Is Your Journey Legitimate?

As we gather this Sunday we will be celebrating Epiphany and we will remember the journey that the Magi took in getting to the Messiah: 
What were their motivations for traveling such a great distance to see a mere baby born to such meager parents? Scripture tells us that they journeyed just to worship this child, but on the other side we see the motives of King Herod. Herod gave the Magi his blessing in crossing through his land, but he asked that they see him upon their return, so they could give him a report. We see that it was revealed to the Magi that they should leave the country by another route and bypass Herod altogether. 

We see that God knew that Magi had legitimate intentions, and that Herod did not, thus God made a clear path for their arrival and departure. In other words their visions were met! In his character of the "Church Lady", comedian Dana Carvey portrays the pious church lady that always has an opinion for what God has in store for people the Church Lady had ulterior motives in the form of her opinions about people. Created and played by Dana Carvey, The Church Lady is an elderly woman named “Enid Strict”, who is the 
uptight, smug and pious host of her own talk show, Church Chat. 
Enid is a spoof of “holier-than-thou” Christian churchgoers.

Thus we must ask ourselves if our church journey is legitimate, and if our path of focus is true? We must also ask ourselves: 

• What are the opinions of those that see us from the outside looking in? Does it appear that our journey is legitimate to them, our can the spot phoniness from a mile away? 
• Will our journey lead us to the Messiah and will God reveal our true path of travel? Brothers and Sisters the only true and legitimate path to Christ is through worship and praise. Often we get caught up in the politics and business of church and we forget that the main mission, the main journey, is to worship Jesus Christ! 

My prayer for all of us this week is that we consider the legitimacy of our Christian journey and ask ourselves what our motivation of faith is? 

• Is it about a pretty sanctuary? 
• Is it about the coolest minister? 
• Is it about what entertainment a church can give us? 
• Or is it about our reputations being assisted if we attend the coolest happening church in the community?

As we go into our 2013 journey: 

• let our true motivation be about worshiping the "One True God" and not things of the earth that cannot ever satisfy, and which will never give our journey direction. Let me re-phrase this: Worshiping with non-legitimate motives will point you in a direction and this is not the direction of heaven, but rather a direction that will spiral downwards (If You Catch My Drift).

May Your Journey Be True and Legitimate in Worship and Praise!

Well Isn't That Special!
Pastor Tim 

Its Not Only Your Presents That Are New!

Well, the gifts are barely unwrapped and maybe some have already been returned! Facebook is loaded with posts about the new gifts that people received for Christmas. Many are diligently reading instruction manuals, while practicing the use of new gadgets, because we need to know how to use these devices.

While we have all these new gifts, we soon will be entering and celebrating a new year. We will see many make resolutions about new ways of living in the new year. I often wonder if people are as diligent in planning new ways to worship God, as they are with planning diets or better ways to handle money and relationships.

Brothers and Sisters as we practice with new gadgets that play roles in our life and as we anticipate new things in the new year, shouldn't we be planning and embracing new ways to praise God? 

The Gospels tell us of the newness that the birth of Christ means. Also, the Apostle Paul told us in his letter to the Romans of our news lives in baptism. We are told that this new life gives us eternal life with Christ in heaven. Yes, we are people in which God continually gives newness.

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.Romans 6:4 (ESV)

As people that are made new, shouldn't we constantly be finding new ways to praise God and to spread His Gospel? My prayer for all of us in the new year is that we enter it finding new ways to praise, worship, and be the people that God has made us new to be!

Next time someone tells you at church "We have always done it that way", tell them that God has made us new people and is constantly having the Holy Spirit introduce new ways for us to tell His story and to share His Word.

Jump into the New Year as a "new person", finding new ways to spread the word that is unchangeable. God has no limits and neither do his people have limits, in ways of spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Reading the Instruction Manual (The Bible) and Excited That I Have Been Made "New"!

Pastor Tim

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Benton KY Join us Christmas Eve for our Candlelight and Carols Worship. 9:00 PM at First Christian Church Benton. 2515 South Main Street. Benton Kentucky

The Race Begins

Many pastors have been preaching the fact that we are all on a journey through Advent, and that we are all going to arrive at the destination on Christmas. As I sit here and review my calendar for the day, let alone the week I cannot figure out how I'm going to get everything accomplished?

