Pastor’s Blog

Will You Grow?

Posted by SE7day on February 23, 2012

God wants us to grow in Him. Some call that a journey, perhaps a faith journey. We call it an adventure! Webster’s dictionary defines adventure as “an exciting or remarkable experience; an undertaking involving some unknown risks.” That is the essence of our faith in God!

Genesis says God created the world in six days. It was – and is – good. Created in God’s image, we too, are creators. “Creating” is what this adventure is about – creating a new and better future for our church and those it seeks to serve.

Stewardship is an opportunity for us to render back to God part of what God has provided. It is an act of gratitude, worship and discipleship. In fact, our stewardship of money and possessions is probably the most accurate measurement of who we are spiritually.

Will: This is a much different word than “can”. The word “can” implies ability, capacity or potential to grow. All of us can grow. The word “Will” implies a choice. That choice resides deep within us and is almost always directly linked with our walk (or adventure!) with Christ. Ultimately, it is impossible to honestly profess Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and be stingy.

YOU: This word puts the focus squarely on each individual. This is not a “what about them” emphasis, it is a “what about me” emphasis. It is not about someone else’s decision to grow – it is about my decision to grow.

GROW: This word addresses every person in the church, whether the most mature Christian, the largest giver, the smallest giver, the new convert and anyone else in the church family. One person might need to grow a lot more than another. That is left between the individual and God. The main emphasis is growth – however that might be measured in an individual’s life.

-Pastor J.M. Hurst

How To Have A Lasting iMpacT

Posted by SE7day on February 21, 2012

There are few in the world today that would say they don’t want to make a difference. Most people want to make a difference. Most people want to find an opportunity to impact others and have their lives count for something special. As humans we come to different times in our life when we ask our selves, “What has my life counted for?” Good question. An important question! God uses people to impact others. His desire for us is impact others for his glory. I believe the members of the Southeast Seventh-day Adventist Church are no different. Members of our church also want to make a difference.

Below are a few points that I hope will help you have a lasting iMpacT.

1. Be Faithful to Opportunity: Having a lasting impact often starts with the small things. It does not take a great opportunity to have a lasting or great impact. Lasting Impact results from being faithful to the opportunities right in front of us. Luke 16:10 “He who is faithful with little will be faithful with much.”

One positive Biblical Example is David in his encounter with Goliath. How does the story of David and Goliath begin? There was a Giant tormenting the army of Israel and David decided he would go out and beat the giant so that everyone would know that there is a God in Israel. NO!

Take a closer look at how the story begins in 1 Samuel 17:12-19.

12. Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul’s time he was old and well advanced in years. 13. Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. 14. David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, 15. but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 16. For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. 17. Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. 18. Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. 19. They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.”

David facing the Giant began with being faithful to what his dad told him to do.  ”Take this bread to your brothers and take this cheese to the commander.”

I call this the “Bread and Cheese Rule” Life is made up more of Bread and Cheese opportunities than of Giant slaying opportunities.

In order to have a lasting impact be faithful with the Bread and Cheese opportunity and other opportunities may present themselves.

2. Pursue a life of Integrity

In order to have a lasting impact, your public and private life should cohere.

The way I treat my wife at home in private should be match up with the way I treat her in public. or Who I am at church should cohere with who I am at work, at the gym or at the beach.

This point relates to our heart attitude of living an open and honest life.

One bad biblical example is the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law — Jesus was getting on the teachers of the law and the Pharisees for this all the time. The Pharisees had a place of prominence in the society and they taught one thing but did something else. Or they did the right thing but they did it for the wrong motive.

Matthew 23:25 says, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.”

Any positive impact we have will be suspect if over time we are continually doing a flip flop on what our values are.

This goes deeper than just me being compassionate at home and in public. Jesus focused his criticism of the Pharisees on their interior motives.

It is one thing to “act right” in all circles of life and quite another to deal with the interior motive behind our actions. The motive of greed, pride, self-indulgence must be dealt with if we are going to have a lasting impact.

To have a lasting impact we must pursue a life of integrity by allowing the Holy Spirit to convict us and change our interior motives.

3. Identify & Share God’s work in your life

Sharing God’s work is often called giving a testimony or sharing the gospel. One important thing to consider here is that it doesn’t have to be a big deal.

Honestly, I am a bit ashamed to say this but often times my tendency is to downplay or minimize God’s activity in my life.

Why is that so hard for me?

I’m not sure but it is something that God is working on with me.

I am ashamed that I seem to find a way in certain circumstances to minimize God’s work in my life.

In order to have a lasting impact it is critical to take time to identify God’s work and then find opportunity to share what God has been up to in our lives.

