Our world is in crisis! It has been in crisis since Adam and Eve. God cleansed Adam’s world with a flood back then. He spared Noah and his family (God was gracious. Noah was just, perfect in his generation, and he walked with God). We all are here in the world because of God’s grace and Noah’s faithful life. Why is it that mankind cannot, will not learn from the past. Sin caused the world’s crisis then. Sin is causing the crisis in our world today. My article this week is negative, disappointing, even depressing. Please think about the current state of our world and rededicate yourself to make a change in your thinking which will lead to action at home, at school, at work, in the church, everywhere.
The economy is in crisis. Taxes, fees, tickets, tuition, insurance rates, and just about every expense is increasing while income and opportunity is decreasing.
Business and industry is in crisis. There are more closings than openings. Just this past Sunday Cindi and I ate at Piccadilly at Dutch Fork Square for the last time. They are closing. Many employees must take on ever more responsibilities while business owners and managers cut benefits and refuse any increases in compensation. Corruption abounds. Business ethics are outdated.
Agriculture is in crisis. There are fewer and fewer farmers planting crops even though the need for food has never been greater. Some farmers have discovered that they can make more money by not producing crops (government subsidies) than by producing crops. The last tomato I ate cost me $1.00. Unbelievable!
The environment is in crisis. We are now facing the worst environmental crisis in the history of the world in the Gulf of Mexico and no one seems to know what to do about it. This was not an “act of God.” We know that we need to lessen our dependence on petroleum, but lifestyle often supersedes values.
Education is in crisis. Fewer teachers with ever increasing responsibilities and increased class sizes are now acceptable sacrifices for the benefit of the bottom line. Just about every college and university in the state has increased tuition 6% to 14% this year. This was necessary of course in order to increase the salaries of the coaches and their assistants (USC did go 7 and 6 in football last season). No problem with the increased tuition, right? We’ll just borrow more money to pay it. What will our students do six months after graduation when they receive the bill for their college education - $50,000 even $100,000 in some cases? Payment will be due whether those graduates have a job or not.
Local, state, and federal government is in crisis. We cannot survive very long spending more than we take in. The Tea Party movement is just one example of a variety of people from all around the nation rising up to say, “Hey, when we elect a person from our town, county, or state, we expect that person to be a person of integrity and to represent our interests and the interests of America.” Many people are now voting for candidates that they know absolutely nothing about rather than voting for the status quo. Good candidates with the values that make America the greatest country in the world are far and few between.
The home is in crisis. More and more men and women choose to live together in sexual immorality rather than become husband and wife in marriage. Single parenting is now the rule rather than the exception. Many parents expect and even demand that schools, community youth organizations, and the church train up their children. VBS and Bible camp are not baby sitting services!
The church is in crisis. God directs every Christian to be the light of the world. In our day many Christians attempt to live in the light on Sunday morning from 11:00 to 12:00 but live in the darkness of sin’s deception during the week. Do not be deceived. God never has, does not, will not, and never will accept anything less than our 100% commitment to His kingdom and His righteousness.
God gave Solomon the answer to any and every crisis in 2 Chronicles 7:14:
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!
I may never be as clever as my neighbor down the street
I may never be as wealthy as some men I’ll meet
I may never have the fame that other men have had
But, you know, I’ve just got to be successful as this little child’s dad.
There are certain dreams I cherish, that I’d like to see come true
There are things I’d like to accomplish before my working days are through
But the task my heart is set on, is no mere passing fad
I’ve just got to be successful as this little child’s dad.
I may never come to glory and I may never gather gold
And men may count me as a failure when my business life is told
But if he who follows after shall be godly, then I’ll be glad
Because I’ll know I’ve been successful as this little child’s dad.
It’s the one job that I dream of. It’s the task I think of most
For if I fail this little child, I’ve nothing else to boast
For all the gold and wealth I’d gather, my fortune would be sad
If I failed to be successful as this little child’s dad
Our lesson from the pulpit this Sunday morning will focus on what we can do to be the best dad’s we can. I’ve entitled this lesson “Being the Best We Can Be.” If you would like to read ahead, read Psalm 127, Romans 15, Proverbs 22:6, and 2 Corinthians 12:14. We can learn a lot about what NOT to do from men like Lot, Eli, and David, but are we really interested in what NOT to do? I’m not! We will look at Romans 15 in a different light to show us just how fathers (the strong) are to bring up their sons and daughters (the weak). We will then look at three important principles from the Bible that we must teach our children. I hope you will be here for this very special lesson from God’s word.