As we go to school concerts, Christmas parties, and as we try to complete our work prior to Christmas, the pace begins to quicken. Yes, this Advent journey has begun to go from walking, to a steady pace, and now it feels as we are beginning to run!

When we contemplate the pace of our Advent journey's we must think about the journey that the Magi took in getting to the Messiah, we must think of the distance that they traveled and how long the star shined in the sky as to guide them.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem ² and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2: 1-2

The distance that the Magi traveled is not really known, but we know that it was a great distance. We know that the Magi were patient and meticulous about their journey to the Christ child. We even know that they did not arrive until well after the birth of Christ, yet the star stayed bright in the sky as to lead them.

Brothers and Sisters, my prayer for all of us this day is that as we journey this Advent is that we take time to slow down and take time to be patient and meticulous as we travel to the manger. Be patient and know that like the star that guided the Magi, God will make sure that the Son shines bright enough and long enough for us to journey slowly and surely.

As we journey we must not let humanities busyness take away the joy of our journey's, we must not let the quickened pace cause us to run so fast that we miss the true meaning of the Christmas journey. So take off those track shoes, slow the pace, be patient and meticulous and arrive at the destination ready to embrace the full meaning of God's love for the world.

One of my favorite scripture passages is from Psalm 46:10 "Be Still and Know That I Am God!" This is my mantra as I journey this Advent, and as I also follow the star that will lead me to the Savior. Beloved: "Be Still and Know He Is God!" and slow down.

Slowing the Pace
Pastor Tim

Pastor Tim's Benton Blog: I Have Nothing

Pastor Tim's Benton Blog: I Have Nothing: By now most of us have heard about the shootings at the elementary school in Newtown Connecticut, and the senseless murders of twenty chi...

I Have Nothing

By now most of us have heard about the shootings at the elementary school in Newtown Connecticut, and the senseless murders of twenty children and six adults. Like most of us, my heart was broken upon learning this news.

Immediately the pastor side of Tim came out and I went to church and opened it up for anybody wanting to pray. I lit the candles, turned up the furnace and prepared to minister to those that might come out. As I sat in our empty sanctuary for three hours, time and thoughts began to ask me: "OK Wise Pastor Man, What Are You Going To Say To People?"

Since yesterday I have watched television, sent Facebook messages, read everything in my office about pastoral guidance in times of crisis. I have read cover to cover: "Why Bad Things Happen To Good People!" Yet everything I can think and learn, just doesn't seen adequate enough. Everything, I pray about, think about, seems to come from the point and status of an outside bystander.

When watching Good Morning America this morning, I was drawn to the Catholic Priest that had been up all night telling parents that their children were dead. He comforted them through the night and when interviewed he fell into the reporters arms weeping, and he stated: "I'm So Very Tired!" Yes, pastors feel, pastors weep, and pastors mourn, even though we have been called to be strong in faith, we at times don't have answers for why things happen.

One of my favorite musical performers is Bluegrass/Country performer Ricky Skagg's, who besides being a gifted musician, is a well spoken and gifted Christian. In times like this I'm drawn to one of his songs titled; "Seven Hillsides." The song is about a pastor who is contemplating his message for seven funerals, and I'm often drawn to this section:

Tomorrow I'll walk up, seven hillsides

Tremble before my flock on seven hillsides

Seven sorrows, seven sons, seven mothers and every one

Will turn to me for the word of God, what does this mean?

And there I'll stand good book in hand,

A shepherd to these precious lambs

What will I say, what will I say, what can I say?

As we mourn for those killed in Newtown Connecticut   we must be strong in our faith in the fact that God sacrificed his Son for our eternal life with him. Yes, Christ paid for the price of my sins, and your sins and the ending to Mr. Skagg's song reminded me of this:

The time has come to keep the faith
For others shattered by their loss.
Remind them of the loving God
Whose son like theirs paid the cost.
To save a sad and wicked world
Through sacrifice our love is heard
And pray that I believe those words.

