Monterey Baptist Church, Lubbock

Preparation

2011-08-03T14:13:00.002-05:00

Hunting season is right around the corner with dove season coming the first of September and archery season for deer October 1. Many hunters are getting things ready like setting up feeders, cameras, and blinds. Its amazing how much prep work goes into trying to find and attract deer to a particular area.
I often wonder if we as Christians would spend more prep time getting ready for everyday life if we would be better witnesses of the power of the resurrection of Christ? What are some things that you do to prep spiritually?

2011-02-09T11:22:00.001-06:00

Alexander Papaderos was once asked at a university lecture, “What is the meaning of life?” He fished out a small round mirror from his wallet and he began to tell a story from his childhood. He was a small child in a poor, remote village during World War II. One day while playing he discovered the pieces of a broken mirror from a German motorcycle. He attempted to put the mirror back together, but it was impossible. So he kept the largest piece. He went on to say:

“ I began to play with it as a boy and became fascinated by that fact that I could reflect light into dark places where the sun would never shine—in deep holes and crevices and dark closets. It became a game for me to get light into the most inaccessible places I could find. I kept the little mirror, and as I went about my growing up, I would take it out in idle moments and continue the challenge of the game. As I became a man, I grew to understand that this was not just a child’s game, but a metaphor for what I might do with my life. I came to understand that I am not the light or the source of the light. But light…is there, it will only shine in many dark places if I reflect it.”

What an amazing description of what we called to do!!

Looking into the Mirror

2011-01-12T08:58:00.004-06:00

Mirrors are fascinating objects. With a piece of glass and liquid silver, two ordinary things become an extraordinary object that reveals and reflects.

Painfully, it can reveal not only our physical faults, but it can also reveal many of our hidden faults. Faults that we feel disqualify us, or separate us from the grace of Christ. Yet, Paul is very clear in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that Christ's strength and glory are revealed in our weaknesses. I take that to mean if I can do it on my own, it doesn't tend to bring God glory. But if I live for Christ with my faults and let him make corrections were needed, he gets the glory!

Dramatically, when we are living in righteousness with God we can reflect the love and mercy and grace of Christ for others to see. Yeah, they will point out our weaknesses, yet the power of God will be undeniable.

Take a look into the mirror!

How do you define "Faith"?

2010-11-30T09:26:00.003-06:00

How do you define the word "faith"? Have you ever thought about the way you define "faith" reveals for more about your Christianity than any other spiritual marker? For many in the American church, "faith" is defined as a set of right beliefs and right practices. "Faith" is measured by external markers such as church attendance and church giving. Faith is about a correct set of answers.
But what if we were define "faith" as the desire for a total life chasing after God and a desire to make God famous with love to others in Christ's name? How would you measure up to that "faith"? "Faith" then becomes not a practice of the mind (like a trivia game with rewards for right answers), but a journey of the heart and soul. It is measured by the reflection of your faith in the lives of others. Does that reflection look like Christ?

Do Something

2010-10-06T10:18:00.002-05:00

Erwin McManus in his book Chasing Daylight spends a great deal of time challenging believers to just do something. Often times, we become paralyzed trying to figure out what God wants us to do when God is waiting for us to do what we already know.
This is illustrated by the incredible rescue of an abducted girl in California yesterday by a man who recognized the pickup from a news report. Rather than waiting around, he did something and rescued the girl. Read the story here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39533885/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

Why don't you just do something right today?

A Time To Pray

2010-09-24T08:43:00.002-05:00

This past Wednesday, our students and adults met at school flagpoles to pray. What did we pray for? Change. Change of hearts; change of minds. We asked God to reveal himself. But hopefully the reality has set in that a one time prayer at one time a year event is not sufficient.
The challenge is to pray daily for change. Not a cursory prayer over dinner or before bedtime, but dedicated moments through the day when we beg and plead with God for change. The time is now!!

A Change of Attitude

2010-08-17T09:29:00.002-05:00

What do you do about a bad attitude? I mean, when everything just seems to stink and you are having a tough time finding anything positive to say, what do you do?
First, you have to identify why you have that attitude in the first place. Is it from a lack of rest, a lack of communication/communion with God, or a spiritual battle in your life? Second, once you identify where the attitude is coming from, take steps to correct it. Get some rest, spend time with God, find someone you trust to talk to. Third, when all else fails, read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Take time and name 5 things you are thankful for.

