Priority!!!

This morning I rode my motorcycle into work and thought how wonderful it would be to be riding in the cool mountain air of New Mexico or Colorado. While living in Kansas Connie and I enjoyed several wonderful trips to the mountains of New Mexico. As I thought about the wonderful times we enjoyed I couldn’t help but think of the cool mornings sitting around the fire with a hot cup of coffee and marveling at the beauty and tranquility of our surroundings.

I have come to realize, that the greatest times in life are not about the successes in business, the completion of a great project, or finishing first at whatever you plan to accomplish. The greatest times in life are times spent with the people you love and care about the most. It seems the older I get the more I have learned to put what is essential into greater perspective.

I have also discovered that time spent with family doesn’t always come easy. With everything that bids for our time it is easy to neglect what should be priority. For those of you who are like I am and seem to live and die by the events of your calendar or planner, I have this piece of advice for you. (Schedule it today!!!) put it on your calendar or planner, mark it priority and don’t let the excuse of the lack of funds cause you to cancel it. Time spent with the people you love the most does not have to cost you a great deal of money. However, what it will cost you if you don’t make the investment is regret.

Pastor Ray

What's Essential?

In light of the recent events that continue to unfold in the political arena it is important that we maintain our focus on the essentials of reaching the lost. I have been preaching a message series entitled “Let’s get to the Core”. These messages deal with the core essentials of ministry for Bethel Assembly of God both in and outside the church. As I have stated on many occasions “What is happening in the White House is not nearly as important as what is happening in your house”.

I like many others who have strong conservative values have a great deal of interest in the VP selection of John McCain. From the information I have been able to gather Sarah Palin share many of those same values. I have also listened to the media that is trying to take to task some of the doctrinal beliefs that she grew up with in an Assembly of God Church.

Just to set the record straight for the main stream media …

We do believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation

We do believe that when you pray God provides direction for our lives as we seek His direction

We do believe that praying for our National, State, and Local leadership makes a difference

We do believe that praying a hedge of protection over the troops that serve this great country can and will change the circumstances of our troops in harms way

We do believe in the Baptism of Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance. However, tongues are not the primary purpose of this baptism, the power to witness is! (a core essential which enables us to reach the lost according to Acts 1:8)

We do believe in the rapture of the church (The Blessed Hope).

These were the many questions and statements demined and belittled on MSNBC and CNN news on Monday evening.

I simply want to remind all of my readers to stay the course, stay focused and keep in mind what is truly essential. Regardless of your political persuasion there are people all around us that need Christ. Be a witness, share your faith, and don’t loose your focus.

If you have questions regarding the beliefs or doctrine of the Assemblies of God go to www.bethelag.net click on the beliefs link where you can find the plan of salvation and our 16 Fundamentals.

Pastor Ray

"Living Within the Boundaries"

I just had the privilege of spending several days with my family out in West Texas. We had a wonderful time but as always it was great to sleep in my own bed in spite of the threat of severe weather from hurricane Gustav. By all indications Gustav did not impact our state to the degree at which it was predicted to do so. (Praise the Lord!)

While in Andrews it was truly enjoyable to go to church with all of my family. What a great message preached by Pastor on sexual immorality and the moral decline of our nation.

He shared an illustration that I certainly thought was worth repeating. He likened healthy sexual relations in the confines of marriage between one man and one woman to that of a flowing river. So long as the river stays within in its banks it provides health and life to all who partake. However, let that same river get outside of its banks (boundaries) and it becomes destructive.

God’s Word always provides healthy boundaries for us to flow within. However, when we choose to live outside of the boundaries provided for the believer it becomes destructive not only to our lives but also to the lives of those around us. This principal is not only true in the area of sexual immorality but in every area of our spiritual lives. Live within the boundaries of God’s Word and enjoy abundant life. However, choose a path outside of those boundaries and destruction is inevitable.

John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.(NKJV)

Pastor Ray