This Sunday evening we will begin a new three lesson series on the question “What must I do to be saved?” This question was asked three times after the death of Jesus with just a little change in form each time it was asked. The men on the Day of Pentecost asked, “What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Saul asked, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” (Acts 9:6). The jailor in Philippi asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). In this series I would like to analyze the question to demonstrate three principles: READINESS: Those who asked BELIEVED THEMSELVES TO BE LOST, WILLINGNESS: Those who asked WERE WILLING TO DO WHATEVER GOD ASKED THEM TO DO, not what they, themselves wanted to do, and ABLIITY: Those who asked truly DESIRED THE ANSWER, THE TRUTH and were able to obey what they heard.
Mark your calendar for our summer Vacation Bible School scheduled for Sunday evening (July 11th) through Thursday evening (July 15th) at 6:30 p.m. Let’s make this year’s VBS the best one yet! We will have special classes for every age, children, teens, and adults.
I may never be as clever as my neighbor down the street
I may never be as wealthy as some men I’ll meet
I may never have the fame that other men have had
But, you know, I’ve just got to be successful as this little child’s dad.
There are certain dreams I cherish, that I’d like to see come true
There are things I’d like to accomplish before my working days are through
But the task my heart is set on, is no mere passing fad
I’ve just got to be successful as this little child’s dad.
I may never come to glory and I may never gather gold
And men may count me as a failure when my business life is told
But if he who follows after shall be godly, then I’ll be glad
Because I’ll know I’ve been successful as this little child’s dad.
It’s the one job that I dream of. It’s the task I think of most
For if I fail this little child, I’ve nothing else to boast
For all the gold and wealth I’d gather, my fortune would be sad
If I failed to be successful as this little child’s dad
Our lesson from the pulpit this Sunday morning will focus on what we can do to be the best dad’s we can. I’ve entitled this lesson “Being the Best We Can Be.” If you would like to read ahead, read Psalm 127, Romans 15, Proverbs 22:6, and 2 Corinthians 12:14. We can learn a lot about what NOT to do from men like Lot, Eli, and David, but are we really interested in what NOT to do? I’m not! We will look at Romans 15 in a different light to show us just how fathers (the strong) are to bring up their sons and daughters (the weak). We will then look at three important principles from the Bible that we must teach our children. I hope you will be here for this very special lesson from God’s word.
This Sunday evening we will begin a new three lesson series on the question “What must I do to be saved?” This question was asked three times after the death of Jesus with just a little change in form each time it was asked. The men on the Day of Pentecost asked, “What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Saul asked, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” (Acts 9:6). The jailor in Philippi asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). In this series I would like to analyze the question to demonstrate three principles: READINESS: Those who asked BELIEVED THEMSELVES TO BE LOST, WILLINGNESS: Those who asked WERE WILLING TO DO WHATEVER GOD ASKED THEM TO DO, not what they, themselves wanted to do, and ABLIITY: Those who asked truly DESIRED THE ANSWER, THE TRUTH and were able to obey what they heard.
Mark your calendar for our summer Vacation Bible School scheduled for Sunday evening (July 11th) through Thursday evening (July 15th) at 6:30 p.m. Let’s make this year’s VBS the best one yet! We will have special classes for every age, children, teens, and adults.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
It’s that time of year – SUMMERTIME! I just love vacations, cookouts, family and friends coming and going, working and playing outside, weddings, camp (when I was younger), and Vacation Bible School! Our VBS has been scheduled for Sunday evening through Thursday evening, July 11th through 15th. It’s going to be great! This summer will be especially great for the Burleson family because of our new arrival, Lillian Kate Burleson expected any moment. Please pray for Lyndsee and Ben as they await the arrival of their daughter.
