And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10.10)
The following story is told by Darrell Stout: One night a cobbler dreamed that the next day Jesus was coming to visit him. The dream seemed so real that he got up very early the next morning and hurried to the woods, where he gathered green boughs to decorate his shop for the arrival of so great a Guest. He waited all morning, but, to his disappointment, his shop remained quiet, except for an old man who limped up to the door asking to come in for a few minutes of warmth. While the man was resting, the cobbler noticed that the old fellow’s shoes were worn through. Touched, the cobbler took a new pair from his shelves and saw to it that the stranger was wearing them as he went on his way. Throughout the afternoon the cobbler waited, but his only visitor was an elderly woman. He had seen her struggling under a heavy load of firewood, and he invited her, too, into his shop to eat; he saw to it that she had a nourishing meal before she went on her way. As night began to fall, the cobbler heard a child crying outside his door. The child was lost and afraid. The cobbler went out, soothed the youngster’s tears and, with the little hand in his, took the child home. When he returned, the cobbler was sad. He was convinced that while he had been away he had missed the visit of his Lord. Now he lived through the moments as he had imagined them: the knock, the latch lifted, the radiant face, the offered cup. He would have kissed the hands where the nails had been, washed the feet where the spikes had entered. Then the Lord would have sat and talked to him. In his anguish, the cobbler cried out, “Why is it, Lord, that Your feet delay? Have you forgotten that this was the day?” Then, soft in the silence a voice he heard: “Lift up your heart for I kept my word. Three times I came to your friendly door; three times my shadow was on your floor. I was the man with the bruised feet; I was the woman you gave to eat; I was the child on the homeless street.”
Heavenly Father, help me to remember all whom I help is really YOU. In Jesus name, Amen
Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.(1 John 4.11)
Tony Campolo tells about an experience that occurred when he was fourteen-years-old. Tony’s family was very poor, and his father was out of work because he had been struck down with Hodgkin’s disease. His hospitalization insurance was running out, and the family did not know where they would get enough money to meet their basic needs.
Tony knew that it was his duty to earn some money for his family, but at the same time he wanted to stay in school, get good grades, and go to college. He figured out that he could buy unsold loaves of bread that truck drivers returned to the Bond Bread Company located at Fifty‑sixth and Market Streets. He could buy the bread for a nickel a loaf and sell it for a quarter a loaf to restaurants throughout West Philadelphia. The transaction promised a hefty profit, but there were a couple of problems. He could not pick up the bread until after 9:00 p.m., and the only means he had for delivering the bread was by piling in on a wagon that he pulled behind his bike.
One dark, cold, rainy night at about a quarter till eleven Tony was making a delivery. Unfortunately he rode his bike over a pothole. Suddenly there was a BANG! His front tire blew out. He pulled the bike off the street and sat down on the curb. After a while he started to cry. He remembers crying hard and long. He was soaked, shivering, and completely discouraged. It was a lonely side street. There was no one to hear him when he cried out loud, “God, you’re mean. Everybody else thinks you’re kind. But I know you’re mean. If you were kind you’d help me.”
He cried for a few minutes more, then, for reasons that he will never figure out, he got up and pushed his bike and his load of bread to the service station down the street. The station was closed for the night. Nevertheless, he pushed his bike over to the air pump and tried to put air into the blown‑out tire. It never occurred to him how unusual it was that the air pump of this closed service station was still working. He was in such a state of brokenness and sadness that he did what he did in a daze. Needless to say the air came out of the tear in the blown out tire as quickly as he pumped it in. He says he doesn’t know what he was expecting. But trembling and crying, he just stayed there in the dark carrying out a hopeless task.
Then the miracle happened! Suddenly he realized that the tire was hard. Somehow and in some way that is impossible to explain, the tire was holding air. He stood up, confused and happy. He remembers yelling out loud, “Oh, thank you! Oh, thank you!” He made two more deliveries and then rode the bike three miles back to his house. And the tire held!
When he got home he lifted the bike onto his front porch and locked it. The time was just after 12:30 a.m. He went to the front door and was putting his key into the lock when he heard a hissing sound. He turned back to the bike and watched with amazement as the air quickly left the blown out tire. The miracle was over, and the tire went flat.
