Don't trick or treat without the right costume....

Get ready for some laughter on this day of Halloween!

Humorist Jeanne Robertson offers savvy Halloween costume advice from firsthand experience as a 6'2" thirteen year-old 7th grader.









ALSO - DON'T FORGET:

An early reminder to prepare this Saturday evening .... Time Change Sunday.

Just an early reminder of the event taking place this coming Sunday early in the morning.  In fact, you should make preparation for the event on Saturday evening.

Tonight at NRN - Prayer Encounter...

Tonight we launch a new schedule for the remainder of 2014 for our weekly Prayer Encounter.  We are adding the Wednesday Night suppers beginning at 5:30 pm.  

Is Left Behind Movie’s Rapture Biblical?

Is the rapture biblical?

If the vote were taken in the pews of evangelical churches this Sunday, I’m guessing the majority vote would be a resounding “yes.”

So to be honest right up front, I’m in the minority, which for many, brands me a heretic. But before you gather wood to burn me at the stake of your judgment, may I explain?

There is a single text in all of scripture that seems to depict the popularized idea of a rapture.

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died. For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.”

— 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NRSV)

At face value, this sounds like the Left Behind book series, which has now been made into a major motion picture: rapture movie. Jesus returns on the clouds, the dead in Christ rise and float into the air to meet him, then the still-alive believers are snatched up (raptured) to meet him in the air, and we all leave this old world behind.

At this point, the narrative usually jumps over to 2 Peter 3:7-10 that says the earth has been “reserved for fire” and “the elements are dissolved with fire.” In other words, as we float away, the earth and all who are left on it will be burned to a crisp. And we go somewhere else called Heaven and live happily ever after. And the majority said, “Amen!”

But what if …?

In Paul’s day, the Roman army established rituals of war. When a victory had been secured, the enemy conquered, and the spoils of war captured, the general would orchestrate a triumphal entry to his city of origin – a homecoming parade of sorts. Runners raced ahead of the approaching army and announced the return of the conquering king. The dignitaries of the city would go out to meet the king and march ahead of him on his re-entry into the city. Trumpets would herald the coming. This grand parade became a re-coronation of the victorious king. In the Roman understanding, he was blessed by the gods.

Paul borrows this well-known image of the return of the conquering king to write about the return of Jesus to earth. The question that prompts 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 is, “What happens to our deceased brothers and sisters who have died before the return of Christ?” Paul views them as the dignitaries who are raised first and go out to meet King Jesus and usher him back to the earth. Christ descends from heaven because that is where we saw him go when he ascended to the right hand of the throne of God following his resurrection. Then the rest of us join the parade and we are all together again (the dead and the living who are in Christ)—here on earth, which now becomes one with heaven.

The idea of this text is not escaping the earth but celebrating the final victory of Christ as King of all creation, and heaven and earth made one with no veil separating them anymore. God is reclaiming his creation.

·         The Lord’s Prayer gets answered; the kingdom comes, and God’s will is done on earth even as it is done in heaven.

·         Revelation 21:1-6 happens; the New Jerusalem comes down, God makes his home among mortals, and everything is made new.

·         Romans 8:18-25 happens; the earth, which currently groans for redemption, is set free from its bondage to decay and shares in the same glory as our resurrected bodies.

·         Philippians 1:6 happens; God finishes what God started in the resurrection of Jesus.

·         Philippians 2:9-11 happens; Jesus is exalted, every knee bows and every tongue confesses him as Lord – in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.

·         Second Peter 3:7-10 happens; fire, the cleansing/revealing power of God, fully reveals evil for what it is and purges the earth of its presence.

·         First Thessalonians 4:13-18 happens; Christ returns victoriously, the dead are raised, and all the people of God are together again.

We “non-rapture” folk may be in the minority, but I really like our understanding of God’s future. In the words of 1 Thessalonians 4:18, I am “encouraged by these words.”

Source:  Dan Boone Blog 

OORAH! Sound off on Marines singing ‘There’s no God like Jehovah!’

On Sept. 15, a woman named Merrie Pardee Baldwin posted the video on Facebook, where it had been shared nearly 400,000 times at the time of this report. Baldwin wrote, “Participatory worship. I love how excited the men get to sing this song & the camaraderie.”  Soon after I posted this on my Facebook page with many comments. 

A video of U.S. Marines singing, dancing and worshiping God at Camp Pendleton in California is going viral on Facebook, prompting retired Lt. Col. Allen West to revel in the display he says will “drive the secular humanists INSANE.”

