1 Thessalonians 5:11 (KJV)

Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (KJV)

Friday, December 18, 2015

How to Get Started in Ministry

Pocket Devotions

Acts 13:4-5
The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.
 
 

Thoughts for Today:

 
Previously the leaders of the church at Antioch had been instructed by the Holy Spirit to, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." If the Holy Spirit spoke to the church right know about setting you aside for service, then the church would need to assign your current duties to someone else, because the Spirit was going to use you in another way. For Barnabas and Saul that would mean packing their bags as they would be going on a journey. Saul had been a Christian for 12 to 14 years, Barnabas for much longer. They both loved to travel and share the good news about the Lord, so it was clear to them that when they received the Holy Spirit's instruction it was time to hit the road.

So now that we see what Barnabas and Saul did when they were called, what would you do if you were called? Remember, the leadership of the church wasn't given specific instructions on what they were to do (it was only given to Barnabas and Saul). If you can't answer that question, then take note of the last part of verse 5, "John was with them as their helper." Now this seems like a pretty innocent verse, however it gives a big answer to those of you who are not sure about where or how you should be serving -- start by helping someone else who is clear about their calling by the Holy Spirit. Watch, listen and learn just like John did.

John was his Jewish name and Mark was his Roman name. We know him as the constant companion of Paul or Barnabas. He was not only a missionary but ultimately a leader of the new church and author of the second book of the New Testament, the Gospel of Mark. Not a bad resume for someone who started out as a helper.
 
 

Questions to Ponder:

 
Follow John Mark's example: start by helping. It is only by getting started in ministry that you will truly find yourself and your calling. Jesus did not come to be served but to serve. What about you?

Thursday, November 12, 2015

A Christmas Story (first written 12/20/2012)


This is a story about a Christmas gift, our gift, Jesus’ gift, and God’s gift. 
The gift that is most wanted and the gift, that can be given and received.
First, I want to share with you an insight that some of you may not have considered.
When reading the Old Testament, consider how God is giving understanding to His children.
He is not using Word Parables like Jesus so masterfully used in the New Testament.
In the Old Testament God uses parables in action instead of words to give us understanding.
( An example would be “The Parable of Mount Moriah” the incident of Abraham’s offering up Isaac. Isaac is the only one in Scripture, except Jesus, to be spoken of as “only begotton son(Hebrews 11:17). The parable representation of death and his deliverance as a Parable representation of resurrection. Isaac was on the alter of death and Abraham received him back to life by God’s grace. The ram was sacrificed instead of Isaac and Jesus was sacrificed as the substitute for us. )
 
This method of action parables using life experiences that God provides; This is how He speaks to me and gives me understanding especially when I need correction or humbling. Just in this morning’s prayers, I thank God for the healing taken place in my son. I had ask this as the gift I most wanted from my Father this Christmas.

Then as I read “The Daily Bread” (Dec.20,12) called “The Gift” I could hear God speaking. You see that is the way God always speaks to me through an experience He always provides. Jesus knew the Gift His Father most wanted, “was for His children to be saved”.  I know that is the Gift I always want the most, “is for my children to be saved”.
 
Quoting the “Daily Bread” Thinking of ourselves as a gift to God, that should make us want to be a present worth the cost, fully pleasing to Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. (ref. Col. 1:10)

Dear Lord, we thank you for our children and we ask for their salvation through your Son Jesus. As your children, we thank you and celebrate that precious Gift that you offer us on this very special Birthday. I by faith accept this Christmas Gift of your Son as my Savior from sin and I will tell others about what it means to give yourself as a gift to our Father which is in Heaven. Amen
  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16 (NKJV)

                                                                             with love through the Holy Spirit, brother george

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

The importance of The 10 Commandments

After 400 years of slavery in Egypt, God brought His people out and gave them a standard for living as His chosen people. We call these laws the 10 Commandments. Today, there is some controversy about whether or not the 10 Commandments are relevant. Paul tells us that "All scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16 ESV). This is true of the 10 Commandments.

The 10 Commandments show us where we fall short of God’s standard for holiness and drive us to repentance. They also serve as a quick code of conduct on how we should live our lives each day.
Because of this, knowing the 10 Commandments can help as you share God’s standard and His plan for salvation with others. Intimidated? Don’t be! Renowned speaker and author, Jack Lannom, explains how we can visualize the 10 Commandments in order to remember them.


