Matthew 4:19..."Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."
There was a man who was talking to a business man on an elevator. Tears filled the eyes of the businessman as the other gentleman began to witness what Jesus Christ meant to him and his life. Finally the businessman replied, I have insurance but no assurance.
So many people are lost and just wandering from day to day in a lonely existence. They have health, life and dental insurance. They read the financial pages more than the Bible. They have insurance but no assurance. Every day many of them are closer to an eternity without Jesus Christ. What will you do? How can we be so preoccupied with our "stuff" when there are people dying and going to hell?
Project 52 wants to make a difference. We want people to have assurance and then have them help us to be fishers of men. This is the calling that Jesus has given to all who have the assurance of a life with Him forever. I'm excited to follow Him. The road may be tough at times, like walking a rough trail to get to your hunting or fishing spot, but in the end if there is another soul saved isn't it worth it?
Following Jesus with you,
Pastor John
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
On Faith
Matt 11:2-3 When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples
to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"
There was a Lutheran pastor by the name of Wurmbrandt, who, back in the 60's was a prisoner behind the Iron Curtain. In prison, when he wouldn't renounce Jesus as his Savior, they broke the bones in his fingers as well as other bones. And then they just left him there. After his freedom Pastor Wurmbrandt moved to the United States. He said that it was faith that kept him going.
Faith in what? How does one make it through the night? Frank Sinatra said, it makes no difference, some use Scotch, some use religion. Jesus knows how John the Baptist, the man in prison will make it. No matter what storms may be blowing, He knows that John, hearing the words of reassurance about the kingdom of God, would not be shaken. What are those words? The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the Good News is preached to the poor. These are the words of the one true God who has given us faith in Him , the faith that trust that in all things God is working out a plan for our lives. That plan will always have our best interest in mind.
John's question, are You the one, doesn't mean John was a bad disciple. It was a question coming from a man in prison with real fears and emotions just like we all have at times. At one time or another we all are imprisoned by something. Are You the One Jesus? In other words, God, I believe help my unbelief, right now I wonder about You? And the same God comes to us in His Word and reassures us with wonderful news of His love for us and His promise to guide and protect.
I close with these words from John Henry Newman's Lead Kindly Light. He wrote them after coming through a prison of doubt. The night is dark, and I am far from home; Lead Thou me on. Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see, the distant scene, one step enough for me.
If you need help with that one step Project 52 is here willing to help you through prisons of any kind.
In Christ,
Pastor John
to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"
There was a Lutheran pastor by the name of Wurmbrandt, who, back in the 60's was a prisoner behind the Iron Curtain. In prison, when he wouldn't renounce Jesus as his Savior, they broke the bones in his fingers as well as other bones. And then they just left him there. After his freedom Pastor Wurmbrandt moved to the United States. He said that it was faith that kept him going.
Faith in what? How does one make it through the night? Frank Sinatra said, it makes no difference, some use Scotch, some use religion. Jesus knows how John the Baptist, the man in prison will make it. No matter what storms may be blowing, He knows that John, hearing the words of reassurance about the kingdom of God, would not be shaken. What are those words? The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the Good News is preached to the poor. These are the words of the one true God who has given us faith in Him , the faith that trust that in all things God is working out a plan for our lives. That plan will always have our best interest in mind.
John's question, are You the one, doesn't mean John was a bad disciple. It was a question coming from a man in prison with real fears and emotions just like we all have at times. At one time or another we all are imprisoned by something. Are You the One Jesus? In other words, God, I believe help my unbelief, right now I wonder about You? And the same God comes to us in His Word and reassures us with wonderful news of His love for us and His promise to guide and protect.
I close with these words from John Henry Newman's Lead Kindly Light. He wrote them after coming through a prison of doubt. The night is dark, and I am far from home; Lead Thou me on. Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see, the distant scene, one step enough for me.
If you need help with that one step Project 52 is here willing to help you through prisons of any kind.
In Christ,
Pastor John
Monday, March 9, 2009
Ever feel like a broken tool? This is grace- God comes and He picks up that pile of broken tools. Don't fight it. Listen to a quote from Max Lucado’s book entitled: On the Anvil.
To find me, look over in the corner of the shop, over here, behind the cobwebs, beneath the dust, in the darkness. There are scores of us, broken handles, dulled blades, cracked iron. Some of us were useful once, and then...many of us never were. But, listen, don't feel sorry for me. Life ain't so bad here in the pile...no work, no anvils, no pain, no sharpening, and yet, the days are very long.
I don't want to be an old broken down tool anymore. It may be comfortable and there are no risks but the days can be long and God has so much more in store for us! How about you? I want you (whoever is reading this) to be the hammers and saws that God has shaped you to be. As Jesus came to serve, so now we serve and reach out with the Gospel of hope and comfort. It's time to come out of the junk pile because God says you will be a useful tool in My kingdom.
How will you let Him use you? There are all kinds of opportunities – that is what Project 52 is all about. Helping people see how useful they are and that there is a place for them in this world and especially in the kingdom of God. If you want to learn more about serving write us or call us...you will find the days flying by!!!
In Christ,
Pastor John
To find me, look over in the corner of the shop, over here, behind the cobwebs, beneath the dust, in the darkness. There are scores of us, broken handles, dulled blades, cracked iron. Some of us were useful once, and then...many of us never were. But, listen, don't feel sorry for me. Life ain't so bad here in the pile...no work, no anvils, no pain, no sharpening, and yet, the days are very long.
I don't want to be an old broken down tool anymore. It may be comfortable and there are no risks but the days can be long and God has so much more in store for us! How about you? I want you (whoever is reading this) to be the hammers and saws that God has shaped you to be. As Jesus came to serve, so now we serve and reach out with the Gospel of hope and comfort. It's time to come out of the junk pile because God says you will be a useful tool in My kingdom.
How will you let Him use you? There are all kinds of opportunities – that is what Project 52 is all about. Helping people see how useful they are and that there is a place for them in this world and especially in the kingdom of God. If you want to learn more about serving write us or call us...you will find the days flying by!!!
In Christ,
Pastor John
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