God Fills Our Needs

Matthew 6:33 is simple and straight forward.  It reads, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."  This is a great comfort to me.  Seeking first God's Kingdom...and more simply Him.  We have the opportunity to seek God and have the resources we need or we result to going our own way in our own wisdom, often resulting in frustration and fear.  Walking with Jesus just doesn't get easy.  Following Him is the narrow way.  It is "difficult".  Scripture reminds us that every day has struggles.  Job declares in 14:1, "Man, who is born of woman, is short-lived and full of turmoil."  Why I mention all of this is that we all know what to do, but the reality is we struggle to do it.  Life is busy, life is hectic.  To simply take time to be with Jesus and get in His word, allowing Him to speak to our hearts through the Word and by the Spirit takes some cultivation and dedication.  Most of us are willing to go to work, and get our children ready for school, but a lot of us are not even dedicated to exercise, or eating right, or a hobby for that matter.  You get out what you put in, is true with the Lord I think.  For instance our family has been in a tight financial squeeze for months.  This weekend the Lord blessed us immensely and we were able to pay off some medical bills.  It seems like in my desperation to see God move in my life, after I paid the bills, I just went on with my life.  I soon found out that I was missing something.  My joy was not full, my peace was bothering me, grumpy with my kids etc...  Heather seemed to be struggling with some loose ends at home etc.  We looked at each other and she reminded me, our time with Jesus is not an option.  Not even a breakthrough financially can bring long term peace.  Let me tell you, I NEED PEACE.  I need it every day.  That is what God gives His children.  For me not to walk in peace with God is like being  hungry in the grocery store with a loaded wallet!  The reminder this morning is precious.  You have to seek God.  And keep on seeking Him.  Peace, joy, direction, love, confirmation, all we need is IN HIM.  To go a day without it (Him) would be arrogant and unwise.  Help me Lord to seek You daily!

Stu

We Could Use Somma This In 2011

Proclamation Appointing a National Fast Day Washington, D.C. March 30, 1863 Senator James Harlan of Iowa, whose daughter later married President Lincoln's son Robert, introduced this Resolution in the Senate on March 2, 1863. The Resolution asked President Lincoln to proclaim a national day of prayer and fasting. The Resolution was adopted on March 3, and signed by Lincoln on March 30, one month before the fast day was observed.

By the President of the United States of America.
A Proclamation.
Whereas, the Senate of the United States, devoutly recognizing the Supreme Authority and just Government of Almighty God, in all the affairs of men and of nations, has, by a resolution, requested the President to designate and set apart a day for National prayer and humiliation.  And whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions, in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.
And, insomuch as we know that, by His divine law, nations like individuals are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world, may we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war, which now desolates the land, may be but a punishment, inflicted upon us, for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole People? We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us!  It behooves us then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.  Now, therefore, in compliance with the request, and fully concurring in the views of the Senate, I do, by this my proclamation, designate and set apart Thursday, the 30th. day of April, 1863, as a day of national humiliation, fasting and prayer. And I do hereby request all the People to abstain, on that day, from their ordinary secular pursuits, and to unite, at their several places of public worship and their respective homes, in keeping the day holy to the Lord, and devoted to the humble discharge of the religious duties proper to that solemn occasion.  All this being done, in sincerity and truth, let us then rest humbly in the hope authorized by the Divine teachings, that the united cry of the Nation will be heard on high, and answered with blessings, no less than the pardon of our national sins, and the restoration of our now divided and suffering Country, to its former happy condition of unity and peace.  In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.  Done at the City of Washington, this thirtieth day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty seventh.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln
William H. Seward, Secretary of State.

Weekend Blurr

Picture on the right is a blow up that is featured on our 180 facebook page. Me playing basketball for the first time in ages with some teenagers at the Plantation Apartments Outreach in Socastee, SC.  The outreach was fun, -I turned purple in the face and ran my back into the pole.  Still sore.  But the old men won against the kids.  I always knew I would be a wily old man playing with tricks and elbows and stuff.  It was fun to compete again!

