We are in a 5 week series focusing on “Defining Moments” in our lives. Snapshots from the life of David, who is the most popular Old Testament character, form the basis for this study. The first week we talked about “The Greatest Defining Moment.” That is when we step across the line of faith and experience grace through Christ. This past week was graduation Sunday. We recognized more than 75 high school and college graduates in the two morning services. Our study focused on “a life based on commitment rather than convenience.” This Sunday is Mother’s Day. Our study from the life of David will center on David’s appointment as King. A real defining moment is when we discover “what really matters to God.” Man looks at the outward things, but God looks at the heart. An understanding of this truth is a great stress reducer. I hope you will be here to celebrate the tremendous value of our moms and to participate in the next lesson in this series. I look forward to seeing you Sunday.
Last week Ethel and I had the privilege of attending the “Mega-Metro” conference in Orlando, Florida. The conference is held for Southern Baptist Churches, our size, from across the country. This is the first year Ethel has been able to attend due to school obligations. She really enjoyed the pastor’s wives sessions as well as the banquet speakers in the evening. We heard Al Weiss, President of World-wide Operations for Disney, and Pat Williams, founder of the Orlando Magic, speak. Both men are very committed Christ followers and dynamic communicators.
During one of the Pastor’s sessions some facts were given that I believe every parent needs to receive. The discussion centered around students and the reasons so many drop out of church. The three factors that most influence students to stay in church, as stated by students themselves, are as follows: (1) Parents discuss spiritual matters with me. (2) Parents give me spiritual guidance. (3) Parents pray regularly with me.
Parents this is from teenagers themselves. Don’t think your students don’t want or need your spiritual guidance. They do.
Recently I wrote about the importance of Scripture reading and prayer to spiritual growth and victorious living. I shared with you some thoughts on a systematic approach to devotional reading. Today, I want to talk with you about the prayer aspect of your time with God. Many Believers, including myself, have found that a structured approach to prayer is very helpful when spending time with God. I have, for years, approached my devotional time using the acrostic "ACTS."
Each letter represents a very important aspect of one's prayer life.
This past Sunday we explored why an hour a week with God is not enough. I talked about the need for personal time with God. If you and I are to face the tremendous challenges that come with each day we must have strength and wisdom beyond that which we possess as humans. Scripture reading and prayer are essentials to spiritual growth and victorious living. There are many ways to approach a devotional study of Scripture. You can choose a book and read several verses each day, or you can choose a theme (ie, love, forgiveness, etc.), or you a plan to read through the Bible in a year. Whatever plan you choose you need to ask a couple questions. What was the author saying in these verses? How does this passage apply to my life today?
There are many good devotional books and on-line devotionals available as well. The following is a list of resources I gathered from Hebron family members. This list is certainly not exhaustive. One that fits one individual's needs may or may not fit yours. Ask the Lord to guide you to the study that will most help you today.
- My Utmost for His Highest - Oswald Chambers
- Morning and Evening - Charles Spurgeon
- Day by Day - Chuck Swindoll
- Grace for the Moment - Max Lucado
- Streams in the Desert - L. B. Cowman & James Reimann
- Journey - Click here for the magazine from LifeWay
OnLine:
| ordination |
Thursday, March 6, 2008 2:56 PM |
Here's the outline for this Sunday night, March 9.
a 30 day challenge &
Spiritual treasure Lesson #7 |
Monday, February 25, 2008 9:02 AM |
I would like to challenge you to join me, in daily praying Colossians 4: 2 & 3 for the next 30 days. I can't wait to see what God is going to do!
Here's the outline for our Sunday night Spiritual Treasure series, Lesson 7.
In Search of Spiritual Treasure
Lesson #6 & let's build a church |
Monday, February 11, 2008 10:23 AM |
Here are the outlines from yesterday:
In Search of Spiritual Treasure
Lesson #5 |
Monday, February 11, 2008 10:23 AM |
Here is the outline with answers to Lesson 5, "Doctrine of the Bible: Can We Interpret the Meaning of Scripture?"
| the power of one to give grace |
Monday, February 4, 2008 8:57 AM |
As promised, here are my notes from yesterday morning's sermon on The Power of One to Give Grace.
In Search of Spiritual Treasure
Lesson #1 |
Monday, January 28, 2008 11:35 AM |
In case you missed week one here's the outline for it.
In Search of Spiritual Treasure
Lesson #4 |
Monday, January 28, 2008 11:25 AM |
To help you continue our exciting study on the Bible, here's Sunday night's outline, “Doctrine of the Bible”- Do the Present Books Belong There?
In Search of Spiritual Treasure
Lesson #3 |
Monday, January 21, 2008 11:28 AM |
If you missed this past Sunday because of the snow, be sure to watch this Sunday's service online by clicking here.
Also, here's the outline from Sunday night's topic, “Doctrine of the Bible”- Is the Bible Inspired and Inerrant?
In Search of Spiritual Treasure
Lesson #2
|
Monday, January 14, 2008 12:14 PM |
I hope your week is off to a good start. Click here for the outline from Sunday night's topic, Doctrine of the Bible.
| the gift of the savior |
Monday, December 10, 2007 11:46 AM |
EVERY PROMISE GOD GAVE OF THE SAVIOR IS FULFILLED THROUGH JESUS.
