It’s Good to Be Reminded:

Sorry I’m behind of blogs but I had the joy of speaking to youth pastors for Paul Hinzman (Illinois District Youth Director) at a meeting in Carlinville, Illinois a few weeks ago and here’s what I shared. To all my sons and daughters please know you are loved, believed in and prayed for!

Here are some things that are good to be reminded of that I hope gives you some strength & encouragement.

Always good to be reminded that faithfulness produces results.
One of the works (fruit) of the HS is faithfulness (see Gal. 5:22-23) and you know a life verse of mine is Hebrews 10:36 “But you have need of endurance so that after you have done the will of God you may obtain the promise.” There is a Living Bible verse that says, “Steady plodding brings prosperity.” There may be lots of ‘talent’ things I cannot do, but I can be faithful—and so can you.

I heard Dr. CM Ward say one time that all it takes for a miracle to happen is to “just show up.” He was talking about the children of Israel and the miracle of multiplication that took place every day with the quail and manna and all they needed to do for the miracle to take place was to just show up and gather it in.

Missionary Karla Weise told Bonnie and I a story about a woman who prophesied over her in the days when her husband Paul planted a great church in Batavia, Illinois. The lady said it takes more faith to endure than overcome. Wow, that is a great word! Sometimes being faithful seems very unspiritual but I need to remind you it is the stuff that produces great results!

Our former Illinois Superintendent (Bishop) Ernest Moen used to say what it takes to produce a fruitful work is to “Preach, pray & plug away.” Certainly we are all tempted to quit but the rewards of faithfulness & longevity are so great! The old adage says, a great oak tree is just a little nut that stood its ground!

Always good to be reminded of our calling & words God has given us
For me I have to visit a vision God gave me at youth camp after I graduated from high school to keep the call of God fresh in my life. When I first came to Stone Creek the Lord gave me some great promises in Zech. 4:10, Joel 2:25, Haggai 2:9-10, Ezk. 36:11. You have to get some words for your life and ministry and then remind yourself of them regularly!

When the Lord first called me as a teenager He made John 15:16 and 1 Thess. 5:24 so real. I re-visit them ALL THE TIME to stay fresh. There are times when I’m discouraged that these verses are my life-line. Sometimes in prayer I say to the Lord, “I love you & you're stuck with me.” He is a father to me and somehow I make it another day—and so can you.

Always good to be reminded that we serve a supernatural God who still does supernatural things
Heb. 13:8 says “Jesus Chrst is the same yesterday, today and forever.” In January of 1970 I was healed of about an inch spot of tuberculosis—He supernaturally did that for me—and He will do the same for you. When I came to Urbana the second Sunday of April 1988 the Lord gave us our first salvation here on May 1—a cute little teenager who is now married and still in the church with her family! It took us nine months to break the 100 attendance barrier—it was so exciting! The church was a financial mess and some people began to give literally thousands of dollars at a time! It was all supernatural for me/us.

I want to remind you that the God you serve is supernatural and still does supernatural things. In Ex. 12 He supernaturally led Israel out of Egypt. And remember when God enabled Elijah to supernaturally outrun Ahab’s chariot! Supernaturally our God parted the Red Sea and supernaturally the walls of Jericho fell flat! And supernaturally the Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead!

When I was a youth pastor in Central Illinois God supernaturally gave me a burden to pray everyday for missionaries David & Julie Leatherberry. I have tried to be faithful to this all these years. If you know the Leatherberrys or have read their book "Afghanistan My Tears" you know how God has so supernaturally moved in their lives. This includes waking up in the middle of night and having a breakthrough for David in learning the Pashtun language! He says God helped him supernaturally!

Whatever situation you are in I want to remind you that God will do supernatural things for you! He will.

Always good to be reminded that it’s all about relationships (relational theology).
"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching" Heb. 10:25.

"Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled" Titus 2:5 .

"Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction" 2 Timothy 4:2.

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing" 1 Thess. 5:11.

I want to remind you that what we are doing is all about relationships—right relationships. Whatever network you are a part of it is your calling to partner with others. The Apostle Paul talked about partnering with others all the time! Being a part of a denomination or church fellowship is like being married—there are things you have to do not because you want to (like vacationing with your mother-in-law) but you do it because you are committed to your marriage relationship.

When you are committed to relational theology you spend time and money to be a part of meetings and programs (even if they are sometimes like vacationing with your mother-in-law!). I am speaking prophetically to my spiritual sons and daughters now. I must remind you to not be a hypocrite! I know that is strong but I speak with love in my heart for you life, ministry and future.

You want people to participate in your program but you are not faithful to participate in the programs and meetings of the network God has put you in. Remember, we reap what we sow. I am convinced the next step for some of you is to practice relational theology and not just preach about it. Selah.

Love you and want the best for you—really. Papa G.