People want to help those who help others. Often our doing good is not seen or broadcast to others. Most missions, churches, evangelists do not strive to be noticed when they are doing the work of the Lord. Yet, by allowing others to help you as you go, or join you when you go, you multiply the good that can be done. You also bring great joy and fulfillment to those who help you. So consider doing the following (since giving matters)
1. Take lots of photographs when your ministry does an outreach. A picture can capture a moment better than anything. Words can describe but words can often be misunderstood. A photo brings words to life. Post photos or Social media sites, email them to supporters, volunteers.
2. Use social media to get the word out about opportunities for service or needs for projects as soon as possible. Often you are so busy planning, preparing, and funding an event that you forget to enlist others to come help, or you do so so late that they miss the opportunity because they already have plans.
3. Provide simple 1,2,3, steps or ways people can help you right now. 1. Pray, 2. Volunteer this weekend, 3. Give online to provide one Bible for a needy family, etc.
4. Thank those who help you. Your thankful and timely acknowledgement of services rendered or gifts given will make such an impact on your benefactors.
When people give of their time, talents, trinkets, and treasures it really does matter. So let them give. Do not rob them of this blessing.
Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
A Happy Mans Secret by Keith Cook
"Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:104,105
Recently I am read a wonderful account of George Mueller's life with a focus on his latter years. He was a great man of faith who consistently lived by faith and trusted God for the support of his ministry to care for orphans in England.
On his ninetieth birthday he made the following statements. He said that for sixty-nine years and ten months he had been a very happy man. He attributed this to two things. He maintained a good conscience, not willfully going on in a course contrary to the mind of God, and secondly, he loved the Holy Scriptures.
He consistently read the word of God each year. His aim was to read through the Bible at least four times each year. He also would strive to apply what he read to his own life and then meditate on the word.
What a great idea for each of us to entertain in our own lives. We need to strive to keep a good conscience and to dig deep into the word of God. How can we do this? We must rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us and purify us. Our own efforts at holiness will always fail but God's all consuming fire will always burn off the dross and strengthen the vessel God has chosen to use in His service.
As you prepare for the coming new year ponder these things in your heart.
Recently I am read a wonderful account of George Mueller's life with a focus on his latter years. He was a great man of faith who consistently lived by faith and trusted God for the support of his ministry to care for orphans in England.
On his ninetieth birthday he made the following statements. He said that for sixty-nine years and ten months he had been a very happy man. He attributed this to two things. He maintained a good conscience, not willfully going on in a course contrary to the mind of God, and secondly, he loved the Holy Scriptures.
He consistently read the word of God each year. His aim was to read through the Bible at least four times each year. He also would strive to apply what he read to his own life and then meditate on the word.
What a great idea for each of us to entertain in our own lives. We need to strive to keep a good conscience and to dig deep into the word of God. How can we do this? We must rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us and purify us. Our own efforts at holiness will always fail but God's all consuming fire will always burn off the dross and strengthen the vessel God has chosen to use in His service.
As you prepare for the coming new year ponder these things in your heart.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
More Days by Keith Cook
"I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart." Psalms 40:8
There are just a few more days till Christmas. Only a few more days to shop for that perfect gift for those you love. With so much time there are many who will still wait till the last minute to get their gifts.
Some of the reasons people wait till the last minute to get that special gift:
1. They are afraid if they get a gift early they will see a more perfect gift later and will not be able to get it.
2. They do not have any idea what to get and keep hoping that they will see the perfect gift before they simply get an adequate gift that is not really what the person would want.
3. They cannot afford the gift they really want to get so they put off shopping until the last minute hoping to find a way to get it.
4. The present they want to get is not available. They are sold out. In demand. Hard to find. They are hoping to find it somewhere.
5. They are too busy to go out shopping. They will get something soon.
6. They are not into getting gifts for others and will simply get what is available at the last minute if they decide to get someone something or if someone gets them something.
7. They keep putting it off till later because other things keep getting in the way. They have good intentions but the time keeps getting away from them.
In many ways there are many who put off looking into their spiritual lives the same way many avoid Christmas shopping.
1. They are afraid of giving in to God's will for their lives because there is so much time to do what God wants them to do. They want to live a little first. Then they will do it.
2. They are fearful that what they are thinking God is leading them to do is not what He really wants for them.
3. They think what God is asking them to do they cannot afford to do. It will cost them too much.
4. They keep looking for God's will but cannot understand what He is asking them to do. They simply miss Him because they want to understand the end result before they go on the journey of faith.
5. They are too busy with their own plans and dreams. They neglect Jesus and His call on their lives.
6. They do not think that God speaks to people today. They simply must do their best, be good, and not get caught doing anything bad. They will do something if they have to, but not now.
7. Many people want to follow Christ but they keep putting it off. They want to do His will but they are so busy and their lives are so cluttered they keep missing Him.
There are only just a few days left till Christmas. Go shopping now and avoid the rush. Give in to having fun this Christmas.
The call of God and the perfect plan He has for your life is for an appointed time. Take that time. Do not put off following Christ. Do not neglect His will. It will be a great present to present to your Lord. Give Him the real gift He wants this Christmas, you doing His will!
There are just a few more days till Christmas. Only a few more days to shop for that perfect gift for those you love. With so much time there are many who will still wait till the last minute to get their gifts.
Some of the reasons people wait till the last minute to get that special gift:
1. They are afraid if they get a gift early they will see a more perfect gift later and will not be able to get it.
2. They do not have any idea what to get and keep hoping that they will see the perfect gift before they simply get an adequate gift that is not really what the person would want.
3. They cannot afford the gift they really want to get so they put off shopping until the last minute hoping to find a way to get it.