This Sunday morning’s sermon is entitled “All Means All.” We will look again at the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 and see that Christ has all authority. We will see that every Christian is commissioned to go and make disciples of all nations, that we must observe and teach others to observe all things that have been commanded us, and that Christ is with us always. Salvation is our most precious possession. May we always be ready to share the good news of salvation in Christ wherever, however, whenever, and with whoever we can.
Our Sunday evening sermon is entitled “There is No Other.” If you would like to read ahead, read Ephesians 4:1-6. Note the “One’s” in this text. For example: There is ONE BODY (4). There is no other. There is ONE SPIRIT. There is no other. There is ONE HOPE. There is no other. You see? We will take a look at these facts of life and remember what Jesus said in John 14:6.
Take a look again at David’s prayer in Psalm 51:1-17 and note the wages of sin, then remember the gift of salvation in Christ Jesus.
“Have mercy on me, O God according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of You tender mercies. Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin (Sin dirties our soul). For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me (Sin dominates our mind). Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight – that You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge (Sin dishonors God). Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me. Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness (Sin depresses our heart), that the bones You have broken may rejoice (Sin diseases our body). Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You (Sin destroys our testimony). Deliver me from the guilt of blood shed, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise. For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit (Sin defiles our spirit), a broken and contrite heart – these, O God, You will not despise.
Oh, my friend! Please obey the gospel of Jesus Christ so that you can be set free from sin (Romans 6:16-23).
This Sunday morning’s sermon is entitled “All Means All.” We will look again at the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 and see that Christ has all authority. We will see that every Christian is commissioned to go and make disciples of all nations, that we must observe and teach others to observe all things that have been commanded us, and that Christ is with us always. Salvation is our most precious possession. May we always be ready to share the good news of salvation in Christ wherever, however, whenever, and with whoever we can.
Our Sunday evening sermon is entitled “There is No Other.” If you would like to read ahead, read Ephesians 4:1-6. Note the “One’s” in this text. For example: There is ONE BODY (4). There is no other. There is ONE SPIRIT. There is no other. There is ONE HOPE. There is no other. You see? We will take a look at these facts of life and remember what Jesus said in John 14:6.
Take a look again at David’s prayer in Psalm 51:1-17 and note the wages of sin, then remember the gift of salvation in Christ Jesus.
“Have mercy on me, O God according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of You tender mercies. Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin (Sin dirties our soul). For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me (Sin dominates our mind). Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight – that You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge (Sin dishonors God). Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me. Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness (Sin depresses our heart), that the bones You have broken may rejoice (Sin diseases our body). Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You (Sin destroys our testimony). Deliver me from the guilt of blood shed, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise. For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit (Sin defiles our spirit), a broken and contrite heart – these, O God, You will not despise.
Oh, my friend! Please obey the gospel of Jesus Christ so that you can be set free from sin (Romans 6:16-23).
Thursday, June 3, 2010
June 2010! School is out for the summer! Hurray for our students and teachers! You have made it through another year. The summer months mean a few less students down town and a few more students on the highways and around town. Watch carefully for our children as they enjoy their summer.
Speaking of summer; Our Vacation Bible School at St. Andrews Road is just around the corner scheduled for July 11th through 15th. Mark your calendar and get ready for an awesome VBS this year. You won’t want to miss a single night.
Last weekend was “Memorial Day” weekend. We all remembered our family and friends who have given the ultimate sacrifice to protect our nation and our allies. Our family got together on Monday for a special “cook-in” (It rained most of the day at our house.). We prayed for the families of those who died in the battle. Even now our soldiers are scattered across the globe protecting the rights of others to live in freedom and in peace. I’m so sorry that there must be war in order to obtain and maintain peace. What a dilemma!
Our Sunday morning lesson series “Faith to Victory in Christ” continues this Sunday with another lesson from Lazarus. Last Sunday we considered all the people who needed to believe in Jesus Christ: Thomas and the disciples, Martha, Mary, and all the people who watched as Jesus prayed to His Father and ours then commanded Lazarus to rise from death and come out of that tomb. This Sunday we will consider three of the most powerful statements in the Bible:
Jesus wept (John 11:35).
Lazarus, come forth (11:43)!
Loose him, and let him go (11:44).
