Pastor's Corner
| Welcome to Living Truth! | 2009-02-10 |
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Dear Friend,
Welcome to Living Truth! We are glad that you have chosen to visit our site. We are a church fellowship with a passion to reach out to the lost and build up believers in Jesus Christ. The symbol on our logo is a pillar and the pillar sums up what Living Truth is all about.
Paul wrote to the young Pastor Timothy in 1 Timothy 3:15…
“But in case I am delayed, I write so that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.”
The people of Living Truth have embraced this threefold description of our name:
2) Living Truth emphasizes the power and “aliveness” of God’s Word. For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). The church must “preach the Word” (“the truth”) (see 2 Timothy 4:1-5, cf. 2 Peter 2:1-2). It is God’s truth that saves (Romans 1:16). Specifically the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:13; Colossians 1:5;
2 Thessalonians 2:10, 12-13; 1Timothy 2:4). God’s truth sets us free (John 8:31-36, Romans 8:1-2) and sanctifies (John 17:17). God’s Word is alive and powerful and its truth will impact, change and shape lives.
3) Living Truth is what we are all supposed to be about. We are to live (out) truth (1 Peter 1:22-23,
2 Peter 1:12). We are to teach and disciple people to do this in their every day lives, on Sunday morning, at their workplace, school, sports program, hobbies, etc. The church must be mission minded. We, the church, by God’s grace and power need to remember who we are and what we are to be doing. Our prayer is to see an evangelistic fire, a passion for corporate outreach, as well as a desire for everyone in the fellowship to reach their “sphere of influence.” As we collectively live out truth (Ephesians 4:1) people will be touched around us and God will be glorified (Matthew 5:13-16).
As you check out the site be sure to listen to some of the sermons so you can get to know us better and don’t hesitate to call upon us if we can help you in any way.
Pastor Michael Lantz |
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| What is Prayer? | 2009-02-08 |
One night a few years back I was preparing a message on prayer. I had worked on it all week. I buttoned everything up on Saturday night and then it hit me, "I better pray before I get ready to deliver a message on prayer!" So, I got on my knees laid my notes before the Lord and asked for His guidance. I asked that He would add or take away from the message as He would will and here is what entered my mind (I believe from the Spirit of God). What follows really became the outline for the message that Sunday, but more than that it has stuck with me and them (the church) even to this day:
1) Prayer is an act of humility (1 Peter 5:5-7) 2) Prayer is an admission of my dependency (on Jesus - see Hebrews 4:14-16) 3) Prayer is a cry for conformity (into His image - see Romans 8:29, 12:1-2) I hope that when you and I pray we will remember these things because I believe that as we come regularly and humbly before the Lord in full dependence on Him He will be faithful to continue to make us more like Jesus. |
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| Living Truth “Fast” | 2008-10-27 |
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Dear Precious Church family, As we have studied through the book of Nehemiah it has been on my heart once again to call for a time of fasting and prayer. I believe we are at an exciting time for our church fellowship and a critical time for our nation and world. It is vitally important that we seek the Lord and cry out to Him for restoration and revival. Nehemiah 9:1-3 tells us the following: “Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the sons of Israel assembled with fasting, in sackcloth, and with dirt upon them. And the descendants of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. While they stood in their place, they read from the book of the law of the Lord their God for a fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the Lord their God.” For the people of Israel it was a critical time of moving their nation back under God. They had heard God’s Law and they knew it was time to get right with the Lord. Fasting is important, as we’ve talked about before it is something we do to push down the flesh and its demands and elevate the things of the Spirit. However, we are not just fasting to fast (Isaiah 58, see also Matthew 6:16-34). We are fasting as a fellowship because our hearts deeply desire to see God move in our midst and revive our churches and restore our nation. We are fasting because our world needs the Lord and we are fasting because we don’t want everything in our lives to always be about what we eat, drink and wear, but rather that it be about the kingdom of God. The fast will last for 10 days. It will begin on Monday October 27th and end on Wednesday November 5th. I would really encourage and exhort all of you to participate and follow the plan that is laid out. It will be a challenge, but it is supposed to be! Do your best to not only follow the schedule but participate in the corporate events that we hold. You will be encouraged along the way by knowing that the rest of your church family is doing it too! Prepare yourself spiritually before the fast begins so you’re ready. From October 27th to November 5th we will be doing a “Daniel (type) fast” (10 days). Please see the back of this sheet for the foods that you can eat and the schedule for devotions and prayer. For those of you who choose to do so you may intersperse full days of fasting (water only). Please note that there will be two days when you may take a break from the food fast: Saturday November 1st and Monday November 3rd. On those days we will fast from TV. You can do it. This fast includes video games! Each time you would have normally turned on the tube, open the Bible instead. Spend time with your spouse, family or friends and pray. There is no fast from food for these days, but what you may want to do is break the fast for one special meal on these days and then go back to the fast. If you have health issues that keep you from fasting please consult your doctor and seek wisdom from the