Have a Thankful Spirit - Devotional Nov. 25, 2009

The following devotional appears in The Connection, a publication of The Bargain Browser in White House, TN.

http://www.browserconnection.com

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Practical Faith with Pastor K

Have a Thankful Spirit

The fifth chapter of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians contains some brilliant, practical application of faith.

But putting into practice what the Bible says is often harder than it looks, because real-life situations are both tempting and full of trial that counters everything we know about doing the right thing.

Here, however, Paul gives us insight how we handle those tough situations – with a thankful spirit. In fact, in First Thessalonians 5:18, he says “in everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

As you read, you may be thinking that sounds good in theory but doesn’t make sense in a tough economic time, during sickness, job loss, a hurtful relationship or uncertainty of purpose or place. To learn to be thankful in the toughest moment is to learn the truth of how blessed we are.

God loves you immensely. Some do not choose to return that love to Him, nor accept the sacrificial gift of salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. Others take great boasting in God’s blessing and beg for Him to come through when they need Him most, but seldom take time to thank Him.

I have my share of tough moments, and this week has been a difficult one for a variety of reasons. Everyone has those days, right? But what kind of thankful spirit do we possess when we’re digging our way out of the pity-party pits?

So I have dedicated the next few lines to what I am thankful for: my wonderful wife Jennifer, who works hard every day so our family can have health insurance and is God’s perfect match for me. We have been married over 11 years. I have two incredible children, Madison and Noah, who are smarter than their dad and constantly bring joy to our home.

God has blessed me with 19 years of my health following a diagnosis of type-one diabetes in high school, and I pray every day for the healing He has the power to accomplish. I have a great extended family and God gave me the chance to return home to Sumner County after seven years in another state, and has surrounded us with a great team of people ready to launch a brand new church and reach people for Jesus.

And after writing just two paragraphs of what I’m thankful for, it doesn’t seem this week is as tough after all. Thankfulness will always change your perspective and I challenge you to start making a list, and watch what happens.

Remember, in everything give thanks for this is what God desires for you.

Be blessed!

Pastor Kris Freeman is a church planter with General Baptist National Missions. Revolution Church will launch in White House and Cross Plains in fall, 2010. For more information, visit www.myrevolutionchurch.com .

Do the Right Thing - Devotional Nov. 10, 2009

The following devotional appears each week in The Bargain Browser/The Connection in White House, TN:

Practical Faith with Pastor K

Do the Right Thing…

Character is best measured when no one is looking. For the Christian, however, there is faith that we are never alone and God is always paying attention.

While Paul is clear in Ephesians 2:8-9 that our works will not save us; rather we are “saved by grace, through faith, not of works, lest any man should boast,” I am confident that if you are a follower of Christ, God expects you to be obedient to His Word and be a good person.

He is not judging your salvation according to your works, for we would never measure up. Without the saving grace of Jesus, none of us can get to Heaven. But I have reasoned that God desires for me to live the best life I can live for Him;, I am called to overcome bad things by holding on to what is good (Romans 12).

This is harder than it looks. Living your faith is tested when you are behind the wheel and a driver makes a bad decision in front of you, or when life is unfair, and you feel to be getting the short end of the stick. It’s hard when the person checking out in front of you holds up the line, the train makes you late for work, or your kid spills ketchup on the back seat driving down the interstate. Maybe a co-worker tells another of your troubles without your permission, or a friend gossips behind your back. Your boss is mean, your money is tight or your marriage is struggling. Worse yet, the doctor may say he cannot save you and it doesn’t seem like God is listening.

Now while character often arises in adversity, so does fault. We make mistakes and let down our guard when we struggle. God has a promise in His Word that is so incredible, and so practical, I feel compelled to share with you. Whatever you fight at this very moment, hold to this truth and keep your head up:

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also may the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

Don’t let down your faith when you are tested. God will always come through and while you wait on His time, be a person of good character and strive to always do the right thing.

Be blessed!

