How to be used by God

1) Start where you are, with family and with friends whom you already know.

2) Be yourself with them. Don't think you have to be like anyone else to be effective in helping people discover the love of Jesus.

3) Include them in your interests and hobbies, building and deepening your relationship in the process. You are more "alive" when you're doing things you like to do.

4) Do other things together, cultivating intentional friendships with those who haven't yet experienced the personal love and forgiveness of God through Jesus Christ.

5) Pray for those people regularly by name, and look for their needs in terms of transcendence, significance, and community.

6) Find a way to genuinely serve them. Reach them through their hearts more than through their heads.

7) Be especially prayerful and available when they face tough times, knowing that as people face crises they often turn to balanced, spiritually centered, trusted friends.

8) Respond with "I care" statements and actions. Make sure your actions speak louder than words.

9) Ask leading questions rather than telling them answers. Remember that most people prefer to discover the truth themselves.

10) Invite them to make a step toward God. Ask them what God is teaching them. Ask them how they would like you to pray for them.

CRITICAL Monday Morning Letter from John

Sorry about having to use the word critical, but I needed to get your attention. Most of the time critical message means "real" problems. By "real" the world usually means physical or financial, rarely is critical used to speak of spiritual problems. Today I want to invite each one of you to our upcoming Wednesday night classes. Known as F3 (Food, Fellowship and Feasting on the Word). The evening starts with a meal at 5:45 followed by classes for all ages. The following letter describes the series of lessons I will be teaching to the adults. Be sure to not miss this opportunity to get to know your church family and to enjoy a mid-week spiritual lift.

God bless,

John

F3 will be starting on Wednesday, September 2nd! Looking forward to seeing you there! Please read letter below...

Growth Doesn’t Just Happen!

One of the greatest fallacies in Christianity is that growth is automatic. Each one of us probably knows someone who started out their faith on fire only to see them slowly slip back into their old way of life. This phenomenon is not a new one or unfortunately not that unusual. Paul sites many of his own number that “shipwrecked their faith” (I Timothy 1:19-20). He also warns the Ephesian elders to “keep watch over themselves” and “even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth” (Acts 20:28, 30). Paul himself tells us that he battles daily the temptations of sin (Romans 7:14-20).

We would be greatly mistaken to think that, “I’m alright just where I am in my relationship with the Lord.” Everyone one of us has areas of our life that God needs to transform into Christlikeness. Becoming like Christ is Spiritual Maturity. Becoming a mature church is becoming a church full of mature Christians. It doesn’t happen with great programs, music or preaching, but with each one of us admitting our shortcomings and surrendering ourselves daily to God’s will for our lives.

We can begin to list the common areas of struggle in our lives: marriages, parenthood, personal relationships, finances, depression, disappointment with God, church, or even self. These are all symptoms of a greater problem; a lack of connection with God. Overcoming our personal struggles and separation from God isn’t easy and won’t be solved by a class, series of sermons or just old will-power.

However, there is hope! Jesus came to give us life back and life to its fullest; the key ingredient to having a fulfilled life is a personal connection with Him and with a community of believers devoted to fulfilling His will, the church. This is why the leadership has decided to start from ground zero re-establishing Biblical teaching and direction for this body. A series of classes designed to lead us in this direction will begin with Wednesday evening classes, September 2^nd and following a great meal at 5:45pm all adults will meet in the auditorium for a series of classes on:

Discovering Church Membership

What does it really mean to be a biblical Christian?

What does it really mean to be a part of a local church?

Why do we do what we do the way we do?

These classes will be followed by:

Discovering Spiritual Maturity

What is spiritual maturity?

Is there anything I can do to get out of my desert of spiritual dryness?

Can my faith be a dynamic, powerful faith that inspires me to love, serve and follow Christ no matter the cost?

These classes aren’t a guarantee, by they can be a spiritual GPS to get you started this body of believers and you individually on the path God has purposed for you.

*** Come prayed up, fired up, and mainly just show up for this exciting time at BFCC!***

Home from France

It is so great being back with all of you, I really have enjoyed the last two Sundays, especially worshiping and preaching in English. Sometime soon we will have an evening and share many of the events of this summer's mission trip. The trip was a success. Romuald is a young man with a great heart and a great desire to learn. We enjoyed our time in class together and I will continue to work with him via the internet. I also taught the book of Acts to the church this summer, however, we didn't finish the book. I will continue teaching the class on Sunday afternoon via Skype. This morning I connected with the Poitiers church, so we will have live video and audio. The class will be entirely in French, if anyone would like to attend please contact me.