Have you talked to your pastor about making your church a Pocket Powered Church?
If not, start now! Tell them how the League has equipped and motivated you to share your faith with others.

Saturday, May 2, 2015

A POCKET POWERED CHURCH !



                                 

YES! I WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BECOMING A POCKET POWERED CHURCH!

Share the FREE resources of The Pocket Testament League with your church through a presentation.

We’ll give you plenty of FREE pocket-sized gospels for your church members to get them started.

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Ideas for sharing the Good News


D. L. Moody was criticized for his methods of evangelism. Moody's reply was "I agree with you. I don't like the way I do it either. Tell me, how do you do it?" The person replied, "I don't do it." Moody replied, "Then I like my way of doing it better than your way of not doing it.
Even a lousy method of sharing the Good News is better than no method at all. Here are 3 Super Cool Ideas for sharing the Good News from the Amazing Members of The League! 
Try them and let us know how they worked. You might even take a photo, or selfie of you in action. Send us your stories and photos to selfie@ptl.org. We’ll share it with our Members. And we’ll send you another supply of pocket-sized Gospels of John.
  • One elderly gal who was homebound would put a Gospel of John in the envelope with every bill she paid. What a creative thing to do if you can’t get out of the house. And she prayed for the person who might open the envelope and receive it. 
  • At the drive through at Starbucks one member gave a Gospel of John to the attendant at the window as a gift. Then she gave her $10 extra dollars to cover the cost of the coffee of the person in the car behind her. Double blessing with that double espresso! 
  • Lorraine in Cherry Valley, CA makes quilts for our military and includes a Gospel of John with each one. So precious! 
For more ideas download our free e-book, 101 Ways to Share the Gospel and don’t forget to order your gospels today!

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Reaching the world for Christ!


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Chances are your Christian friends share your passion to reach the lost for Christ! You can equip them to be an even greater impact with FREE resources available from The League:
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Rally your friends together for the ultimate cause - reaching the world for Christ! 
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Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Everything We Need

 

Pocket Devotions

Romans 8:32
...but gave him up for us all --- how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
 
 

Thoughts for Today:

In our passage today, Paul asks us: "How will he not also, along with Him [Jesus], graciously give us all things?" Embedded within this phrase is the idea "all good things." I think Paul's point is simply this: If it's a good thing, God will give it to us because He's already demonstrated His goodness, generosity, grace, and mercy when He gave us the best gift of all -- Jesus Christ!
 

Questions to Ponder:

 
Is there something you haven't prayed about because you think it is too small or trivial to involve God? Nothing is inconsequential to our Lord. His mercy and grace knows no bounds. Will you come to Him today? Not just with the big problems, but the desires of your heart as well.

Friday, January 9, 2015

A Very Specific Instruction


Pocket Devotions

Romans 12:1d
this is your spiritual act of worship.
 
 

Thoughts for Today:

 
The word "spiritual" used here is translated from the Greek work "logikos" and means "worship which is rendered by the reason or the soul." It is the root of our English word "logic". Think for a moment about where we have been through the first eleven chapters of Romans. Paul asks us to take all of this into account: "Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices--this is your spiritual act of worship." Paul brings forward all that God has done for us; now he tells us that yielding to God's will is our only logical, appropriate, and acceptable response. In fact, it is how we worship Him.

Sometimes things just need to be placed in the proper perspective. I think this is Paul's point in our passage today: Obedience to God is our only logical, appropriate, and acceptable response to everything He has done for us. It's just once in a while we need very specific instruction.  Paul gives it to us today as "this is your spiritual act of worship."
 

Questions to Ponder:

 
In what area of your life are you having an obedience problem?
What has God said to you that you continue to ignore?
What should be your response? Is it holy and pleasing to God?
Today what will be your spiritual act of worship?
How will you obey God?

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

"A Story of Perfect Love"


Look inside!


About this Gospel:

What could be a greater example of love than God's love for the human race,

demonstrated through the sacrificial gift of His own Son?

This unique wrap-around cover shows a single red rose, with the title

 "A Story of Perfect Love" positioned like a drop of blood falling from the rose.