Month: February 2018

Joni’s Tribute to Billy Graham

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pastorpete51's avatarWalking With Lambs

I love Joni’s tribute because she says it all better than I.  I personally and we as the church have been forever blessed by the gift God gave us in the person and ministry of Billy Graham. He was a simple man who seemed to always be there in the back ground of our lives. He committed himself to Jesus and to integrity and teamwork in a way that we so desperately need more of in the church today. His work is now done. The legacy left behind and the torch is passed to us. We pause to honor a the memory of Billy Graham tonight but we must also ponder the responsibility now fallen to us. We cannot dwell on the past because souls of men and women are passing into eternity every moment. Who will go to this generation?

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: 

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Lost in Translation

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Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.                       2 Corinthians 5:20

In Paul’s day ambassadors would have been required to speak both the language of their king as well as that of the people to whom they were sent. As Christ’s ambassadors we, must not only proclaim, but also translate. I have worked as a translator, so here are a few tips. First, let His message flow! Simply speaking another language doesn’t help us to translate if we get caught up on every detail. We must flow with the message. That is how God wants us to share the gospel. We don’t need to understand everything. Our job is to do the best we can and let it flow!

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Second, don’t change the message. There are times when I am not comfortable with what the person for whom I am translating is saying but I can’t change or leave out the parts I don’t like.  God has called us to carry His entire message to all kinds of people and trust Him. Last, never stop learning! Just because I can adequately translate doesn’t mean I shouldn’t try to improve. As God’s ambassadors we must always be striving to know the language of heaven better. We are called to reach our world. The stakes are eternal. The rewards are immense. How can we do less than our best to speak in ways that reach people desperately in need of Him?

Follow Me!

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Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”        John 21:21

As Jesus and Peter walked along the beach in conversation about God’s will, Peter turned around and saw his friend John following close behind. Maybe John just wanted to see if Jesus would talk with him also or maybe like a younger sibling he was simply eavesdropping! When Peter saw John suddenly the question came to him that often comes to us all: “What about him? Why won’t he have to experience the same things I do? “Lovingly Jesus turned Peter’s focus back to where it needed to be: “Follow Me!”

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As Americans we are raised on fairness. We grow up with it in the home, we hear and see it in the media and it is almost written into our DNA! But our God does much better than being fair with us: He gives us His grace. What a wonderful rest will enter into the DNA of our soul once we settle the matter of His grace and His will. What others will or won’t have to do will fade away and the eyes of our heart will begin to see Jesus clearly as we hear His plain message; “Follow Me!”