Brothers and Sisters at these times even well trained and called pastors are sometimes at a loss for words, but I'm reminded of the pain that Christ felt when his Son was crucified for our iniquities. Our only hope that we can latch on to in times such as these is that we are saved through the sacrifice of Jesus. We will see each other again, and I pray that you believe these words, because they are true and are made to give us strength as we hold on tight to God when our hearts our broken.

With tomorrow being the third week of Advent, the week of "Joy", some pastors have thought about modifying their sermons about joy, and I refuse to do this because my faith in the coming of the Christ child is all about "Joy". Scripture tells us that through Jesus Christ, "Joy" cannot ever be taken away from us, so God will not allow it to be taken from us this Advent season.

So you who have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you (John 16:22). This is the promise of Christ for his people.

I Pray and I Believe the Words of God

Pastor Tim

Shout Out Loud and Sing for Joy!

During this time of year we face crowded shopping lines, as well as expectations that need completed before the end of the year. There are tasks that need completed at work, at home and even at church. Often we are so busy that we forget to just stop and raise our arms and shout and scream for joy. 

Brothers and Sisters, Advent is much more than hustle and bustle and spending our time trying to find the right gift for our loved ones. Next Sunday we enter the third week of Advent, the week of joy, the joy that we are one week closer to welcoming our Messiah that is to be born.

This expectant joy was revealed to us long before it was to occur, we were told in Isaiah that our salvation was to come. 

2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." 3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. 4 In that day you will say: "Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. 5 Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. 6 Shout aloud and sing for joy,people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you." Isaiah 12:2-6

Beloved, we are people of God's promise revealed  to us in the birth of the child in the manger. This child that would bring us our Salvation through his birth, life, suffering, death, and resurrection. The promise has been revealed and kept, we only need wait with expectation and the knowledge that Christ is coming. 

Next time you are waiting in the crowded line at the mall, or cut off by another vehicle in traffic, next time you want to curse and complain, while blaming it on Christmas...

1. Stop
2. Give Thanks to the Lord
3. Make His name known
4. Tell others what the Lord has done for you
5. Sing to the Lord, sing His songs to all who will hear
6. Raise your arms to the heavens and shout for joy, because joy has come in the form of the Messiah

People of God Joy comes in the morning, noon ,and at night in the form of a babe come to save the world and to set its people free from bondage. Find some time this week to "Shout Out Loud" and "Sing For Joy", for our God Emmanuel is with us in Joy!

Pastor Tim 

The Escort On The Advent Journey

The Escort On The Advent Journey

Next weekend several of our Marshall County Special Olympians will travelto the State of Kentucky Special Olympics Bowling Tournament, and the weekend will be full of great competition and life changing experiences. They are blessed to have awesome leaders go on the journey with them as to ensure their safety, protection, and well being.

After a full weekend of competition and fellowship, they are usually welcomed home to Marshall County with an escort by the Marshall County Sheriff's Department. I know that this was is an experience that they always remember. 

The same goes for us as we travel on this Advent journey, in the fact that God's Word gives us an escort home to Advent, home to the Messiah promised to come. In the Gospel of Luke in chapter three we see John the Baptist speaking the words of the Prophet Isaiah  ⁴ As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.5 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low.The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. 6 And all people will see God’s salvation."

We need not be a sports team being led home from a destination, and there is no special fame needed for an escort home. Beloved, we all may take different roads to the Christ Child, but we are to be at peace in the fact that God has given us an escort for our journey. The scriptures are God's personal escort for us that will deliver each and every one of us safely home and into the presence of the Messiah.

Our journeys may not be escorted by blue lights and the sounds of sirens, but we are promised that our escort will make our paths straight, and we will all be escorted to God's wonderful and glorious salvation through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Using God's Word As An Escort To Bethlehem!
Pastor Tim

The Illumination of Hope

Well, Advent begins next Sunday, and I will tell you that I am very ready for the journey that Advent takes us on. Within the last month I have attended two funerals of young people, and it has been a year in which I found myself officiating the funerals of beloved brothers and sisters in Christ. It's cold and rainy outside, its depressing, yet hope is on the way, the light will shine, and hope will be illuminated to the world.