In the video a crowd of Marines sings “Days of Elijah,” a Christian worship song, while raising their hands in the air and shouting, “Oorah!” The troops were attending a Christian worship service at the military base in San Diego County, California.

Some of the lyrics include:

These are the days of Elijah

Declaring the word of the Lord, yeah

And these are the days of Your servant, Moses

Righteousness being restored

These are the days of great trials

Of famine and darkness and sword

Still we are the voice in the desert crying

Prepare ye the way of the Lord!

Reflection from my message today at NRN - Breaking the Spirit of Asherah

Today was an emotional day for me at church today.  I preached a message that I am confident was God's will for me to share - however I know I reminded people of hurts and disappointments in life.
I hope the final points brought encouragement and joy to their spirits. Here are my reflections:

The ancient god of pleasure, Asherah, has invaded our ranks! The spirit behind the historic god has persuaded us that sexual purity is an outdated and foolish idea that should be replaced with the mentality of “If it feels good, do it!”  

Embracing God’s truth about sexuality and its beautiful place in the lives of his people, within the context of His parameters, will break the lying spirit of Asherah. 

Culture is changing – God does not change….

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”  Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?                                                                                      1 Corinthians 1:18-20 

For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.                                       1 Corinthians 1:25 

      If It Feels Good…

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of    his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.                                                                                            1 John 2:15-17

The Big Three

 MAMMON – god of POSSESSIONS. 

 BAAL – god of POWER.  

  ASHERAH  – god of  PLEASURE .  

They knew God, but they wouldn't worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools…As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. They traded the truth about God for a lie.                                                                                      Romans 1:21-25 NLT

3 examples of the lie:

 An   ANIMALISTIC  action.    

 A    RECREATIONAL  activity.    

 An  ISOLATED  event.  

Drink water from your own well— share your love only with your wife. Why spill the water of your springs in the streets, having sex with just anyone? You should reserve it for yourselves. Never share it with strangers. Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth. She is a loving deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts satisfy you always. May you always be captivated by her love. Why be captivated, my son, by an immoral woman, or fondle the breasts of a promiscuous woman? For the LORD sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes. An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him. He will die for lack of self-control; he will be lost because of his great foolishness.                                         Proverbs 5:15-23 NLT

             Breaking the Spirit of Asherah                      

This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”                                                                                               Jeremiah 6:16

Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body?  For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.”                                                                                    1 Corinthians 6:15-17

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor  God with your body.                                                                                               1 Corinthians 6:18-20

Honor GOD WITH YOUR BODY .

Here are my 3 take a ways to help us:

 

1.  REPENT .

Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.                                2 Corinthians 6:17-18

2.  RECEIVE  forgiveness.

Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.                                      Isaiah 1:18

3.  REORDER  your life.

Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.                                                                                     2 Corinthians 7:1

Giving up something now for something better later

 isn't a SACRIFICE .          It’s an INVESTMENT.

Preparing for Worship on October 26 2014 - Rated PG-13

As we prepare our hearts for worship this coming Sunday at North Raleigh Church of the Nazarene,  I am continuing in the teaching series which I have stated is one of the most important series I have ever preaching in my 40 years of pastoral ministry! I continue to hear feedback each week following a sermon in this series.  Last Sunday I returned home following church with a sense of exhaustion.

 I kept my iPhone in my pocket last Sunday on "airplane mode" not to disrupt the worship and discovered through my fit-bit app that I walked over a mile during my presentation time!

I received an encouraging text on Sunday afternoon that read: "Hey Pastor Rick. I wanted to tell you that was a great sermon today and I'm looking forward to the remaining 3 in the series. Keep on preaching with that passion and fire you showed today! Hope you have a great week."

Get ready for a great time of worship and preaching from the Word of God tomorrow at NRN!

We begin with a countdown to draw our attention to the Lord - then the music starts and we sing together:



Following a welcome and invocation we continuing in our worship through song to the Lord:




And now we sing loud - a great hymn of our faith:




Now, we pause to encounter God in prayer...

It is now time to hear about the opportunities to serve the Lord in ministry and to meet together for fellowship and growing in the our relationship with the Lord.  As we present our tithes and offerings unto God - let us join with the worship team to sing a declaration of faith to the Lord!




Prepare you hearts for the preaching of God's Word: 

We ask that all children 12 years and younger enjoy the excellent Children's ministries at our church today. Pastor Rick's message is rated PG-13.
Rated PG-13 - Not for the content of his words but for the passages of Scripture he will be reading.
Some people have the idea that God and Christians today are against sex.  This is a lie of our culture. Sex is good and is God's idea.  On Sunday Pastor Rick will share God's perspective of sex in contrast to the worlds perspective of sex. 


