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.