Revive Us Now Lord, We
Beg of You
One of my prayers for each person of Fender Chapel is that
God would drastically move and work in their lives. That He would bring Revival
into your lives. If this happens, then I believe we will see God working in
great ways and doing great things. One thing I personally long for, is to see
God move and to see God use me. I want this for all of you as well.
I started praying for revival a long time ago, regarding
individuals in our church that is. But since then, multiple things have
happened. One, I am experiencing revival in my own life, powerfully. Two,
I have had multiple discussions with individuals in the past couple of months
regarding revival, which I did not initiate. Three, a couple of weeks
ago Alex and Elena announced they were participating in a revival and then we
talked about it! Four, I randomly encountered a new project Kirk Cameron
is working on titled “Revive us”. Fifth,
the Green County Baptist Convention Annual Meeting centered on revival.
So, needless to say, I don’t need any more road signs!
About
a month ago, we started challenging ourselves on Sunday nights with tough
subjects and challenging topics because of all that is taking place. This is
now going to continue into Sunday mornings. I want revival, I hope and pray you
do to!
For the month of October, we will be going through a Sunday
morning series called “Revive Me Now” each week we will cry out to God for
revival in different areas of our lives. The messages for each week beginning
10/9/2016 will be as follows:
Revive
Me Lord 10/9/2016
Revive
My Family Lord 10/16/2016
Revive
My Church Lord 10/23/2016
Revive
My National Lord 10/30/2016
We all need revival in our lives, no matter who you are.
This is going to be a challenging month on Sunday mornings, but it is going to
be a richly rewarding month of Sunday mornings. Please, please, join us for
this challenge. If you have not been to church for a while but you are wanting
to return, this is the month to do so. If you are struggling with an issue and
need guidance, come hear what the word of God has to say. Please, join us.
I have been praying for this, and I am going to continue
praying for this series. I ask that you would join me in praying for this month
of services at Fender. Pray that prodigals would return, that many would be
saved, and that all would experience revival.
Isaiah 40:31
“Yet those who wait for the LORD Will
gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and
not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.”
Jesus on Prayer
May 1, 2016
The great
people of the earth today are the people who pray, not those who talk about
prayer-S.D. Gordon
I want to
take a few minutes to see what Jesus had to say about prayer…
Matthew
6:5-6 “5 When you pray, you are not to be
like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on
the street corner so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they
have their reward in full. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your inner room,
close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who
sees what is done in secret will reward you.”
A few things
to note from this text:
First, Jesus says twice “when you
pray…when you pray…” at the beginning of verse 5 and verse 6. He does not say,
“If you pray…” he says “when” which carries the expectation that you will be
praying.
Second, we are not to be like the
hypocrites. Basically, we don’t pray for the applause, attention,
praise or
recognition from men. We pray because Christ Jesus expects it of us.
Thirdly, it is to be done in secret. This is
personal private prayer, not public or cooperate prayer. If it is done in
secret, this ensures we will not be doing it for notice of men or women. If it
is done in secret, the distractions should be minimal. If it is done in secret,
we should not be concerned about what others will hear. If it is done in secret,
it demonstrates that we truly desire to communicate with God.
Personal,
Private prayer is crucial to your spiritual wellbeing. You CANNOT be a healthy,
vibrant, growing, intentional all in disciple of Jesus Christ without a prayer
life. Some of you might say, “why not?” my answer is because even Jesus had to
pray (Luke 11:1) and He was perfect. If He needed to pray, then you and I need
to pray.
There are many
reasons that people do not pray, such as the following. “I just don’t have
time” or “I’m just not good at it” or I really don’t know how” or “Does God
answer prayer?” I understand all of
these reasons.
I want to
encourage you, look for resources, find a prayer plan, ask your pastor about prayer,
strategies and methods.
“Therefore let us draw near with confidence
to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in
time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
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God Will Not Disappoint
Philippians 1:6 “For I
am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work will perfect it
until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Throughout my life I have worked at
swimming pools as a life guard, swim coach and manager. I have spent about 70
percent of my life around pools. When I supervised neighborhood pools or public
pools, typically there would be 8-10 other lifeguards. When closing down a
pool, many time’s it consists of picking up all the trash on the deck, cleaning
all the filters, adding chemicals, power washing the deck, and ensuring the
bathrooms are all clean for the next day. There are other responsibilities, but
these are the primary closing duties.