Conclusion

Now that you have finished reading this please take time and consider

What are the small simple opportunities that I have in my life to be faithful to pray for or encourage others?

Are you living openly and honestly? Remember your impact with be hindered if you are not pursuing integrity.

Are you minimizing God’s work in your life? Find some time to share with someone what God is up to in your life.

 

-Pastor Jerome M. Hurst

Making An iMpacT! R U?

Posted by SE7day on January 25, 2012

The Barna Group released a report revealing that 75% of adults believe that churches have a positive impact on their local communities. This sounds like good news, right? So why is it that church membership is dwindling? It seems that people would want to take part in this positive influence of the community around them.

Here’s the thing … the next question asked was:

Many churches and faith leaders want to contribute positively to the common good of their community. What does your community need, if anything, that you feel churches could provide?

Many adults had no idea how churches could contribute – even though they had previously said the presence of a church was a positive addition to the community. Here were the other results:

  • Addressing poverty 29%
  • Teaching the Bible and giving spiritual direction 12%
  • Serving youth, families, & the elderly 13%
  • Cultivating biblical values 14%
  • Assist those in recovery 10%
  • Assist with financial or career education 7%
  • Be inclusive and accepting 3%
  • Be engaged politically 1%

What this report really reveals is that although people are not hostile toward churches, they really don’t see how the local church plays an active role in its community. This is particularly true when churches are located in an area with very little poverty.

But the gospel message is about transformation … that in Christ we are a new creation, full of hope and joy. We live full and abundant lives because of a greater purpose. So if the gospel message is about transforming lives, then shouldn’t our churches be transforming their local communities?

It seems there are a couple of things our churches can learn from this report. Just what can we do to make sure our church have a positive impact on our local community?

Have a public face.

Show up at community events. All too often we do most of our work inside the church building with church members. We don’t see the need to attend the local parade, community fair, chamber of commerce, town meetings. Because the church has largely been absent from these community events, it’s difficult to understand how the church and community connect.

If the church is part of the community, then the church should be active in the community. Church leaders and members should be the human face of the church. When people think of the church, there should be people that come to mind.

Build relationships outside the church.

I think a lot of people in the community have misconceptions about the church. Although most people think the church is a positive thing, many don’t see the need to be personally committed to a church. There could be many reasons for this. Maybe they are too busy. Or maybe they aren’t sure the church has anything to offer them – after all, the church is there for the poor and the downtrodden, not the mainstream, right? Or maybe they’ve had a bad experience at a church – felt unwelcome, judged, kicked out.

Regardless of the reason, it’s unlikely that they have a real relationship with someone who is active in a church community. When we build relationships with people outside of the church, we begin to walk in their shoes – and they in ours. They begin to see how church has a positive effect on our lives – and maybe how it could have a positive effect in theirs.

Is our church active in the local community? Are we really making an impact?  When someone from the community thinks about Southeast does your face come into view? Are you making an impact through the ministries of the church?

 

-Jerome M. Hurst, Senior Pastor

Praylessness is Sin

Posted by SE7day on January 20, 2012
What is our prayer life like? Do we throw up an occasional prayer as things arise, or do we have a time set apart daily for spending time with the Lord in prayer? In 1 Samuel 12 Israel had demanded a king from Samuel, who had rule over them as one of the judges of Israel. They wanted to be like the other nations. Samuel told them that in so doing they had rejected God as their king. Nevertheless, God was going to give them their king. He says, “God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you.” In saying this he is saying clearly that it is a sin for us not to pray. Let me share a few reasons why prayerlessness is a sin.

Prayerlessness does those around us a disservice (1 Samuel 12:23). Even in their rebellious state Samuel would have been doing them a disservice not to continue to pray for them. We, likewise, are doing those around us a disservice when we fail to pray for them. On the other hand, you are doing a great service to those around you when you consistently lift them up in prayer. Those surrounding you are in desperate need of your prayers.

Paul urges that prayers should be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Are we praying for our leaders? We have no right to ever complain about our leaders if we have not been consistently praying for them. What about your pastor? He needs your prayers. Pastors often fight major spiritual battles as your spiritual leader. They need your prayers.

Prayerlessness is disobedience (1 Thessalonians 5:17; Luke 18:1; Matthew 6:6). We are commanded to pray. Failure to pray is disobedience. If you do have a consistent prayer life you should be encouraged that you are obeying God.

Prayerlessness reveals our unwillingness to let God work in our life (Luke22:41-44). Jesus, in the flesh, did not want to go to the cross. He wrestled with the Father in fervent prayer and surrendered to His will. It’s in prayer that we allow God to mess in our lives. Not to pray is a refusal to let Him work in our life. When we have a consistent prayer life we are constantly giving Him the opportunity to work in our life. It’s only then surrender takes place.

