I recently was invited to be someone's friend on Face Book. I did not recognize the name so I instinctively clicked on the young mans profile to try and get some more information about who wanted to be my friend. Under the about me section he started by saying he was a strong committed christian and God was it one true passion in life. I thought "I can be friends with this guy..." However the next 5 sentences said, I love to drink, party, and do wild and crazy things with as many ladies as I can. My heart was saddened that this young man would claim to be one thing then in the very next sentence describe himself as something else. I fear this is far to common in our society today. We believe as long as we separate Who we want to be, or who we think we are with a period, from what we actually are God will somehow be pleased. The truth is we are who we are not who we desire to be. When we claim to be one thing and then live our lives in opposition to our claims we hinder the advancement of the Kingdom of God. May we all strive to be who HE has created us to be.
Below is a short post from Charles Stanley on a similar topic.
At times, people will say, “I’ve made Jesus a part of my life.” But this statement reveals that they have missed the point. The truth is, Jesus can never be simply a part of life; at salvation, Jesus becomes our life—everything revolves around Him, because He is the central focus.
For the believer, the essence of living is to walk in childlike obedience to Christ. That means we express His righteous life simply by faith; to do this, we depend on the power of the Holy Spirit for enablement and divine grace for forgiveness when we stumble. And stumbling will occur because we live amidst two kingdoms that are in constant conflict. On the one hand, there’s the pull of the world, and on the other, the pull of God. In other words, Satan throws temptations our way, but from our Father comes the appeal of holiness, peace, and joy in Christ.
That’s why Jesus taught, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” The way to do this is by opening God’s Word daily and letting Him use Scripture to flush from our minds anything that doesn’t fit with His priority (Rom. 12:2). We are also to remind ourselves frequently of His commands and His greatness (Ps. 105:4-5; Num. 15:37-41).
The battle is ongoing. And it rages not just in the realms of education, science, politics, and finances but also within every human heart. Since there’s no way to make it in life without Christ, it’s critical that we keep God’s priority as our own and make continual course corrections to stay on track.
Remembering God’s Priority - In Touch Ministries - Dr. Charles Stanley 2010
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Monday, May 31, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Costa Rica PT.2
Church it was such an amazing thing to see all that Amanda and Larry are doing in Costa Rica. As you may know their primary job is to learn Spanish right now. They will not work in Costa Rica, in fact they will depart for Ecuador in August. That is where their actual mission is. However they have to learn Spanish first. And let me just say, they have it down. Both Amanda and Larry are fluent in the language and they continue to work hard on some of the more advanced things that come with Spanish. I was impressed to say the least.
They are also doing several different missions while in Costa Rica. They work once a week teaching English at a nearby mission. During this time they have a short worship service where they share the gospel with those who attend. They also make a one hour drive on Thursdays to help with a kids ministries at a Nicaraguan refuge camp on the outskirts of San Jose. Larry teaches the kids how to use computers and Amanda does arts and crafts. This too has been a very fruitful ministry.
I was only there three days so I was only able to see a small part of what Amanda and Larry do on a weekly basis but it was very encouraging. While I was with them I also got to speak to almost 100 missionaries who are studying at the same school. I lead the chapel service and had a chance to give them a small taste of Cowboy Fellowship. They were encouraged and I was as well. It is so great to be a part of a church that supports missions in such a big way. I pray that our church continues to place missions at the top of our priorities. When you give online, in the mail, on Saturday night, or Sunday morning you are supporting missionaries all around the world just like Amanda and Larry. We all have a part in the work of the Gospel! I pray we do more then just send them a check every month, we need to remember them in our prayers as well.
Here are a few pictures from the trip.
They are also doing several different missions while in Costa Rica. They work once a week teaching English at a nearby mission. During this time they have a short worship service where they share the gospel with those who attend. They also make a one hour drive on Thursdays to help with a kids ministries at a Nicaraguan refuge camp on the outskirts of San Jose. Larry teaches the kids how to use computers and Amanda does arts and crafts. This too has been a very fruitful ministry.