There were some days that I dreaded walking into work,
because I knew I couldn’t count on the people completing the work that was
assigned to them to do. I would come in and the bathrooms were dirty, trash was
on the deck, and the pool was gross and not cleaned! I anticipated this at
times!
One of the amazing things about being a Christian is that,
just as sure as people will and have let us down, we can be more definite that
God is and will work in our lives. I
love that I can count on God no matter what to work in my life.
Being confident of Gods work, can
drastically change our lives. I have a few areas that I believe this greatly
affects us.
First, God will perfect us until His return. This is great news, if we truly are a born
again Christian, we can be confident that until my last breath, or the
revealing of Christ in glory, God will change us, perfect us, mold us,
transform us. Now he does not say exactly how, only that He will. You may be in
a season where you feel like you exist in a famine spiritually, that God
doesn’t want anything to do with you. But His word tells us that he will work
in you.
Second, I am incapable of perfecting myself. By
myself, apart from God, by my own spiritually dead simple works, attempts,
efforts I am incapable of getting better or improving. Why? Because sin leads
to death, and only One can free us from sin. Don’t ever forget, that your
spiritual gain, is given through the power and might of the Holy Spirit, not of
yourself. This also, relieves great
pressure knowing that it is God who will finish what He started, not me.
Thirdly, God does not disappoint or let down. Unlike
the men and women I worked with and supervised at times at swimming pools, God
will never let me down. When He says “I am going to finish my work” He will
every single time. God will not disappoint us when it comes to perfecting us,
our spiritual lives, our character, our choices, and He will not disappoint by
leaving us here for eternity and abandoning us when He has promised Heaven and
His return. God started the work of salvation in my life, God is working in my
life perfecting me, and He will finished it upon His return without a doubt.
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The Strength of the Lord
April 1, 2016
As I drove home from our business meeting on Wednesday, I
prayed for us as a church. That God would strengthen us; give us energy and
perseverance in the tasks that He has put ahead of us. I prayed this because we
have a very busy couple weeks ahead of us, a lot of dates and a lot of time and
energy that will be spent. But energy and time spent on the work of the Lord,
is not wasted. There is nothing more beneficial, more worth giving to than the
Kingdom of God, His purposes and His plans.
Many times I cry out to the Lord “My soul is weary with
sorrow” as the Psalmists did. But it’s not always sorrow, or hurt, many times I
am simply exhausted or being worn down. I am weary! The scriptures give us an
answer to our weariness.
I want to give us three suggestions for a weary soul.
Get in the Word
In Psalm 119:28 we read “My
soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.”
One of the answers to our exhaustion is getting in God’s word. When we least feel like it, when we least
want to, when we have no energy, no strength, get in God’s word. It will lift
you up, it will strengthen you, it will encourage you.
Hope in the Lord
If we put too much focus on
this world, on this earth, on things, we will find ourselves tired. Why?
Because when our hope hinges on a fallen and imperfect world, we will be let
down, we will find no substantial worth; we will find no fulfillment, no
satisfaction. There is only one place that we can find that. Isaiah 40:31 “but those who hope in the LORD will renew
their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow
weary, they will walk and not be faint.” If we hope in the Lord, we will be
renewed. This verse is not promising to make each person that hopes in the Lord
a literal marathon runner, but it is promising to lift you heart, your mind,
your soul to a place of joy, satisfaction, hope, pleasure all from Christ in
God.
Declare your dependence and need for
Christ
Every morning you wake up,
tell the Lord you need Him, say thank you Lord for saving me and sending Jesus,
when I could do absolutely nothing about my sinful state, Christ died for me. I
have no strength, you must strengthen me. I need your grace, because I am not
perfect. Be with me today Lord, please.
Isaiah 33:2 “O Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you.
Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.”
I am so grateful for our church, I pray continually that God
will bless us abundantly, and that we would rely on His strength for the work
that we do.
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Casting Anxiety to the Lord
March 1, 2016
I think one
of the big things at the start of any year, is Anxiety, worry and stress.
One of the worst
times of anxiety for me, is Monday morning. I don’t know why specifically, but
it’s probably because the week is just starting, issues are bound to pop up, we
have all experienced this. A great practice, that is beneficial to our time,
and a great habit to start our days and weeks with is praying to God and laying
our cares, worries, concerns and distresses at His feet.
