Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Songs are powerful. Even after not hearing a song for years, it doesn’t take much to trigger a tune and lyrics in my brain. Such was the case today. All day, I haven’t been able to get the old David Bowie song, Changes, out of my mind. Of course, by telling you this, I am inadvertently confessing to either bad taste in music or a misspent youth—or both.

 Changes are a fact of life in this fallen world. Sanctification requires continual growth and change until the time we reach complete Christ-likeness in our glorification. Until then, the only thing we have that never changes is God’s Word. With the assurance of an immutable God who has given us His unchangeable Word, we can welcome change in every other area of life—even embrace it.

Having said that, I need to let you know about a significant change that’s taking place in my life and ministry. Parkview Baptist Church in Bluefield, VA, has extended a call for me to become their pastor. After much prayer and wise, godly counsel from some close friends, I am confident the Lord has led me to accept Parkview’s call. I will start my service there on August 1st, ending my time as your Church Planting Catalyst.

I am a firm believer that, as long as we don’t disqualify ourselves, the Lord’s calling on our lives never changes. We are called to His Gospel ministry. However, He is free to change the direction of our calling anytime He chooses. He changed the direction of my calling when He led me to become your CPC. He is once again changing the direction of my calling to become the Pastor of Parkview Baptist Church.

I am thankful for the time I have spent as your NAMB/WVCSB Church Planting Catalyst Missionary. It has been and will continue to be a valuable ministry. It has been my pleasure to serve the Lord by coming alongside WVCSB churches as they seek to fulfill the Great Commission by planting churches in our great state. We have learned and grown and worked hard to develop lasting relationships.  The Lord has blessed and is blessing by raising up some amazing men who are planting churches that are making significant Kingdom impact on Wild and Wonderful West Virginia.

I am excited for the future direction of the WVCSB and am confident the Lord will raise up a man who will take the Eastern Region CPC position far beyond where my limited gifting could. The West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists’ greatest days are in the windshield, not the rear-view mirror.

By His Grace and For His Glory…. #PlantWV

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Daily Truth

Today's time being made to look more like Jesus is in Acts 15:22-29. 

Lord,

Give Your church more and more gospel-based unity of direction (22,25). Help us recognize and correct false teaching (24), risk our lives for the gospel (26), and strive to help Your saints live up to the holiness of Christ that You gave us (28-29).

Amen

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Daily Truth

Today's time being reminded of Christ is in Acts 15:6-21.

Lord,

Thank You for washing my heart clean by grace, through faith (9,11). Don't let me burden others with my own thoughts on how to be holiest (10). Help me to understand my current situation in light of the wisdom of mature believers as validated by Scripture (13-14). 

Amen

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Daily Truth

Today's time being shaped by the Word is from Acts 15:1-5.

Lord,

Don't let me ever think that there is anything I can do to be saved more than what Christ already did for me (1). Give me the joy of helping others come to know Jesus (3-4). Help me not become discouraged by those who demand more of me than You do (1,5). 

Amen

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Daily Truth

Today, be reminded of our kingdom building mission from Acts 14:23-28.

Lord, 

Help me to equip others who will equip still others by Your enabling (23). Help me finish the work you saved me to do (26). Don't let me keep what You do through me to myself (27). Let me celebrate and enjoy life with Your people (28). 

Amen

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Daily Truth

Today's time being reminded of whose we are is in Acts 14:21-22.

Lord, 

Help me to understand and expect that "it is necessary to go through many troubles on our way to the kingdom of God" so I will be willing to share Jesus, even in a place where I was abused for it (22). 

Amen

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Daily Truth

Today's time being conformed to the image of Chist is in Acts 14:8-20. 

Lord, let others marvel at Your power at work in and through me (11-13). Keep me humbly pointing to You, the one true God (14-15). Surround me with followers of Jesus when I am beat down so I can get up to keep serving You (20). 

Amen

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Daily Truth

Today's time being shaped by the Word is in Acts 14:1-7.

Lord,

Make me consistent in sharing Your message wherever I go (1). Help me really understand why Paul and Barnabas would stay in Iconium because they had been opposed (2-3). When opposed, help me rely on You and speak with courage (3). Don't let me stop evangelizing (7). 

Amen

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Daily Truth

Today's time having our minds purified by the Word is in Acts 13:42-52.

Lord,

Create a hunger in people so they beg to hear Your gospel and whole towns gather to hear Your Word (42-44). Even if I am opposed, slandered, and kicked out for sharing Jesus, fill me with Your joy and control me by Your Spirit as I go to share with those who want to hear (45-52). 

Amen

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Daily Truth

Lord,

Use me today to encourage Your people (15) with reminders that You chose us, You sustain and bless us, You display Your power to us (17), You are patient with us (18), You are faithful to Your promises (19, 34), and You have saved us in Jesus (23-41). 

Amen

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