Reaching Jerusalem

Before Jesus ascended in Acts 1:8, Jesus told his disciples that they would be witnesses both in Jerusalem, in all Judea, and in Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the Earth. While we live in what Jesus considers the uttermost, it is our responsibility to accomplish the mission of God both in our home and around the globe.

It is our custom to take the fifth Sunday of each month and celebrate our opportunity to fulfill the mission of God. Come and join us Sunday June 29th as we focus on reaching Cass County. Cass County and the communities associated with it, represent our Jerusalem. While HBF will never lose sight of our responsibility to take the gospel to the rest of the world, it is important to pause and praise God for his wondrous works right where we live.

Sunday June 29, 2008 will be a day to celebrate the ministries of our church and where we will praise God for what he is doing throughout our church body. We will suspend the 9:00 A.M. B.I.B.L.E. Hour and have one service at 10:00 A.M. Immediately following service we will celebrate the various ministries of HBF through a ministry exposure under the big top. Over 30 ministries from HBF will be represented under a tent located on the grounds of HBF. Food and fun will accompany this event and it is sure to be a joyful time for all or members and guests.

Accomplishing the mission of God is work, but celebrating our opportunity to participate in the mission of God is going to be a blast. Please join me and the rest of the HBF and our guests for a very special ministry celebration!

The Hatman's In Nova Santa Rita Brazil

In June 2006 HBF sent Harold and Tammy Hatman to Brazil as missionaries. They have worked along side another HBF supported missionary named Jeff Barker. Harold has now completed language school and is trusting the Lord to allow him to establish a local New Testament church in a suburb of Porto Alegre named Nova Santa Rita. If you have an opportunity, checkout this clip.

Brian

Jesus Marvelled

This morning I read from Mark 6 in my time with the Lord. I was struck by the statement in Mark 6:6 where the Holy Spirit records Jesus marvelled at the unbelief of the children of Israel.

Mark 6:6
And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

It's really says something to me about who God in the flesh is. He who created the universe was struck by the resistance of those he created and called to be his people. What is more incredible is that Jesus didn't grow frustrated or disillusioned. He simply took what was given or withheld and pressed forward with the accomplishing the will of the Father.

That passage is not the only time Jesus marvelled. The scripture records in Luke 7:9 that Jesus marvelled at the faith of a Roman centurion who requested Jesus heal his servant. The centurion didn't want a personal visit from Jesus, just the assurance that Jesus would exercise his authority in the matter trusting by faith that it would happen.

This military leader trusted that Jesus' authority was enough to heal his sick servant. This made Jesus marvelled because the faith he hoped to find in his people Israel was uncovered in the occupying armies centurion.

Luke 7:9
When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

This passage serves as a reminder to me to rest in the power and authority of my Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is enough and prayer is enough. He is a man of authority, and he is The Authority. He spoke the worlds into existence and he breathed in my nostrils the breath of life. Oh that he would faith in my life that would make him marvel.

The Bumpy Hill

"Daddy, I'm so busy talking to you that I'm not scared to go over the bumpy hill!" Those are the words of my wise son Samuel who tonight conquered his fear of climbing the long stretch of country road just west of 71 highway in Harrisonville. We call this rough stretch of road north west of the 7 and 71 highway interchange the bumpy hill because of all the potholes we have to dodge on the way to the crest of a hill that overlooks the city of Harrisonville.

Samuel usually prefers to go over the "bumpy hill" in the day time because he can see for miles and likes to point out all the landmarks he can see from the top of the hill. However at night he usually prefers to take another route home because that particular stretch of road has no lights and he can't see what is in the darkness.

Tonight was a different story. I asked him which route he wanted to take home and he chose the bumpy hill, even though it was dark out. As we approached the summit of the hill, Samuel said "Daddy, I was so busy talking to that I'm not scared to go over the bumpy hill!" With that statement the reality of my relationship with God flashed before my mind. Oh how important our fellowship with the Father is! Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks. When we are in constant communion with the Father the darkness of this world becomes irrelevant because the Father is so engaging and before we know it we have conquered our greatest fears.

2 Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Who defines marriage anyway?

Fresh off the wire! California overturns the states ban on same sex unions. You would expect a Baptist preacher to start a rant about how non-biblical this ruling is and how homosexuality is an affront and an abomination to our God.