The ancient god of pleasure, Asherah, has invaded our ranks! The spirit behind the historic god has persuaded us that sexual purity is an outdated and foolish idea that should be replaced with the mentality of “If it feels good, do it!” 

 Embracing God’s truth about sexuality and its beautiful place in the lives of his people, within the context of His parameters, will break the lying spirit of Asherah.

“Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”                                                                                                                                      2 Corinthians 7:1

Friday Funnies - Mark Lowery

Get ready for some laughter from Mark Lowery:

Throwback Thursday - Petra This means war!

A favorite throwback Thursday is featuring my favorite Christian singing groups from the 1980's:  Here is a simple classic - and has a good message for today:  The Coloring Song  - Enjoy!






What a little more Petra?  One of my favorites:

This is my prayer... lifted to You

As we prepare for prayer this evening at NRN I thought I would share a clip from one of my favorite Christian groups of all time - PETRA.  A video from the Album "Beyond Belief," 1990. Video produced by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in 1994.

WHOSE HANDS?

   A basketball in my hands is worth about $19. 

A basketball in Michael Jordan's hands is worth about $33 million. 

It depends whose hands it's in. 

   A baseball in my hands is worth about $6. 

A baseball in Mark McGuire's hands is worth $19 million. 

It depends whose hands it's in. 

   A tennis racket is useless in my hands. 

A tennis racket in Pete Sampras' hands is a Wimbledon Championship. 
It depends whose hands it's in. 

   Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches. 

Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in God's hands will feed thousands. 
It depends whose hands it's in. 

   Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse. 

Nails in Jesus Christ's hands will produce salvation for the entire world. 
It depends whose hands it's in. 

As you see now it depends whose hands it's in. So put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams, your families, and your relationships in God's hands because -- 

It depends whose hands it's in.

3 things that stand in the way of us loving like God loves

Does being a Christian feel complicated to you sometimes? Do you ever feel like there is a list of rules, of things you should be doing, and somehow you can never do all of them at once? Rules, and the law, and trying to earn our way into heaven is something Christians have struggled with since long before Jesus came to earth. In fact, Jesus came to earth to abolish the law—making faith, not perfection, the key to heaven.

John 3:36 says, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.”

That’s it. It’s not a place reserved for rule followers. It’s not something that can be earned. But sometimes we still find ourselves trying.

The Pharisees, avid rule followers that they were, also found this concept hard to grasp. They wanted to know which combination of laws would earn them God’s approval.

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” – Matthew 22: 36 – 40

Instead of giving them a long list, Jesus made it simple. Love God, and love each other. Love is the greatest commandment.

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:35

It’s as simple as love. But just because it’s simple doesn't mean it’s easy.

Here are three things that stand in the way of us loving like God loves:

1. Our pace of life

We are all about efficiency in our world today. We judge our days based on how many things we were able to cram into the smallest amount of time. We’re maximizers, and       multi-taskers. We zip from one thing to the next, all while emailing, checking the weather, and sending out a tweet.

But while this approach may feel effective when it comes to whittling down our to-do list, it’s not a great strategy for loving like God loves.

We try to fit in a phone call on the way to work and a one-on-one during our lunch break. We want to pour as much love into as many people as possible. But that leads us to a place where we’re trying to be speedy and efficient with our love, but this is not how God loves.

Love and depth and connection take time — and trying to be speedy or efficient with our love and connection is one of the main things that prevents us from loving like God loves.

2. Exhaustion

Another thing that zaps our ability to love each other well is exhaustion. We wear ourselves so thin and push ourselves so hard that at the end of the day we have nothing else to give.

Have you ever found yourself on a Saturday with two options? Either you can work during the day and try to get ahead for the week — a viable option—or you can take the day to relax and rejuvenate, an option that seems less productive and vaguely selfish.

Although it seems to be smarter to work through the weekend or to push harder to get things done, it leaves us exhausted and at the point of burnout. We’re pouring out without ever filling back up.

In order to be in a place where we can love like God loves, we have to take care of ourselves, and give ourselves time to rest, relax, and fill up on God’s love.

3. Trying to love in your own strength

The last mistake we make when trying to love like God loves is this: We try to love in our own strength. If you are married, or are a daughter or a son, or a brother or a sister, or a friend or a mom or a dad, you know how hard it can be to love sometimes.

No matter how kind we try to be, we fall pathetically short of God’s ability to love.

We can’t even compare.

