On the Use of money and spending

Here are some great principles from Randy Alcorn on the use of money and spending:

1. Realize that nothing is a good deal if you can’t afford it. $120 thousand dollars sounds like an excellent price on a house worth $150 thousand. Eighty dollars seems like a great deal on barely used skis that cost $400 new. But if you can’t afford them, it simply doesn’t matter. It’s always a bad choice to spend money on a “good deal” you can’t afford.
2. Recognize that God isn’t behind every good deal. Suppose you can afford it. Does that mean you should buy it? Self-control often means turning down good deals on things we really want because God may have other and better plans for His money.
3. Understand the difference between spending money and saving money. Saving is setting aside money for a future purpose. Money that’s saved stays in your wallet or the bank. It can be used for other purposes, including your needs or others’. Money that’s spent leaves your hands and is no longer at your disposal. Let’s say you find an $80 sweater on sale for $30. You buy the sweater—how much did you save? If you said $50 you still don’t get it…Show me the fifty dollars you saved. It doesn’t exit. Keep “saving” like that and you’ll soon be broke!
4. Look at the long-term cost, not just the short-term. When you buy a nice stereo, you’ll end up buying lots of CDs. When something breaks you get it repaired. When you have an old car you don’t care about a dent. When you buy a new car you’ll fret about dents and buy insurance to fix them. When you’re given a “free” puppy immediately you’re spending $20 a month on dog food, and the next thing you know you’re putting $1200 into a fence and paying $400 to the veterinarian to stitch up his wounds from a dog fight. Within a year or two, you may end up spending several thousand dollars on your free puppy. Count the cost in advance-everything ends up more expensive than it appears.
5. Pray before you spend. When something’s a legitimate need, God will provide it. How often do we take matters into our own hands and spend impulsively before asking God to furnish it for us? How often do we go buy something-whether we consider it a “want” or a “need”-a week or a month before God would have provided it for free or at minimal cost, if only we’d asked him?

Often we either buy what we want or forego what we want, when there’s a third alternative: ask God to provide it for us. If He doesn’t, fine-he knows best. But why don’t we give Him a chance?

Waiting eliminates most impulsive buying. Many things that are attractive today hold no interest two months later. Look at garage sales and you get the picture. Setting a waiting period gives God the opportunity to provide what we want, to provide something different or better, or to show us that we don’t need it and should use the money differently.

Lord, set my life in a permanent position to serve You.

If you look up Les Paul, you will find this:

Lester William Polsfuss (June 9, 1915 – August 12, 2009) — known as Les Paul — was an American jazz and country guitarist, songwriter and inventor. He was a pioneer in the development of the solid-body electric guitar which "made the sound of rock and rollpossible".^[He is credited with many recording innovations. Although he was certainly not the first to use the technique, his early experiments with overdubbing (also known as sound on sound),delay effects such as tape delay, phasing effects, and multitrack recording were among the first to attract widespread attention.

His innovative talents extended into his playing style, including licks, trills, chording sequences, fretting techniques and timing, which set him apart from his contemporaries and inspired many guitarists of the present day.He recorded with his wife Mary Ford in the 1950s and they sold millions of records.

^{Now, I am not a guitarist so that does not mean a lot to me. But keep reading .....}

^{In January 1948, Paul shattered his right arm and elbow in a near-fatal automobile accident in Oklahoma. Doctors told him that they could not rebuild his elbow so that he would regain movement; his arm would remain permanently in whatever position they placed it in. Paul instructed the surgeons to set his arm at an angle—just under 90 degrees—that would allow him to cradle and pick the guitar. It took him a year and a half to recover.}

^{Here was a man who so loved playing his guitar that he chose to have his arm positioned that he would never throw, reach or raise his right arm; but he could play his guitar.}

^{As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, should I ask the Lord to set my life in such a permanent position that it will serve only You? Oh, I think so.}

^{Oh, if you want to watch and hear him play, click here.}

What is the Unpardonable Sin?

Billy Graham's book on The Holy Spirit is one of the best I have ever read. It will shock you at times.