1 Peter 5:7
states “casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”
The truth of this verse is very
powerful. Yet, it’s not as simple as it sounds is it? How do we go about doing
this? Does this remove our burden? What I have found, is that when I do this,
things often times (not always by any means) end up working out or issues seem
smaller.
How we cast our anxiety on Him?
It all starts in prayer. The following
prayer is very similar to ones that I pray when I need to lay my concerns at
the Lords feet.
“Father, thank you for the great blessings you have given
me in my life. I ask for your forgiveness if I have sinned unknowingly against
you. Father I am struggling with these things (your worries, concerns,
troubles) I don’t know what to do or where to go with them. I know that I am
not in control of everything, I am giving these over to you and letting go of
them. You are sovereign over my life and the events of my life, you are
powerful, you are mighty, I am not. Thank you for Christ and his work on the
cross, help me to honor You today, to glorify You. Amen.”
After praying a prayer like that, we
must determine in our mind not to dwell on the anxiety. The Holy Spirit will
help and enable us to take our minds off of it. Cast your anxiety on Him,
because He cares for you!
I am proud
to be your Pastor, thank you for the privilege of being your shepherd. Let’s
grow in Christ together. Pastor Kyle.
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Let’s Go, Let’ Reach
February 1, 2016
I keep getting more and more excited about 2016 at Fender Chapel! So far 2016 has been great. Our sermons series “Spiritual Warfare: The Reality of Our Lives” has been extremely productive and beneficial I believe. We still have a few weeks of it left; we will be taking a break for a special Valentine’s Day Sermon next week. Our next series up is “Heaven and Hell: All People are Eternal” but I am considering changing things up a bit for our next series.
Last month in this article I asked you to pray with me “that God would unify us on our vision of reaching our community.” And I said that the primary way we are going to reach our community is not by getting the community to come to us, but by us as a church going to them. Basically, I meant we need to literally get out in the community to reach the people that need reached. How we reach out to the community is a whole other thing, as long as we reach them with and for the gospel.
I want to ask you, have you thought about that? Have you prayed about that? What are your feelings toward that statement? What emotions does it rile up on the inside of you?
Personally, it is very exciting and a little unsettling as well! Why? Because it is different than we are used to, it’s probably more time and energy and it opens up the possibility of failure.
Buts it’s also, what Jesus commanded of us, his disciples. Jesus told the disciples Matthew 28:19-20 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you...”
I am writing this article to make the statement, “we need to go and we need to reach.” We must be proactive in seeking out the people God has for us to reach. This letter is a challenge to all us, myself included. Let’s go and find those people God has set aside for us to reach. Who knows, they could be right in front of you!
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Great Thing to Come!
January 1, 2016
Church, I am so proud of you! 2015 was a very busy year and
great things have been accomplished! My prayer is that God would sustain us and
give us the energy and perseverance to continue His good work in and through
Fender Chapel in 2016!
I would just like to say thank you to everyone for your hard
work in progressing the gospel at our church and community. We have adjusted
and changed, we have grown and been strengthened. But I believe this is just
the beginning. God has great things planned for us.
As we look to the New Year, pray with me that God would
unify us on our vision of reaching our community. The primary way we are going
to do this, is not by getting the community to come to us, but by us as a
church going to them.
This plays out in real life in many different ways.
Examples include:
- Serving the community through outreaches and events that show them the love of Christ
- Finding one spot in the community that you can go to on a regular basis to build relationships. Such as getting gas, buying products and items, it comes down to placing yourself in the path of other individuals in order to build relationships.
- Knocking on doors and letting people know about our church, asking them if you can pray for them and if you can help them in anyway.
- Asking God to bring people in your life that need support and encouragement, a friend, and most importantly the gospel.
There are many more examples and ways we can do this, but
most of all, this means being intentional and purposeful. This means that there
will be times that we have to get out of our comfort zone and place ourselves
in situations that might be awkward at times, but we must be intentional with
our lives for reaching our community for Christ and growing our church.
I thank God for what He has done, for what He is doing and
what He is going to do in and through our church.
Galatians 6:9 “Let us
not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow
weary.”
