If you’re still with us, we have examined a few things that have weakened many of our churches. The lack of discipline, commitment, a flood of contaminated gospels, and today we will cut through the chase. The truth is, we play games with the devil like we do with children. We watch and we allow them to make a good move. We have every intention of winning, only to be defeated. Won’t you agree that most of us do as little as possible in our service to God? Do we go to any extra lengths or efforts because we are Christians?
Christianity has a fever, and like a fever, it pulls us down. In Rev 3:14, we have God’s message to the church of this age. “I know thy works thou art neither cold nor hot” (vs. 15), and our admonition to repent (vs. 18-19). It seems that many of God’s churches are like tea kettles sitting on a low burner. Let us pray that God will turn up the heart so that the message of all churches will be heard by all around. Fever is brought on by infection.
I would like to share a true story from one of our pastors who has passed away and is now with the Lord. “While pastoring a rural church, God began to bless in ways that only He could. People were being saved, lives were being transformed, and new members were joining nearly every week. The Deacons called a meeting and said to that pastor. We think the church is big enough; we want you to cease your efforts of reaching others. Heartbroken, he told them that he would give them two weeks to reconsider their words and repent, or else he would leave.” Well, he left.
How sad that the church, which was growing, has now returned to barely surviving.
If I get sick, I want to see the best doctor I can. In spiritual matters, Jesus is the great physician, and I want an appointment with Him. God’s instruction in His Word is like the prescription given by a doctor; you can get it filled, you can pay for it, take it home, and if you don’t take it, nothing will improve.
I pray that God will put a hedge around your church and protect it from a sin-sick world.
From Our Missionaries
Ebenezer, West Little Rock: Ruben Isturiz writes, “Today, July 28, Kory and I celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. I thank God for giving me a wonderful wife; truly, as Proverbs 18:22 says, “I have found good.” God has been faithful along the way, and each day we seek to glorify Him through our marriage, serving as an example for younger generations.
“This week has been full of activities with the Bible Discovery Groups (DBS). In addition, I had an unexpected trip to Mountain Home. Former members of a congregation I pastored lost their 98-year-old mother, and there was no Hispanic pastor available to officiate the funeral in Spanish. I traveled on Friday and returned on Saturday, and this experience reminded me of the great importance of ethnic congregations and the need for Hispanic pastors throughout Arkansas.
“Upon returning on Saturday, I went directly to the Baptist Hospital to visit Moi and Joselyn Rico, who had their son, Ezra Caleb Rico. We have a new member at Ebenezer! Although the delivery had some complications, thanks to God’s goodness, everything went well. Afterwards, I headed to the baseball stadium to serve as chaplain to the players.
“On Sunday, I led the entire service, as the Rico family, who usually assist me in Sunday worship, were absent.
“As you can see, it was a very busy week, but God has glorified Himself in many ways. To God be the glory!”
Faith Chapel, Flippin: Johnny Shew writes, “We had a great week at Faith Chapel, hot, but great! Our numbers were a little down due to people being out traveling, but we had a wonderful time of worship with one first-time visitor who came with one of our faithful members. I love it when visitors invite others! Praise God!
“We are finally set to start our adult Sunday School class next week, Aug. 3, at 9 a.m., and our worship service will still be at 10 a.m. We are looking forward to it immensely. Although it has taken us some time to get here, we decided not to wait until the classrooms are finished, although they are nearly complete. We will start out by meeting in the sanctuary, and the youth will be in the fellowship hall. It isn’t ideal, but it will suffice until we finish the building. Please join us in prayer for our Sunday School and youth program.
“We thank you all for your prayers and support, and we thank God for you!”
Faith Journey, Benton: Bryan Clay writes, “Faith Journey has seen great success with our biweekly men’s and women’s Bible studies. We have had strong participation, with 22 in attendance, but more importantly, we are seeing lives being changed through Christ.
“We are also launching a new children’s ministry during that time, where we will be offering Bible lessons, verse memorization and fun activities for the kids. As part of a special outreach effort, the children created Faith Journey bracelets with encouraging messages, such as “Jesus Loves You” and “God is So Good.” These were delivered to residents at our local nursing home, where we minister every week, who were excited to receive them.
“We welcomed back our worship leader and his wife after their mission trips to Belize and Wyoming. Their presence has been greatly missed, and we’re thankful to have them back with us.
“Please continue to pray for several members of our church family who are recovering from surgeries and illness. We look forward to their full recovery and return.”
Misión Gracia Soberana (Sovereign Grace), NWA:Roberto Marcelletti writes, “Greetings sisters and brothers in Christ. After more than a month of work classifying and setting prices, we were able to hold our garage sale, an event designed to introduce ourselves to the community. It was a total success, and we were able to make a good team with the brothers who served as volunteers. Almost 200 people visited us, and we were able to make many contacts with the Hispanic community. Three women said they would visit us, and two more visited us on Sunday at our service.
“On Sunday, we had Sunday school with an attendance of 13 people, and the topic was very interesting — a biblical vision of singleness, courtship and marriage. Many questions were asked. Additionally, a man named Alberto, who was very faithful to our connection group and services, sadly relocated to Michigan.
“I ask you to pray since we do not have many men, and the ones we have, I only see in the service, and I need men to train them for the ministry.”
Epic Life, Pea Ridge: Jake McCandless writes, “I’ve heard it said that one of the greatest draws of the early church was their love for one another. A walk through the ‘one another’ passages in Scripture shows just how central that kind of love is to church life.
“That love has been growing strong in our Connection Groups. This week, the Garfield Group went out of their way to celebrate one of their leaders’ birthdays. The Woodbridge Group spent nearly five hours together at their gathering, which took place on Friday rather than the typical Wednesday night. I also experienced that same love personally as members reached out to me after the passing of my grandmother.
“The week ended with a meaningful opportunity to preach at Central Baptist Church in Ashdown, my hometown church. I’m thankful to Don Embry for inviting me to share and giving me the chance to challenge the church to ‘step toward a campfire to share Jesus.’
“I’m grateful for how this movement is taking root in everyday life.”