I tell that simple story for this reason: My guess is that everyone with a deep faith can look back over his or her life and see some miracle there such as Tony experienced in his life. Can you? Many of you can, I know. It doesn’t always happen, and it may happen only once in a lifetime. There are other times we will ask for a miracle and Heaven will be as quiet as a tomb. But God does love us more than anything else! That is why Jesus came to be our savior.
Loving God, forgive me of my moments of disbelief for I know you love me. In Jesus name, Amen.
Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people. (Luke 5.10)
When we read the Gospels, we discover that the disciples found the best seat in the house by choosing to accept the challenge of Jesus to invest their lives in others. Remember how Jesus came into the marketplace at the docks. There he found some commercial fishermen. He asked them to allow him to use one of their boats as a teaching platform.
After he finished teaching the people, he gave them an invitation: “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” He was asking them to give up their seats in their fishing boats for something better, something more lasting, to invest their lives in others. (Luke 5:1-13).
“And He said to them, ‘Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men’ ” (Luke 4:19). The Bible has a lot of stories involving fish and fishermen. Even Jesus fished. He told others how to do it and where to do it! Not only that, He took a group of fishermen and molded them into fishers of men! Maybe that’s why I like the gospel so much. If you stop and think for a moment, that’s what the church is about. The folks I worship with have learned some things about fishing. We know we are not going to catch all the fish, nor are we going to land all the fish that we hook. We’ve learned you can’t force the fish or the line will snap. We also have learned to try new and different lures and baits in the different waters in which we are fishing and in doing so, we have started to catch fish! That’s why the church exists–to fish and catch fish. That’s our goal. We can never allow any other activities to be substituted for or move us from our one goal–fishing. Sometimes it’s easy to get sidetracked in the everyday events of the work of fishing. Nets need mending and sharks need to be shot. Granted, both of these need attention, but they can’t become our focus. We need to keep fishing to get some action and reward! Let us cast the lure of the gospel in the waters of the lost world and trust in Jesus that we will have a large catch!
Will you accept the invitation?
Dear God, show me the way to the best seat that you have reserved for me. In Jesus name, Amen.
So now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you? Only to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. (Deut 10.12)
Neal Scarlett’s pastor stood by his bed. Neal was a big redheaded man who took charge as soon as he walked into any room. But he was not in charge that day. He was in a hospital bed. He was facing bypass heart surgery. He knew his chances were somewhere between slim and none. His pastor asked him if he was ready to meet the Lord. Neil replied, “I am as ready as I can be. If I had my life to live over, I would not change a thing. I am a farmer. Every piece of land that has come into my possession, I have made it a better. When my wife and I started out, we had no land. We both worked and saved until we could buy forty acres and an old house. We immediately improved the house and the fences and upgraded the fertility of the land. Soon we found the opportunity to buy a place next to it.
God has been good to us. We have been able to buy and develop over a thousand acres. We now have the finest dairy farm in the state. We are proud of what we have done. No. I would not change one thing. All I ever wanted was a little more land. And I haven’t wanted all the land in the world. I have always been content to buy just what touched mine.” Then he began to laugh. His pastor asked, “Why are you laughing, Neil?”
Neil replied, “I guess God has used you to get to me today. God knows that there is some unfinished business. I do not own that farm. God does. God has been good to me to allow me to own and develop it, but I know now that my place is not as the owner, but as the trustee. God is the owner. I need to move over, and let God take His rightful place as the owner, and I need to take my place as His servant.” Neil and his pastor had a wonderful time praying together. The surgery was successful on both Neil’s physical heart and his spiritual heart. He had found his rightful place. He had discovered that sitting at the feet of Jesus truly is the best place to be.
All that I have is really GOD’s, and I am HIS trustee.
Dear God, I am your servant. Remind me of that often. In Jesus name, Amen.
We do Houston Weddings!
Houston minister services provides wedding services for non-denominational wedding ceremonies. We understand that many people these days are unaffiliated with a church or place of worship so we provide services to help create the perfect wedding ceremony in a way that is reflective of your beliefs as a couple. Our wedding officiants are ordained ministers who are ready to perform Houston weddings that you will cherish forever.
Here are some fun facts not only about Houston weddings but about weddings in general in the United States. Enjoy!
- The average age of the bride is 25.
- The average age of the groom is 27.
- The average wedding budget is about $20,000.
- $72 billion is spent each year on weddings in the United States.
- $19 billion is spent on gift registries each year.
- On average one-third of couples getting married each year have actually been married before.