Prayerlessness is negligence of a divine privilege purchased at a great price (Hebrews 4:14-16; 10:19-20). When Jesus went to the cross, suffered and died, the veil of the temple was ripped into. This signified there would never again be anything keeping man out of God’s presence when we come to Him through Jesus. Not to spend time with God in prayer is to neglect this divine privilege. When we consistently spend time with the Father in prayer we are taking advantage of this great privilege of entering God’s presence (Romans 5:2). Let’s utilize this precious privilege purchased for us on Calvary.

Prayerlessness demonstrates our independence (John 15:5). Not spending time with God in prayer demonstrates we think we can handle things on our own. Spending time with Him in prayer shows we are completely dependent Him. Apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5).

Prayerlessness reveals our unbelief (Romans 10:14a; Hebrews 11:6). If you knew for certain that if you asked God for something you’d get it, wouldn’t you pray? Not to spend time in prayer reveals we are not really convinced He will answer our prayers. We all struggle with unbelief, but going to God in daily prayer shows a degree of faith or we wouldn’t be praying. Let’s go boldly before the throne of grace saying, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24).

Prayerlessness opens the door for other sins (Luke 22:40; Matthew 6:13). Jesus commanded us to pray that we would not be tempted. Not to pray leaves us wide open to temptation and failure. We all experience times of temptation. Regular times, alone with God in prayer, minimizes temptation and failure. I wonder if things would have been different if the disciples would had been praying instead of sleeping (Luke 22:30-46)

Prayerlessness hinders revival (Acts 1:14; 3:1). In the upper room the hundred and twenty prayed for seven straight days before the Holy Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost. The result was 3,000 people were saved. Peter and John were on their way to pray at the temple when a lame man was healed and 2,000 were saved. Not to pray hinders revival, but constant concerted praying ushers in revival.

Prayerlessness proves God isn’t first in our life (Matthew 6:22, 24, 33; 1 John 5:21; James 4:2-5). God demands to be number one in our life. Failure to spend regular times with Him in prayer reveals He isn’t first in our life. However, if we are praying regularly, this proves we are at least attempting to put Him first in our lives. Let’s commit ourselves to spending daily time with God in Prayer.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive me for my lack of prayer. Give me the desire, commitment and discipline to seek you daily in prayer, thus putting you first in my life.

–Pastor J. M. Hurst

Sharing Jesus Begins With Prayer

Posted by SE7day on January 15, 2012

“Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38.

Prayer is the first ingredient of an authentic life with God. Not only is prayer important for our own relationship with God, it is the first step, the foundation of our sharing with others. Through prayer, God causes the seeds that people plant in others’ lives to grow (1 Cor. 3:6-7).

There are many reasons to pray. First of all, we pray because Jesus prayed. Jesus serves as our main example when we are learning to share God with others. As we look at Jesus’ life we see that he prayed frequently (Matt. 14:23; 26:36; Mark 6:46; Luke 5:16; John 17). Another reason to pray is that God allows us to influence Him with our prayers. God listens and responds when we pray. You can actually influence God with your prayers. 2 Kings 20:1-7 tells the story of King Hezekiah. He asked God to spare His life and God responded by allowing him to live for 15 more years.

Just like Hezekiah’s prayer, our prayers make a difference. We have influence with God and He moves when we pray. We can help lead people to eternal life.

What should you pray for? Pray for more people to witness. Jesus specifically asked you to pray to the Father and ask Him to send workers into the field (Matt. 9:37-38). What is the field? It is the world of sinners. Who are the workers? They are people like you. Jesus wants people to find salvation and enjoy eternal fellowship with Him. He wants you to preach the Gospel. He has given the command “Go therefore and make disciples of all the na-tions…” (Matt. 28:19). Your witness for God may or may not be verbal. But either way, you need to pray and ask God to give you strength, love, and insight.

Pastor Hurst prays with Praisefest attendee

Pray for compassion for the lost. Compassion is a necessary element in witnessing. It motivates you to speak, to teach, and to pray for others to come into the kingdom of God. Compassion helps you to cry over the lost and to come to God in humble re-quest for their salvation. Paul said, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and by prayer to God for them is for their salvation.

Pray for the desire to witness. Pray this regularly and watch the Lord change you and give you a de-sire to reach out and tell people about Jesus. God will grant your prayers and joy will fill your heart as you fulfill the command of God by witnessing.

