Baptist Messenger Article

         Week of February 11, 2010

 

     Super Bowl XLIV will go down as one of the best championship games ever played. Congratulations to the New Orleans Saints players and coaches for winning their first ever Super Bowl in franchise history. It took them forty-three years to get to the game and then they won it in their first try.      

      I like that kind of story. The underdogs won. The under-achievers became over-achievers and came from behind to do it. It was a great game with a great story. The Saints are deserving of holding the Vince Lombardi trophy high over their heads and proclaiming that they are the best in the world.

      In Revelation 2-3 Jesus wrote letters to the seven churches of Asia Minor and encouraged the believers to become “over-achievers.” The word He used was “overcomer.” At the end of each of the seven letters Jesus writes, “To him who overcomes, I will…” and with that statement He gives a promise and reward for faithfulness. Those promises are pretty amazing: to eat of the tree of life, to not be hurt by the second death, to be given a new name, to have authority over nations, to have his name confessed before the Father, to become a pillar in the temple of God, and to rule with Him in heaven.

      Yes, the reward at the end of the way is great; just ask the New Orleans Saints. They played 16 regular season games and two playoff games just to get to the Super Bowl. Getting the reward and claiming the prize takes an awful lot of hard work and effort. 

      The same is true in the Christian life. Remember, the Christian race is not a sprint; it is a marathon. Many Christians get off the starting blocks quickly but soon fade away and give up. Unless there is complete focus and strict discipline the goal set before them is blurred and not obtained unless they stay the course.  

      How do we stay the course? How do we obtain the prize at the end of the way? Paul gives us the answer in Heb. 12:1-2. He says, “…let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of faith.” There you have it. Becoming an “overcomer”, an “over-achiever” in the faith is a matter of focus – fixing your eyes on Jesus at all times.

      Back in the summer when football practice began, the New Orleans Saints fixed their eyes on the Super Bowl trophy. On Sunday they claimed the prize. When you and I as believers began our walk with Jesus we too fixed our eyes on the prize at the end of the way (heaven). The day is coming when we will be able to claim the prize. Even so come Lord Jesus!

                                                   Bro. Larry

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY

                                               

    From time to time throughout the course of the year, we experience several severe weather patterns in northern Oklahoma.    Our area is  under a winter storm warning until 6 AM Friday morning, Jan. 29th.  The warning indicates we can expect ice, sleet, and snow with significant accumulations.  We will watch weather reports carefully.  

   Our church policy is to cancel events when travel becomes  an issue of safety.   Our main concern is the safety of our members and guests.  We encourage everyone to use caution and not to drive in severe weather.

   If we feel it is necessary to close the church office, or to cancel an event or worship service, we will post our cancellations on our church web site and contact the local radio stations (KLVV, KPNC, and KLOR).  Please check the radio and web site closely during severe weather;  if you are unsure about cancellations you may also call the church office.

                                              Bro. Larry

Baptist Messenger Article

        Week of January 21, 2010

 

The aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti is unbelievable. It has now been one week since the 7.5 magnitude earthquake left this impoverished nation in ruins. The epicenter of the quake, located near the capital city of Port Au Prince with a population of over two million people, has left the city in total ruin and the estimates of the loss of human life continue to climb daily. Officials fear that there could be as many as 200,000 dead.

      The rescue effort for those trapped underneath collapsed buildings continues. Time is running out. But yet each day we hear of miracles taking place in which another person has been found alive underneath the ruins and pulled to safety.

      But greater still is the relief effort for those who have survived and have no place to stay, no food to eat, no water to drink, and no medical supplies to treat the injured. A world-wide effort continues to send the needed supplies, the rescue teams, and the equipment to meet the need. But the task is so overwhelming due to the collapse of the infrastructure to get the supplies where they are needed the most. As you peer into the faces of the Haitian people seen on television all hope seems to be lost. Their cries for help are heard but the help is slow in coming.  

      What do you think about when you see this human tragedy unfolding before your eyes? Many ask: Why would God allow such a tragic event to happen in one of the poorest nations in the world? If God is a God of love why would He allow innocent people to suffer? Is this earthquake another sign of the end times and the Second Coming of Jesus?

      There are never easy answers to these questions. But know this: Our God is a God of love, care and compassion for all people. Did God sit in heaven last week and randomly decide to press His thumb of calamity and disaster upon the Haitian people? I don’t think so. But He does allow nature to run its course. And in the aftermath of any and all tragedies that happen around the world our God is there. He is there to bring hope. He moves in the lives of His people to help others in need. He is there to let a lost world know that the greatest hope is found in His Son Jesus Christ.  

      I challenge us to be faithful in our prayers for the people of Haiti. I challenge us to give financial help through our Southern Baptist agencies to meet the need in the coming days. I pray that through our efforts the glory of God will be seen and hope restored.

                                                   Bro. Larry