4. The present they want to get is not available. They are sold out. In demand. Hard to find. They are hoping to find it somewhere.
5. They are too busy to go out shopping. They will get something soon.
6. They are not into getting gifts for others and will simply get what is available at the last minute if they decide to get someone something or if someone gets them something.
7. They keep putting it off till later because other things keep getting in the way. They have good intentions but the time keeps getting away from them.
In many ways there are many who put off looking into their spiritual lives the same way many avoid Christmas shopping.
1. They are afraid of giving in to God's will for their lives because there is so much time to do what God wants them to do. They want to live a little first. Then they will do it.
2. They are fearful that what they are thinking God is leading them to do is not what He really wants for them.
3. They think what God is asking them to do they cannot afford to do. It will cost them too much.
4. They keep looking for God's will but cannot understand what He is asking them to do. They simply miss Him because they want to understand the end result before they go on the journey of faith.
5. They are too busy with their own plans and dreams. They neglect Jesus and His call on their lives.
6. They do not think that God speaks to people today. They simply must do their best, be good, and not get caught doing anything bad. They will do something if they have to, but not now.
7. Many people want to follow Christ but they keep putting it off. They want to do His will but they are so busy and their lives are so cluttered they keep missing Him.
There are only just a few days left till Christmas. Go shopping now and avoid the rush. Give in to having fun this Christmas.
The call of God and the perfect plan He has for your life is for an appointed time. Take that time. Do not put off following Christ. Do not neglect His will. It will be a great present to present to your Lord. Give Him the real gift He wants this Christmas, you doing His will!
Pyramids and the Word of God by Keith Cook
Today I was reading a book by Donald Grey Barnhouse (Romans) and ran upon this statement, "... to understand any given passage in the Word of God is to take the whole Bible and place the point of it, like an inverted pyramid on that passage, so that the weight of the entire Word rests upon a single verse, or indeed, a single word. "
His advise and insight into the Word of God is profound and I believe that it is the key to living out the Gospel in our culture. Taking passages out of context or in a dogmatic way only makes fodder for those who want to deny the power of the Word of God or discredit belief in Christ in any form or fashion. God can defend Himself and He needs no conniving, scheming, or spinning from us. We are simply to allow the Holy Spirit to shine His light on us as we shine His light on the Word. That way - there is no darkness at all.
Read the whole Bible and study the whole Bible, then study each book, each passage in light of the whole - complete - never changing - pure - inspired - divine - infallible Word of God! It will make you less dogmatic but more sure! When God says it is so, it is so! I think it is time for us to flip a few pyramids and see if we can clean up our theology a bit.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
God and Nations
Arise, O God, judge the earth!
For it is You who possesses all the nations. (Psalm 82:8 NASB)
Leaders and governments rattle their swords and strut their stuff but God is still in control.
This week I have seen presidential debates with men and women posturing to one up each other in order to lead a nation. One promising to be moral from now on as if that were humanly possible. Most humanistic and intellectual thinkers erroneously think you can just say or decide "from now on I will be good!" I've got news for them, we're not good. We can get better at not getting caught or living by a cultural code of ethics that demands little and rewards even less for towing it's line. But we all, outside of Christ, can not live a holy, pure, or righteous life.
I do not think God is very impressed with any of these man promoted and popularly elected leaders. Oh that every man and woman would let Jesus rule and reign in their lives. That they would let Christ be lifted up in their eyes and allow Him to cleanse their hearts.
If you look to kings and presidents to direct your steps you may find yourself imitating them; with no accurate moral compass, living life based off public opinion polls, with no individual integrity. You may be able to get elected as a pretty good person compared to some - but you know your Facebook and Twitter self promoting press releases about your life are not telling the whole story. But God knows the real you! And He still wants you in His family!
God would have you live your life based on His Word, with sure Biblical absolutes in your life, and daily living out the Gospel.
You can be sure that no matter what the nations do or who they elect, God will judge us all one day, and it is God who is really ruling in the Nations. He is working out His redemptive plan of salvation.
KC 2011
For it is You who possesses all the nations. (Psalm 82:8 NASB)
Leaders and governments rattle their swords and strut their stuff but God is still in control.
This week I have seen presidential debates with men and women posturing to one up each other in order to lead a nation. One promising to be moral from now on as if that were humanly possible. Most humanistic and intellectual thinkers erroneously think you can just say or decide "from now on I will be good!" I've got news for them, we're not good. We can get better at not getting caught or living by a cultural code of ethics that demands little and rewards even less for towing it's line. But we all, outside of Christ, can not live a holy, pure, or righteous life.
I do not think God is very impressed with any of these man promoted and popularly elected leaders. Oh that every man and woman would let Jesus rule and reign in their lives. That they would let Christ be lifted up in their eyes and allow Him to cleanse their hearts.
If you look to kings and presidents to direct your steps you may find yourself imitating them; with no accurate moral compass, living life based off public opinion polls, with no individual integrity. You may be able to get elected as a pretty good person compared to some - but you know your Facebook and Twitter self promoting press releases about your life are not telling the whole story. But God knows the real you! And He still wants you in His family!
God would have you live your life based on His Word, with sure Biblical absolutes in your life, and daily living out the Gospel.
You can be sure that no matter what the nations do or who they elect, God will judge us all one day, and it is God who is really ruling in the Nations. He is working out His redemptive plan of salvation.
KC 2011
Friday, October 2, 2009
This Blog is launching October 15
So glad you clicked our way. This new blog from Keith Cook will share insights, views, news, and Biblical reference for leaders that want to take the message of Jesus to the masses with integrity, passion, and excellence! Come back often for the weekly posts or sign up to have them delivered to your favorite blogging software or email address.
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