Being in France for the summer also helped me realize how easy it is to forget the simple things in life. Maybe it was because of limited resources, or limited speech (even a fluent speaker is still recognizable as a foreigner). Whatever the case, I really didn't miss much except my family, friends and worshiping with the church here. That is the reason I've been sharing about simplicity. Much of my life is filled with things at the time seem so important, but in reality don't effect the my life that much. God's Word confirms this outlook on life as we saw two weeks ago. This last Sunday I address the simplicity of God's will for His church. I would like to challenge each of you to review the following scriptures and commit yourself to discovering God's role for you in this body of believers. Whether you are a long-time member, new member or just began attending, if you are willing to serve in a ministry to help us fulfill God's commission you are welcome to contact anyone in the leadership. If you don't know where to start email me at bethalto.pastor@gmail.com. Here is a summary of yesterday's sermon's notes.

May God bless and a hope to see you soon,

John

Z thinking is God's ultimate desire for mankind.

I Timothy 2:1-4

2 Peter 3:1-9

Church is the vehicle through which God wants to fulfill His will

Eph. 3:10

Each of us needs to commit ourselves to:

Prayer

Love and Unity

Unity does not come from consensus or compromise but uniquely from connection.

Connection to God and thus connection to one another

John 17:21,23

Vision-Seeing people and the world the way God does.

Evangelism Show and Tell show them transformed lives and tell the who did it.

Luke 6:46 LOOK it up!

Shake the Walls now!

Yesterday was a great Sunday, I want to really send a thanks out
to the worship team for adjusting at the last minute to our typical
Sunday services. I pray that you were as blessed as I was from a
little departure from the "normal" Sunday format. I really believe
that we often miss the blessings of God because of our neglect of
prayer. In James 4:1-3, James writes,

"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from
your desires that battle within you?
You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you
cannot have what you want.
You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask
God. When you ask, you do not receive,
because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you
get on your pleasures."

Prayer is not a way of getting what we desire, but a means to
align ourselves with what God desires. As I challenged myself and all
of you yesterday, please set a alarm at noon or some other convenient
time to stop and spend five minutes in prayer with God. It is
necessary for spiritual growth to develop habits that help you
fellowship with God in a very personal way, that is why I suggest a
daily time in His Word, if you don't know where to start try the
gospel of John or the book of James. Some of you might be drawn to
David's prayers in the book of Psalms. I'll be praying that God with
give you the commitment and resolve to develop these healthy habits.

Please drop me a quick email if you would like
(bethalto.pastor@gmail.com) to share how God is working in your life.
(Let me know if it is alright to share your testimony with others).

The doorway to Faith

Faith is the doorway

I’ve always been fascinated with the unknown. I love the movies, stories and the experiences that deal with the mysterious. What is on the other side of the door? Even as a kid I would imagine the woods as an undiscovered land full of mystery. Recently in a historical drive back from California on the Route 66 trail it wasn’t the nostalgic roadside stops, but wondering, “What is behind that mesa?” that got my blood pumping.

I guess that is what is so exciting about this “living by faith” thing. Knowing the Master of the universe who loved me and died for me has this great plan for my life. What can be a bigger thrill that waking up trusting that God has this incredible plan for your day.

For those of you who don’t care about what is “behind the mesa” or must get through your day “ticking off the check list” that is great! Just remind yourself to invite Him in to the planning session for the day. Either way God desires you to be involved in His daily planner. One thing I’m learning through life and especially through this series of sermons on Hebrews 11 is that God doesn’t want our lives to look the same, but He wants us all to live by faith.

Thanks for being an awesome body of Christ to learn, grow and minister with. It was a great night of VBS, everyone looked terrific. I know many kids felt Christ’s love through you, no one can ever take that from them.

God bless and I’ll see many of you tonight,

John

July 13th Sermon Summary
Hebrews 11:4

Abel’s faith was a doorway from religion to righteousness
Abel’s faith was a doorway from continuing status quo to challenging it
Let God’s Word challenge your status quo, remember faith is belieiving God’s word and regulating your life accordingly

Living By Faith

Living by Faith

Yesterday we began to look at one of the New Testament's greatest chapters Hebrews 11. Throughout the letter of Hebrews we have seen the superiority of Jesus to the old Jewish covenant. The author is trying to encourage the readers not to give up or settle for a lesser faith. In chapter 11 he shows how God has always been pleased by those who put their trust in Him.