While all that is true according to the scripture, this ruling is actually an indictment upon my Christian witness. You might ask how this could be? This ruling along with many other humanistic amoral or immoral rulings are simply the path that has been chosen in a culture that chooses to ignore the divine design of God. See Romans 1: 15-32 for clarity on the issue.

I will be the first to stand up and say God loves homosexuals. As a matter of fact God loves every human despite their immoral behavior. As a Christians my stand must be with God. Immoral sexual behavior rather heterosexual or homosexual is the symptom. The problem is a world that collectively denies the authority of God in matters both public and private.

Decisions like this one in California are inevitable unless we who believe in the redemptive power of the Lord Jesus Christ, offer better solutions to many who are destroying themselves, their families and the culture with bad behavior. The root of bad behavior is sin. Regardless of the legislation, people who have not experienced the freedom from sin through a personal relationship with Christ will never be free from the law of sin and death.

When I see rulings like this, it does grieve my heart for those fighting to behave badly. It grieves my heart for my country and most importantly it grieves my heart for my Savior, who died and rose again to set liberate all men and women from the law of sin and death regardless of, or in spite of their deviant sexual behavior.

If I really do care about the decision in California today, it will be manifest primarily in my prayer and preparation to share the gospel as much and hopefully more than my political participation (which is also very important). We can't expect sinners to act like saints, but we can expect saints to act like their Savior.

If you read this and get mad. I want to thank you for hanging with me. Please know and understand that without Christ I was the chief of sinners. Charity covers the multitude of sins. If we reject the love of God (Jesus Christ) then all we have left is his wrath. That realization alone is what drew me to repentance. Look we can choose to blame God for our bad behavior or we can own up to his ability to fix it through the sacrifice of His Son. You will not find anyone who loves you more or has done more to solve your sin problems.

Don't you dare call me a hater. I don't hate sinners. How can one who was a sinner hate one that is a sinner. It is like two thieves hanging on crosses next to the sinless Son of God. One can choose to receive the sacrifice for his sin while the other can choose to ridicule Him. I choose Jesus.

What's For Dinner?

I love the Mexican restaurants in the KC metro area. Before moving to Harrisonville in 2002 my top two eating spots were Los Corrales (9th & Broadway) and Manny's (2oth and Southwest Blvd). When I was in a pinch and couldn't make it to my Manny's or Los Corrales, I would settle for Habenaro's in Lee's Summit or Margarita's.

I am pleased to report that Harrisonville has, in my humble opinion, one of the better Mexican restaurants in the metro area. That's right. Right up there with Manny's and Los Corrales, I rate Best Burrito of Harrisonville, Mo as one of the best Mexican restaurants in the metro. If you are on you way to the lake or Joplin, make sure you stop in at the Best Burrito! It's right across the street from Sutherlands on Commercial right here in Harrisonville.

FYI, for those of you who like "real" Mexican food, they do serve some real dishes along with the sour cream topped gringo favorites.

Happy Mothers Day!

Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

It's has turned out to be a beautiful Mothers Day despite both of our children being sick. We just returned from taking Samuel and Elisabeth to the doctors in Lee's Summit. Both will be fine but it will take a few days before they battle through their illness.

Amy is such an awesome mom! She is so focused on caring for the kids and honoring her own mother that she didn't even think twice about the fact that she was nurturing two sick kids on Mothers Day. It just goes to prove that a mother has to do what a mother has to do. That is what makes mothers so special.

This morning I preached a sermon on our Identity in Christ. As those who have Christ's DNA and his name, we are bound to run into opposition when faced with the world. The process of giving every soul an opportunity to be born again was extremely painful for both the Father and the Son.

Praise God we have the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, along with the loving family of God to help us through the rough days of our spiritual life in Christ. Just as Jesus encouraged his disciples to stay the course and be faithful, so I encourage mothers to continue to invest in your husbands and your children. I know it is painful at times and you don't get near enough appreciation, but it will be worth it all.

Childbirth is painful. And so was the process Jesus went through to give us eternal life. However it was for the joy set before him that he endured the cross, despising the shame and is now sitting in a position of honor at the right hand of the Father. Most mothers despise the pain of childbirth but would never trade in the experience or the privilege of bringing life into the world.

Mothers I want to encourage you to stay the course because your children will rise up and call you blessed and your husband will appreciate and praise your sacrifice (Proverbs 31:28). Unfortunately you may not see the evidence immediately but the joy that is set before you is worth the sacrifice.

Mothers, thank you for your dedication to your families! Enjoy your Mothers Day!