Month: October 2013

Some wise words from a young friend of mine. I took them to heart. Perhaps you will as well.

Stop using prayer to try & convince God what your highest good is.

God is your highest good.

I have read some  posts recently on social media lamenting changes in the style or the look of a place of worship and the congregation that meets in that place. On one hand, it gives me some satisfaction to know that God used me there in a manner that pleased his people. I am humbled that some would like it the way it was a few years ago when I was there.

On the other hand, there is some regret that forces me to pause and wonder what it would be like if those things had never changed. I have to wonder if there would even be a work for Christ among those people and in that place if those who stayed behind when God moved me had simply stayed the way I left them. What if they just stayed the same? What if nothing ever changed in or with the church? There is a hopeless fear that surrounds that thought. There is also a grace-filled hope that answers that fear.

In Acts chapter 2 the Holy Spirit of God descended on what would become the church of Jesus Christ. His power gave them the boldness and the power to speak the wonderful works of God. They were more concerned about the message than the language or the enumeration or the display of spiritual gifts. What if nothing had changed? In Acts chapter 4, Peter and John stopped their daily religious custom to give Jesus’ love to a man lame from birth. They also stood up to the religious elite who were set on allowing nothing to be different in the house of God and they prevailed. What if nothing had changed?  In Acts chapter 5, Ananias and Sapphira were struck dead when they lied to God. What if nothing had changed?  They were all in one accord and in one place. What if nothing had changed? Paul and Silas were jailed for preaching the simple gospel. What if nothing had changed? Fervent prayer from faithful followers of Christ freed them. What if nothing had changed? All of the faithful apostles were martyred for their tenacious preaching. Many others obtained the same fate. The gospel spread and those who saw it had an awe of what God was doing, even if they did not accept Christ. What if nothing had changed?

In the book of Acts, the greatest news is that 3,000, then 5,000, then many then multitudes of both men and women came to Christ. They continued in the apostles’ doctrine and prayer. They did not let a disagreement stop them from sharing Christ, though sometimes they went in different directions to do so. They went with plenty of supplies and with no purse or even a clean shirt.  What if nothing had changed?

Today, the church seems interested in things that matter little. Comfort and personal taste seem more important than souls. Spiritual displays are deemed more important than sharing Christ. Flash more than faithfulness and clocks more than Christ are the evident order of things in what we call the church today. What if nothing changes? 

    1 Corinthians 15:50-53

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed — in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (NKJV)

 

©2013 SF Gallagher

There is a lot of talk today about standing against the devil. Much of it is pure foolishness that the devil himself has helped us with so we will take out eyes off the prize and focus on him. We chant formulas of words and mimic motions many of which have their roots in pagan and spiritually dark places. Here’s my take on it. It might be simplistic, but it really is simple.

I cannot win and need not fight. His is the power of fear which perfect love casts out. His is a worldly power which is smaller than the power which created the world and resides in my heart. His is the power of lies from which the Truth has set me free. His is a stolen power, but Christ is the “highest Ruler with authority over every other power” (Col 2:10 TLB). My Savior’s blood surrounds me. The thief thinks he can take my life, but only my Lord has that power, and even if the thief is allowed to violently take physical life from me, I will serve Christ. I will turn my back both on and to the one who only comes to “steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10). I will keep my face to the One who is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). I will come to my Father through Him and no other will remove my attention from the “Bright and Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16). The “King of Kings and the Lord of Lords” (Revelation 19:16) will be in front of me and I will trust that He will also have my back – so to speak. Now, ain’t that simple? Okay, not always – but it works.

 

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
James 4:7 NKJV

© 2013 SF Gallagher

 

 

 

They could not help but speak the things they had seen and heard. Here’s the problem.

Acts 4:19-20
19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.
20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
NKJV

Right here is the issue that keeps us from being able to speak boldly and pointedly the glorious message of Christ. We have not seen the greatness of the glorious message.

We have seen what the church or the denomination can do. We have seen what talented musicians can do. We have seen what gifted speakers can do. But, we have yet to see what God can do.

We have God in our box – usually shaped like a church house – and we refuse to imagine that He is or could be anything that is not in that box. And that box was built by folks that we revere so highly that we have never questioned that box. We have never ventured to even peek over the lip of that box to see what God is doing. And since it really takes none or very little of God’s power to meet our tainted expectations, we never see much of God going beyond our expectations. Further, our expectations are so low that they could all be easily met, and people might not see God while it is being done.

Peter and John could not help but speak in the name of Jesus because Jesus had radically changed their lives. They were jailed and threatened for speaking. They were expressly forbidden to speak of Jesus and the resurrection. They stood their ground. Yet in verse 29, they were still asking for boldness to speak His word. They weren’t sure they had spoken enough.

What is keeping us from speaking? Maybe we truly need to see and hear God’s power first hand.

 See you SONday

© 2013 SF Gallagher

The following is a re-print from Flame Of Fire Ministry – Malawi. Since I wrote most of it and it refers to a mission which I will be participating in, I thought I should put it here. Please read it and consider helping this great work.

