in another passage in Ephesians.

Until next time–In Christ’s service,                                                                                                                                                                               Allen

Read Full Post »

We know that a disciple is a learner and a follower of someone.  A Christian, of course, is to be a disciple of Jesus.  Jesus commands that making disciples of His be one of our main priorities in life.  Are we making church members, or are we making disciples of Jesus?  Also, I want us to think of a disciple in this way, “A 100% (not 70%,80%, or even 99%) sold-out follower of Jesus Christ.  A person, who as they walk through this life, looks more and more like Jesus. In other words, they are being transformed more and more into His image.”  With this in mind, every church and every Christian needs to ask and honestly evaluate and answer the question, “Are we making disciples?”  Are we reproducing people who look more and more like Jesus?

Churches are great at planning activities and offering programs.  In fact, I believe that too many churches have substituted activities and programs for the work of making disciples.  I am not trying to sound negative or judgmental, or holier than thou–I simply believe it is the truth, especially in American churches.  Let’s face it, planning activities and offering programs are much easier than the study,prayer, blood, sweat, and tears that are involved in the work of making disciples. Making disciples takes time, energy and work.  It means that the masks that we sometimes wear have to come off when we regularly meet with another believer or a group of two to five others and we study God’s Word, pray together, and honestly share where we are in our life and in our walk with God.  Yes, making disciples will cost us something, but this is what Jesus commanded us to do!

I do not want to be too narrow-minded in my thoughts of what it means to make disciples.  The work of making disciples can happen in a variety of ways.  As always, the best place to start is with the Word of God.  Go back again, and look at how Jesus discipled His apostles.  Reread Titus 2:1-8 and 2 Timothy 2:2. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you and give you ideas of how you can be a part of the disciple-making command of Jesus.

From personal experience, I know that some of the greatest times of  joy and fulfillment in my pastoral ministry and some of the greatest times of growth in one church in particular, were  when Lisa and I and two or three others in our church were meeting weekly with two to five people each for times of in-depth discipleship.  As busy as I was as the pastor of a growing church, this was one of the most important and effective things I ever did.  Pastors and ministerial staff can be busy and kept busy with all kinds of time-consuming things, but I pray that more and more pastors and staff ministers will begin to personally disciple members of their churches.  Oh, but before you think this is something just for ordained ministers to be doing, you need to realize this is also something for EVERY mature believer in Christ to be part of.

How will you let the Holy Spirit use you?  How will you be a part of the command to make disciples?

Until next time—In Christ’s love,

Allen

Read Full Post »

We all know the Lord’s command in Matthew 28:18-20.  Grab your Bible and look at it once again.  We call this passage, “The Great Commission.”  It is the Great C0-Mission.  Think about it, the Lord of the universe invites us, in fact, commands us to be on mission with Him.  What a privilege!  What an awesome responsibility!

Churches are busy with many things, but it would be safe to say that the Great Commission ranks near the top, if not at the top, of our main calling as believers.  Of course, more than anything else, we are to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and might.  We are to worship Him, honor and glorify Him.  The Great Commission is to flow out of that love and worship.  However, years ago I heard someone ask the question, “If the main business of the Church is to make disciples, every now and then we need to ask ourselves the question, ‘How’s business?'”  So, I want to ask you and your church the question, “How’s business?”

Do the lives of some believers and some churches lead us to think that Jesus was simply offering, “The Great Suggestion”, or “The Great Option?”  Jesus did not say, “Go make Baptists” or “Go make church members.”  He told us to make disciples.  So this leads to other questions, among them, “ARE we really making disciples?” and if we are, “HOW are we making disciples?”

Over the next few days or so, I hope to share more about this.  The Lord has really been stirring me up about this matter and I hope and pray the Holy Spirit stirs you up too!

In Christ’ love,                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Allen

Read Full Post »

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!  We were blessed to be with the wonderful fellowship at Good Hope Baptist Church in South Carolina.  Lisa, Larry and Judy Barnes and myself were invited to lead a marriage conference.  Lisa, Larry, and Judy did an amazing job teaching, sharing, and even answering some difficult questions during our question and answer session.  I was just trying not to mess up the great job they were doing.  The people were very gracious and encouraging to all of us.  God is doing a wonderful work in that church.  Of course, we also think Good Hope has a great pastor and first family!  We want to thank all of you for your prayers.  We could certainly tell that many of you were praying for us.

