Effective September 1, please direct all mail to our new address:
Word for the World
303 Oakshade Rd
Shamong, NJ 08088
Please pray for the Van Heukelums as they relocate to South Jersey.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
New Audio Available
Here is Pastor Rich's message from Sunday, August 8, at Walnut Ridge. Right-click the link and select "Save Target as..." to download the MP3 file to your computer.
Living in a Dream - Jude 8-17
Living in a Dream - Jude 8-17
Thursday, August 5, 2010
New Audio Available
Here are Pastor Rich's messages from Sunday, August 1, at Walnut Ridge. Right-click the links and select "Save Target as..." to download the MP3 files to your computer.
More Secure Is No One Ever - Jude 1-7
Timid Timothy - 1 Timothy
More Secure Is No One Ever - Jude 1-7
Timid Timothy - 1 Timothy
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
When the Worst Evangelist Is the Best, Part 3
I hope you've benefited from parts one and two. Now we conclude with answers and implications.
The conclusion seems to be that God used the worst evangelist to produce the greatest revival, yet did not allow that imperfect servant to remain such. God who used Jonah did not approve of his attitude or actions, but diligently worked to change him.
So what are the implications for me?
First, this account may remind me of God's compassion for His doomed creatures. This may help as I deal with doomed creatures, but more importantly it may remind me that I was, and to some extent still am, one of those creatures who needs His compassion.
Second, this account may help me to accept flawed people whom God brings into my life. God in His wisdom may know that the one who doesn't handle me or my situation well is the one God will use to effectively change me. He used Jonah to effectively change Nineveh. The boss, coach, parent, spouse, pastor, or neighbor with flaws may be the tool God uses to effectively help me.
Third, this account may encourage me to serve even if I, like Jonah, am flawed. Sometimes I say or do things which are wrong. I may conclude that God can't use my action in that situation. I might even conclude that I can't be used until I have corrected. I may even conclude that God will never want to use me again. Yet God did relentlessly pursue Jonah. God did not leave him to drown in the sea or rot in the fish. God did use him, even with his imperfections. Maybe God knows He can use my imperfection for His good. Remember Joseph's words to his brothers in Genesis 50? "You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good."
Fourth, this account may motivate me to improve. If I see times when my flaws are actually used by God for His good, I may begin to think my flaws are acceptable and even useful -- so why change? How easily I can say, "That's the way I am," and allow the explanation to become my excuse. God used Jonah, but did not approve or his attitude or actions. More importantly, God did not leave Jonah where he was. Flaws that God uses are not excuses to leave them.
The insight from one of the men allowed the account of Jonah to take on a new dimension. What can God do with and for the world's worst servant?
The conclusion seems to be that God used the worst evangelist to produce the greatest revival, yet did not allow that imperfect servant to remain such. God who used Jonah did not approve of his attitude or actions, but diligently worked to change him.
So what are the implications for me?
First, this account may remind me of God's compassion for His doomed creatures. This may help as I deal with doomed creatures, but more importantly it may remind me that I was, and to some extent still am, one of those creatures who needs His compassion.
Second, this account may help me to accept flawed people whom God brings into my life. God in His wisdom may know that the one who doesn't handle me or my situation well is the one God will use to effectively change me. He used Jonah to effectively change Nineveh. The boss, coach, parent, spouse, pastor, or neighbor with flaws may be the tool God uses to effectively help me.
Third, this account may encourage me to serve even if I, like Jonah, am flawed. Sometimes I say or do things which are wrong. I may conclude that God can't use my action in that situation. I might even conclude that I can't be used until I have corrected. I may even conclude that God will never want to use me again. Yet God did relentlessly pursue Jonah. God did not leave him to drown in the sea or rot in the fish. God did use him, even with his imperfections. Maybe God knows He can use my imperfection for His good. Remember Joseph's words to his brothers in Genesis 50? "You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good."
Fourth, this account may motivate me to improve. If I see times when my flaws are actually used by God for His good, I may begin to think my flaws are acceptable and even useful -- so why change? How easily I can say, "That's the way I am," and allow the explanation to become my excuse. God used Jonah, but did not approve or his attitude or actions. More importantly, God did not leave Jonah where he was. Flaws that God uses are not excuses to leave them.
The insight from one of the men allowed the account of Jonah to take on a new dimension. What can God do with and for the world's worst servant?
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