Pray to the Lord to bind Satan and his angels. There is a hierarchy of demons seeking to hinder your witness and steal the seeds of the Gospel that you plant. You cannot fight spirits with reason or flesh and blood, but you can ask the Lord to fight. With prayer you can assault the camp of the enemy and weaken his false kingdom. Prayer is a mighty tool, a powerful tool. You need it if you are going to witness.

Pray for your needs. Do you have a close walk with God? Do you need a deeper fellowship with Him? Do you have sins you need to confess and forsake? If so, then pray. Enjoy your privilege of coming to the Creator of the universe who meets your every need. He loves you. He wants to hear from you and He wants you to make your needs know to Him. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6).

Prayer is a privilege. It is a powerful tool. With-out it you will be a foolish worker in the fields of the dead. Pray and ask the Lord of the harvest to raise the dead to life. Bend your knees in fellowship with your Lord. Let Him wash you in His presence and fill you with the Holy Spirit. Prayer is where you meet Him. Prayer is where you are shaped. Pray

Are You Ready for the Wonders?

Posted by SE7day on January 14, 2012

Are You Ready for the Wonders?

Moses has died. In fact, for the past forty years, everyone over 20 has died in the wilderness. The only two over 20 to still be alive are Joshua and Caleb. Joshua is God’s appointed and anointed leader now. Joshua is a man of prayer. Earlier in his life, Joshua lingered in the taber-nacle long after Moses had finished praying and talking with God. Could it be that Joshua knew that he needed to be spiritually prepared for this day. In

Joshua 3:1-5, we find Joshua setting the precedent for experiencing the wonders God has prepared for Israel. We can apply these principles and see God’s wonders!

#1 Prayer!

Joshua rose early in the morning. Could this be his prayer time? I believe it could be. Prayer is vital to the life of the born-again Christian. Just as you cannot live without blood or water in your body, neither can you survive without prayer.

You cannot replace the purpose or power of prayer with programs or pro-motions and still experience the wonders! Prayer produces power and power produces the demonstration of the Spirit of God.

#2 Perspective!

Joshua told Israel to “remove from your place.” This phrase means in the Hebrew, “Change the Way You Think.” “You cannot go with God and stay where you are.” ~ Henry T. Blackaby Change your perspective – remove from your place and go after God!

#3 Preparation!

Joshua rounds out his words to Israel by saying, “sanctify yourselves” which means “to dedicate; to prepare.” You’ve to got prepare yourself to receive what God wants to do. If you’re going to pray for rain, be sure to plow your fields expecting the rain to come! Joshua proclaimed, “the Lord WILL do wonders among you!” It’s not maybe. GOD WILL

If So, Are You Ready for the WONDERS?

The pH Test – What’s in Your Soil? Why Test Soil?

Posted by SE7day on January 1, 2012

For a better harvest for the Kingdom, it’s best to start with a soil test. Testing your soil allows you to: Be prepared for the various plants that will need to be planted in your garden. A pH test, for example, determines how acidic/alkaline your soil is.

Remedy your soil problems by determining what key elements are missing from your soil. Nutrients-the Holy Spirit, regular Bible study and prayer and fasting are all needed for plant growth, color, and blooming.

Worship services, classes and events at Southeast will also test your soil sample for pH and nutrient levels. Southeast provides the Word of God by which to measure your soil pH levels against an to answer questions about your garden, where you live and the plants God will likely want you to grow. The soil analysis usually takes an open and receptive heart to work properly. The analysis includes detailed results and suggested amendments specific to your areas of growth.

 

How to Test Soil

You will need:

  • The Bible (the bucket)
  • The Holy Spirit (the trowel)
  • Faith

Steps:

  • - Thoroughly examine your heart to make sure that Faith is present among the tools you are using.
  • - The Holy Spirit serves as the trowel to dig deep to get the best sample of your soil.
  • - Collect samples from different areas of your life (i.e., job, home, school, family, etc.).
  • - Take those samples and place it next to the Word of God (the bucket). Repeat the process for all areas.

Helpful Hints:

The best time to test your soil is each day. This enables you to make regular adjustments as you plant your garden, since soil corrections can take time to become effective.

You may want to check your soil more than once to verify your results.

What Are the Results and How Do You Correct Them?

High levels of Temptation: Add 1 Corinthians 10:13, James 4:7-8; 1 John 1:8-10

Low levels of Joy: Use Psalm 97:11, Psalm 126, Psalm 30

Low levels of Self-esteem: Mix in Psalm 139

High levels of Debt and Financial Stress: Apply Matthew 6:33; Psalm 23; Deuteron-omy 8:18; Malachi 3:10-12

Low levels of Mental and/or Physical Health: 3 John 1:12

It’s Go Time!