Our ministry time at SweetWater Baptist will be coming to a close in a couple of weeks.  It has been a privilege to serve them as their interim pastor for the past few months. Their new pastor and his family will begin their ministry in a few weeks and I know that the Lord has good things in store for the future.  The folks at SweetWater have been a blessing to us and we pray God’s best for them.

We ask you to continue to pray and ask the Lord to open doors for ministry.  We would love to do more revival meetings, prophecy conferences, and even more marriage conferences before the end of this year. I would also ask you to begin praying now for the mission trips to Romania and Poland.  These are going to be vital opportunities for evangelism, ministry, and encouragement.

We thank God for each one of you.  As I always remind you, this ministry is impossible apart from the grace of God and the prayers, encouragement, and generosity of God’s people.  You truly are partners with us in all that God does through the AMEN Ministry.  We love you and we pray God’s blessings upon you.  “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to HIM be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” Ephesians 3:20-21

In Christ’s service,                                                                                                                                                                                                               Allen & Lisa

Read Full Post »

By now most of you have heard that Lisa and I have a new grandson.  We are far from being a perfect family, but God has blessed us far more than I deserve.  He has given me a wife who loves Him, loves me, and is an awesome mother and GiGi for her children and grandchildren.  For almost three weeks now I have watched her selflessly and tirelessly serve her children and grandchildren. God gave her the strength and I hope our children realize how blessed they are to have the Mom they have. Today I feel like the psalmist who wrote the 128th Psalm.  Read it again for yourself and I pray that you can praise the Lord with me.

We are still asking God to sell our house in Demopolis and to show us where He wants us to be.  His timing His perfect and we wait upon Him.  A new website is finally in the works.  I do not know when it will be ready, but I am very excited about the potential it has to share the Word of God and present the Gospel around the world.

Thank you for your prayers. God is so good and Faithful!  Please help us spread the word about the AMEN Ministry.  Tell your friends and your pastor about us.  Pray that the Lord will continue to open doors in churches in the U.S. and for opportunities overseas.  I will ask you to begin praying now for the November trips to Romania and Poland.  Pastor Kamil and I are in the process of working out the details for the Poland trip.  We definitely want to make the most of the time God gives us together.

I have already been invited to participate in two wonderful opportunities for 2015.  One is in Albania and the other is in South Africa.  In both situations I will be able to encourage pastors, preach on revival, and of course, share the Gospel.  We need everyone to realize that your giving not only provides for Lisa and myself, but these overseas missions are especially dependent upon the giving of God’s people.  There are countless opportunities to go and these opportunities are made possible by the generosity of those who stand with us.

We thank God for each one of you.  Thank you for your love, encouragement, prayers, and your gracious giving.  We love you and we pray God’s blessings upon you.  Let me encourage you to walk with the King everyday and to ask Him to use you to be a blessing.

In Christ’s service, Allen & Lisa

Read Full Post »

It could be argued that there are many needs in our churches and in our nation today.  However, I believe one of the greatest needs of the hour is not for another pep talk by the celebrity of the day, but for the men of God who preach the Word of God to be invited by the people of God to the house of God for a dedicated time of seeking God, searching the Scriptures, and asking the Holy Spirit to examine our hearts as individuals and as a church.  It may not draw a big crowd or be exciting to the flesh, but when was the last time your church set aside several days for a Bible conference or a revival meeting, or an extended time of prayer and seeking God?

Many would say that those things are out of date and that we are too busy in our day and time for something as old fashioned as that.  But I want to ask you something, “If the children of Israel could set aside several times a year to meet together as God’s people to focus on the Lord, seek Him, and make Him their priority for an extended period of time, then can we, who live under grace, not do the same thing at least once or twice a year?”