I was only there three days so I was only able to see a small part of what Amanda and Larry do on a weekly basis but it was very encouraging. While I was with them I also got to speak to almost 100 missionaries who are studying at the same school. I lead the chapel service and had a chance to give them a small taste of Cowboy Fellowship. They were encouraged and I was as well. It is so great to be a part of a church that supports missions in such a big way. I pray that our church continues to place missions at the top of our priorities. When you give online, in the mail, on Saturday night, or Sunday morning you are supporting missionaries all around the world just like Amanda and Larry. We all have a part in the work of the Gospel! I pray we do more then just send them a check every month, we need to remember them in our prayers as well.
Here are a few pictures from the trip.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Costa Rica
Hey Everyone,
Just wanted to give you a Map of Costa Rica, so you can see where Pastor Pete is right now. He was asked to come down by Larry & Amanda to speak at a conference. Larry & Amanda are just some of the missionaries that we support here at Cowboy Fellowship. Please be in Prayer for Pastor Pete and Larry & Amanda as they speak God's word to a people who thirst for Jesus.. If you also have time please Check out Larry & Amanda's Page
Have a great day everyone.
Scotty
Also Check out our missions page if you would like to know more how to pray for more of the Missionaries we support at Cowboy Fellowship.
Just wanted to give you a Map of Costa Rica, so you can see where Pastor Pete is right now. He was asked to come down by Larry & Amanda to speak at a conference. Larry & Amanda are just some of the missionaries that we support here at Cowboy Fellowship. Please be in Prayer for Pastor Pete and Larry & Amanda as they speak God's word to a people who thirst for Jesus.. If you also have time please Check out Larry & Amanda's Page
Have a great day everyone.
Scotty
Also Check out our missions page if you would like to know more how to pray for more of the Missionaries we support at Cowboy Fellowship.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Hannah’s Example - In Touch Ministries - Dr. Charles Stanley 2010
This is a good word for men and women read about Hannah's Example from Dr. Charles Stanley.
Hannah’s Example - In Touch Ministries - Dr. Charles Stanley 2010
Posted using ShareThis
Hannah’s Example - In Touch Ministries - Dr. Charles Stanley 2010
Posted using ShareThis
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Charlie Walter "Uncut"
Hey Everyone take time to pass this powerful video on to help others to break the chain of Alcoholism.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
What's Right With the Church?
This has been an absolute incredible year at Cowboy Fellowship and we are just getting warmed up! We have Ranch Rodeo coming up and a huge 7th Anniversary team roping on May 1st and we are really excited about it. We will NOT be having a Saturday night service on May 1st due to the Ranch Rodeo but we will be holding service on Sunday morning as always. We have a summer full of activities planned for the children and youth, and we have some new and exciting things in the works for this fall as well. It is an exciting time to be a part of the Body of Christ here at Cowboy Fellowship. So this month I want to talk about what’s right with the church. So many focus on what’s wrong with the church, but I believe that we should be talking about all the things that are right instead. Acts 9:31 says “Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.” I
believe that this verse points out some of the main things that are right with the church here at Cowboy Fellowship.
The first thing is the church in Acts enjoyed a climate of peace. The context of this verse is talking specifically about a decline in the physical persecution of this church from the outside. However, peace involves much more then just the absence of persecution. A church of peace is not void of conflict but instead deal with their differences openly, honestly, and as mature believers. A climate of peace builds unity and places a high value on every person who attends. A church of peace is truly a church that knows what it means to love the world and each other as Christ loved us. Here at Cowboy Fellowship we have experienced this climate of peace and unity and it is a wonderful thing.
The second thing that is right with the church is sustained spiritual growth of individual believers. The verse in Acts says “It (the church) was strengthened.” The Greek word used actually means to build or be built up, like building a house. It is referring to the members of the Body who are growing spiritually. This is happening all over Cowboy Fellowship. We now have record numbers of people enrolled in our Monday night discipleship classes. There are small groups and bible studies that meet almost every day of the week from our church. And most importantly people are growing and maturing in their faith.
The third thing we see is that the church in Acts was ALIVE! They were encouraged by, or some translations say walking with, the Holy Spirit. As you read about these churches in Acts they were alive and full of faith. They took risks. They did things no one else would do. They were witnessing and inviting others to join them. They were excited about the things God was doing within the Body. I see this every week at Cowboy Fellowship. You are excited, our church is alive, and we are walking with the Spirit.
