Lonoke Baptist Church http://www.lonokemissionarybaptist.org Loving God, Loving People Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:15:05 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 The Value of Learning From A Mentor http://www.lonokemissionarybaptist.org/the-value-of-learning-from-a-mentor/ http://www.lonokemissionarybaptist.org/the-value-of-learning-from-a-mentor/#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:15:05 +0000 admin http://www.lonokemissionarybaptist.org/?p=694 I came here to Lonoke for one reason (besides the whole God leading me type thing): TO LEARN HOW TO PASTOR UNDER BRO. DENNIS HOLMES. I had known Bro. Dennis for a long time through church camp and things of that nature so I knew he was a great leader and I had a lot to learn from him.

Pastors can take two paths. They can jump in cold turkey and learn as they go or they can find someone to learn under for a while. There is nothing wrong with either way but is a matter preference and what the Lord has in plan.

I have been blessed to have be able to align myself under godly men so I could be the best pastor God wanted me to be. I had been under Bro. Wilton Wager, Bro. James Wehunt, Bro. David Johnson, Bro. Verlon Wood & Bro. Mark Harris. I had ministered under special guys including Bro. Chad Graves and Bro. Jeremy Flanagan and then a few years under Bro. Dennis Holmes. The lessons and experience I got from each of these relationships still have an impact on my life today!

In Day 26 of our 90-Day Bible Campaign, Elijah emerges on the picture and then Elisha soon follows. There is a precious bond between these two guys. When Elijah was taken away, Elisha got a double portion of the spirit and he stepped right into Elijah’s shoes. What an amazing scene for Elisha. He aligned himself with the right man for a little while to learn and grow and was able to step right in when the time came.

This was my goal when I came here to Lonoke nearly 6 years ago. God had put me in a position to be under a godly leader so I could learn and grow. It was up to me on how much I was going to soak up. I planned to be with Bro. Dennis longer but God knows what He is doing!

Who do you have to follow and look up to? Is it a dad or a mom? Is it a pastor or a boss? Maybe it another family member or an older person you have always had in your life? It is important to put yourself in positions under the right people to learn and grow so you can be ready for the next season of your life. These relationships may last a long time or they may not last very long. However long they are, be a good student, listen, replicate & learn all you can!

Pastor Craig

]]> http://www.lonokemissionarybaptist.org/the-value-of-learning-from-a-mentor/feed/ 0 The Faithfulness of God to a Godly Dad http://www.lonokemissionarybaptist.org/the-faithfulness-of-god-to-a-godly-dad/ http://www.lonokemissionarybaptist.org/the-faithfulness-of-god-to-a-godly-dad/#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:56:15 +0000 admin http://www.lonokemissionarybaptist.org/?p=688 There is one thing that about sin we need to understand: IT AFFECTS MORE THAN JUST YOU AS AN INDIVIDUAL! It is clear in scripture that kids and generations down the line are affected by the sins of the dad.

It was mentioned in the Ten Commandments, “You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me.” (Exodus 20:4)

Achan and his entire family was killed as a result of his sin. (Joshua 7:10-26)

David’s family was going to fall victim as a result of his dealing with Bathsheba and Uriah. (2 Samuel 12:1-15)

David’s first son with Bathsheba was also going to die as a result of his dealing her and her husband, Uriah. (2 Samuel 12:15-23)

Saul’s sons were killed as a result of his dealing with the Gibeonites (2 Samuel 21)

Solomon turned from God which lead to the demise and feuding of his children and the nation of Israel and Judah. (1 Kings 11:9-13)

We spend Father’s Day sermons talking about this and have Men’s Bible studies trying to convey this truth. If we only look at that side of the coin we might get a little discouraged and put too much pressure on ourselves. There is a flip side to it. GOD CAN BE FAITHFUL TO FUTURE GENERATIONS BECAUSE OF A RIGHTEOUS LIFE NOW!

In our 90-Day Bible Campaign, the generations after Solomon were filled with evil and kings who were not faithful to God but one sentence is prevalent throughout God’s dealings with these evil kings: FOR DAVID’S SAKE!

God was faithful to David and the fact He was a man after His heart. He allowed the kingship to continue even when there was no reason for it to continue. How encouraging! We can live a faithful and godly life and know the generations to follow might be spared! We cannot know the future or be guaranteed of anything but we can be sure God deals honostly and faithfully with those who honor and glorify Him.

Pastor Craig

 

]]> http://www.lonokemissionarybaptist.org/the-faithfulness-of-god-to-a-godly-dad/feed/ 0 What Would You Ask For? http://www.lonokemissionarybaptist.org/what-would-you-ask-for/ http://www.lonokemissionarybaptist.org/what-would-you-ask-for/#comments Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:58:24 +0000 admin http://www.lonokemissionarybaptist.org/?p=686 Imagine this scene. You are at home and all of a sudden the God of this universe comes down and is in your kitchen all of a sudden! You are startled and then God poses you a question, “If you could ask for one thing what would it be?”

A long life.

A lot of money.

Your enemy to be destroyed.

In our Bible reading for Day 24 of our 90-Day Bible Campaign, we have a story about Solomon somewhat like this situation. In a dream, God asked Solomon what he would want and to the surprise of everyone who has ever read this story he chose…WISDOM!

God was so pleased with this choice, He basically told Solomon he would be the wisest man in the world up until then and forevermore! Not only that but God also gave Solomon wealth and peace, probably those things we would think of first.

In asking for wisdom, it showed the heart of Solomon. He wanted to be everything he could for God. Scripture around this story tells how Solomon loved God and wanted to do the best he could. He knew wisdom was what it was going to take to do what God wanted him to do.

Our answer to this question will show where our hearts are at. Would we want the selfish things like wealth and power so we could advance our own kingdom? Or would we want something that would advance the kingdom of God?

Pastor Craig

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