- Typically about 170 to 200 guests are invited to weddings in the United States.
- There are about 6,200 weddings that occur in the United States every day averaging to about 2.3 million couples that get married every year.
- Most guests spend about $70 to $100 on a gift for the bride and groom.
- The wedding rings for the bride and the groom cost on average about $1,000.
- On average about 90% of all couples register for gifts.
- The average honeymoon costs about $3,600 and about $8 billion is spent each year on the honeymoon.
- The most popular month for weddings is June, followed by August, and then September. *Something tells me that our Houston weddings that take place in August mostly occur indoors!
While Houston Minister Services may fall within the norm regarding these statistics, we perform many alternative custom wedding options that may or may not fall within the norm when planning your wedding day. We perform ceremonies to include ceremony options such as hand fasting and the ribbon ceremony, as well as the rose and the unity sand ceremony.
We perform Houston weddings that are traditional and we provide services for those couples that would prefer a more non-traditional and customized wedding ceremony. We welcome your creativity!
You can read about these alternative custom ceremony options throughout our site and our blog. Please contact us for a complimentary phone consultation. We would be honored to be a part of your special day.
Bones on Fire Biker Church takes it to the streets!
This past week has marked three milestones in the life of our “Church outside the box” and they all occurred outside the confines of the County Line. As we continue to grow so do our ministry opportunities.
Our 1st Devotional and Ride was a complete success. We met Sunday (as we will the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month) for a brief Devotional and then crashed the Fountain of Life Christian Center, the home church of Pastor David and Sister Olga. We went to support that ministry and to share with the members of that Body the exciting work God is doing in our Biker Church. We hope to be able to visit all the home churches represented in our Fellowship to thank them for their support and covering. To see some pictures of our adventure visit: http://picasaweb.google.com/GordonArchPhoto/ChurchCrash2710#
We had a great Bible Study at the beautiful home of Norm Cooper Tuesday, February 2nd. We will be meeting the first Tuesday of each month at her home in Richmond. You can see some pictures of the study, fellowship and food (really GOOD food!) at: http://picasaweb.google.com/GordonArchPhoto/BibleStudy2210#
This past week we said good-bye to “Spider”. He visited us at Biker Church and was a neighbor of Olga and David’s, who performed the memorial service. It is a blessing to be able to offer comfort at the loss of a loved one; how much greater the blessing to know that loved one is with the Lord! We pray that you are prepared for the world to come and that you have acknowledged Christ as your Savior. All this is prologue. We are spiritual beings, destined for an eternity with God, IF we accept His free gift of salvation. http://picasaweb.google.com/GordonArchPhoto/Memorial?feat=directlink
We hope to see you this Sunday, 10:00 AM for Praise, Worship & Fellowship. This is a BYOBB&B Church: Bring your own Bible, Bike and Buddy.Remember, only God can turn an icehouse into His house!
Brother Richard
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12.2)
The Phillips translation says, “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold,” a vivid picture and excellent interpretation of what Paul really meant. If one is not alert and resisting its temptations, the world has the power to form and shape a person. It must be resisted!
In the previous verse, Paul says we need to sacrifice ourselves and strongly implies that such sacrifice involves pain. Babylon avoids suffering at all costs (Revelation 18:7)! If we fail to sacrifice ourselves, the world will have free sway and squeeze us into its mold. The world has an influence on the mind (called “the heart” in the Bible), on our emotions, and on our attitudes, and this influence ultimately shows in our conduct. Conduct begins with our attitudes, with our points of view, with our values, standards, and ideals. If those values, standards, and ideals contradict the way of God, we cannot resist the world’s constant pressure to squeeze us into its mold.
GOOD EXAMPLE:
The circuit rider was a preacher who traveled on horseback. He is a character of early American history. He came into prominence in the 1700’s with the coming of Francis Asbury from England. Upon arriving in America and finding most preachers settled in the cities, Asbury wrote, “My brethren seem unwilling to leave the cities, but I think I will show them the way.” As he traveled he became known as “The Prophet of the Long Road.” Never married, never owning a home, and never renting a room, Asbury rode more than 275,000 miles, preaching on the average a sermon a day for more than 50 years. He saw his church, the Methodist, grow from 6 preachers with 700 members to 700 preachers with 200,000 members. His motto was: “Live or die, I must ride,” and ride he did right up until the time of his death in the cabin home of George Arnold on March 31, 1816, in Spottsylvania, Virginia. –Robert Harris via The Circuit Rider newsletter.