We have witnessed events of devastation on this earth as well as violence locally and around the world, but yet we find ourselves more then ready for the season of Advent. Last week our church talked about Christ's second coming and God's promise to his people in which Christ paid the price for us on the cross. While we wait with joy for "That Great Getting Up Morning", we place our faithfulness and trust in the fact that Christ will return when God is ready. 

While we wait for the sound of glorious trumpets and Christ descending from the clouds, we also gather in expectation of the coming of the Christ Child that Christmas brings. "Yes" I'm more then ready for Advent  and as we gather the first week of Advent (Hope Sunday), I'm needing the true illumination of Christ's shining light to fall on me, to envelop me with it's radiance of love and promise.

And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him." May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:12-13).

My prayer is that those of you that have experienced loss, distress, and hopelessness, allow yourselves also to be illumined by the light of hope that the Christ child brings. Bask in God's promises revealed and kept, and let it restore you with the hope that only Jesus Christ can bring.

Let The Son Shine This Christmas
Pastor Tim

The Stray Cat In The Church Parking Lot

The last two days, we have had a cat wondering around the outside of our church and whenever I walk outside it follows me everywhere I go. As Rachel and I sit in our offices the cat sits in the parking lot meowing for attention. Until we got our cat a few years ago, I was never a cat lover and felt that I would be the last person in the world to be called a cat owner.

As this stray cat meows for our attention, I'm led to wonder where it came from and if it is missing from owners that nurtured it, cared for and loved it? Part of me wants to go outside and nurture this cat, if only to stop its meowing, but the other part of me knows that this cat will never leave if given attention.

As we will soon be entering the season of Advent and as we prepare to welcome the Christ child, we are also busy working with many different charities to help provide for the needy. But the question I pose to us this week is: As much as we provide for the wants of the needy, do we listen to their spiritual cries for attention or do we ignore them in the hopes that like the cat, they will simply go away?

2 Corinthians 6:18 states: "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."  Brothers and Sisters we are all like the cat meowing for attention, and the Lord has chosen to nurture us, love us, in the knowledge and thanksgiving that we will never leave him.

My prayer for us all this week is that as we provide for the physical need of the needy, we also work on providing for the emotional and spiritual needs of those that are crying in the wilderness, cities, towns, and even parking lots.

As I write this the cat has left the area, and I contemplate the actions of my intention.


Have a Blessed Thanksgiving Everyone
Pastor Tim.

40 Days In The Word Celebration and Mission Project.

Thanking God For His Abundant Blessings.

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Benton KY

From our family to yours, we wish you the abundance of God's blessings this Thanksgiving and always.

Chronicles 16:8 - Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the 

peoples.

Good Morning America

Good Morning America!

Before coming to church, my morning ritual involves coffee, and watching the news on Good Morning America. I usually watch this while reading the news of the world on my laptop. I am a firm believer that knowledge is power, and a well informed person can truly be prepared for most conversations. 

This morning between learning about George Clooney's breakup with his girlfriend, and all the spicy gossip of Britain's royal family, I left the house feeling ill prepared to broach any serious conversations.

The only positive news that I had to begin my day with was that our church was busy doing active ministry, whether in the form of mission trips, gospel concerts, stuffing teddy bears to give to children, our planning a new fall bible study .
As I contemplated these very two very different organizations (world media and church), I began to delve on why the world news was non-fulfilling while church news was fully fulfilling. 

The difference at least for Christians is in the fact that we as God's people know that when we bless God, when we turn our faces on him, God blesses us by turning his wonderful face on us. As I went to God's Word this morning, I read the following in the Book of Psalms chapter 67, verse 1.

Psalm 67:1 May God be gracious to us and bless us

    and make his face to shine upon us, Selah

Brothers and Sisters, God is gracious to his people and his church's when they are a blessing to him and others, "In His Name!"  I leave the word 'Selah" with you today, to pause on and to think about. We are told that "Selah"  Occurs frequently at the end of a verse in Psalms and Habakkuk, probably as a musical direction.

My prayer for all of us this week is that we constantly are a blessing to God and others, in the knowledge and fact that people that bless God are blessed by God. So when we encounter things of the world that leave us cold, take a breath and say "Selah!" In this way, each of us will take a pause and seek direction from God the Great Director of the music of creation.