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With Thanksgiving coming up, what
better time to think about giving thanks! It’s a funny thing how holidays work,
we set aside a time to commemorate a certain attitude or ideal. Some examples
would be, 4th of July which celebrates “Freedom” or thanksgiving
which commemorates “Thankfulness”. This is wonderful I believe, but we must
never forget that we are always called to live free lives in Christ, and
especially let us remember that we are always supposed to be thankful. The
bible teaches us in 1 Corinthians 15:57 “But
thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ultimately, what we should be most
thankful for is our Salvation through Jesus. Without Him and His work we would
be condemned to hell apart from God and His glorious riches. Without Him we
would live unfulfilled and unsatisfied lives. Redemption is made possible
through His work on the cross, be thankful for that above all else. This is why
we read “Thanks be to God for His
indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15.
But we are also told to be thankful for everything else, at
all times.
“Always giving thanks
for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God…” Ephesians 5:20
It is through the sacrifice of Christ that everything else
in our life finds light, is made satisfying, meaningful and fulfilling.
I am thankful for many things today; I will give you a short
list.
· A wonderful supportive godly wife
· Healthy and well behaved sweet children
· A steady job that provides for my family
· The privilege of shepherding a Christ-Centered Church
· A vehicle that runs and a home to live in
· A wonderful supportive godly wife
· Healthy and well behaved sweet children
· A steady job that provides for my family
· The privilege of shepherding a Christ-Centered Church
· A vehicle that runs and a home to live in
There are many more, but you get the idea, what would your
list look like? What are you thankful for?
Make a list of 5 things you are thankful for . . .
1
2
3
4
5
Living Intentionally On Mission 10.11.2015
Dear Church,
I recently read an article that greatly impacted me, my hope is that you would read it and take it to heart. I am going to summarize the article in a one page essay and then attach the link. Do you want to reach the world, your neighbors, family, community for Jesus Christ? Here is how to do it.
1. Pray for them. –spend time with God explaining your deep earnest desire to see them come to Christ.
2. Build Relationships with No Strings- literally, don’t use the “if” or “I might” or plain and simple, just build relationships with people, don’t make them a project.
3. Live With Integrity- We need to live holy, Christ glorifying lives, and then live transparently.
4. Play The Long Game- Seeing people come to Christ and church may take years, but one soul is worth it.
5. Live a Life of Scandalous Generosity- literally, be giving of yourself to other people, your time, effort, money, home, anything that God has given us he has given as a conduit for Him to work through.
6. Talk about Life, not just about Church- literally, have real conversations about everyday things, show them the church on mission, don’t just talk about the weekly gathering or the place.
7. Be More Joyful, and Less Mean- Literally, if we are always mean and cranky, unapproachable, why in the world would a person want to come to Christ if that’s what its like?
8. Make Fewer Statements, Have more Conversation- Literally, invest your time into people by caring enough to have a real conversation with them, not just statements that you need no response to.
9. Be Available- Be able to be there, even if this it takes time away from your personal schedule. People look to friends for comfort, not always the church as a whole.
10. Be Authentic- This means show them yourself, don’t try to be the person people want you to be, allow the Holy Spirit to live through you, not the flesh.
Church, if you want to build gospel centered relationships, a relationship where you have the freedom to speak your faith, where you respect and trust one another enough not to judge and be offended, this is how it’s done. We always, no matter what we are doing, must be vigilant of what the Holy Spirit is doing in our lives, and we must always be intentional about speaking the gospel into people lives.
Here is the link, again, I summarized, I encourage you to read the full article.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/karl-vaters/2015/october/11-ways-to-be-church-for-those-who-dont-go-to-church.html?paging=off
There is a lot going on in today’s world, I think we all
know that. But, it seems as if our world is changing in a way that we have not
seen for some time. Whether it is a religious liberty issue or National
Security issue, there is something more blatant than typical; something stands
out more than past ages. Do you know
what it is? The world, the culture, the organizations, the movements, the
leaders, regardless of the issue, it seems that there one constant, that one
constant being, anti-Jesus attitudes and behaviors or anti-Christian, attitudes
and behaviors. Some of you may say, this isn’t new, and I would agree with you,
no its not. But our culture hasn’t been this anti-Jesus or anti-Christian openly
in a long time. The world and culture is openly and clearly
against Jesus Christ and His people.