elders. Be assured that there is latitude here if you need it. Make sure you read the back of this sheet for more details. Details on the Daniel fast According to the text in Daniel 1:8… “Daniel purposed in his heart (resolved NIV, made up his mind NAS) that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” (Daniel 1:8 NKJ) Decide/purpose in your heart that you want to draw closer to the Lord during these 10 days. Daniel and his friends fasted for 10 days eating vegetables and drinking water (Daniel 1:12). This Hebrew word (for vegetables) appears in a plural form in the OT, only here and in v. 16. It might refer to wheat or barley, or it could be fresh vegetables (or it could include both vegetables and grains). Here is what we propose you do during these 10 days: You may eat: Whole grains: Brown rice, oats, barley, all fruits and all vegetables (including potatoes), seeds, nuts & sprouts. Legumes: Pinto beans, dried beans, split peas, lentils, black eyed peas, lima beans, navy beans, kidney beans. Optional: Fish or whole wheat bread (do this on a limited basis and only if you are really desperate for some substance!). You may drink: Water, all natural fruit juices and vegetable juices, fruit smoothies, black coffee and iced tea. Avoid: Meat, white rice, all fried foods, carbonated beverages, alcohol, refined sugar, sugar substitutes, all products containing white flour, all products containing preservatives or additives, all eggs and dairy. During each day of the fast as soon as you wake up get on your knees (if possible) by your bed and open your Bible to Romans 12:1-2. Present yourself to God as a living sacrifice tell Him that you desire to serve Him this day, to be holy and pleasing to Him and to offer your body and mind unto Him. Then open your Bible to Ephesians 6:13-20. In prayer, put on each of the pieces of the Armor of God by faith. Example: “Father, by faith I put on the belt of truth, help me today to hear Your truth, read Your truth, speak truth and apply Your truth.” I will also exhort you to attend one of our Sunday morning prayer meetings (or both) at 8:45 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. at the cross (near the corner of the church property) that we might seek the Lord together and ask Him to pour out His power and blessings on the morning services and ministry throughout the week. By the end of the 10 days make it your goal to have these verses memorized. Picture yourself as a knight of old presenting yourself for service before your King and asking for your marching orders. Ask The Lord for the opportunity to serve someone, pray for someone or to share the gospel with someone and keep your eyes open and do it! Join us for our corporate prayer meetings each Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. (in the sanctuary just before the Wednesday night service) on October 29th and November 5th. We will share some personal testimonies about what the Lord is doing in our lives and give you more specific things to pray for. I will give you more information at the Church Information meeting and as we go along. May the Lord bless you for your desire to participate in this fast and grow in your most holy faith! Pastor Michael Prayer Focus - 10 Day Fast Living Truth Christian Fellowship (Week of Oct. 27th, 2008) Monday October 27th – Let’s pray that God will give us favor and that proposition 8 passes. Pray for the strength and healing of marriages and families in our churches and nation (Devotion: Genesis 2:18-25; Ephesians 5:18-32). Tuesday October 28th – Pray for our leaders and their salvation both locally and in local and national government. Keep in mind that one week from today we will vote into office the next President of the United States (Devotion: Proverbs 14:34; 1Timothy 2:1-6). Don’t forget to vote! Wednesday October 29th – Pray for Muslims all over the world and those living in the U.S. that God will use missionaries and His local church to reach them. (Devotion: Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Peter 3:9). Thursday October 30th – Please Pray that God will continue to bless and expand the impact of Living Truth Christian fellowship (Devotion: Acts 2:42-47) Friday October 31st – Pray for those involved in the occult, Satanism, Witchcraft, The New Age, Scientology, etc. that God will turn them from darkness to light (Devotion: Acts 26:12-19). Note: Use your own discretion on whether or not you want your kids to fast and how rigid you should be if they do. I know many of them enjoy candy on this night you may want to give them a break tonight and let them enjoy it. Some local churches are holding country fairs and harvest nights. Saturday November 1st – Pray for Living Truth Radio that God will continue to bless it, expand it and use it to impact the church and unbelievers for His glory (Devotion: Acts 6:1-7). Remember today you have a break from the food fast. Fast from TV all day. Sunday November 2nd- Please come to one of our two Sunday morning Prayer Meetings at 8:45 and 10:30 a.m. We meet at the cross on the corner of the property. We pray for God to pour out His Spirit on the morning services and to reach out to the lost and strengthen and equip the saved who come (Matthew 9:35-38; Hebrews 13:20-21). Also, don’t forget that each Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. we will meet for corporate prayer. Please notice these key points that jumped out at me from Nehemiah 9:1-3: They “separated themselves” They stood and confessed their sins And the iniquities of their fathers They read from the book of the law of the Lord their God (for a quarter of the day) And for another quarter of the day they confessed and worshiped the Lord their God. Imagine if we all spent a quarter of our day focused on the things of God! Thanks for committing yourself to fasting and prayer, may God strengthen you this week and may you grow in your relationship with Him and your most holy faith! |
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| Resting and Responding | 2008-07-25 |
1n September 1999 both the Chicago Tribune and the New York Times featured articles that told the incredible story of a man named Merhan Karimi Nasseri. For 11 years he was a man without a country.
