Posts by courtnut02 (Page 30)
True Church Discipleship (4)
The last three weeks, I have shared from an article by Dr. Thom S. Rainer, President and CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources. In his article titled “Seven Indicators Of True Church Discipleship,” his sixth indicator of discipleship was “members are involved in ministry and missions.” We are to be involved in activities that cause us to look beyond ourselves and care for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of others. Involvement in church is the key! We get out of…
Holiness
Holiness is a quality in our life we strive to obtain. It is a characteristic of God that we desperately desire in our lives. In fact it just sounds good, “holy”. But what is it? Is it that closeness to God we experience when we truly have let God have control of our lives? Yes. Or what about those times in worship when our bodies actually quiver from words that were spoken or sung? Yes. Holiness is about God. In…
True Church Discipleship (3)
The last two weeks, I have shared from an article by Dr. Thom S. Rainer, President and CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources. In his article titled “Seven Indicators Of True Church Discipleship,” his fourth indicator of discipleship was “members are generous with their giving.” I am thankful that Emmanuel is a giving church. You have given sacrificially over the years and Emmanuel is blessed because of that giving. We know that we cannot out give God. We may have our…
God Knows
God knows. Many of us have said this phrase, sometimes in a light-hearted manner, sometimes to console. But you know what, it’s true. God knows. Two words that have great impact on our lives. I am not saying this in order to bring guilt like God knows what you are doing or thinking (He does). Rather I am talking about God knows what you and I go through and it matters to Him. He knows what it is that brings…
True Church Discipleship
Last week, I shared an article by Dr. Thom S. Rainer, President and CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources. In his article titled “Seven Indicators Of True Church Discipleship, ” his second indicator of discipleship was “members are engaged in some type of Bible study group. Our small groups or Sunday School is so important. Assimilation into the church is five times greater for those attending Sunday School as those who only attend worship services. Are you attending Sunday School? If…
Sunday Breakfast
Before I came as Pastor of Emmanuel, over 9 years ago, Emmanuel started having a fellowship breakfast before Sunday School. I have enjoyed these breakfasts over the years and I believe they help with our Sunday School attendance. I understand that the Sunday Breakfast started out as a donut, coffee and juice kind of event, however, it soon grew into a big breakfast with big preparation, big cost, and big clean up. Last Sunday, I was notified that one group…
Thank You!
I want to personally thank you for your financial giving to God. I know these are tough times financially for many of us. Some of us have lost our jobs and some of us have seen our income drastically reduced. I know these things are contributors to a tough time financially for our church. Other contributors are increased expenses in some areas (insurance, utilities, etc.), the decreased income, members moving out-of-town, and members retiring to less income. June is an…
Pre-Teen Camp 2016
Last week God blessed us at Pre-Teen Camp. We had 53 children and 8 sponsors. 26 of the children are not involved in our church life whether that is Sunday School, Worship or Wednesdays. That is amazing. We had 20 children make some sort of decision at camp, which is 38% of attending children. Again that is amazing! Of those 20, 14 were professions of faith or 70% of those making a decision. Put another way 26% of the children…
Month of Rest
When God created everything…He worked six days and rested one. When God instructed the Israelites…He told them to work the land six years and rest it one year. God created the Sabbath as a day of worship and rest. God wants us to rest. The Lord’s Day, Sunday, is our day to worship and rest in the Lord. This July, we will observe a “Month Of Rest.” We are a busy people and we are a busy church. So, take…
Private Sin
Story has it that one time three high school kids played hooky from their morning classes. They told their teacher they were late getting to school because their car had a flat tire. She said they would have to take a makeup quiz for the one they missed. So, she seated them apart from each other and gave them a one question quiz… “Which tire was flat?” Ouch! They were busted! Numbers 32:23 says “Be sure your sins will find…