The weekend was great.  I was so blessed to bring the Word of God to Street Reach Mission in Myrtle Beach on Wednesday night, as well as Sunday am at Sunset Beach Community Church and again Sunday p.m. at 180.  I was so blessed and encouraged by all who attended.  Mixed in on Saturday was an outreach door to door invitation to the communities in Sunset Beach and an outreach at Plantation Apartments in Socastee.  Monday came and I drove Heather down to Charleston for a post-op office visit and just really enjoyed soaking up all the weekend activities.  Reflecting on the weekend with our nearly 2 hour car ride down and back, we discussed everything from the sermon, to the music, to the new faces and what we felt like what God has been speaking to us.  We were filled with love for the community in the outreaches, but a special love gushed from our hearts as we were surrounded by "old faithful" friends and co-laborers in ministry.  Rosa and Alberto, Tiana, Cassandra and Berto, Jr; Tom Ditzler and Elizabeth Fletcher all joined us for the Sunday am preaching.  Tom closed us out on acoustic guitar.  Having the posse with me was another level.  I felt the love of my brothers and sisters as they traveled an hour in the early am on their weekend time.  As well They traveled back and served in ministry positions at 180 in the evening.  We were reminded that we are to "hold on" and not faint in this season.  That if we can just endure, God is going to make a way for us if we do not lose heart.  The Lord continues to encourage all of us and what a blessing the meeting was.  We had a new drummer and bass player, a returning keyboard player and the band was "fulled" up.  The seats really filled up as well as we had many guests in the house.  The youth ministry is thriving, the cafe is up and running and people are worshiping God with all their hearts.  The Word of God continues to run effectively and we are blessed as the tourist season promises to bring many people into the mix of worshipers already assembled week to week at the ocean front venue, Sea Mist Resort, where 180 is located on Sunday nights.  Praise God with us as many of our medical bills have been paid off and our financial situation seems to be leveled out for the moment.  The reality is that our home is going to have to be sold so please pray for that to happen very very quickly.  We need FAVOR as this is one thing we are not able to carry right now.  Continue to pray for us to be effective witnesses as we reach out in the name of Jesus to those in Myrtle Beach this spring and summer. 

Leading Men To Christ

In light of our outreach Saturday to the neighborhoods surrounding Sunset Beach Community Church, I had the opportunity to read up on some inspirational books about sharing our faith and leading others to Christ.  In Watchman Nee's book, Leading Men To Christ, I read:

"There is a foundational work in leading men to Christ.  Before one opens his mouth before man, he first must open his mouth before God.  Some brothers and sisters are very zealous to lead men to Christ, but they do not pray for them.  A man may have a great interest in people, but if he has no burden to pray before the Lord, his work of saving souls will be ineffectual.  A person must have a burden before the Lord before he can witness to men.... We have to present these people one by one to the Lord and pray for them fervently before we can effectively lead them to Christ.  Those who are good at leading men to Christ are good at prayer.  If you have trouble getting answers to prayer, you will have trouble witnessing for the Lord.  If you have no confidence in prayer, you will have no confidence in leading men to Christ.  Hence, you must learn to pray in a practical way and not let this matter slip by."

In Nee's booklet: Witnessing, he notes:

"You should not meet the Lord empty-handed.  You should bring many with you when you meet the Lord.  How can a person sit still and act as if nothing has happened when he has believed in the Lord Jesus and is saved?  If a person has believed in the Lord Jesus and yet does not feel anything, if he considers this to be nothing marvelous or special, we doubt whether he has believed at all." 

And finally,

"Many Christians do not have much joy because they have never spoken anything for the Lord; they have never led a person to the Lord.....Platform preaching can never replace the personal work of leading people to the Lord.  A person who knows only to preach from the platform may not know how to lead people to the Lord.  We are not exhorting you to give a message on the platform.  We are asking you to save men. (Speaking of people who do not know how to lead others to Christ....)  They do not know what to do when a person is brought to them.  They are of little use.  The really useful ones are the ones who can lead men to Christ one by one."

Pray for us as we go tomorrow...that God would open doors for men to come to Christ! - Stu

Speaking @ Sunset Beach Community Church This Sunday 10 AM

Just wanted to put a shout out for this Sunday.  I will be preaching the Sunday morning message for my friend Pastor Richard Farrand who is out for the final week of his sabbatical.  Want to invite all that can make it.  We will be meeting at 10 am for a fellowship time and segway into worship from 1030 til about 12.  Lunch will be provided at the conclusion of the service and all are invited!  There will be Kid's Sunday School which will be great!  Please pray for the message.

Also, I want to invite any who would like to come and help me comb through 3 of the neighborhoods around the church on Saturday before the service Sunday am.  We will meet at the church at 10 am Saturday morning and pray and discuss our strategy for outreach.  We will head out about 1045 am in 3 groups and for about an hour go door to door and hand out church cards to the neighbors.  Pray for good success, open doors and receptivity to the gospel.  I am excited for the church at 180 and SBCC to come together for this opportunity to invite people to the kingdom of God and into a community of loving believers where they can grow in their God-walk.

