Posted Nov 27, 2012
How to Fish Series- What’s in your Ice chest? (Devotional 2)
(Sermon outline excerpt of "Gone Fishing!" byJoe Alain)
SCRIPTURE: Mark 1:17-18
Then Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men."
18 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
What's in Your Ice Chest?
“Could it be that maybe one reason some folks aren't too quick to see too many people coming into the church is the same reason some of us don't care if we catch too many fish at the lake? Fish are messy! If I catch a mess I have a mess to clean when I get home. It's much easier to just "wet my line" and sit a spell under the cypress tree, eat my sandwich and Twinkie, and sip on my Barges Root Beer. It doesn't take much effort to fish and not catch anything. But it does take some effort to fish like you really want to fill your ice chest.
The question for us is what kind of "fishers of men" are we? Are we content to practice casting our weighted line in the backyard? Or are we truly after some fish and will do whatever it takes to catch some? Of course it's easier to just "wet a line" and say we're fishing, and so the church today has mastered the art of fishing without ever really catching much. Instead of fishing for men and women we often busy ourselves by attending fishing seminars, telling fish stories, or fixing up the fishing camp (the church house), contented with the thought that because our tree appears green we must be fruitful, even though the evidence suggests otherwise. It has been a publicized statistic in my denomination that 70% of our churches are plateaued or declining. This begs the question, "Are we truly fishing or just wetting a line?" In many instances, our fishing today consists mainly of fishing for children of church members in the safe church pond or transferring fish from one church ice chest to another one down the street. Few churches are impacting the pagan pool and reaching their God — given potential!”(Joe Alain)
COMMENTS BY PASTOR GLEN:
The time is short and now is the time to broaden our outreach and each follower of Jesus share with others outside of the church what you have experienced since you became a believer and active follower of Christ. God bless you as you accept this challenge and do it this week. Get ready to fish!! Ask God to direct you to some soul today. Charles Spurgeon a great evangelist promised God that he would not sleep until he had spoken to some soul about Jesus. He was faithful to his word and presented these souls to Jesus. Is it any wonder that His preaching was anointed and touched multitudes of people?
PRAYER SUGGESTION: Dear Jesus help us to prepare to catch “fish” for you as fishers of men. Amen.
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Posted Nov 24, 2012 (revised 1126/2012)
GONE FISHING SERIES
GONE FISHING
(Sermon outline excerpt of "Gone Fishing!" byJoe Alain)
Scripture: John 21:3
19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
“In John 21:3 we discover that the disciples embarked on a fishing trip. Simon Peter told his partners, "I'm going fishing." The disciples chimed in and said "we're going too!" So the disciples posted their "gone fishing" sign on the upper room door and headed out to the lake. Maybe the pecan trees were not budding, the worms were not falling from the willow trees, or the water was too high because verse 3 tell us this fishing trip was a dud — "that night they caught nothing.
It wasn't that the disciples had not tried to catch fish. They toiled all night. It wasn't that the disciples did not have the right equipment. They had the best tackle. It wasn't even the time of day that was the problem. It takes more than toiling, more than tackle, and more than time. If you are fishing in the wrong place none of that matters.” (Joe Alain)
Comments by Glen Aycock
The major point in this excerpt is We need to fishing in the right place! How do we know the right place? We must listen to the Master. Rosey Greer a great football player of years past told me of his conversion. He was in the midst of extreme depression in his hotel room. His wife had filed for divorce and his finances were challenged. He got a gun and put it to his head to take his life. At that moment the phone rang. He looked at the clock and noted it was 3 A.M. and picked up the phone. A man he did not know was on the other end of the line and said, “Rosey you don’t know me but my Lord awakened me from a sound sleep and told me to come to this motel and talk to you. I am sorry for the late hour but I must tell you about Jesus and your future. Rosey invited him up to his room and he shared that Christ had a plan for his life and loved him. He asked Rosey if he would like to pray and ask Jesus to come into his heart. Rosey with great outburst of tears fell on his face and cried out to God and accepted Jesus as his Savior. This pastor was a pastor of a small church in California and did not know that Rosey a giant of a man and past pro football start had a gun to his mouth ready to commit suicide but just followed instructions where God wanted him to fish.