2010-07-08T11:27:00.004-05:00

Wow! I had a great trip to Illinois to see my family, but glad to get back to Lubbock. I am looking forward to July 19-22nd when I, along with 3 other sponsors will be taking some of our children to Camp Xtreme! We are going to have so much fun while learning how we are to "Chase the Light." Please be in prayer for children as well as the adult sponsors who will be going to Plains Baptist Assembly. Pray that God would begin preparing each of us for the experience that camp brings and that we would be realize what He was trying to teach us. Pray for the Camp Pastor, Worship Leader, and Rec Team that leads the camp, and the other 400+ people who will be there! I am expecting it to be a great week.

When Do I share My Faith?

2010-06-15T16:34:00.003-05:00

At what point in your spiritual journey should you start sharing your faith with others? When is full disclosure about your relationship with Christ appropriate to tell others? The answer is really simple: RIGHT NOW!!
Instead of waiting to mature, simply share what you know right now. What has God done for you? How do you know God is at work? What difference has God made in your life? These are questions that others are looking for answers to and you don't have to a Christian for a long time to answer these questions. Simply share what you know!!

Man Made Excitement vs. God Made Excitement

2010-05-25T14:37:00.005-05:00

We live in an entertainment driven society. Everything that is developed nowadays is geared to stimulate the senses of the human body. What seems to spur growth, cause synergy, and facilitate change is EXCITEMENT!!
We want to be part of something exciting...we want to see exciting things happen...we dream of having excitement in our life. Listen to some peoples' complaints: "My _____________ (fill in the blank) is boring." So they try to make things exciting on their own; whether that be a change in marriage partners, a job, a hobby, and/or their church affiliation.
You know, it would be easy to succumb to the pressure to try to make an exciting atmosphere each and every week in our ministry. Yet the simple truth is: when people see God at work, there is no better excitement. We should pray, long for, and anticipate God doing what only God can do in our midst and rejoice at his work and his invitation to be fellow workers with him. It is an excitement that lasts, preaches, and changes!! It provides a compelling testimony that God is still alive and at work.
Therefore, we attempt to help connect people to God, Godly people to lost people, and believers and friends to each other. And then watch what God does!!

Radical

2010-05-17T11:22:00.002-05:00

I am in the process of reading a book by David Platt called Radical. Needless to say, the book fits the title. This morning while I was reading, the question came to mind: "What am I doing or what is my church doing that can be explained that it is the work of God and not based on my abilities?"
It is interesting to think about. Because if God is doing and I'm not, I can't package it and sell it. Heck, it is even difficult to transfer to another situation. What is happening that can only be explained that God is at work?

Are You Someone that Others Want to be Like?

2010-04-28T10:34:00.005-05:00

This is a great blog entry by Blake Coffee. Check it out:

http://churchwhisperer.com/2010/04/20/making-new-friendsare-we-ready-for-that/

What a powerful thought.

Anticipation

2010-04-26T09:46:00.000-05:00

Have you ever looked forward to an event, a place, a family gathering, a vacation, or just something you anticipate is going to be incredible? What do you do to prepare for it? I'm one that really likes to plan ahead. I'll start setting stuff aside to pack a couple of weeks out (until Amber makes me put it back and wait!!) and then run a checklist in my mind daily of all the stuff I don't want to forget. The only problem is that I tend to overlook the things I need to get done then that will affect the trip if I have to stay and get them done.
I hope you have a huge expectation of what God is doing in our church; however, there are things we have to plant today if we want to harvest them tomorrow. Be faithful to plants the seeds of invitations, the gospel, kindness, compassion, etc. so that you can harvest a spiritual bounty the days ahead. Don't look back and wish you had done today what you desire God to do tomorrow!!

Interceding for Our 4xFour

2010-04-14T08:41:00.000-05:00

What have you been praying for in the lives of the people you have identified on your 4xFour list? One of the easiest ways to pray if you have not recieved a specific request from your friend is imagining better circumstances for them. For example, if their marriage is struggling, begin imagining what a better marriage would look like and then pray towards that. Its amazing how our imagination can be a useful tool in praying towards God's will.

