Fanning The Flames With Our Words

This Sunday we will conclude our message series dealing with the words we speak. It certainly has caused me to focus on speaking words of life rather than negative words of death. As we have learned from Jesus' teaching, our words are an indication of what is going on in our hearts. We must guard our hearts!


Paul encouraged Timothy to "fan into flame the gift of God which is in you..." in 2 Timothy 1:6. We as the body of Christ have great opportunities to fan the flames for Christ as we speak into each other's lives. I have found our Growth Groups to be great vehicles to do that. Just last night at our group I told a brother in Christ I was proud of him.


As we gather for worship Sunday, may we all fan the flames in others by lifting them up with positive, edifying words. As we will see this Sunday, they literally do have the power of life and death.


See you then!


Pastor Tommy

Mega Sports Camp Opportunity 1 1/2 Weeks Away!

I'm excited about participating in Mega Sports Camp 2011! It will be held again this year at Northwood Baptist Church (888 Ansel School Rd, Greer) beginning Sunday, July 31 through Thursday, August 4. The camp hours are 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and the total cost is $15 which includes a t-shirt, a sports bag, snacks, and tons of fun! Sports offered for kids will be basketball, soccer, cheerleading, and baseball. 

The most exciting part for me is that through the vehicle of sports a number of kids will come to know Jesus Christ! My 40 year old body will be out there each night running, jumping, clapping to the worship songs, kneeling in our sports huddles, and kneeling in prayer with the kids each night. My skills aren't what they used to be; but I believe God is okay with that. He can use me just by being available. Maybe you feel you can't really contribute to a sports camp because there's no way you can get out there and play. That's okay. We'll have plenty of others who can do that. We have opportunities for people who will sacrifice their evenings for five nights for a couple of hours. In return for your investment, the Kingdom of God will grow.

If that's a team you'd like to be a part of, how about emailing me and letting me know you're in. We'll find a place for you on the roster!

Thanks!

Pastor Tommy (tommy@ridgeviewchurch.net)

Don't forsake the small things this summer

I appreciate the encouraging words I received as we finished up our Man 2 Man series. In many ways this series was about stewardship; being a good manager of what God has entrusted us men with. For many of us men, we can always have our eyes set on the next big goal, career track, etc. Sometimes the less glamorous things like being in a Growth Group at church, spending time with family, giving God the firstfruits of our income, exercising, or personal time with God can get postponed "until tomorrow" or "the fall semester." 

Jesus said we must be faithful in little matters: "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much" (Luke 16:10). God has entrusted us with stewardships; are we being obedient in them? 

I was challenged recently by this statement: "How can I pray for God's blessings on certain areas of stewardship when I'm being a disobedient and poor steward in others? What does my lack of faithfulness reveal about my relationship with God? Am I truly making Him the Lord over all my life?"

Wow, those are strong and convicting words! God expects me to be a good manager over many thins such as my physical body, my family, my friends, and my income to name a few. A lack of faithfulness in the small things reveals a character flaw of mine. I must turn and repent each time I realize I'm falling into that trap. I want to hear my Master say "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master" (Matthew 25:21). I've got to stay connected to Jesus everyday. I pray for wisdom that He would show me areas where He wants me to be faithful and I pray for strength to be fully obedient in all those areas.

As we fly through these dog days of summer, take a moment and think: "Are there any areas of your life that you've been neglecting? Don't forsake the small things this summer. A good word for all of us! 

Pastor Tommy

Man 2 Man Series Finale This Sunday: Ally

Our four week Man 2 Man message series will wrap up this weekend with what I believe will be one of the most important. I look forward to challenging all of us as men to have an ally in our lives. Why an ally? Because even the greatest of men have weak spots and vulnerabilities that the Evil One knows about and looks to target. We need men in our lives who have our back! The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 states, "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up."

Men, do you have an ally in your life? The key thought I want you to think about for Sunday is this: Without accountability, you are vulnerable. I look forward to sharing this Sunday how we all can thrive as a Shepherd Warrior, a spiritual coach for our family, and a knight who lays down his life for his bride.

Men, don't miss this Sunday! God's Word and God's Spirit are going to work in your heart to shape you to be all that He wants you to be in Christ!

Blessings,

Pastor Tommy

16 Things I Pray For My Boys Every Month
That I Received From Evangelist Tom Harmon

1. Their salvation.

2. Their mate.

3. That they would fall in love with God's Word.

4.That God would keep them from the evil one.

5. That they would have a conscience void of offence before God and man.

6. That their character would be more valuable to them than their credentials.

7. That they would stand up for what is right even if it means standing alone.

8. That they would be kept from the love of money.

9. That they would be kept morally pure.

10. That they would have the heart of a servant.

11. That eternity would burn in their hearts.

12. That sin would always be distasteful to them and that they would be broken easily over sin.

13. That they would love each other.

14. That they would trust God with their parents and not allow rebellion to set in.

15. Regardless the hardship, that they may never become bitter against God.

16. That our boys would be glad to be boys.

17. That I do not stir up anger in them, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)