In his book, he gives the definition of the unpardonable sin. You know, Jesus said, "I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven." Matthew 22:31 (ESV)

So what is the unpardonable sin? Graham says, "The unpardonable sin involves the total and irrevocable rejection of Jesus Christ. It is rejecting, completely and finally, the witness of the Holy Spirit, which declares that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who alone can save us from our sins. No one has committed the unpardonable who continues to be under the disturbing, convicting, and drawing power of the Holy Spirit. When a person has so resisted the Holy Spirit that He strives with him no more, then there is eternal danger." (Page 124).

What does a committed church member look like?

I've been reading the little book "What Is A Healthy Church Member?" by Thabiti M. Anyabwile. One of the chapters is that a healthy church member is a committed member. Here are the responses do "What does a committed church member look like?"

* Attends regularly - Hebrews 10:24-25

* Seeks peace - Romans 14:19

* Edifies others - I Corinthians 12, 14

* Warns and admonishes others

* Pursues Reconciliation - II Corinthians 5:18-21; Matthew 5:23-24

* Bears with others - Galatians 6:2

* Prepares for the Ordinances

* Supports the work of the ministry

We live in a country where we may freely join a local church and we should keep this admonition from Dietrich Bonhoeffer in mind:

"It is by the grace of God that a congregation is permitted to gather visibly in this world to share God's Word and sacrament. Not all Christians receive this blessing. The imprisoned, the sick, the scattered lonely, the proclaimers of the Gospel in heathen lands stand alone. They know that visible fellowship is a blessing. They remember, as the Psalmist did, how they went 'with the multitude...to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday (Psalm 42:4)...' Therefore, let him who until now has had the privilege of living in common Christian life with other Christians praise God's grace from the bottom of his heart. Let him thank God on his knees and declare: It is grace, nothing but grace, that we are allowed to live in community with Christian brethren."

(Pages 68-71)

Ready for Ukraine Trip

Tomorrow we leave for Ukraine and I am packed, ready. Why this early? Today is grandson day. Roxanne and I are headed to Gadsden to see Tammy and Cayden (plus Keith and her parents). Since I don't return til August 3, it will be a while before I get to see him so this day is grandson day.

We have five from our church going joining with seven more from the Colbert-Lauderdale Baptist Association for this trip. We are serving alongside of Tim and Donna Akers in Lviv, Ukraine. We will be doing children's camp and ESL with Love of God Church.

Tim and Donna are from the Shoals and this is the first mission team to visit in their eleven years there. Donna's family are members at CrossRoads and her sister and niece are going on this trip. Also our Director of Missions, Eddie Garner, and Barrett Long, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Tuscumbia are going on this trip. It should be a great time for us and the Akers.

I am praying for other pastors and churches from our area who are also leaving today or tomorrow for mission trips: David McKelvey and First Baptist Church Killen leaving today going to Guatemala; Frank Whitaker leading by friend, Steve Pochop, and his church of Abundant Grace, leaving today for Guatemala; Rich Hardeman and Forrest Hills Baptist Church leaving tomorrow for Peru; plus our group to Ukraine. WOW - what a powerful impact from the Shoals.

In my absence the next two Sundays, John Powell will be preaching July 25 and Larry Wright August 1.

I will try and post as often as I can from Lviv.

Can't wait to see what "God moments" there will be not just for those in Ukraine, but for me in my spiritual development of "glory to glory." I always tell my teams that are going on mission trips to look and wait for their "God moment." That moment when God reveals Himself in a unique way that results with this statement, "This is why I came." God always does more in you than through you. When that happens, you are never the same.

So, I request your prayers, as God brings us to mind. We leave Friday from Nashville to Newark, Warsaw and Lviv arriving Saturday afternoon in Lviv. Blessings.....