We also see numerical growth and multiplication happening with the church in Acts. We have seen a
numerical explosion at our church in the last seven years. We have seen our attendance grow. We know that this growth is not because of anything we have done but has been made possible by God alone. Thousands of lives have been touched and changed over the last seven years. Our church has also been a part of helping several other churches get started. This is great and is one more thing that is right with the church.
Finally, we see that the church had its focus in the right place, it was focused on God and his kingdom. I see this attitude and heart here at Cowboy Fellowship as well. It is a wonderful thing when so many different people come together and put their differences and individual wills aside and become focused on the things of God. This is the way it should always be and my prayer is that we would always be united under the banner of Christ not the banner of Cowboy Fellowship.
This month, as I said, we celebrate our 7 year anniversary. Don’t miss our celebration service on May 2nd, it is going to be great. We will have baptisms and potluck as well great music and an inspiring sermon. As we approach this wonderful day let’s celebrate not just because another year has passed, but instead, let us all join together and celebrate about all the things that are right with the church here at Cowboy Fellowship. May God continue to bless you and your family and our church in the next seven years. I hope to see you at the roping Saturday, May 1st @ 9 AM and the ranch rodeo @ 6 PM. Both are being held at the Poteet Lions Club Arena on the Strawberry Festival grounds. And don’t forget on Sunday morning at our church services!
believe that this verse points out some of the main things that are right with the church here at Cowboy Fellowship.
The first thing is the church in Acts enjoyed a climate of peace. The context of this verse is talking specifically about a decline in the physical persecution of this church from the outside. However, peace involves much more then just the absence of persecution. A church of peace is not void of conflict but instead deal with their differences openly, honestly, and as mature believers. A climate of peace builds unity and places a high value on every person who attends. A church of peace is truly a church that knows what it means to love the world and each other as Christ loved us. Here at Cowboy Fellowship we have experienced this climate of peace and unity and it is a wonderful thing.
The second thing that is right with the church is sustained spiritual growth of individual believers. The verse in Acts says “It (the church) was strengthened.” The Greek word used actually means to build or be built up, like building a house. It is referring to the members of the Body who are growing spiritually. This is happening all over Cowboy Fellowship. We now have record numbers of people enrolled in our Monday night discipleship classes. There are small groups and bible studies that meet almost every day of the week from our church. And most importantly people are growing and maturing in their faith.
The third thing we see is that the church in Acts was ALIVE! They were encouraged by, or some translations say walking with, the Holy Spirit. As you read about these churches in Acts they were alive and full of faith. They took risks. They did things no one else would do. They were witnessing and inviting others to join them. They were excited about the things God was doing within the Body. I see this every week at Cowboy Fellowship. You are excited, our church is alive, and we are walking with the Spirit.
We also see numerical growth and multiplication happening with the church in Acts. We have seen a
numerical explosion at our church in the last seven years. We have seen our attendance grow. We know that this growth is not because of anything we have done but has been made possible by God alone. Thousands of lives have been touched and changed over the last seven years. Our church has also been a part of helping several other churches get started. This is great and is one more thing that is right with the church.
Finally, we see that the church had its focus in the right place, it was focused on God and his kingdom. I see this attitude and heart here at Cowboy Fellowship as well. It is a wonderful thing when so many different people come together and put their differences and individual wills aside and become focused on the things of God. This is the way it should always be and my prayer is that we would always be united under the banner of Christ not the banner of Cowboy Fellowship.
This month, as I said, we celebrate our 7 year anniversary. Don’t miss our celebration service on May 2nd, it is going to be great. We will have baptisms and potluck as well great music and an inspiring sermon. As we approach this wonderful day let’s celebrate not just because another year has passed, but instead, let us all join together and celebrate about all the things that are right with the church here at Cowboy Fellowship. May God continue to bless you and your family and our church in the next seven years. I hope to see you at the roping Saturday, May 1st @ 9 AM and the ranch rodeo @ 6 PM. Both are being held at the Poteet Lions Club Arena on the Strawberry Festival grounds. And don’t forget on Sunday morning at our church services!
Pastor Pete
Monday, April 26, 2010
I don't like it when the Devil does this to me....
Sometimes I feel like I am the tiger and the devil is the Monkey (LOL). Praise God, Jesus is coming soon!!!!!
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