Prayer: Dear Jesus speak and we will follow!
Posted Nov 23, 2012
THANKSGIVING PRAYER DEVOTIONAL
(Submitted by Pastor Glen Aycock) Back to Admenu
SCRIPTURE: Jonah 2:1-10
1 ¶ Then Jonah prayed to his God from the belly of the fish.
2 He prayed: "In trouble, deep trouble, I prayed to GOD. He answered me. From the belly of the grave I cried, ‘Help!’ You heard my cry.
3 You threw me into ocean’s depths, into a watery grave, with ocean waves, ocean breakers crashing over me.
4 I said, ‘I’ve been thrown away, thrown out, out of your sight. I’ll never again lay eyes on your Holy Temple.’
5 Ocean gripped me by the throat. The ancient Abyss grabbed me and held tight. My head was all tangled in seaweed
6 at the bottom of the sea where the mountains take root. I was as far down as a body can go, and the gates were slamming shut behind me forever―yet you pulled me up from that grave alive, O GOD, my God!
7 When my life was slipping away, I remembered GOD, and my prayer got through to you, made it all the way to your Holy Temple.
8 Those who worship hollow gods, god-frauds, walk away from their only true love.
9 But I’m worshiping you, GOD, calling out in thanksgiving! And I’ll do what I promised I’d do! Salvation belongs to GOD!"
“Establishing the Priority of Giving Thanks.”
Jonah almost waited too late to have thanksgiving. He cried out from the belly of a whale. His head straining to stay up out the acidity water which threatened to drown him and seaweed and previous swallowed meals full of turbulence of a roller coaster ride he finally decided to pray to His God. He was in trouble and a watery grave. This was it. His life slipping away he remembered God. His prayer made it through! He was ready to worship. He was ready to keep his promise to God. Most of all he was ready to give Thanks.
Prayer Thought: Dear Jesus, help us to prioritize giving thanks to God. Amen.
Posted Nov 22, 2012
THANKSGIVING DEVOTIONAL- THURDAY NOV 22
SCRIPTURE: Revelation 7: 9-12
9 I looked again. I saw a huge crowd, too huge to count. Everyone was there―all nations and tribes, all races and languages. And they were standing, dressed in white robes and waving palm branches, standing before the Throne and the Lamb
10 and heartily singing: Salvation to our God on his Throne! Salvation to the Lamb!
11 All who were standing around the Throne―Angels, Elders, Animals―fell on their faces before the Throne and worshiped God,
12 singing: Oh, Yes! The blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving, The honor and power and strength, To our God forever and ever and ever! Oh, Yes!
THE GREATEST THANKSGIVING
God has invited us to this Thanksgiving service!! How wonderful it will be to stand with our departed loved ones and sing praises to our God. The multitude of angels will sing the Hallelujah Chorus in perfect pitch and we can join in with them. We will feel the vibration of praise and be basked in the Glory of God. At that moment the cure of cancer and health diseases and all our infirmities will disappear. We will fall to our knees before the Throne and worship God in unity. This will be the perfect Thanksgiving service and we will give honor and power and applaud his strength forever and ever. Oh Yes you want to be there. Believe in the Lord and repent and invite Him into your heart this thanksgiving if you are not in a relationship with him.
PRAYER SUGGESTION
Dear Jesus I claim you as my Lord and Savior, forgive and save me today. I will follow you always. Amen
Posted Nov 21, 2012
“Gone Fishing!Sermon on; John 21:3
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In John 21:3 we discover that the disciples embarked on a fishing trip. Simon Peter told his partners, "I'm going fishing." The disciples chimed in and said "we're going too!" So the disciples posted their "gone fishing" sign on the upper room door and headed out to the lake. Maybe the pecan trees were not budding, the worms were not falling from the willow trees, or the water was too high because verse 3 tell us this fishing trip was a dud — "that night they caught nothing.
It wasn't that the disciples had not tried to catch fish. They toiled all night. It wasn't that the disciples did not have the right equipment. They had the best tackle. It wasn't even the time of day that was the problem. It takes more than toiling, more than tackle, and more than time. If you are fishing in the wrong place none of that matters.