Posted by SE7day on

Christians I declare It’s GO time! It’s time to stop sitting still and GO to work!

Mark 16:15 – And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

What are the first 2 letters of the gospel? GO! Nothing happens until we go!

Nowhere does the Bible command the lost to come to church. We are to go and bring them in.

John 15:16 – Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should GO and bring forth fruit…

Luke 15:4 – What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and GO after that which is lost, until he find it?

God is blessing us here at Southeast, and it‟s high time each of us become more intentional in sharing those blessings with our family, friends, and community. It is time for US to GO and Invite Them.

Luke 14:16 A certain man made a great supper, and bade (invited) many’’

Let‟s GO get them! Let‟s GO out where they are and bring them in where we are.

This is the greatest business in the entire world…Going in the name of Jesus!

It is quite obvious that Satan has had great success in getting Christians to be perfectly satisfied with the humdrum routine of going to church, taking part in the formalities of the services, and thinking they are pleasing God; but they are really dead spiritually.

Surely the only answer is to get back to the basics of going after people, and carrying out the Great Commission.

 

It’s Go Time!
Let’s GO Invite them to Come FLOW With Us….

 

Jerome M. Hurst, Senior Pastor

 

Good News In Bad Economic Times

Posted by SE7day on December 1, 2011

The financial crisis in our country deepens. Just when you thought your retirement accounts couldn‘t get any lower they drop again. Just when you were hoping that this year we might come out of the recession that we are in, the Federal Reserve predicts that the economy will shrink more this year, unemployment will rise to 8.3 percent and the housing crisis will worsen.

If their predications weren‘t gloomy enough an AP article on MSNBC.com on February 18th stated: ―Still, given all the economy‘s problems, there are risks that the Fed‘s forecasts could turn out to be too optimistic. And a few Fed officials — none are identified — feared that it could take five or six years for the economy and employment to get back into a sustainable mode of health.

That is bad news. But Is there any good news in this economic crisis? The answer is yes! I don‘t want to minimize in any way the economic hardship that the greed of others has brought on people‘s lives. But there is good news in the bad news. The good news doesn‘t come from Wall Street, it comes from God‘s Word. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Even this economic crisis has been allowed by God for good purposes. What could they be? I believe one reason is to create in those without Christ a hunger for the eternal treasures of heaven. Historically, it has been during hard economic times that there has been an increase in church attendance and people seeking Christ as their savior. In fact, in the last couple of weeks I have had some great opportunities to share Christ as a result of a conversation about the economic crisis. Pray that out of these bleak financial times that God would awaken peoples‘ hearts to their need of Him and when they come though our church doors let‘s make sure that they feel welcomed and at home.

Secondly, the economic collapse is good for us be-cause it causes us to re-evaluate what is truly valu-able in life and to reorder the price tags of our lives. Start by thanking God for what you have; your health, your families, your friends and co-workers, your church and most importantly a Heavenly Father that knows your needs and has promised to meet your needs and care for you.

Thirdly, It is a time to grow closer to God to by spending extra time with Him in His Word to find the strength, wisdom and encouragement that we need to help others through these difficult times. Here is a great place to start: Spend some time each day meditating on the following promises that I found in an article by Rick Warren entitled: ―25 Promises From The Bible For Financially Tough Days. When you go through tough times, God promises:

1. To care for you – Matt. 6:28-30
2. To provide For You – Matt. 6:31
3. To help you deal with what happens that day –Matt. 6:34
4. To give you rest. To lift you up – 1 Peter 5:6-7
6. To give you peace – Phil. 4:6-7
7. To give you real treasure – Matt. 6:19-21
8. To grow your faith – James 1:2-4
9. To give strength whatever the financial situation – Phil. 4:12-13
10. To meet your needs – Phil. 4:19
11. To protect you from fear – Psalm 46:1-est – Matt. 11:28
12. To bless those who bless others – Prov. 11:25
13. To work for your good – Rom. 8:28
14. To give you something to look forward to -1 Cor. 2:9
15. To answer your prayers – Matt. 7:7-8
16. To comfort you, and comfort others through you – 2 Cor. 1:3-4
17. To bring joy – Psalm 126:5
18. To give you the desires of your heart –Psalm 37:4
19. To reward your faith – Matt. 17:20
20. To reward your patience – Gal. 6:9
21. To give to those who give – Lk. 6:38
22. To direct your decisions – Prov. 3:5-6
23. To give you wisdom – James 1:5
24. To renew your strength – Isa. 40:31
25. To be with you – Isa. 43:2-3

These may be dark times financially but our future is a bright as the promises of God!