Sermon Notes from Sunday, July 18, 2010

Here are the sermon notes from this past Sunday, July 18 "The Glorification of God" Romans 8:29-30. This is the fifth and last in the series "Links of Salvation." Click here

In closing this series, Dr. John Phillips in Exploring Romans, he summaries these five links this way:

1. God brings us into the sphere of His wisdom - foreknowledge

2. God brings us under the sovereignty of His will - predestination

3. God brings us under the sound of His Word - call

4. God brings us under the shadow of His wing - justification

5. God brings us into the splendor of His world - glorification.

David Dykes, Pastor, Green Acres Baptist Church, Tyler, TX wraps these five statements this way:

1. God chooses us.
2. God contemplates us.
3. God calls us.
4. God claims us.
5. God completes us.

Great summary.

Tombstone of Ruth Bell Graham

This morning I am preaching the final message in the series "The Links of Salvation" from Romans 8:29-30. I will post the sermon notes later. The message is "The Glorification of God" and I'm using this picture from the tombstone of Ruth Bell Graham, the wife of Evangelist Billy Graham. It says it all.

(In case you can't read it, "End of Construction. Thank you for your patience.")

Sunday's Sermon Notes from July 11, 2010

I'm sorry for the delay, but here are the sermon notes from this past Sunday's sermon "The Justification of God" Romans 8:29-30. This is the fourth in the series of messages "The Links of Salvation." Click here.

Husband-Wife Advice

Every Wednesday I lead a teaching for my staff so that we are continually growing. We are currently doing a DVD teaching by Neil Anderson. Yesterday, his teaching was on Godly relationships. He made this statement about husband-wife relationships mainly, but it can apply to all relationships.

"You are responsible for your own character and then meeting the needs of your spouse. Most of the time we ripe into the other person's character in order to meet our needs."

WOW - that was good!!

Message from the new President of the Southern Baptist Convention

The new president of the Southern Baptist Convention is Bryant Wright, Pastor, Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, Marietta, GA. He is intending to give video updates regularly through this web site at http://pray4sbc.com. You may go there now to see his first video and to join a prayer team emphasis. You may read his daily devotions here.

Prayer Revival

There is a prayer revival happening!

You know that God has been moving our church for over two years in the direction of prayer. God is raising up intercessors to take "the kingdom with violence." Every Wednesday we have persons praying from 10:00 a.m. til 5:00 and then our entire church family joins at 6:30.

You have heard me mention "The Prayer Revival" that is happening in Sevierville at The Gathering. I have a classmate from Boaz who lives in that area and attends that church who has written me about what is happening on Wednesday nights.

Last night on TBN, Evangelist Tim Lee was interviewed about that revival. If you missed the "Praise the Lord" program, you may watch it today at 4:00, or record it at 4:00 or go to tbn.org and watch it here when it becomes available.

I expressed previously that I want to go one Wednesday night to Sevierville. If you would like to go, let me know. With the upcoming Ukraine trip, it may not be possible in July but I believe it is always helpful "to get under the spout where the glory is coming out."

Also, I found that Dr. Charles Stanley is calling for 140 days of prayer for our nation. You may watch his message here and downoad the prayer guide here.

If you have not read my sermon from July 4 or was present to hear it, we made a Biblical plea to pray for our leaders and government. Dr. Tim Lee said last night on TBN that prayer was what was going to change our nation, not Republicans or Democrats. Oh, how we need it.

Sermon Notes from Sunday, July 4, 2010

Here are the sermon notes from Sunday, July 4 "Christian's Response to the Government" from Romans 13:1-7 and I Timothy 2:1-4. click here

The greatest moment at the Southern Baptist Convention

Those in my church heard me share about this moment when the Watoto Children's Choir sang in the Monday afternoon session of the Pastor's Conference following a great presentation on adoption. I believe this was the greatest moment of the convention. Click here and then go to the 29:50 mark to hear this song and let it play to the end of the video. If the link does not work perfectly, then find Video #15 on Monday afternoon and that is the one.

At this web site you can hear all the messages and music from this year's conference.

Kay Arthur on going through the toughest time of life

Kay Arthur, Founder and Teacher of Precept Ministries, was featured on Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Founder and Teacher of Revive our Hearts, last week and the following is an excerpt from the Friday, July 2 program. You can read the entire manuscript from Friday here.