Pastor Kris Freeman is a church planter with General Baptist National Missions. Revolution Church will launch in White House and Cross Plains in fall, 2010. For more information, visit www.myrevolutionchurch.com .

Seven-day Fasting

Good evening,

Tomorrow morning I will begin a seven-day fasting period for the vision of Revolution Church. I am praying for opportunities to share the vision and for ministry partners to join with us so that we can meet our first-level goals by January. If you would like to join with me, please leave a comment here or on Facebook to let me know, and then fast at a meal or snack time for seven days beginning Monday through next Sunday, and watch the amazing things God does through faithful and fervent prayer.

Be blessed, and thanks for prayer warriors!

Pastor Kris

Here is a scripture to help you:

Isaiah 58:5-9
5 Is it a fast that I have chosen, A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, And to spread out sackcloth and ashes Would you call this a fast, And an acceptable day to the LORD?
6 Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh?
8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. 9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’

Revolution Church - 60-second promo video

Good afternoon!

Check out our first promo video for Revolution Church. Thanks to Dustin T. for the help!

http://www.vimeo.com/7340430



Be blessed!

Pastor K

No Time for Boating (Weekly Devotional)

Here is a copy of my weekly devotional to The Connection in White House, TN - the local newspaper. Be blessed!

Pastor K

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As published in The Connection on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009

No Time for Boating
By Pastor Kris Freeman
In the middle of uncertainty, are you tempted to return to your boat?

Peter was a person like many of us. While devoted to Christ as his apostle, Peter was stubborn, brash, bold, and hard-headed. He was not afraid to argue and willing to fight for what he believed. In many ways, Peter was a guy you’d want in your corner – faithful, but must be kept in tight reign.

And where did Jesus find him? He was fishing, in a boat, working, frustrated at his catch. But this decision to follow Christ did not erase Peter’s personality. He worked to overcome his struggles the entire time Jesus was on earth.
It seems that each struggle involved Peter and his comfort zone – the boat. The boat here is metaphoric; what thing have you left behind that in your toughest moments you cling to or return?

After a night of empty fishing, Jesus asked Peter to recast his nets, and so many fish came aboard it was breaking them. Peter had to leave the boat when Jesus promised to make his disciples “fishers of men.” Peter stepped out of the boat when during the night, he saw Jesus walking on water. His faith was challenged when he saw the wind and waves and began to sink, only as Jesus saved him, asking “Peter, where is your faith? Why did you doubt?”

The greatest struggle of Peter’s life, however, sent him right back to the boat. As Jesus was captured, Peter cut off the ear of a guard and tried to fight for Jesus, only to be rebuked and watch the man healed. In the courtyard on three occasions, Peter was recognized as a follower of Christ and denied it. He even cursed one who asked him. When Jesus was crucified, imagine the shame as Peter returned to his boat and went out to fish.

“Simon Peter said to them, I am going fishing. They said to him, we are going with you also. They went out immediately and got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.” (John 21:3 NKJV)

The resurrected Christ appeared on the shore. They listened as he instructed them to cast their nets on the other side and find a huge catch. When John told Peter, it was Jesus, he jumped out and swam to the shore, where Christ asked him three times if he loved him – and opposite of his denial, Peter upheld his devotion.

In the Old Testament, Jonah found the convenience of a boat when running from God. Peter returned to the security of his boat following his mistake. The boat itself is not the evil; rather there is temptation to run from your calling when you hurt. Like Jonah and Peter, you will likely rock the boat and find no comfort in it.

Be strong in faith that in tough moments, Christ has never left you; never forsaken you. He will always be there and through the power of the Holy Spirit, goes with you every day.

Don’t sit in the boat, pouting away your sorrows, or return to your past to find comfort in what you left behind. The Savior is not asking you to paddle away your sin; be faithful, forgiven, rise above it and walk on water.

Pastor Kris Freeman is a church planter with General Baptist National Missions. Revolution Church, reaching White House and Cross Plains, will launch in September, 2010. For more information, visit www.myrevolutionchurch.com .