August 22, 2010

Bulletin Thought

A Thought from Pastor Bryson,

“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.”

                                                                                                                                          Daniel 6:10

Daniel is probably best known because of his experience in the lion’s den (Dan. 6:1-23).  But we should also know Daniel as being a man of prayer.  It was his practice of praying to God that caused him to be placed in the lion’s den to begin with.

Individuals were jealous of Daniel because the king was planning to promote him to a very prestigious position.  Those envious of him could find no fault in Daniel so they devised a plan that would put him out of favor with the king, thus ending his promotion.  They knew Daniel prayed to his God regularly.  So they were instrumental in getting a law passed that no one should pray to anyone but the king for the next thirty days.

Daniel was not swayed by the law, he prayed to his God anyway.  Wouldn’t it be great if we had similarities to Daniel when it came to prayer?  Note the following:

• Daniel prayed when times were good and when they were bad.  A law had been passed banning prayer to God, but Daniel still prayed to his God.  When trouble comes our way, it’s interesting that we tend to stop communicating with God.  It’s when trouble comes that we really need to be communicating with God.

• Daniel prayed with his focus on God.  By facing Jerusalem, the city of God, the focus would always be on God and their eventual return.  We must be careful not to allow distractions to get our focus off of God.  Ultimately, only God can truly help us.

• Daniel prayed more than once a day.  Three times a day he made it a point to have quiet time with God.  Nothing deterred him from prayer.  What about us?  Are we devoted to praying regularly?  Or do we allow television or recreation take priority over prayer?

• Daniel was thankful in spite of.  A law had been passed banning prayer to God.  Punishment was sure to come and it did.  But Daniel, in spite of being in what was a less than desirable situation, still found reasons to be thankful.  We don’t have to look far; reasons abound as to why we should always be thankful.

• Daniel’s custom was to pray…

I’m sure that Daniel’s courage and commitment was a result of his prayer life.  O Lord, help us to be a praying people.

8/22/2010 10:31:58 PM (Central Standard Time, UTC-06:00)    Comments [0] 

August 8, 2010

Bulletin Thought

Fanny Crosby’s Prayer Life

Fanny Crosby, though blinded in infancy, greeted friends and strangers alike with a cheerful “God bless your dear soul.”  And, according to her own statement, she never attempted to write a hymn without first kneeling in prayer.  If this be true, Fanny Crosby spent considerable time on her knees.  She wrote no less than 8000 songs.

Miss Crosby was often under pressure to meet deadlines.  It was under such circumstances in 1869 that she tried to write words for a tune Composer W. H. Doane had sent her.  But she couldn’t write.  Then she remembered she had forgotten her prayer.  Rising from her knees, she dictated – as fast as her assistant could write – words for the famous hymn, “Jesus, Keep Me Near The Cross.”

But one day in 1874, Fanny Crosby prayed for more material things.  She had run short of money and needed five dollars – even change.  There was no time to draw on her publishers, so she simply prayed for the money.  Her prayer ended, she was walking to and fro in her room trying to “get into the mood” for another hymn when an admirer called (came to visit).  Greeting the stranger with “God bless your dear soul,” the two chatted briefly.

In the parting handshake the admirer left something in the hymn-writer’s hand.  It was five dollars.  Rising from a prayer of thanks the blind poetess wrote: “All the way my Saviour leads me.”

                                                                                  Clint Banner

                                                                                                  (Source – Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations)

I asked the Lord to comfort me when things weren’t going my way,

He said to me, “I will comfort you, and lift your cares away.”

I asked the Lord to walk with me when darkness was all I knew,

He said to me, “Never be afraid, for I will see you through.”

I didn’t ask for riches, He gave me wealth untold,

The moon, the stars, the sun, the sky, and gave me eyes to behold…

He came to me when I needed Him, I only had to pray,

 And He’ll come to you, if you ask Him to, He’s only a prayer away.

8/8/2010 9:08:37 AM (Central Standard Time, UTC-06:00)    Comments [0] 

July 4, 2010

A Thought from Pastor Bryson,

On July 4, 1776 the thirteen Continental Colonies of America adopted a document known as the Declaration of Independence.  This document was a declaration of freedom from British rule.  Now, every year, the United States celebrates this as a holiday in which we celebrate our freedom.

As Christians, we must never forget that over 2000 years ago, God in the person of Jesus Christ performed a work that granted us “freedom” from the rule of satan and sin in our lives.  Not only did God deliver us, God also changed our status and our future.  Whereas we once were known as sinners headed for eternal destruction, we are now known as saints and have a place in the eternal kingdom of God.

Because of what happened on July 4, 1776, this country recognizes every July 4^th as a national holiday and celebrations are held across the land.  But do we not realize that because of what happened over 2000 years ago when Jesus sacrificed His life on the cross and bought our freedom, for those of us who believe, everyday is to be a day of celebration and thanksgiving?