Because of this, quite a few people are getting very nervous
and anxious about the future and our rights as Born Again Christians.
To this, I say, it’s going to be ok. For Jesus’ Bride, the
church, for those people who have had their sins washed away, it’s going to be
ok, I promise. Why can I say that? Because Jesus wins, and if Jesus wins, we
win. This is what the book of Revelation is all about, the conquering Lion of
the Tribe of Judah. No longer the Suffering Sacrificial Lamb.
Not only is it going to be ok when Jesus comes back, but
Jesus is still on the throne ruling, He never left. So we are ok now, because
he cares for us and is in control of this world and our lives ultimately.
I am constantly
reminded of Psalm 2: 1-4 “1 Why do the
nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth take
their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his
Anointed One. 3 Let us break their chains, they say, and throw off their
fetters. The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.”
Why are the nations and peoples plots in vain? Because God
is sovereign and in control, nothing can thwart his power or plan.
Why does the One enthroned in heaven laugh? Why does the
Lord scoff? Because God is sovereign and in control, nothing can thwart is
power or plan.
This is true today; never forget that God is infinite,
almighty, all powerful, all knowing, everywhere, creator and sustainer, sovereign
and ruling. Even better, we know that
this God is good, that he works all things out for the good of those who love
Him (Rom 8:28). Don’t worry; remember who your God is.
For His glory, Pastor Kyle
Changing and Unchanging 7.10.2015
Everything around us seems to be changing, the world,
culture, society, perspectives and people, are changing! We look out and what
we see is different than that which we saw a year ago. Yes, a changing world
can be intimidating and a little scary, especially, when it affects each one of
us. But, for the individual that trusts in Christ Jesus for the salvation of
their souls, we have God Himself and His Word.
At the end of James 1:17 we read these words “…coming down from the Father of lights, with
whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” And Hebrews 13:8 states “Jesus
Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
It is important for each of us to remember, no matter what
changes around me, my God and Savior remains the same. This means that His love for me, saving of
me, sanctification, justification, discipline, plan and purpose for me, all
remain the same. No earthly ruling or direction, can every change God or
Christ.
We are also told also that Gods word remains the same. 1
Peter 1:23-25 “for you have been born
again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the
living and enduring word of God. For, all flesh is like grass, And all its
glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls off,
but the word of the Lord endures forever.” Jesus even went as far to say “For truly I say to you, until heaven and
earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law
until all is accomplished.”(Mt. 5:18) That is crazy, he is saying, that the
heavens and earth will pass away, before Gods word fails, changes, or stops.
This world changes, but God doesn’t change and God’s word doesn’t
change. This means that his standards, precepts, principles and truth are the
same for us each day, even though everything else is changing around us.
The great news about God and His word is this…
God’s promises do not change, because His word doesn’t change.
Because God doesn’t change, He still has the power, might and authority to
carry out those promises upon our lives.
Proud to be your pastor, Kyle.
Summer Time 6.6.2015
Summer is upon us! All kinds
of new things accompany summer time. When you walk out in the yard, look at all
the new flowers with their new colors that are around you. When you sit outside
by the fire or grill out in the evening and all the new sounds from the woods
surrounding you. All kinds of new things and experiences accompany summer time!
I think that summer time should always remind us of our
new life in Christ Jesus. When I think of new life in Christ, one story comes
to my mind. Its found in Acts chapter three, it is here that we find the story
of a man who experienced new life in Christ.
We are told “And a man who had been lame from his
mother’s womb was being carried along, whom they used to set down every day at
the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order to beg alms of those
who were entering the temple.” Acts 3:2
This man was lame from birth,
he couldn’t walk, he couldn’t provide for himself, he couldn’t care for
himself, and this is all that he had ever known because he was born this way.
But something happens a little later in the story. He meets Peter and John who
are going into the temple for prayer.
“But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what
I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene- walk! And
seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and
his ankles were strengthened. With a leap he stood upright and began to walk;
and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping praising God.” Acts 3:6-8
All of a sudden, this mans
life was completely new! He just walked for the firs time in his life! He
leaped with joy, he praised God. Not only was he experiencing new things, but
the future of his life would now be new. He could now provide for himself, he
could care for himself now, because he experienced the saving work of Jesus
Christ in his life.