Quote

Flame of Fire Ministry will be taking a team to Malawi and Zambia in February 2014.  The excitement is growing as God opens the doors and the plan comes together.  FOFM will conduct three evangelism conferences, and the team will be traveling into remote villages to preach and to show the Jesus film to thousands, many who have never heard the “Good News” of Jesus.  You, the friends of this ministry, are very important to the success of this mission!
We need to purchase airline tickets the 1st week of November, which represents roughly half of the total cost we will encounter. We will also need to purchase Bibles and materials, van and boat transportation, travel insurance, lodging, also pay interpreters, food, transportation, materials, and meals for pastors and church leaders for 3 evangelism conferences in Malawi and Zambia, bottled water, fuel, Jesus film equipment, and other items. As you can see, this is a huge undertaking financially, but it is worth every dollar spent because they all translate into souls saved.
We are asking for your support for this ongoing work. We assume that you are already praying; please don’t stop. But will you also consider a monetary gift? And remember that this is an ongoing work which you may want to support on a regular basis. It would be a wonderful thing to never have to ask for you to help financially. We frankly do not like this part of the ministry. But we know that it is not just those who go that are blessed. Perhaps the greatest blessing on this side of the journey is for those who send. For those to whom we are sent, the blessing is Heaven.
    Please contact us as soon as possible and let us know how you can help. All the gifts will add up, but we need to see several thousand dollars for this project by the end of this month. Checks can be sent or we can provide you with a PayPal account. You can PM here or Email to FOFM-Malawi(at)2BChurch.org – of course the (at) is @ and the capital letters do not matter. It is written that way to avoid that wretched spam monster – this is the internet you know.
www.evangelistcraighobbs.org is another source for information. We will get you specifics when you contact us. Your help really will matter. Please let us hear from you soon. And please pass this information to others who may be willing to participate.
End Quote

See You SONday

Philippians 4:6-7

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (NKJV)

 

Don’t put “Nothing” where “Everything” belongs.

Or vice versa.

See you SONday

(c) 2013 SF Gallagher

I was told about one of my men who was invited to join a small group at church. This group would have met at the same time this man of God was standing his post as the doorman, the greeter, at the front door of the church auditorium. Every person, young or old, healthy or handicapped, everyone was greeted by a smile and open doors. This man opened those doors.

 I was told that when asked to join this small group, his answer was that God gave him that door. Way to go! I beamed with pride for him as his faith was growing into service. I saw it as the beginning of another life restored.

I wrote the above note to myself in October. By May, he had given up his door. And he didn’t go to a class when he did. I am sad because I wanted to write about his success. But he got a job and he got his disability check, and was able to move to his own house with his son. He got to a point where he was not absolutely forced to trust God for the next everything. He gave the door back to God and now no one stands there where God placed him.

 I am sad because he has become another in a long line of people whose lives are moving away from God. He once was so pleased to be a simple doorkeeper with a big smile on his face and an outstretched hand. Now, he is hardly ever seen at the church house. He is missed too.

See You SONday

For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord  God is a sun and shield; The Lord  will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly. O Lord  of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You! (Psalm 84:10-12 NKJV)

(c) 2013 SF Gallagher

I just sent all FB Friends an invitation to check out Flame of Fire Ministry And I hope you will both look at and like the page. I also have tweeted that invitation.

In February, I plan to return to Malawi with FOFM as I continue my affiliation with this great ministry. This is an ongoing work which has, of course, a price tag. I know you will pray for this ministry. But will you please also consider helping financially as we prepare to go again and again and again. We are planning to purchase our tickets in about a month. Making that purchase early is the more economical time to do so. Checks may be sent directly to FOFM, or to Okmulgee Second Baptist Church or to me directly through the mail or PayPal.

Each time we go, we work with local evangelists, church planters and churches to strengthen the work in Malawi and around the region. In the intermediate times, we have evangelists commissioned for local work. In less than two years, there have been several churches planted and thousands have professed their faith in Jesus. Will you please help? Message or Email me for more information.

See You SONday

October 4, 2013

Here are a few thoughts I gathered from a pastor friend of mine who teaches about and practices a life full of prayer. Let’s listen in.

Ever wonder, as I do, what might be accomplished throughout this broken world if only we could get even half of our “church members” excited about corporate prayer? If they would believe that prayer makes a difference, I believe they would be a part of God’s warring army of intercessors at all costs.

When I share with churches in one of my seminars on prayer, I jokingly say to the church members: “If you’re not praying for your pastor, you deserve what you get!” The joke is, I’m not joking! If you will spend time on your knees before Father, often with tears, for your pastor, you will never find real reason to complain about him, and he will be more affective for the Kingdom.

Oh Beloved believer, are you “pre-prayered” for worship? Will you pray before you leave your home? Will you pray as you travel toward your corporate meeting with Father? Will your heart be turned toward Abba for the souls of those who may meet with you? Will you anticipate an audience with your God before you even arrive. Are you praying with expectation of hearing a Word from God. Are your prayers concerned with the broken-hearted you may be forced to sit next to? Are you praying ahead of time for your pastor as he listens for God’s message for you? I guess what I am asking is: are you “pre-prayered for worship? If you are, you will never be disappointed! – Jerry McCullah

 Get your prayer on. It will make this Lord’s Day much more meaningful.

 See You SONday!

 When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, 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. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place. (2 Chronicles 7:13-15 NKJV)

Jerry Mcullough is the Pastor at Green Valley Bible Chapel, CSBC Prayer Consultant at California Southern Baptist Convention and CEO & Founder at Founder and President of Impact Prayer International. Follow him on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/jerry.mccullah if you would like.

© SF Gallagher 2013

God gave us a key promise in scripture that will heal the woes of this messed up country. It is not about the lost getting right with God It is about the people of God getting right with Him. It goes like this.

When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, 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. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place. 2 Chronicles 7:13-15 NKJV

The context is around the temple that Solomon built; a place to worship and sacrifice. That does not just occur in an ornate building in Jerusalem any more.

Give it some thought.

See You SONday

(c) SF Gallagher 2013