1. GEN. 3:15 MUST BE OF THE SEED OF A WOMAN.
2. GEN. 12:3 MUST BE OF THE SEED OF ABRAHAM.
3. GEN. 49:10 MUST DESCEND FROM THE TRIBE OF JUDAH.
4. MICAH 5:2 MUST BE BORN IN BETHLEHEM.
5. ISAIAH 7:14 MUST BE BORN OF A VIRGIN.
6. HOSEA 11:1 AS A BABY WOULD GO INTO EGYPT.
7. PSALM 18:2 WOULD COME SPEAKING IN PARABLES.
8. ISAIAH 51: 1-2 WOULD HEAL THE BROKENHEARTED.
9. ISAIAH 53:3 WOULD BE REJECTED BY HIS OWN PEOPLE.
10. ISAIAH 53:7 SILENT BEFORE HIS ACCUSERS.
11. PSALM 22 CRUCIFIED.
12. PSALM 22 FORSAKEN BY THE FATHER.
13. ISAIAH 53:6 BURIED WITH THE RICH.
| breaking down barriers |
Monday, October 1, 2007 11:34 AM |
As promised, here are the points from yesterday's lesson on Breaking Down Barriers:
| deviate |
Monday, September 17, 2007 11:46 AM |
We are now into our second week of a series of sermons entitled Deviate. To deviate is to depart from an accepted norm or standard. That is our desire at Hebron, we long to be the church God has called us to be. Last week I talked about how real change comes about when you embrace Jesus, and in order to embrace Him, you must embrace your inadequacy apart from the Holy Spirit. On Sunday, I talked about three important truths about the Holy Spirit. I would like to share those with you. As you read through the following points, allow yourself to daily be aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence and power in your own life.
I. THE HOLY SPIRIT: A DOMINANT REALITY IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH.
- THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDES THE CHURCH.
- THE HOLY SPIRIT BREAKS DOWN BARRIERS.
- THE HOLY SPIRIT PROVIDES COURAGE AND POWER
II. THE HOLY SPIRIT: A DAILY PRESENCE.
- HE WILL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU NO MATTER WHERE YOU GO OR WHAT YOU ARE DOING. PSALMS 139:7
- HE WILL SEARCH YOUR HEART AND SHOW YOU WHAT YOU NEED TO CHANGE. PSALMS 7:9
- HE WILL GIVE YOU THE ABILITY TO DO THE THINGS YOU NEED TO DO. EXODUS 31:3
- HE WILL LEAD YOU AND GUIDE YOUR LIFE. ACTS 16:6
- HE WILL CONVICT YOU AND CORRECT YOU. PSALMS 139: 23-24
- HE WILL TEACH YOU TRUTH. JOHN 14:26
- HE WILL GIVE YOU GIFTS TO HELP EACH OTHER. I CORINTHIANS 12: 7-12.
III. THE HOLY SPIRIT: A DYNAMIC FORCE.
- DON’T ASK FOR A PARTICULAR EXPERIENCE.
- ASK HIM TO INVADE ALL THAT YOU ARE AND WORK IN YOU.
- YIELD TO HIM AND FOLLOW HIM.
- ESTABLISH A MOMENT BY MOMENT DEPENDENCY ON THE HOLY SPIRIT.
| celebrate recovery |
Monday, August 27, 2007 9:49 AM |
One of the very powerful ministries at Hebron Church is Celebrate Recovery. It is an integral part of the fabric of our church. It is a place where people who are dealing with hurts, habits, and hang-ups of any kind can find Christ centered help. The goal of Celebrate Recovery is not simply to recover from past sins and hurts. The goal is to become Christ-like in our character. "Great churches are built on broken people". Brokenness – a willingness to abandon our pride, our pretensions, and our self righteous posturing – is the prerequisite to God’s blessing on our lives and our congregations”. There are several things that make Celebrate Recovery central to our mission and ministry. Celebrate Recovery is based on God’s Word. Every principle is grounded in scripture. It is forward looking. While Celebrate Recovery recognizes the past plays an important part in how we live, think and behave, participants are encouraged to find the power through Christ to live "looking through the windshield and not the rear-view mirror." It emphasizes personal responsibility. Celebrate Recovery emphasizes spiritual commitment to Jesus Christ, and is based on the biblical principles of real community. All types of habits, hurts, and hang-ups are addressed, and it produces lay ministers. I truly believe Celebrate Recovery is one of the most "Jesus" like ministries the church can provide.
| car care ministry |
Thursday, August 2, 2007 3:33 PM |
One of our little known but very important ministries at Hebron is our Car Care Ministry headed up by Bill Perkins. Bill and his team are doing a great job offering a much needed service to those in need. Their ministry basically helps out those who need minor maintenance done to their vehicles. Here are a few comments from those who have benefited from the Car Care Ministry:
“I just wanted all of you that do the Car Care Ministry to know how much you are appreciated. Joyce Britt had invited all of the single mom’s and their kids over to her house Sunday for ice cream and everyone was talking about the Car Care Ministry. All of you touch so many lives. I just can’t say enough about how much you have helped me. You also made a huge impact on my boys Saturday because they were complaining and ready to go home, when I explained what the Car Care Ministry was they were so surprised that someone would do something for us out of the kindness of their heart.”
“I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the wonderful Car Care Ministry. My daughter and I moved to the area a little over a year ago. Our extended family lives over an hour away. It is so comforting to know that there is something like the Car Care Ministry to help people like me. Not only was the work on my car appreciated, but I also greatly appreciated the kindness and concern of all the men who were there Saturday working in this area of ministry. What a wonderful experience!”
“I so appreciate the Car Care Ministry and the fact that you are checking up on us women. The air on my car is working great! I say a prayer for you all every time I get into the car and the air is working on these hot days. You and all involved in the ministry are such a blessing to me. Money is very tight, and I tend to freak out some when something goes wrong, especially something that will cost money that I don't have. It is just a comfort knowing that someone will look at my car and not lie to me about the problem. Thank you so much for your service. It means so much to me. Words can not express how much I appreciate the men that give up their time to help us women out. We know that it is a sacrifice of your time with your families. May God bless all of you for your love and your willingness to serve.”
If you would like to be involved with the Car Care Ministry contact Bill, 770.963.4718.