Because of our faith in the redeeming Savior we are free and now have dual citizenship.  We are citizens of these United States, but we are also citizens of the heavenly kingdom.  When life is over in this land, we can rest assured that God will receive us in His heavenly kingdom where the wicked shall cease from troubling and the weary shall be at rest.  In the heavenly kingdom, there will always be a “praise party” going on.  You don’t believe me, read the following:

Revelation 4:8-11

Revelation 5:8-14

Revelation 7:9-12

Today as we celebrate July 4^th as Independence Day, let us also as children of God have a joyful spirit as we always remember and continually celebrate the redeeming work of Jesus on the cross.  We are redeemed and we are free.  Hallelujah!!

“Always thanking the Father, who has enabled you to share the inheritance that belongs to God’s holy people, who live in the light. For He has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and He has brought us into the kingdom of His dear Son. God has purchased our freedom with His blood and has forgiven all our sins.” (Colossians 1:12-14 NLT)

7/4/2010 11:45:46 AM (Central Standard Time, UTC-06:00)    Comments [0] 

June 20, 2010

Bulletin Thought

A Thought from Pastor Bryson,

“Sing to God, sing praises to His name; extol Him who rides on the clouds, by His name YAH, and rejoice before Him. A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows is God in His holy habitation.” (Psalm 68:4-5 NKJV)

Today we observe and celebrate Father’s Day.  To say celebrate might be a bit of a stretch when compared to the attention given to Mother’s Day J

In the reality of life, we acknowledge that some do not hold Father’s Day in high regard given their negative experiences with their own fathers.  But, we must not fail to recognize the reality of a loving God who is our heavenly Father.  The good news is that He is a father to the fatherless.  Just consider some of the things our heavenly Father does for us:

• Each day we have is a gift from Him…
• All of our needs are provided for…
• Loves us unconditionally…
• Never leaves us alone…
• Has a bottle for all our tears…
• Works through others who come into our lives…
• Is patient and merciful…
• Is always working, never slothful…

Of course, our heavenly Father does far more than we could ever write or speak about.  We just need to remember that we have a heavenly Father who loves us and will never forsake us.

Our heavenly Father has provided some wonderful earthly fathers who are indeed a blessing to their families, but if ever you start feeling down because of some disappointment due to your earthly father, just remember, we are our heavenly Father’s children and He wants us to have a relationship with Him. 

Praying to Him is always available to us – Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name…

6/20/2010 7:59:06 AM (Central Standard Time, UTC-06:00)    Comments [0] 

June 6, 2010

Bulletin Thought

A Thought from Pastor Bryson,

“Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving for the faith of the gospel.” (Philippians 1:27 NKJV)

In Philippians 1:27 the apostle Paul is encouraging Christians at Philippi to work together in a spirit of unity.  This is a message that is worth repeating constantly among believers today.

There is also another message that needs to be kept before professing Christians today – that our conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ.  Our conduct, our behavior, our mindset says a lot about our spirituality.  Our conduct should say that:

• We are saved.  Because of faith in Jesus as Savior a spiritual transformation has taken place within us.  A new heart has developed within us so much so that we are new creatures in Christ.  Outwardly we look the same but inwardly new birth has happened.  Our conduct should say that:

• We are growing.  The Christian life is a progressive life.  We are in the process of maturing – becoming more of the person that God would have us be.  We do not stay the same, if we’re not growing, developing more in our faith then there is a problem.  Our conduct should say that:

• We are committed.  Our Savior set a good example of commitment.  Jesus did not waver in doing God’s will.  He was often criticized, scrutinized, and even betrayed by His own disciples.  But through it all He remained faithful to doing God’s will.  Our conduct should say that:

• We are filled with hope.  Our hope should be as a result of faith in God and His Word.  We have assurance that although things may get rough we can always depend on God.  Our Savior has promised never to leave us alone. Our Savior has promised that His grace is sufficient.  Our Savior has promised that He is coming back.

Is your conduct worthy of the gospel of Christ?  Remember, He has called us to be witnesses.

Take my life and let be consecrated Lord to Thee…

6/6/2010 9:01:57 AM (Central Standard Time, UTC-06:00)    Comments [0] 

A Thought from Pastor Bryson,

“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3 NKJV)

Not long ago several Mt. Nebo members volunteered their time on a Saturday afternoon to help out in one of the neighborhoods that had been ravaged by the recent flooding.

We were assigned to work to at the home of a woman in her late 60’s or early 70’s.  Her home, like the home of her neighbors was hit particularly hard, everything had been lost.  She was sitting outside sorting through what paperwork that was not washed away.

She was divorced and retired, with no flood insurance.  Given her plight, having lost everything and having no flood insurance, it would have been easy to understand if she was caught up in despair.  But such was not the case.

This woman witnessed to us while sitting in the midst of ruin.  She had recently bought new appliances but watched as they were all destroyed by the flood waters.  She recounted some of her past problems in life and said –“God brought me through.  He is also going to bring me through this.”  Several times she mentioned the goodness of God and stated she had much to be thankful for.

This woman is a living testimony to God’s peace in the midst of trial. While she obviously thought on things she had lost, those things were not the chief focus of her mind.  She focused on God and His divine ability to help us in time of need.  While many challenges are before this woman, I believe her faith in God will see her through.

God encourages us in His Word to trust Him and keep Him as our focus, as we do – His peace will flood our souls and His strength will be ours.

When peace like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.

5/23/2010 9:00:14 AM (Central Standard Time, UTC-06:00)    Comments [0]