Good Morning America, bless God and others, this day and every day.

Selah!

Pastor Tim

Fighting The Good Fight of Faith!

The last couple of weeks I have been able feed my hobby of studying the War Between the States, yes the Civil War. As I walked the hallowed grounds of battle, and as I have tried to discern what occurred at these places, it becomes difficult to imagine how the soldiers on either side felt. One thing that came to my mind while walking these fields of battle, was realizing that they all have one thing in common. What they have in common is that at a certain time in the battle one or both sides had to make the decision to stay and fight our to retreat for safety.

As we enter times in which we agree or disagree with our government and even our churches, some of us may have thought about staying to fight, or retreating to safety. As I study Civil War history, I'm often led to stories of generals that were able to get their troops to stay and fight onto victory. This leads me to write about the Apostle Paul in his first letter to Timothy in which Paul strengthens Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:12


Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses (ESV).

We see Paul writing this to give Timothy strength in his ministry, and to keep on professing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Timothy did not flee but took the words of Paul and kept on working, knowing who he was and who he belonged to. Paul told Timothy that as long as he followed God's Words, he would be without blemish or blame. 

Brothers and Sisters, the same goes for us today, whether it is elections, church politics, or work decisions that do not go your way. Stay in there and fight the good fight, do not flee, do not run, but be assured that as long as we follow God's commands, we will be without blemish or blame. 

Fight the good fight, never give up,never surrender!
Pastor Tim.

Pastor Tim's Benton Blog: Keeping An Eye On The Storm!

Pastor Tim's Benton Blog: Keeping An Eye On The Storm!: As i sit in my office this morning, like many of those around the world I am keeping an eye on Hurricane Sandy. Yes our eyes are glued ...

Keeping An Eye On The Storm!

As i sit in my office this morning, like many of those around the world I am keeping an eye on Hurricane Sandy. Yes our eyes are glued to our television sets, Internet pages, and cell phone news reports, as to be informed about the devastation that is being anticipated.

On that night that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was gathered with his disciples, he was looking with forward thinking eyes that viewed his future with exact knowledge. Christ knew of the pain that was to be inflicted upon him, he knew of the suffering that laid before him, yet his love for his disciples led him to speak words of encouragement and promise to his disciples. 

As the Body of Christ, we are blessed with the forward thinking words that were left to us in scripture. God's word reveals to us his vision for us as we look to the future with forward thinking eyes: 

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 1Peter 2:21 (ESV.) 

Brothers and Sisters: The words revealed to us in this text tell us that as we go forward in Christ's example, we must follow his steps and make sacrifices for others. As we walk with Christ to the cross, we understand what sacrifice is all about, and what we should be doing as Christ's body here on earth. 

My prayer for us all this week: As we hear reports of devastation on the east coast,may the body of Christ gather as his example of forward thinking eyes and come to the aid of those in need. My prayer is also that this horrific event be the catalyst for Christians to lead by example, as we sacrifice our worldly possessions of "Time, Talent, and Resources" for the world that God has created. 

Looking Forward and Praising God and "Keeping An Eye On The Storm!" 

Pastor Tim

Pastor Tim's Benton Blog: The Abundant Word of God!

Pastor Tim's Benton Blog: The Abundant Word of God!: The picture in this Monday's blog was done by our Young Adult Church School, and portrays what an abundant life is about in today's famil...

The Abundant Word of God!

The picture in this Monday's blog was done by a previous Young Adult Church School at a former church, and portrays what an abundant life is about in today's family. The picture portrays activities in reference to sports, vacations, good food, but most importantly quality time with our families. In our busy schedules it is so hard to find time for what is important, especially our family relationships and the bonding that can only occur through shared family experiences.

The same goes for our reading the bible and finding enough quality time to read it and to bond with it in relationship and experience. This weeks blog will give helpful hints as to get as much from your bible reading, so it will supply us with an "Abundant Life" in God's Word. Rick Warren tells us that God's Word must be studied in the following ways.

1. Observation: What is it saying?
2. Interpretation: What does it mean?
3. Correlation: What other verses explain it?
4. Application: What am I going to do about it?