Sunday evening at SAR is a very special time of worship and study. Jesus is our Shepherd (Psalm 23). All the promises of Psalm 23: green pastures, still waters, restoration, paths of righteousness, His presence, comfort, peace, plenty, goodness, mercy, and an eternity in His house are conditional to our submission to His Shepherding.
Jesus is also our Provider (John 10:9-10). He provides health, healing, help, hope, happiness, and heaven. If we reject His provision, He still provides. He provides hardship (Hebrews 12:5-11) and if we continue to rebel against Him, He provides hell (2 Thessalonians 1:7-12). Please! If you are in rebellion to God…if you have yielded to sin…if you have made the wrong choices…if you have believed the lies of Satan and his followers…if you have thought about obeying but have not obeyed the gospel…if you have now realized that there could be another way to live…Don’t wait any longer. A gospel preacher named Ananias came to Damascus to speak to Saul (Acts 9:6), he laid out the following plan straight from God:
“And now why are you waiting?
Arise and be baptized,
And wash away your sins,
Calling on the name of the Lord.”
Saul followed the plan and his life was forever changed.
Sin does so many terrible things to us. Read Psalm 51 and see what David wrote about sin! Sin makes our souls dirty. Sin dominates our minds. Sin dishonors God. Sin depresses our hearts. Sin diseases our bodies. Sin destroys our testimony. Sin defiles our spirits. Sin leads to death. The Holy Spirit spoke through Paul when he wrote in Romans 6:23; “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Don’t die. Live!!
Speaking of summer; Our Vacation Bible School at St. Andrews Road is just around the corner scheduled for July 11th through 15th. Mark your calendar and get ready for an awesome VBS this year. You won’t want to miss a single night.
Last weekend was “Memorial Day” weekend. We all remembered our family and friends who have given the ultimate sacrifice to protect our nation and our allies. Our family got together on Monday for a special “cook-in” (It rained most of the day at our house.). We prayed for the families of those who died in the battle. Even now our soldiers are scattered across the globe protecting the rights of others to live in freedom and in peace. I’m so sorry that there must be war in order to obtain and maintain peace. What a dilemma!
Our Sunday morning lesson series “Faith to Victory in Christ” continues this Sunday with another lesson from Lazarus. Last Sunday we considered all the people who needed to believe in Jesus Christ: Thomas and the disciples, Martha, Mary, and all the people who watched as Jesus prayed to His Father and ours then commanded Lazarus to rise from death and come out of that tomb. This Sunday we will consider three of the most powerful statements in the Bible:
Jesus wept (John 11:35).
Lazarus, come forth (11:43)!
Loose him, and let him go (11:44).
Sunday evening at SAR is a very special time of worship and study. Jesus is our Shepherd (Psalm 23). All the promises of Psalm 23: green pastures, still waters, restoration, paths of righteousness, His presence, comfort, peace, plenty, goodness, mercy, and an eternity in His house are conditional to our submission to His Shepherding.
Jesus is also our Provider (John 10:9-10). He provides health, healing, help, hope, happiness, and heaven. If we reject His provision, He still provides. He provides hardship (Hebrews 12:5-11) and if we continue to rebel against Him, He provides hell (2 Thessalonians 1:7-12). Please! If you are in rebellion to God…if you have yielded to sin…if you have made the wrong choices…if you have believed the lies of Satan and his followers…if you have thought about obeying but have not obeyed the gospel…if you have now realized that there could be another way to live…Don’t wait any longer. A gospel preacher named Ananias came to Damascus to speak to Saul (Acts 9:6), he laid out the following plan straight from God:
“And now why are you waiting?
Arise and be baptized,
And wash away your sins,
Calling on the name of the Lord.”
Saul followed the plan and his life was forever changed.
Sin does so many terrible things to us. Read Psalm 51 and see what David wrote about sin! Sin makes our souls dirty. Sin dominates our minds. Sin dishonors God. Sin depresses our hearts. Sin diseases our bodies. Sin destroys our testimony. Sin defiles our spirits. Sin leads to death. The Holy Spirit spoke through Paul when he wrote in Romans 6:23; “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Don’t die. Live!!
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