Heavenly Father direct me to keep my attention on your work. In Jesus name, Amen
Let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2.5)
A sixteen-year-old girl got her driver’s license. Suddenly she knew how to drive! And that summer her family was going to go on a long trip together. So the day before they were leaving, she asked if she could wash the car. Get it all ready for the travels. It was a nice thought, of course. But all she wanted was a chance to drive the car.
So she opens the garage doors. It was a really small garage. Car barely squeezes in. Mom and Dad had told her so often: Make sure you check behind you when you back up! Be careful for anyone else who might be there!
So she gets in the car. She starts it. She steps on the brake, and slips the gear shift into reverse. She turns around and looks back to make sure there’s no one behind. She lets off the brake, and revs the engine. And, as she’s looking back, she turns the wheel! SCREECH! She proves the laws of physics! Two bodies of matter cannot occupy the same place at the same time! The left front fender is wrapped around the doorjamb on the garage! And what does she do? She jumps out of the car, crying and shouting: I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry! I’ll stay home! I won’t go on the vacation! If you do something wrong, you want to make amends. And part of making amends might have to do with giving up something significant to you.
What sacrifices are you making for God? When you do something wrong, what are YOU willing to give up? You don’t have to, grace and mercy cover that, but are YOU willing?
God of love, you have given so much to me. May I also give to help your kingdom grow. In Jesus name, Amen.
Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, all of you according to your ways, says the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise iniquity will be your ruin. (Ezekiel 18.30)
We need repentance in our lives. King Ahab fasts in repentance before God after he and Jezebel steal Naboth’s reputation, his life, and his property. The people of Nineveh fast in repentance to God after Jonah shouts his warning through the city streets. And fasting was even built into the regular rhythm of Israel’s life as a nation. There was the annual Day of Atonement. The whole nation fasted and prayed that day. There was a sense that we tend to flit through life too carelessly, without taking stock of the grit of sin that sticks to the soles of our feet, as the writer of Hebrews described it, the tether of evil that snags our hearts at inopportune moments.
Remember how Abraham Lincoln put it? The year was 1863. The Civil War ripped the nation’s belly. And Lincoln said this can’t be! Who are we?! What have we become as a nation?! And so, he called the people of this great nation together on Thursday, April 30, to spend the entire day in fasting and prayer. This is what Lincoln said in his official proclamation. He said: It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow… The awful calamity of civil war which now desolates the land may be but a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins… Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity, and too proud to pray to the God that made us. And the people humbled themselves before God in a day of fasting and of prayer.
Dear Lord, I repent of my wicked ways. In Jesus Name, Amen.
“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3)
Rodney Jones and Gerald Uelmen, in their book, SUPREME FOLLY, tell about Nancy Miller of Oroville, California who eagerly accepted an invitation to attend a “Neighborhood Watch” meeting at a neighbor’s home. Nancy was the victim of a recent burglary in which her TV set, Christmas stockings and a favorite dress had been stolen from a storage locker. As she sat calmly through the presentation by two police officers, she realized why she felt so much at home. Her television set was in a corner, and her stockings were hung by the fireplace. The clincher was that the hostess was wearing her dress. Nancy caught up with the officers outside, and told them what she had seen. They returned with a search warrant, and arrested the host and hostess after recovering $9,000 worth of stolen property. Score one for “Neighborhood Watch!”
Is this a crazy world or what? We laugh at the stupidity of some criminals, and yet we know that crime is nothing to laugh about. In many parts of our land people are becoming hostages in their own homes. Violent crime may be our most pressing social issue. If anyone has any solutions, I hope you will offer them to the rest of us.
An important aspect of this pressing issue of crime in our streets concerns our approach to treatment of those convicted of crimes. The public mood seems to be for longer and longer sentences and more executions. The amount of money we are spending on incarcerating criminals is really quite unbelievable. Is the money well spent? Who knows? What we do know is that many people released from prison return there at a later date. What are we to do? Each of us will have our own solutions. At the heart of this controversy, though, is a question that Christians must face sooner or later. The question is, can people change? Can we change for the better. The biblical answer is yes, people can change. Will we change our lives for the better to bear witness to the greatness of God?
Dear Lord, change me into your image, so that I can be a better witness for YOU. In Jesus Name, Amen.
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