Peace,

Stuart

Breaking Through To Community

Our Worship Arts Director at 180, Caitlin Beidler, gave me this blurb that I reconnected with in a notebook of mine.  Thought it would give an encouragement to each of you the importance of a couple of things...confession, community and community confession.  Read the unknown author's words of wisdom below:

"In confession the breakthrough to community takes place.  Sin demands to have a man by himself.  It withdraws him from the community.  The more isolated a person is, the more destructive will be the power of sin over him, and the more deeply he becomes involved in it, the more disastrous is his isolation.  Sin wants to remain unknown.  It shuns the light.  In the darkness of the unexpressed it poisons the whole being of a person.  This can happen even in the midst of a pious community.  In confession the light of the Gospel breaks into the darkness and seclusion of the heart.  The sin must be brought into the light.  The unexpressed must be openly spoken and acknowledged.  All that is secret and hidden is made manifest.  It is a hard struggle until the sin is openly admitted.  But God breaks gates of brass and bars of iron (Ps. 107:16).  Since the confession of sin is made in the presence of a Christian brother, the last stronghold of self-justification  is abandoned.  The sinner surrenders; he gives up all his evil.  He gives his heart to God, and he finds the forgiveness of all his sin in the fellowship of Jesus Christ and his brother."   

I heard somewhere, that God forgives sins, but when we confess our faults one to another and pray for one another we get healing.  This concept is found in the book of James.  We need forgiveness, yet we need healing too.  To break free from heaviness and ineffective living, ask God to search your heart, be honest about what he shows you with some really faithful and trusted brothers.  The natural inclination is to hide it, but to break free, we must show it.  Take it to the light and expose our sinfulness to God and even in the context of community.  If you are lacking in this area, I encourage you to GET SOMMA DAT!

Stu

Sin of Indifference

 ²⁰ Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. ²¹ “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. ²² But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. ²³ And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades.^[e] For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. ²⁴ But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”

 This is the scripture that we looked at on Sunday.  Discussed a ton about Jesus not really happy with these cities, Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum.  The reality is Jesus did a ton of His work in these places.  Capernaum was Jesus' home base for ministry.  The other cities described in comparison with these "cities of woe", Sidon, Tyre and Sodom...straight up filthy and moral cesspools. Jesus though says basically, their hell heat will be less than yours Capernaum, Bethsaida, Chorazin.  Why?  The sin of INDIFFERENCE.  Yawn.  Why is it such a big deal that these CBC (Capernaum, Bethsaida and Chorazin) cities are so offensive to Christ.  They paid their taxes, were hard working citizens, probably all contributed to the United Way and had HOA programs to ensure a nice city for all.  The problem was after Christ raised the dead, healed the sick and shared with them the reality of His Heavenly Kingdom, they could all but give a smattering of applause, much like a golf clap.  They recognized His power, but they did not identify with Him.  They did not see His value.  Their hearts were indifferent totally to the work that Christ had come to do.  The Bible tells us in this easy to glance over passage that Christ declares WOE, to these cities.  Indifference is very, very dangerous.  Church going can be dangerous too, if that is all you are about.  Jesus wants all of our hearts, lives and wills.  To surrender to Christ means to GIVE HIM FULL CONTROL, let go of the meaningless trivialities we call career and dreams and GIVE OUR LIVES TO HIM.  The result?  A transformed life....eternally.  With no heat.  God help us not to be like Capernaum and such.


Peace,  Stuart

Syd, Shots, and Thanksgiving

Syd got her shots for kindergarten today.  Been a long time since she had to go to the doc.  She was reeling from the pain Heather told me.  When I got to her at home she was watching goofy and the Disney cartoons rocking in her little girl rocker eating cut up hotdogs with multi-colored band-aids on her legs.

I asked Syd if she was mad at the doctor, and she said, "No dad, she was really good...." like a grown up.  I was so proud of her.  Sydney is my babyiest one.  Soon to be 5 in April, she is a reminder to me that while we labor and press in life, we need to remember how special each season in life is.  I will never take my children for their kindergarten shots again..... that is a sober reminder of my 40 year old self.  I feel 25 inside and remember when having a kid was a dream.  Something bitter sweet about these shots, makes me reflect on my personal life and the preciousness of my family, wife and kids.  I have the joy of spending every Wednesday with Syd from about 8-2.  Sometimes with her I find my mind drifting off, thinking about bills, or the church, or a tough situation with a relationship, or whatever....  God is reminding me to seize these moments.  Soon, I won't be able to spend these kinds of time with my kids.  I pray that I will be more sensitive to living in the now and not so much the tomorrow.  With all the uncertainty and frustrations in every one of our lives looking forward, it makes it that much easier to pause and give grace over the meal in front of my face this day.  Thank you Lord.  Thank You.