Brothers and Sisters, as we strive to have a life of abundance in everything that we do, let us also try to have a life of abundance in understanding God's Word. God desires to be in relationship with each and every one of us, and as we spend that quality time with our families, let us spend some quality time with Father God in his Holy Word!

Living Abundantly

Pastor Tim. 

Is Your Cup Half Empty Or Half Full?

John 14:26

English Standard Version (ESV)

²⁶ But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

As I was drinking my coffee this morning I noticed that I had consumed half of the cup, and I got to thinking how I felt about that. Was I disheartened because half the cup was gone? Was I happy for the goodness of half of the cup that I had already consumed? I decided that what I had was a great cup of coffee that was waiting for me to finish it, as to enjoy this tasty warm brew that was awakening me.

Brothers and Sisters, life is like this sometimes, and we wonder if we should complain or celebrate. Do we need more of something or do we celebrate what God has given us?  The same goes for learning God's Word for our lives, as we study scripture. Do we read the God's Word just enough to believe what we want or do we read it completely to see what God wants for us? 

I am in no way comparing God's word to a cup of coffee, but I am asking us this week if we read our bibles half empty or half full? If we leave our reading of God's Word without it speaking to us and leaving us living and active, have we truly read enough to reveal God's expectations for our lives?

Beloved, God's Word should never leave us half empty, we should approach God's Word in the manner and fact of it's fullness for our lives. So as you drink that cup of coffee, don't worry about it being half empty, consume it's full warmth and goodness, and let it awaken you. Likewise, read the God's Word in its fullness and let it leave you living a life that is full and active, let it awaken God's love and relationship in you now and always.

Pastor Tim Polley

Don't Be A Rotting Pumpkin!

Yesterday as I was unloading a trailer of pumpkins for our church pumpkin sale for charity, I found several rotten pumpkins that I had to dispose of, I mean who could use rotten pumpkins. Brothers and Sisters, as we begin our week, let us make this a Micha 6:8 week.

Micah 6:8

English Standard Version (ESV)

He has told you, O man, what is good;

    and what does the Lord require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

    and to walk humbly with your God?

Let us ask ourselves, are we doing what the Lord requires or are we just sitting like rotting pumpkins that are of no use to anyone or anything? Let us do justice, love kindness and walk in humbleness before God. Instead of being rotting pumpkins, let us be fresh pumpkins that are used to display the abundance of God's provision for our lives.

Beloved, being a Christian is all about ministry, and making disciples of God's creation. This can not be done by sitting in the pumpkin patch rotting, it can only be done by displaying God's freshness, abundance and provision. 

Let us make our Micah 6:8 week by letting God use us to His glory and His benefit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Taq43LI-gk

Let someone take you out of your pumpkin patch this week and always.

Pastor Tim Polley

First Christian Church

Benton, Kentucky

40 Days in the Word

Has your Bible been gathering dust? Do you look at the Bible sitting in your pew at church, and never open a page? Beloved, the Bible is a collection of God's love letters to his creation. Learning the Word, Loving the Word, and Living the Word, are what our 40 Days in the Word study are all about at First Christian Church in Benton. How often have you read God's word and asked yourself: "What is God telling me, how can I place this into my daily life?" 

Brothers and Sisters, the Bible is the original witness to God's revelation for his creation, that speaks to all humanity in reference to our Salvation in Jesus Christ. As God's people we are given God's written word as a guide for our daily lives, as we share what God has revealed to us with all who will listen.

This is why First Christian is offering this non-denominational study of God's word, in which we will gather weekly in various small groups in different locations. Our groups will watch videos by Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church, and discuss as a small group the emphasis of study for the week.

We invite you to join us, in this study that begins October 7, 2012. If you have any questions, call Pastor Tim Polley at the church office: 270-527-8560.

Until we meet again

Learn God's Word

Love God's Word

and

Live God's Word

Bless God's Holy and Revealed Word

Pastor Tim.

Are You A Murderer?

How often as parents, church members, and friends have we murdered? The murder that I speak of in this message is the killing of someones dream or vision. How often has someone come to us all excited about goals and plans for their lives and ministries, and the first words out of our mouths are murdering words that killed a dream as surely as we would have stabbed it in the heart.