For 11 years he lived in a Paris airport. He had no passport. He had no citizenship. He had no papers that enabled him to leave the airport or fly to another country. He had been expelled from his native country of Iran. Then he was sent away from Paris, France, because he lacked documentation. He said his Belgian-issued refugee document had been stolen. He flew to England but was denied entry and sent back to Paris. When he was returned to the Paris airport in 1988, airport authorities allowed him to live in Terminal 1, and there he stayed for 11 years, writing in a diary, living off of handouts from airport employees, cleaning up in the airport bathroom.
Then in September 1999 the situation reversed. French authorities presented Nasseri with an international travel card and a French residency permit. Suddenly he was free to go anywhere he wanted. But when airport officials handed him his walking papers, to everyone's surprise, he simply smiled, tucked the documents in his folder, and resumed writing in his diary. They found he was afraid to leave the bench and table that had been his home for 11 years. As the days passed and Nasseri refused to leave, airport officials said they would not throw him out of the airport, but they would have to gently and patiently coax him to find a new home.
Can you imagine a more unnatural home than an airport? It is bustling, it is interesting, but it is not home. When we come to Christ, we have a move to make that can be as frightening as the move Nasseri had to make from the airport. We are beckoned from the unnatural home of the ways of this fallen world to our new home: the ways of the kingdom of God. Don't hold back.[1]
Many believers are much like this man Nasseri. Jesus Christ has made them free, they can now walk in freedom and power, but they remain “chained” to old habits, old ways of thinking and poor decisions. They have their “walking papers” but for all practical purposes they are still glued to a cold bench and table in Terminal 1. Why? It could be fear, familiarity, perhaps just simply settling for less than they/we could be?
In Ephesians 4:1 Paul wrote these most important words:
“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,”
Before Paul wrote Ephesians 4:1 he penned three of the most life changing chapters ever recorded. In these chapters he tells us about our glorious calling in Christ. I encourage you to read them. But for our purpose let me quickly summarize their rich content: in chapter 1 we find out that we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ and that God chose us before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before Him (see 1:3-4). We find out that we are redeemed and forgiven of our sins through God’s awesome grace (1:7). We find out that we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise “who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance” (see 1:14).
In chapter two Paul tells us that we were dead in our trespasses and sins but because of God’s great love we are alive in Jesus Christ (2:1-5). He tells us that we are saved completely by God’s grace, His gracious gift of salvation and not by works (2:8-9). He goes on to say that we are God’s workmanship (His work of art) and that Jesus is our peace (see 2:10, 14). In chapter 3 Paul reveals the mystery of the church (Jew and Gentile are included) and sums up with a benediction that brings us to the heights of God’s love. He prays that we “may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God” (3:18-19).
The point is we can REST in the finished work of our glorious Savior Jesus Christ. But there is also a response to this rest that we need to see.
Now, as we look at Ephesians 4:1 again we see that old familiar word “therefore.” In other words, in light of everything I just told you about your calling and who you are in Christ…“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called.”
First, notice that Paul entreats the Ephesians to walk worthy. Entreat is translated urge in the NIV, beseech in the NKJ, and beg in the RSV. It connotes intense desire or strong feelings. Paul is saying I am passionately begging you to lead a life worthy of your calling.
Second, Paul says I am begging you to walk worthy…Remember that the Christian life is compared to a “walk.” It is a picture of a consistent stride, a continual moving heading toward a goal – a consistency. In the New Testament it is frequently used to speak of our daily living and conduct. We often say to other believers “How’s your walk?” Are you moving forward? The old saying is that Christian life is like climbing a greased pole - you are either going up or sliding down - you can’t be stationary!
Third, he talks about waking worthy. The Greek word for worthy (axios) is very revealing. The word has the root idea of weight. This is the word from which we derive our English word axiom, which means, “to be of equal weight.” In an equation the axiom indicates doing something to each side of the equation so it remains true. By extension, the word came to be applied to anything that was expected to correspond to something else. In other words Paul is talking about ‘balancing the scales.’ Let the reality of who you are in Christ correspond to the reality of how you live – be consistent! Practically, you can’t be perfect but you can become consistent. It takes time but it can and does happen!
Now that you know who you are, this is how to live in response. (For more vital information on how to do this read Ephesians 4, 5 and 6! You will find critical information in these three chapters. Maybe you should make these chapters your devotional reading for the next few weeks).
We are moving from theology to practicality from doctrine to duty. From the “wealth” of the believer to the “walk” of the believer. With all that we have in Christ let us live in such a way that does that justice. Let’s balance the scales! In other words, now that you know who you are this is how you should act.
Let’s leave the airport and soar with wings like eagles by His power and for His glory!
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