PLAYING TO WIN

Been discussing to the church that Jesus came to win what was lost in the fall to sin and the devil.  He constantly is charged up with being motivated to be a doer and not a whiner.  He implores us as followers to be much of the same.  I came across this great writing yesterday in my Bible.  There is a section in the back of my Bible and it addresses questions and issues.  This one, I am holding onto closely:

Jesus taught the law of constant prayer (to God) and steadfast persistence (in human endeavor):  He said, ‘ask and keep on asking; seek and keep on seeking; knock and keep on knocking.’  The Greek present tense emphasizes continuous action:  Jesus was not saying knock once and stop, but keep on knocking till the door is opened.  God, in his wonderful wisdom has built the world in such a fashion that only those who are diligent and who persevere win the highest prizes.  The person who is determined to achieve his God given goal, despite all obstacles, will wind up a winner.  Those who are faint hearted and faltering, whose minds are not made up about something, will always lose.  God makes us reach high for the better things.  Only a few will strive hard enough to win them.  Those who keep going in spite of problems, pain, and difficulty will eventually overcome them.  It is necessary to keep at something long enough to let the laws of use and reciprocity work for you.  The Apostle Paul proudly declared, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).  He wrote to the Galatians, “Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Gal. 6:9)  In whatever task God places you, do not quit, but stay the course.”  Spirit Filled Life Bible p. 2009

Good word to remember- Stu

When Believing Get's Hard

Studying a lot this past week.  Talking about a lot of stuff.  Just a nugget here, John the Baptist, giving up his entire life to usher in Jesus' ministry and kingdom, finds himself in jail.  In just a minute he will lose his head on a platter over a party favor.  This man is labeled by Jesus as being the greatest man to have ever been born of woman (nice props).   Until that day, the greatest man that ever lived.  Yet John found himself despondent, alone and with little hope.  He was looking for Jesus' kingdom to take over the world, yet Jesus had a different approach.  John's incomplete revelation caused much frustration within himself.  In his moment of despair, John reaches out to his sidekicks and says:
 

¹ Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.  ² And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples ³ and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”  Matthew 11: 1-2

John in his greatest moment of despair, did not just complain or run away from the issue, instead, he went TO Jesus.  The Lord surely wants all of us to walk in a sincere and deep abiding faith.  This said, it is no surprise that the Lord often finds His children in much doubt.  The reality is not If we will come into a place of doubt, but WHEN.   Jesus does an interesting thing.  To the accusers, Jesus shows no signs.  To the government officials and unbelievers Jesus does no miracles or long soliloquies about how REAL He is.  The unbeliever that is insincere and the accusing, Jesus knows He cannot win.  But John in desperation, in sweat and blood and fear, looks up from his dank jail cell and says, "Jesus, You are the One we EXPECTED aren't you?!!"  And what does Jesus do for this doubting brother?  He takes a minute from His speech and heals the sick, restores sight to the blind and raises the dead....then sends John's disciples back and says in essence- just reassure him, I'm the ONE.  Jesus is so good.  He won't address the accuser or the cynic, but the doubter, he will make an effort to encourage.  If you find yourself in doubt today about where God has you, or why you are there, try to do what John did....send for Jesus- He will meet you there with confirmation.

PS....John never got let out of prison, but lost his head.  And Jesus commends him as a mighty prophet who was faithful til the end.  Do we want comfort or to complete our destiny?

Stuart 

Out Reach Myrtle Beach: It is on

Ok, so people have been sharing the love and message of Jesus Christ in Myrtle Beach for a long time.  That is nothing new.  But our church stepped out in a committed and intentional way today with Impact Ministries in Myrtle Beach.

Impact has a unique way of reaching the area hotel and resort staff year around.  We were trained for a minute by Todd Wood, and we took our four dozen home-made chocolate chip cookies and headed out to the endless resort and hotels on the beach. 

The goal of the day:  to just say thank you to all the staffers at the hotels, see if there was an open door to share Christ or pray with them.  We found that some people were open, some were closed and some were in between.  Our hope is that by continually coming by and offering a nice gesture like cookies and a smile, we may have the opportunity to build relationships with the people.  We know that we will not reach everyone we reach out to, but we know that we will reach some.  People are reluctant (understandably so) in welcoming a stranger, but we feel that the Lord is leading us to reach out none the less. 

I will keep you up on what the Lord does in this outreach.  Already, Todd is inviting us to serve water bottles weekly to the life guards all up and down the grand strand.  He says over 50% of them are from foreign countries.  We will then invite them to a weekly dinner at a local church.  The Bible tells us that the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few.  As simple as what we did today was, there are no huge testimonies. More than anything, we moved off of our booties.  Already, my heart is stirred for the people we met:  James working at the pool, Cassandra at the front desk, Noel pushing the trash buggy, to name a few that I remember.... God cares so much about these few.  Can you imagine all the staffers we did not get to?  We are excited to do what we can to partner with God to share the love and message of Christ to win our city to the Lord.

-Stu