Kay: I have written at the top of Hebrews 11, “Faith is not faith until it’s tested.” It’s in the trial that I see:

• Do I really believe God?
• Do I really believe He’s sovereign?
• Do I really believe that He’s omniscient?
• Do I really believe that all things work together for good?
• Do I really believe I’m accounted as a sheep for the slaughter?
• Do I really believe that I am to be put to death all day long?
• Do I really believe that neither nakedness, peril, or sword can separate me from the love of God?” (See Romans 8:28-37).
• Do I really believe all that?
• Do I really believe my sins are forgiven?
• Do I really believe I can’t change the past, so therefore I’m going to move to the future and allow God to take the past and mold me and make me into what I’m supposed to be?

Nancy: You’ve shared that in this season of your life now, in your 70s . . .

Kay: Yes, 73.

Nancy: You’re going through some of the deepest trials . . .

Kay: Yes, the very deepest.

Nancy: . . . of your life.

Kay: Yes, the very deepest of our lives.

Nancy: How do you keep your bearings?

Kay: You know what I do? With every trial, I say, “God, I know who You are, and I am going to live accordingly.”

• That means I am going to give thanks.
• It means I’m going to count it all joy.
• It means I am going to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ.
• It means I am going to be steadfast and immovable.
• It means I’m not going to be immobilized by it; I am going to always be abounding in the work of the Lord.
• It means I am on display. He’s put me in the trial, for He says in Romans 8, “We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter” (verse 36, NKJV). We are put to death all day long. We are put in an arena, and I’m in the arena (see 1 Corinthians 4:9, NIV).

Nancy: We’re a spectacle.

Kay: We’re a spectacle, and people are watching.

Nancy: Heaven is watching.

Kay: That’s right. Heaven is watching, and people are watching. I’m accounted as a sheep to be slaughtered. I’ve been put in the arena, and they’re watching.

Gaining Respect to Share the Gospel

John Maxwell is one of the leading leadership experts in the world. I have followed his teachings for at least 15 years dating back to when he was senior pastor at Skyline Wesleyan Church in San Diego. He has returned to the local church as a teaching pastor at Christ Fellowship in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Preaching magazine did an interview with Maxwell in their July/August 2010 edition related to his newest book Everyone Communicates, Few Connect. During his period between churches in San Diego and Palm Beach, he had a leadership training ministry that bridged the gap between the church and corporate world.

He was asked by Preaching editor Michael Duduit about the difference between the two and he said, "In the corporate community, the key word ....is respect. When you get respect, it opens the door."

As you seek to witness to fellow workers, do you have their respect? This is what Maxwell further said, "Go to your work place, do your job with excellence, and gain respect. If you gain respect, you're going to be salt and light, and you're going to be an amazing influence. You're going to be able to break people into the Kingdom, but don't share Christ with them until you've got their respect, because it's a message that will land absolutely nowhere."

Our Democracy Will Not Stand in the Face of Immorality

Here are some quotes that I used this morning in the sermon plus some quotes added that I did not use due to the sake of time:

Charles Carroll, signer of the Declaration of Independence, insisted: “Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime and pure...are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments”

In an 1829 letter to James Madison, Noah Webster declared: “[T]he Christian religion, in its purity, is the basis, or rather the source of all genuine freedom in government....and I am persuaded that no civil government of a republican form can exist and be durable in which the principles of that religion have not a controlling influence”.

The first Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, John Jay, maintained; “Only one adequate plan has ever appeared in the world, and that is the Christian dispensation”.

George Washington proclaimed to the entire nation in his farewell address that religion and morality are the indispensable supports of political prosperity, the great pillars of human happiness, and a necessary spring of popular government (1796).

James Madison declared at the end of their work with the Constitution in 1787: "We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of the government but upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God."

President John Quincy Adams: "Our Constitution is designed only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other."

The full text of the sermon will be added in early week.