He Began a Good Work

Our little red brick building on West Commerce may not
look like much, but God has done amazing things to bring
us this far, and He has far greater things in store
for our future

Everyday I wake up thinking the same thing... "We have to reach more people."

In 2007, God called me to uproot my family from East Texas, and move to the West Central Texas town of Brownwood to start a new church. I felt funny explaining my calling to potential employers and contacts in Brownwood, because anyone who has been there knows there is a Baptist church on just about every corner. Still, God compelled my wife and I to move to Brownwood and begin ministering to the community.

What we learned upon arriving in Brownwood is that, despite the best efforts of some of the best churches around, there are still lost people in Brownwood who need the Lord, who are receptive to His word.

From the moment we moved to town, God has guided every step. He led us to our first visitors (our neighbors). He led us to the first place we held worship services (Brownwood Apartments Phase II Community Room). He led us to our first members. He guided my secular employment in ways that have raised Grace Pointe's visibility in Brownwood. Every step of the way, God has been there.

So here we are, 4 1/2 years after arriving in Brownwood. I've gone from just a new resident, to news director for the #1 radio station in town (KOXE 101.3 FM), where I also get to host a Sunday morning program about Jesus. Furthermore, Grace Pointe has a solid group of core members. Our youth ministry is going strong, and there is a good spirit among the members.

The Brownwood Apts. Phase II community room,
Where it all started

Yet, everyday, I wake up concerned... I am concerned about the health of the church, and I am concerned that we are not reaching enough people. Then, the other day, while reading my Bible at Riverside Park, it hit me. I didn't wake up one morning in East Texas and decide to move to Brownwood to start a church. God called me to Brownwood, shortly after Sunday morning services at Denson Springs MBC in Slocum, Texas. Not only did He call me, he confirmed that calling through things that happened with some of our ministries there, and through conversations with church members. And just to let me know that Denson Springs would be okay after I resigned the pastorate there, God added many people to that church right after I left. Once in Brownwood, He took over, and made things happen.

God is in control of things, and He reminded me of that this week. He has great things in store for Grace Pointe, and He is bringing those things about right now. All we have to do is keep moving forward, trusting Him, and following His lead.

Philippians 1:6 - Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Highlights from devotional time

After many nights of reading and re-reading, I have finished my study through the book of John. Some recent highlights include:

John 19:26-27

When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own [home].

In previous studies of this passage, I noticed Mary's devotion to Jesus. She followed Him all the way to the cross. I noticed how John was there to.

However, what struck me this last time is how Jesus saw to it that Mary was taken care of. Mary played her role in God's plan. She reared Jesus. She taught Him, cared for Him and then followed Him.

But when the plan was finished, Jesus did not forget Mary. He saw to it that her needs were met.

1 Peter 2:21 says that "Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps."

While that example entailed bearing His cross and suffering for us, it also included loving us. That was what drove Christ to the cross in the first place, He loved us.

Let us not get so involved in the mission that we forget to love each other. Let's follow Christ's example of love.

I once asked the church at Denson Springs, "How many of us are expendable for the greater good of the church?" My point was, would there be any member that we would be willing to run off if we thought it would help our church grow? The answer was that none of us were expendible. If we were willing to run off one, so that more would come, then we did not love that one. (I'm not talking church discipline, I'm talking personality issues). We should love each other, disciple each other and learn from each other. We did and the church grew.

Love for each other is important. It's the first point of our doctrinal statement. It's essential for our testimony. The Great Commission is what God wants us to do... but He expects us to do it together as we love each other.

Noah Lee has an excellent post on this topic entitled People are not things.

Then, there's John 21:15

Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?

This passage begins with Peter leaving Jerusalem to go fishing. Going fishing for Peter was not a weekend vacation... it was a return to the old way of life, life before Jesus. Going fishing for Peter represented his abandonment of Christ calling and the return to a "normal life."

What happened? Jesus showed up, led the disciples (who followed Peter's apostasy) to catch a multitude of fish, cooked breakfast and confronted Peter.

When Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love me more than these?" He was not asking if Peter loved Him more than the other disciples. He was asking Peter if he loved Him more than the fish!

It would be easy for me to say I love Jesus more than fish, because fish have never represented my livelihood. However, there was a time that it was a tight race between Jesus and my radio career. I also must confess that it was tough to decide to leave behind Rusk, Texas and Denson Springs MBC to go to the mission field in Brownwood, TX. It seemed that just as I was planting roots here, God called me away. But, who do I love more? Rusk, Texas and Denson Springs? or God?

Does your career, home, hometown, lifestyle, or anything else prevent you from following God the way you know you should? If so, jump out of the boat and swim to shore. If you love Christ, you'll follow His commandments. If you love Him, you'll do what He's called you to do. (John 14:15)

Then, I began a study in Mark. I did so a day after learning that a preacher that I have little respect for has been asked to preach at a major event. "What were the powers that be thinking?" I wondered. (I know I sound unspiritual here, but there's a history that I am not telling you.)

Then, I come across Mark 2:16-17.

And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? When Jesus heard [it], he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Wow! I sure sounded like a Pharisee in that last paragraph! The truth is, I was judging that other preacher, the way the Pharisees judged the sinners and publicans. And maybe the powers that be were reaching out to this preacher in order to draw more into our associated work.

And maybe, we need to come down from our lofty minds and get in the trenches with day-to-day people who are fighting life's day-to-day battles.

And maybe I need to check my heart and examine my motivations again.

So, those are the highlights of my devotional life this past week. Love people, Love Christ more, and reach out to others.

Some of my thoughts are disjointed tonight, I know. However, when I read the scriptures, God deals with me on a level that only I can understand, because only we understand the innerworkings of my heart.

Who needs me????

I talked with Bro. Nathan Keel, one of the church members of Denson Springs MBC, the church I resigned so I could begin Mission: Brownwood. Bro. Keel told me that while Denson Springs still has their highs and lows in terms of attendance, their Sunday morning attendance has reached into the lower 50s.

My best Sunday at Denson Springs was Easter, 2006. We had 42 in attendance that day. All this goes to prove that I may sow and water, but God gives the increase... even if I have left the field.

Praise God for his encouragement to Denson Springs.