In today's text from 

Philippians 3:14

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Whether it's the vision for someones life calling, or the vision that a pastor or church member has for a ministry, have we truly thought that this goal or vision has come to a person through much prayer and thought.

Often when embracing dreams and goals, the response is viewed through worldly eyes rather then Holy Spirit, God filled and God Blessed eyes. Brothers and Sisters, yes there are times when we must respond to people in love about their goals and visions, but my prayer for you this day is that you consider the persons goals through Christian eyes and not human eyes

If you have killed a dream, God grants you pardon and forgiveness and asks you to consider the person, the prayers and God before brandishing the killing weapons of a dream killer. We know that when we place our trust in God and relinquish human doubt, the world and universe are open to God's Precious and Loving Majesty.

Taking your wanted poster down today

Pastor Tim

The Work Begins Again

Work hard, but not just to please your masters when they are watching. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 
Ephesians 6:6

Brothers and Sisters, it's Monday again and the work week has begun. As we each sit at our work location, contemplate our new work week and consider how we are to perform our tasks, does anticipation of the weekend to come override our job performance? 

Personally, sometimes I find myself worrying about the tasks at hand instead of why they are being performed, or who they are being performed for. Sometimes on the job tasks feel menial, and are often done in repetition rather than thought. 

As we go about our occupations this week let us ask ourselves who we truly are working for, and in what attitude God wants on our hearts as we labor. The same goes in our work communications, in the fact that as God's people we are called to share his love, excitement, and compassion with those whom we work with.

My prayer for all of this week is that we concentrate on the tasks at hand, and not worry about the end of the week. Go forth in the promise, enthusiasm, and commitment, in the fact that the God who makes Mondays, makes Saturdays and Sunday's.

God's kingdom is the prize, keep your eyes on it this week.

Knowing who the Boss is!
Pastor Tim

Pastor Tim's Benton Blog: Back to Church Sunday. September 16, 2012

Pastor Tim's Benton Blog: Back to Church Sunday. September 16, 2012

Back to Church Sunday. September 16, 2012

 
With tomorrow being the eleventh anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States, I would like to dedicate this weeks Pastor Tim's Benton Blog to the Emergency Service Personnel of Marshall County Kentucky as well as emergency service personnel all over our wonderful country.

Brothers and Sisters, these diligent hero's go into harms way on our behalf and like the attacks of eleven years ago these selfish hero's run in as we are running out.

We place our trust and safety in them and we thank their families for sharing them with us. This week I ask that you find one of these wonderful individuals and thank them for their service and their sacrifice.

Let us also keep in prayer our military personnel that are standing on that wall and protecting us from those that would try to harm us and our way of life.To those that lost their lives eleven years ago we mourn their loss. and to those emergency personnel that lost their lives on 911, and to those military personal that have given the last full measure,we can never say thank you enough.

Thankful for my Savior and those that he sends to protect me.
Pastor Tim

Prayer for Firefighters and Emergency Responders

Father, I'm praying for firefighters and others who hold dangerous jobs where lives often hang in the balance...

When they face danger—be their stronghold. (Psalm 9:9b)

When they feel inadequate—help them do all things through Christ. (Philippians 4:13)

When they're upset—give them peace at all times and in every way. (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

When they're exhausted—give them Your strength. (Isaiah 40:29)

When they're overwhelmed—may Your grace be sufficient. (2 Corinthians 12:9a)

When things seem impossible—remind them that nothing is too hard for You. (Jeremiah 32:17)

When they don't know what to do—show them. (Isaiah 30:21)

When they're in trouble—be their ever-present help. (Psalm 46:1)

When they're confused—give them a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7b)

When they're afraid—help them trust in You. (Psalm 56:3)

When their heart grows faint—be their Rock. (Psalm 61:2b)

Bring them through fire and flood, that they may praise You. (Psalm 66:12, 17)

In Jesus' name, amen.

Source: "Prayers for the Moment: One-Minute Scripture Prayers" Copyright September 2006. Reprinted with permission of B&H Publishing Group