Praying in Participation with God

2010-04-07T08:28:00.000-05:00

Our college group studied Numbers 14 Monday night and tried to wrestle with the implied/suggested thought that Moses was able to change God's mind. I don't want to get into the whole Open Theism discussion because I firmly believe the transcendent God knows all things from beginning to end. But, you have to wrestle with what is the purpose of Numbers 14?
Throughout the New Testament, we are called God's fellow workers. What does this mean for our prayers? Jesus told us that we are to pray for God's will to be done. Since God allows us to work alongside him in bringing about his kingdom and will, shouldn't our prayers also be in participation with what he is doing? Mose's prayed toward God's intended & original purpose with the Israelites...God wanted to make them a great nation by his power and might and let it be a declaration of his glory and power. Praying in participation with God is praying toward God's intended purpose & glory.

To pray is to change.

2010-04-05T08:23:00.000-05:00

Richard Foster in his book Celebration of Discipline states that "to pray is to change." What does he mean? In short, when we pray, we should become so attuned to what God wants that it changes our desires, passions, and plans towards God's will. The best example I can think of is when Jesus was praying in the Garden before his arrest. He asked God if there was another way, another plan that would accomplish God's glory and renown. Yet, in the end analysis, Jesus changed his mind to God's plan. Do your prayers change you?

2010-03-31T10:47:00.000-05:00

One of our local billboards advertises that they want you to have "savings, not sacrifice." The idea they have is for people to save money but not sacrafice what they are doing or what they love in order to feel the pinch of saving. Unfortunately, this could be the common theme among many Christians. We want the salvation that Jesus offers, but we don't want sacrifice our personal dreams, efforts, time, or resources that a true commitment to Christ requires. When Zaccheus was convicted of his lifestyle, he offered half of what he owned to take care of the down and out and offered to repay anyone he cheated four times back the amount he took. Jesus announced to the crowd that salvation had come to Zaccheus. He got it. Saving involves sacrifice.

A Reason to Celebrate

2010-03-24T12:58:00.000-05:00

Have you noticed that it seems everyday is becoming a reason to celebrate different events or items? For example, March 20 is "Want You Be My Neighbor Day" while March 31 is "Bunsen Burner Day." For whatever reason, people are looking for opportunities to celebrate.
If you really take a moment to think about it, everyday is a reason to celebrate. We should celebrate that we serve a risen God, a close God, a holy God. We have lots to celebrate about our Christian faith and it shouldn't be limited to just a few days a year. So celebrate!!

College Students to Beach Reach

2010-03-12T08:52:00.000-06:00

The Catalyst College Group from Monterey Baptist Church is leaving today to go spend the week in South Padre Island. We will be helping the group from FBC, Plains cook pancakes for the college students who will be vacationing there. Pray for our travel, but most of all, pray that we will be ready to share about our faith and be humble as we serve our peers.

The Power of the Invite

2010-02-03T07:53:00.001-06:00

Have you ever wanted to go to something, an event or a place, and all you were waiting for was an invite? Or maybe just out of the clear blue, somebody invited you to something unexpected? Do you recall what you felt? Did you feel honored, confused, trepidation, excited, or something else? A whole range of emotions can come to the surface depending on the invite.
We have to understand that our friends feel the same emotions. They may be fearful of going to a "church event" or they may be honored to be invited to your home for a party. As we participate in 4xFour, hopefully you have learned that evangelism is just as much a process as it is a one time event.
We want to encourage you to keep identifying, interceding, investing, and inviting in our community. The power of the invite can change the world!

2010-02-02T14:01:00.000-06:00

What a fantastic day of worship last Sunday--God poured out His Spirit is a mighty way. I am so thankful for the sweet spirit of unity at MBC and the open arms the fellowship demonstrates each day. Come join us for a time of Discipleship and Worship. To the Sovereign God be all praise and glory.

Welcome from the Staff of MBC

2010-02-01T10:49:00.000-06:00

Welcome to our new blog. This will be a place where we share devotional thoughts, dreams, visions, and random thoughts about the ministry of Monterey Baptist Church. Grab a cup of coffee, have a seat, and join us in our ramblings!!