Revival will not come until God’s people make seeking the Lord together a priority in their lives.  I think one reason why so many churches no longer have these type of meetings is because the pastor and others are concerned about the attendance.  I understand that, but we need to remember that some of the greatest revivals in history began when even just a few came together to seek the Lord with all their hearts.  My experience has been that, just as we read in Mark chapter two, when word gets out that Jesus is in the house, people will come to meet with Him.

I thank God for the few churches like Sherwood Baptist in Albany, Georgia that still have daytime and evening services in their annual ReFresh Conference that call people to come together to seek the Lord. Those meetings have been a great blessing to me in recent years.  However, we need thousands of other churches to do something similar in their own communities.

What will your church do in 2014 in terms of meeting together to seek the Lord and asking Him to send revival until He does?  God is ready.  Are you?

Habakkuk 3:2

Isaiah 64:1-7

Read Full Post »

It could be argued that there are many needs in our churches and in our nation today.  However, I believe one of the greatest needs of the hour is not for another pep talk by the celebrity of the day, but for the men of God who preach the Word of God to be invited by the people of God to the house of God for a dedicated time of seeking God, searching the Scriptures, and asking the Holy Spirit to examine our hearts as individuals and as a church.  It may not draw a big crowd or be exciting to the flesh, but when was the last time your church set aside several days for a Bible conference or a revival meeting, or an extended time of prayer and seeking God?

Many would say that those things are out of date and that we are too busy in our day and time for something as old fashioned as that.  But I want to ask you something, “If the children of Israel could set aside several times a year to meet together as God’s people to focus on the Lord, seek Him, and make Him their priority for an extended period of time, then can we, who live under grace, not do the same thing at least once or twice a year?”

Revival will not come until God’s people make seeking the Lord together a priority in their lives.  I think one reason why so many churches no longer have these type of meetings is because the pastor and others are concerned about the attendance.  I understand that, but we need to remember that some of the greatest revivals in history began when even just a few came together to seek the Lord with all their hearts.  My experience has been that, just as we read in Mark chapter two, when word gets out that Jesus is in the house, people will come to meet with Him.

I thank God for the few churches like Sherwood Baptist in Albany, Georgia that still have daytime and evening services in their annual ReFresh Conference that call people to come together to seek the Lord. Those meetings have been a great blessing to me in recent years.  However, we need thousands of other churches to do something similar in their own communities.

What will your church do in 2014 in terms of meeting together to seek the Lord and asking Him to send revival until He does?  God is ready.  Are you?

Habakkuk 3:2

Isaiah 64:1-7

Read Full Post »

Dear Friends & Partners,

Lisa and I continue to be amazed at God’s grace and goodness, and your generosity.  The following is just a general overview of all you were a part of this year:

-Finishing touches to the church building in Halmeu, Romania.

-School supplies, shoes, clothing and other financial needs for the children at the House of Hope in Romania.

-Financial support for international pastors.

-Purchase of 450 Romanian and Hungarian language Bibles.

-Eighty-four professions of faith during the March mission trip to Romania.

-Much needed dental work for one of the girls at the House of Hope.(Her father had beaten her so badly, it damaged her teeth and mouth).

-Children’s evangelistic outreach in Nicaragua.

-“The AMEN Corner” weekly radio broadcast on Moody Radio South.

-Several revival meetings in churches.

-Three Prophecy Conferences.

-Pastor’s Conference and Revival meetings in Poland.

There are several overseas opportunities that we are praying about for 2014.  These include invitations to South Africa, Poland (for extended evangelistic work), Romania, and other nations.  Because of your prayers and gifts, we are able to do the AMEN Ministry fulltime.  We thank God for all of you.  I would ask you to ask your pastor to pray about a ministry opportunity in your church.  It could be a revival meeting, prophecy conference, Bible conference, or some type of evangelistic event.  Tell him about our website.  This is what God has called us to and we love ministering in the churches.  Whenever I go to churches, I pray the words of Paul from Romans 15:29,32-“But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.” (vs.32) “that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you.”

Merry Christmas and may the Lord continue to bless you in every way!

In Christ’s service,                                                                                                                                                                                                             Allen & Lisa

Read Full Post »