It goes almost unnoticed when people read through the Gospel, but in His teaching regarding prayer Jesus says, “When you pray” (Matthew 6:5, 7;compare verse 9 where He says, “Pray then like this”). The Master does not say, “If you pray”; He expects those who are truly His disciples to pray! Of course, when Jesus made this point, He was talking about real prayer. Read more…
Posted on July 1st, 2010 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: Elim Refresher Newsletter, From the Pastor’s Pen
This is priceless.
A seasoned Christian who attended his church prayer meeting faithfully always spoke the same things during the time of public prayer. His prayer never varied: “O Lord, since we last gathered together, the cobwebs have come between us and Thee. Clear away the cobwebs, that we may again see Thy face. ” One day an exasperated brother called out, “O Lord God, kill the spider! ” Read more…
Posted on June 1st, 2010 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: Elim Refresher Newsletter, From the Pastor’s Pen
Maybe you have been “keeping score” and maybe you have not, but over the past several months this column has been considering the topic of prayer as Jesus taught. And, in these brief exhortations we have found that we are called to pray with developed guards upon our hearts and minds. For instance, we learned that we are to pray with humility, for the Master commanded in Matthew 6:5, “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. According to the Savior, such people “have received their reward,” and so their prayers avail nothing. Read more…
Posted on May 1st, 2010 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: From the Pastor’s Pen
Allow me to begin by stating an important truth: God will faithfully and unfailingly bless those who come to Him in sincere prayer. Without question, the Lord will recompense those of His children who biblically pray according to His will and Word. Jesus made it plain in Matthew 6:5-8 that those who pray insincerely and hypocritically will receive the world’s reward (Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward), and those who pray sincerely and humbly will receive God’s reward. Read more…
Posted on March 1st, 2010 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: From the Pastor’s Pen
There are some things in the truth of God that, quite frankly, make the head ache if you think about them for very long! For instance, try to really get your mental arms around the biblical teaching regarding the Trinity. God is three personages and yet one Being. Each person of the Godhead is fully God and equal with the others, and yet they are distinct. That is hard stuff! Read more…
Posted on February 1st, 2010 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: From the Pastor’s Pen
I try to have a theme. The teaching ministry at Elim largely goes through books of God’s Word verse-by-verse, but as we go through those times together, a theme for each book usually connects those studies. In counseling there is an attempt to work on one area at a time, and that gives a theme to the sessions (that is not always easy). And most certainly there has been a repeated effort to let each year’s collection of newsletter cover articles revolve around a helpful (I hope!) theme. Read more…
Posted on January 1st, 2010 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: From the Pastor’s Pen
Would you believe that CNN ranked Branson, Missouri, as one of the top “Christmas destinations” in the world? It’s true. In large part this was because of the elaborate display at the place that put the formerly small Missouri town on the map, Silver Dollar City. During the Christmas season (which they begin on November 1) the 1880′s themed park decorates and dazzles with a five-story high special effects Christmas Tree and an all encompassing light-and-sound show on the “Town Square.” It is all timed to traditional Christmas music with the pinnacle being a synchronized lights and music presentation of “The Hallelujah Chorus.” In all, Silver Dollar City alone boasts over 4 million lights during their Christmas celebration! Read more…
Posted on December 1st, 2009 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: From the Pastor’s Pen
I expect the world to be sinful. Any proper reading of God’s truth and any genuine theology will always lead us to an understanding that God’s assessment of sinners in Genesis 6:5 (the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually) continues to be accurate. However, I was caught off guard recently by an avenue of wickedness and persecution of the truth that I had not witnessed in days past. Read more…
Posted on November 7th, 2009 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: From the Pastor’s Pen
Our worship services are the highlight of my week just about every week! The reasons for this are likely many, and they would range from the enjoyment of watching the people of Elim interact, to the seriousness of knowing we are handling the Word of God together. And among the many “things” of our services that I appreciate, the offertories (the music played as an offering to the Lord as the monetary offerings are being collected), those offering times are right near the top of the list. Read more…
Posted on October 1st, 2009 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: From the Pastor’s Pen
Throughout his writings the apostle Paul established a terrific example. He would almost always (after giving a few words of greeting) begin his epistle by laying out a solid doctrinal foundation, often spanning chapters, and then he would build upon that foundation with practical advice for living. It is a great example as it recalls to our minds the fact that doctrine is relevant and real. In other words, it matters. Read more…
Posted on September 1st, 2009 by Janet
Filed under: From the Pastor’s Pen