Fishing or "Wetting a Line"
Without the presence of fish the disciples were simply "wetting a line." There are really two kinds of fisherman. Some fish to catch fish. They are not satisfied unless the ice chest is full at the end of the day. Anything less is almost considered a failure. Then there are those who are recreational fishermen. They are more interested in the experience than they are catching fish. They are satisfied with just getting out for the day and "wetting a line." If they catch a few fish that's fine but if they don't, they still enjoy the trip.
What may be enjoyable as a recreational pastime is deadly from a spiritual perspective. The church (followers of Jesus) is called to be "fishers of men," yet often we may just be "wetting a line." We may have little concern if we have the right approach. We may have little concern if we are fishing in the right place. Worst of all, we may have little concern if we catch any fish!
What's in Your Ice Chest?
Could it be that maybe one reason some folks aren't to quick to see too many people coming into the church is the same reason some of us don't care if we catch too many fish at the lake? Fish are messy! If I catch a mess I have a mess to clean when I get home. It's much easier to just "wet my line" and sit a spell under the cypress tree, eat my sandwich and twinkie, and sip on my Bargs Root Beer. It doesn't take much effort to fish and not catch anything. But it does take some effort to fish like you really want to fill your ice chest.
The question for us is what kind of "fishers of men" are we? Are we content to practice casting our weighted line in the backyard? Or are we truly after some fish and will do whatever it takes to catch some? Of course it's easier to just "wet a line" and say we're fishing, and so the church today has mastered the art of fishing without ever really catching much. Instead of fishing for men and women we often busy ourselves by attending fishing seminars, telling fish stories, or fixing up the fishing camp (the church house), contented with the thought that because our tree appears green we must be fruitful, even though the evidence suggests otherwise. It has been a well publicized statistic in my denomination that 70% of our churches are plateaued or declining. This begs the question, "Are we truly fishing or just wetting a line?" In many instances, our fishing today consists mainly of fishing for children of church members in the safe church pond or transferring fish from one church ice chest to another one down the street. Few churches are impacting the pagan pool and reaching their God — given potential!
Fishing in the Wrong Pond
And then sometimes we do fish earnestly, as the disciples, but we are simply fishing in the wrong place. We are toiling and catching nothing. Our nets are being thrown out but they are coming up empty. Why? We may be fishing in the wrong place. The disciples didn't see the school of fish all around them until Jesus guided them. The truth is that we can toil but if we are not fishing in the right place our nets will continue to come up empty.
The problem is not declining fish stocks. The problem is that we do not see the fish and go after them with the right bait. It takes three things to be successful fisherman and likewise fishers of men. It takes knowledge of where the fish are. It takes the right bait. It takes time — translated patience. Healthy and growing churches that are penetrating a lost world are churches that are sensitive to the needs of people around them and they are leaving their comfort zone and traditions to reach people. You've probably heard of John Ortberg's book, If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat. I suggest that the church may need to get out of the boat that has been stuck on a spiritual sandbar for too long in order to wade out into the waters where the fish are schooling. Then we will cast our nets and bring in a great catch that will be nothing short of miraculous!
In John 20:4 we are told that Jesus called out to the disciples and asked them essentially this question, "have you caught any fish?" At least the disciples were honest fisherman. This was one fish story that was true. They had not caught anything! The Lord is asking us the same question. Church, "how's your fishing?" This is the measure of the faithfulness of the church. Not our inspiring buildings, or our impressive budgets, or our impassioned boastings. But our fishing! How many souls have we caught? How many disciples of Christ are we making? And we need to be painfully honest about the success or failure of our fishing trips.
The Fish Are Biting
Jesus guided the disciples to where the fish were located. With His eyes they could see the fish schooling. He will do the same for us. If we will look with Jesus' eyes we will see the people who are in need all around us. Jesus says to us, "I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest" (John 4:35). Fishing is a bit like farming. You see results in proportion to the work that you put into the endeavor. This principle of sowing and reaping is variously stated and illustrated in Scripture. Paul expressed this principle clearly in 2 Corinthians 9:6, "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously."