The
bible tells us that “if anyone is in
Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things
have come.” 2 Cor. 5:17.
Think of the results of being a “new creature” in Christ. You have a new way of
thinking; you have new thoughts, new morals, new standards, new ideas, a new
lens to look at life, new values in your relationships, and so much more!
Many people have been a new creature in Christ
for a long time and feel as though the newness has worn off, the shine has
dulled. But always remember that new life we can experience does not come as a
result of you and me, but as a result of Him, and He never changes. That newness
is still there and it has not dulled or lost its shine. Look to Christ and view
His splendor, His beauty, His power, His love, His work and His grace and you
will experience that newness once again. Keep your eyes on Him and nothing
else.
Pastor, Kyle.
Relief 5.6.2015
“Come
now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city,
and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit. Yet you do not
know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears
for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, "If
the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that." James 4:13-15
Have you ever seen or had a small fan that has a mist
sprayer on it? The fan is operated off of a batter and when you spray the water
it comes out as a mist. I remember having these at swim meets growing up, when
it was scorching hot out. You spray the fan and the water comes out as a mist.
I can still recall the wonderful feeling of that mist of water hitting my face
on those hot days and the relief that it could have.
You could only see the mist of water for a short time, but
it really was nice on those hot days. I think I might have to get another one!
The bible says that you and I are vapors or a mist. The text says “You are just a vapor that appears for a
little while and then vanishes away.” But just like the mist that came out
of that fan, you and I can bring relief in our short appearance on this earth. It
is through the Gospel of Jesus Christ that we can bring relief to those people
who need it so badly. But we must make sure that we do not attempt this of our
own strength, let us not say “Today or
tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage
in business and make a profit.” Let us not make our own plans, rely on our
own schedule for this life. Instead let us say “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” Let us
rely on his plan and schedule for our lives.
As a church, there is a much bigger fan and we can spray a
whole lot more water to bring about much greater relief to this world. This is
a primary purpose for the church, for our church, that we bring relief to a
hurting world. Relief from guilt, shame, hurt, confusion and condemnation.
Ultimately, relief from sin through the gospel of Christ.
My desire for Fender Chapel is that we would bring about
more and more relief to lost souls in our community, relationships, families
and workplaces. I know this is your desire as well, please pray with me that
God would use us to an even greater extent than He is now.
Let
us bring relief together. Pastor Kyle.
My Prayer 4.11.2015
I often times find my
thoughts and prayers consumed by Fender Chapel. In the last month alone, I have
felt the Holy Spirit leading me to pray more often and fervently for my church
family. It is amazing to me how God plants seeds of vision and dreams of a
future within our souls to bring about prayer in our life. Over the last month,
this is exactly what God has been doing in my life.
Three
months ago, many of us met on Sunday evening to discuss “where we have been as
a church, where we are at as a church and where we are going as a church” My
thoughts and prayers are always grateful for the heritage of Fender Chapel, we
should always remain grateful and appreciative of where we have been and come
from. We should always look forward to where we are going in view of where we
have been. These last three months the Holy Spirit has directed my prayers to
where we are at and where we are going as a church. The future of our wonderful
church up on a hill, known as Fender Chapel.
We recently lost a beloved
friend and member, Ruth Cox. She was the longest standing member of our church.
She was our connection and last relative to Christian Fender, the founder of
our church Fender Chapel. Ruth was a wonderful woman of God. I will never
forget at my ordination when everyone was returning to their seats, she placed
her hand on my shoulder and said “We love ya” and I responded “Thank you, Ruth,
I love you too and everyone else here at the church.” I remember thinking, that
couldn’t not have come from a more sincere and kind hearted person. It was a
great encouragement. Ruth was very committed to Fender, she impacted Fender,
she loved Fender. She was proud of the legacy that she was a part of, that we
are all a part of. Saturday, before she passed I had a great conversation about
the church with Ruth and she told me that she wanted a good future for the
church and that she had always prayed about it a lot. She believed this to be
true.
My prayer is Ruth’s prayer,
a good future for Fender Chapel. I believe this to be very true. Let us never
forget our past and those that were a part of it, but let us always be looking
to the bright, bright future we have in store as Christ’s beloved bride.
Thank you, for being a
wonderful flock. I am privileged to be your shepherd.
Pastor Kyle.