As we go through this chapter we will see that those who live for God on this earth are radically changed, they are not just "religious" people. Much of our culture has grown calloused to the gospel or have a clouded view of Christianity due to the lack of examples of people living by faith. That is why these messages are important, we are to be those examples. Never underestimate the power of a brief encounter, a kind act, or a helpful hand. Living by faith is seldom the great deed or immeasurable sacrifice, but having a new perspective on life's daily events.

We are seeing God do great things in our body because you are living out your faith. Your families, friends and neighbors are taking notice of how your faith is transforming your life. In doing so they are being presented the power of the gospel. We can go on and on with the facts, philosophies and historicity of the gospel, but no one can argue with a transformed life. As we looked in Hebrews 10, we can take some very practical steps to help us grow in our faith.

(from verses 22-25)

- draw near to God-take some time to be alone with Him

- make Him your anchor-our lives are governed by His truth and will not our emotions

- encourage others-remember God wants to use you to build up others, putting self last is the
cure for selfishness

- don't neglect the body- we have a tremendous church family, be sure to stay connected in worship and in our new Sunday School classes.

The relationships formed will strengthen your faith.

Thanks for being a blessing, John

Reflections on Life, death, and 90 Minutes in Heaven

It has been a long time since I have used this blog to write. Life is very busy and tonight I cannot sleep. Most of you at BFCC are familiar with all the circumstances surrounding several of our members. Pat Tierney is now on hospice and we have several others being treated for cancer. I am greatly humbled by Pat and Brenda's faith and strength, as well as, that of all of those within our body who are suffering. Visiting with Pat and Brenda last evening (Thursday April 3) I found myself so limited on what to say. However, I was reminded of the passage of scripture in Hebrews "Jesus, for the joy set before him, endured the cross" (ch. 12). Pat and his family know that heaven is that joy that we all are created to enjoy eternally with Christ. God certainly has the power to miraculously heal, but all healing is temporary. By faith in Christ and through his grace we have confidence when facing our own mortality. I thank God we have heaven and the presence of Christ awaiting each of us.

On the subject of heaven, I must address the issue of Don Piper's book 90 Minutes in Heaven. I know it is a best seller and I don't want to question Mr. Piper's sincerity, but as a teacher and student of God's Word and as a leader of this congregation I am compelled to put the claims to this book about heaven in context of God's inspired word. No one can argue with experience, but my experience and that of others must align with God's Word.

What is great about 90 minutes in heaven is that it reveals our world's thirst for answers to life after death. The popularity comes from the question, "What happens after I die?". Many people are reading this book hoping to find answers, hopefully we can use this book to relate to them the good news of Jesus Christ. Mr. Piper also clearly states his faith in Christ as the source of salvation, rather than many movies and books in our culture that speak in generalities about faith and being a good person.


However, the limited description of heaven in 90 minutes, does not resemble that of the three inspired views of heaven that we have in the New Testament. (Stephen, Paul and John) Don Piper's description is more reflective of our modern cultural view of the afterlife than of the Biblical view of heaven.

Here is one apt summary:

"Piper’s heaven was a place of reunion with loved ones, a place of beautiful music and a place of literal pearl (or “pearlescent”) gates and literal streets of gold. It is a heaven that can be so easily described to a human mind using mere human words, as if it had originated in a human mind. Piper is able to describe it in some detail, but what he presents is surely far too human to be heaven."

Callies.com book review

It seems (I have read only excerpts of the book) that little is mentioned of Christ in these 90 minutes, whereas the Biblical descriptions are completely based on the presence of God. The reason I write this is to encourage all of us to be biblical-minded readers of this very experience oriented book. Our faith is based on the Word of God and not only on experience. We must not get caught in the rapture of experience as the basis for our faith. God works daily in our lives that is not a question, but be careful not to fall into believing for believing sake. Heaven is beyond are comprehension, what we can know and need to know is clearly revealed in Scripture. We must be rely on Scripture to interpret our experiences, not allow any experience to reinterpret Scripture.

We live in a time of experience and feeling, therefore we all must be vigilant to study Scripture to effectively live, experience and teach others how to know God and enjoy a life and relationship with Jesus Christ. I am extremely thankful for so many in this body who are no only witnessing to others about Jesus Christ, but praying for and ministering to others who are hurting in this body. Thanks for all you are doing in His name!

May God bless,


John