I have a friend who is an avid fisherman. I am always impressed and sometimes envious of his great catches. "Why do I not have similar results?" I think. Then, I remind myself that if I fished as often and as passionately as my friend, I would obviously catch more fish. It's hard to be a successful fisherman when you're boat serves more time as a leaf bin and when you're fishing consists of one or two outings a year!
When the disciples followed Jesus' instructions (John 20:6) they caught so many fish that the net could not be brought in. This great catch of fish gave the disciples a foretaste of what God was going to do through them as "fishers of men." Just imagine the possibilities of what God could do for us if we will faithfully follow Him!
As Christians we are to cast repeatedly our nets into the world and expect a catch. Our nets will be varied because it takes different baits to catch different fish. We can't always use the same methods of catching fish that have always worked. If worms are not doing the trick you try crickets. God did not call us to just "wet a line." He called us to catch men. We must do whatever it takes to reach people because the devil and the world sure is! Consider this. We fish for men to save men. In a sense we really are catch and release fisherman. The devil fishes for men to fry them, to condemn them for eternity. We catch them so that God can release them from sin and bondage. Are you ready to go do some fishing? Grab your pole. Get your tackle ready. Set some priority time aside. Follow Jesus to the river bank and expect a great catch! "Come, follow me, . . . and I will make you fishers of men" (Matt. 4:19).”
Posted Nov 20, 2012
THANKSGIVING SERIES DEVOTIONAL
Contributed by Glen Aycock
SCRIPTURE: Isa 51:3
For the LORD will comfort Zion, He will comfort all her waste places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, And her desert like the garden of the LORD; Joy and gladness will be found in it, Thanksgiving and the voice of melody.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem
I recently heard a person say, “I don’t listen to the news because it is too depressing”. I think we can live oblivious to the needs around the world however it is not the Christ like attitude. Certainly we should be more involved and use the newscast as a list of prayer needs. Try it and you will discover a growing list of prayer topics. Horrible pain and anguish are being experience in the bombings of Israel. On this Thanksgiving please remember the loved ones that lost family and shelter in the bombings. We remember the feelings we experienced on September 11 with the bombings of the twin towers. As a nation we were in shock and numb. Identify with those in Israel, who are going through an incredulous time of pain. This Thanksgiving join hands with your family and lift them up in prayer and give thanks to God for your blessings. Be thankful and have a Thanksgiving melody because God is with them. Thank Him for being with you and pray for peace of Jerusalem.
PRAYER THOUGHT:
Dear Jesus, we lift up our Brothers and Sisters in Jerusalem and others parts of the world that are being torn apart by the ravages of war. We pray for their comfort and help in your name of mercy and grace. Amen.
Posted Nov 19, 2012
THANKSGIVING DEVOTIONAL SERIES, GET OR GIVING
SCRIPTURE: Col 2:7:
Rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving
“GET OR GIVING”
The advertisements are out telling you of the specials on “Black Friday”. The day after we celebrate Thanksgiving is the busiest day with shoppers waiting in line for the store to open. We men usually avoid this like the plague. It’s not uncommon to see people getting in fights trying to claim the last of merchandise. I would propose to you that we should dedicate ourselves to “being built up in Him”. Perhaps this might be the time to pledge to reading the Bible daily or giving a special offering of thank You this coming Sunday. Perhaps writing a thank you to your pastor and wife for their faithfulness in preaching the word would be a blessing you could give. As a pastor I can tell you that a word of appreciation fitly spoken is much appreciated. I challenge you to find someone to bless this Thanksgiving. I am excited about the impact that we can make for Christ on our community. Do not forget to pray for the peace of Jerusalem in accordance to Gods instruction. Now is also the time to get together Christmas baskets for our military serving overseas in the path of danger. Let us establish a stronghold of faith and abound with Thanksgiving. God bless as you show your thanks.
PRAYER THOUGHT:
Dear Jesus make us aware of our blessings and excited about the opportunity to spread joy to others as our offering of Thanks. Amen!
Posted Nov 18, 2012
Ways of Saying Thank You
SCRIPTURE: Luke 17: 12-19
12 As he entered a village, ten men, all lepers, met him. They kept their distance
13 but raised their voices, calling out, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"
14 Taking a good look at them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." They went, and while still on their way, became clean.