But we don’t need to feel discouraged, because our ability to love like God loves comes directly from Him. We can’t, and aren’t expected to, do it on our own.

Scott Wilson is the Senior Pastor of The Oaks Fellowship, ministering to about 3,000 people every week in Dallas, TX. He is a frequent conference speaker, and provides mentorship for dozens of pastors and church leaders through Scott Wilson Consulting. Scott is a loving husband and proud father. Scott and his wife, Jenni, have three boys: Dillon, Hunter, and Dakota.

Reflection from my message today at NRN - Breaking the rules Pt 2 - Breaking the Spirit of Baal

Today was an awesome day at North Raleigh Church of the Nazarene.  As I stood to preach I was still encouraged in my soul by the prayer encounter last Wednesday. As I have stated before, I truly believe this is one of the most important teaching series I have ever preached. As our world and culture is changing - it is so vital for Christians that we set ourselves apart from the world in many areas.  Today's message encourages us to be aware of the subtle messages of our culture. 

We are learning that there are spiritual forces driving the “New Norm” that is permeating our society. The spirit of Baal, the pagan god of power worshipped in biblical days, is still influencing our culture today. The drive for power, wealth, and control has produced a burned-out people filled with pride, and sacrificing the best in their lives on the altar of busyness and unending desire to attain. 

 Series: BREAKING THE RULES

Part 2: Breaking the Spirit of Baal

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”  Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?                                                        1 Corinthians 1:18-20

 

For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.1 Corinthians 1:25 

The Big Three

Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you; for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God.                                                                                                               Deuteronomy 6:14-15

Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them.                                                     Deuteronomy 11:16

 MAMMON – god of POSSESSIONS.

 BAAL – god of POWER .

  ASHERAH  – god of  PLEASURE .

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.                                                  Genesis 3:6

Good for food                                    - Asherah

Pleasing to the eye                           - Mammon

Desirable for gaining wisdom            - Baal

The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”… Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down.”… Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”                                                        Matthew 4:3, 5-6, 8-9

Turn stones into bread                               - Asherah

Throw yourself down                                  - Baal

All this I will give you                                   - Mammon

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.                                                                      1 John 2:15-17

Cravings of sinful man                                - Asherah

Lust of his eyes                                          - Mammon

Boasting of what he has and does             - Baal

 Breaking the Spirit of Baal

This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”                                                 Jeremiah 6:16 

Keep THE SABBATH DAY HOLY

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens  and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.             Exodus 20:8-11

1. By  CEASING .

There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.            Hebrews 4:9-11

2. By WORSHIPING .

A psalm. A song. For the Sabbath day. It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night…You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; fine oils have been poured upon me. The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God.               They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.                                                                                        Psalm 92:1–2, 10, 12, 14

3. By REPLENISHING .

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie 

down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.                                                                               Psalm 23:1-3

 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”                                                                            Matthew 11:28

Preparing for Worship On October 19 2014

As we prepare for church tomorrow at North Raleigh Church of the Nazarene, I am praying for many people to join us for this teaching series. Last week was awesome as we welcomed many first time guest to our church. I was amazed how many regular attenders missed the service.  I am praying God will speak to the hearts of many of our people to be with us. 

 I feel like this is one of the most important sermon series I have ever preached. 

Here is a preview of our worship and the message tomorrow:

We begin with a welcome and and invocation.  We stand and sing our praise to God!






Now we greet one another int he Name of the Lord. We take the time to hear about the opportunities to gather for fellowship and service the Lord
 in ministry into our community.   

Then we continue in our singing in worship to God.  

Consider the words of the next song we present to God:








Let us quiet our spirit before the Lord as we go to Him in prayer...

It is now time to worship the Lord by bringing our tithes and offerings to show that God has first place in our life. 

 All good things come from God.  We may strive to be good stewards of the environment and of our world - but few truly grasp the importance of being found faithful  by God as a good steward of our material wealth.  The church is the hope of the world - the plan by which God called on mission to reach the world with the message of forgiveness and salvation. Without the faithful and generous giving of God's people the church is reduced to simply trying to exist by paying it's operating expense - not investing in ministry to change lives.  Let us be found faithful in our giving!  Worship the Lord with the financial gift you have prepared and join the worship team in singing this song of adoration to our Great God! 

We are learning that there are spiritual forces driving the “New Norm” that is permeating our society. The spirit of Baal, the pagan god of power worshipped in biblical days, is still influencing our culture today. The drive for power, wealth, and control has produced a burned-out people filled with pride, and sacrificing the best in their lives on the altar of busyness and unending desire to attain.

“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.”                                                                Hebrews 4:9-11