15 One of them, when he realized that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying Gv182012d.
16 He kneeled at Jesus’ feet, so grateful. He couldn’t thank him enough—and he was a Samaritan.
17 Jesus said, "Were not ten healed? Where are the nine?
18 Can none be found to come back and give glory to God except this outsider?"
19 Then he said to him, "Get up. On your way. Your faith has healed and saved you."
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS:
In today’s scripture we have the case of ten men in a desperate situation because they were lepers. That meant they were outcasts of society, no contact with loved ones. They had to live outside of the city alone and desperately sick with an incurable disease at that time in history. They cried for mercy from Jesus and Jesus never looks the other way when one cries out to him. He told them to go show themselves to the priest and be ceremonially declared healed. This would allow Grandfathers and dads and moms to return and hug their children and live a normal life. They turned and left and as they followed His instruction they were healed. Nine of them continued to the temple and only one of them returned and kneeled at Jesus’ feet and couldn’t thank him enough. Jesus asked a question that probed the conscience of the crowd. “Were not ten healed? Where are the nine? Can none be found to come back and give glory to God except this outsider?” This thanksgiving have you and your family talked about ways to give glory to God? Here are some suggestions.
•Give groceries to a needy family or donate to the church food basket.
•Check out this web site: http://www.worldvision.org .
•Give a thanksgiving donation to a missionary serving overseas.
Jesus is interested in action that demonstrates gratefulness.
PRAYER THOUGHT:
Dear Jesus: Help us to see others in need through your eyes. Amen”
Posted Nov 17, 2012
PREPARE FOR THANKSGIVING - Devotional 2
SCRIPTURE: Ps 95:2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
Ps 100:1 «A Psalm of Thanksgiving.» Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
Ps 100:4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
Devotional Thoughts:
How do you start your day? Some people are slow starters and others hit the floor running. I urge you to start the day praising God for another day and asking Him to use you today to spread joy to others you encounter. This is the true servant’s heart. Daniel of the Old Testament was a man of prayer. He was a fanatic according to the world around him. Three times a day he knelt and prayed. The result was that regardless if it was hungry lions in lion’s den or evil men trying to end his life, he was victorious. Is your prayer life only active when it is convenient? What changes could you and I experience if we became as faithful as Daniel? David was a believer in giving thanks. Listen to his four principles that he urged God’s people to practice.
1.Enter His gates with thanksgiving.
2.Enter His courts with praise.
3.Be thankful to Him.
4.Bless His name.
In one week we will celebrate a day set aside as Thanksgiving. Let us start today be prepared to make this day of Thanksgiving about more than turkey and dressing.
Prayer Thought:
Dear Jesus: Remind us of our blessings so that we can give thanks from a cheerful heart. Amen.
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Posted Nov 16, 2012
“WHEN IS THANKSGIVING?
SCRIPTURE: Ps 50:14 Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High.Ps 69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving.Ps 95:2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.Ps 100:1 «A Psalm of Thanksgiving. » Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!DEVOTIONAL: Now is the time to give thanks to the Lord. The Bible tells us to lift up our head and shout thanks to the Lord. Why? I challenge you to get a sheet of paper and write as a heading; “A list of what I am thankful for”. Then list them. I have submitted an example below:
WHAT I AM THANKFUL FOR
1. Redemption!!! Christ has paid the price for our sins which separated us from God.2. Christian parents who taught me about the Bible and how to pray.3. Living in a land where there is freedom to worship the Lord openly.4. The immeasurable benefits of Grace.5. To be alive. A year ago I was told by my doctor that my time was short and to get things in order.6. A wonderful wife that has filled my life with joy and companionship.7. Wonderful children that love me.8. I am so excited to live on a ranch in Texas. I am a country boy!!!9. I have been blessed to pastor and preach for 50 years plus and see lives changed for Christ.10. I am excited about what is in front of me and I know that what is ahead is greater than what is behind.11. I am headed for a reunion with loved ones and friends and my precious Jesus.12. I am grateful for the media of the internet to share Christ to the world from my home computer. This list is submitted by Pastor Glen Aycock.
PRAYER THOUGHT
Dear Jesus, help me to begin to give thanks daily for your love and plans for my life. Amen!”
