Tag Archives: Pastor’s Blog

Family

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1 Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain. 2 It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep. 3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. 5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate. Psalms 127:1-5 (NKJV)

The first few months of this year were spent in a sermon series entitled ”Reviving the Family.”  So, after this past Mother’s day there was a rekindling of the desire in my heart to see families staying together and serving the Lord.  As a Pastor many people come to me with problems they are having for prayer and counsel.  I would have to say most of the problems I am asked to give counsel for are family related problems.  In our world today the family has become a very confusing and controversial subject for many.  In our world today children are considered a burden because of career goals and dreams so many consider abortion or avoid having children all together.  Also, the issues of gender roles within marriage, homosexuality, divorce and parenting are other issues our culture debates today.  The bible gives counsel and clear teaching about all of these issues.  Also, the bible places a great emphasis on the fact that children are a blessing.

The problem for most Christian families today in regard to the family and most other issues is that we have accepted the cultures values above God’s law.  Instead of looking to God’s Word for what it has to say on the family we look for the approval of our culture.  We have compromised God’s truth for what Oprah, Tyra Banks and Jerry Springer say is okay and what is not.  The bible says as Christians we are in this world but not of it.  That means we are going to look totally different from the rest of the world in all areas of life and especially the family.  Christians need to be looking to God’s Word on issues of the family and the Bible is full of those answers.  God’s Word gives us clear counsel on how to parent our children, how to love our spouse, and what makes a family successful.  God’s Word never says having a family is always easy,  it is very hard work but God’s Word gives instruction for the family even during those difficult times.  Christians need to get back to the Word of God and making it a part of our lives because it is a “Living Word” and when we get that part right God will do amazing things in our families.  God’s Word comes with a promise that it contains all that we need to be thoroughly equipped for every good work God calls us to and that includes the responsibility of our families.

16All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,17that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

II Timothy 3:16

In conclusion I also want to say just one more thing to our godly mothers.  Thank you so much for choosing life and giving your life to serve children who have nothing to offer you in return as the world may see it.  Children are a heritage from the Lord!!!!  May God bless our godly mothers and raise up more of them we truly love and appreciate all you do!

Let me also suggest a couple of books for our families especially for husbands & wives:    The Exemplary Husband by Stuart Scott & The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace

In Christ Alone,

Pastor Dewayne Slusher

What is Revival?

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9 Hide Your face from my sins,
And blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 
 Psalms 51:9-10 (NKJV)

Here at First Baptist Church we are getting closer & closer to the dates we have set aside for our Spring Revival services.  We have entitled this event ”Sharing Hope with Pinellas Park.”  And the reason for that title is because most and especially those who are unchurched do not know what a revival service is for.  Our purpose for this event is to do two things:  First, of all it is a time where we invite as many unbelievers as possible to hear the gospel that they might have the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Second, it is a time for reflection, renewal & re-commitment for believers.  We want to see as many as possible to come to faith in Christ as we can but at the same time realize that there are many believers who are struggling in their faith with sin & life circumstances.

One of the most common verses of Scripture I hear when referring to Revival is Psalm 51:9-10 as quoted above.  I believe this is an excellent verse to reflect upon for all of us at First Baptist during this revival.  David in the verses previous to this passage is confessing to God his sinfulness and asking God to forgive him.  David even gets to the point that he asks God to please no longer remember his sins and in verse 9 he asks also God to hide his face from his sins.  In my opinion I believe David was having a revival take place in his life.  David paints a picture of what must take place in the life of a believer before revival can take place.  David recognizes and admits to God his sinfulness and guilt before our Holy God.  David even admits  ”in sin my mother conceived me.”  Not only did David recognize he was a sinner because of his actions but he was born with that problem.  David also says “against you, you only, have I sinned.”  Now if you remember the story of David & Bathsheba you will remember that David had sinned against Bathsheba, her husband, and the nation of Israel.  So, why does David say in this passage he had only sinned against God?  What David is doing in this passage is not minimizing his sin to others but is understanding & admitting that by sinning against others he has most importantly sinned against our Holy God.

So, first Davids revival begins with the repentance of sins and seeking God’s forgiveness.  Second, David’s revival occurs because he not only repents but asks God to do a work in him by asking God, “Create in me a clean heart.”   Regarding this passage Henry Smith once said, “David prayeth the Lord to create him a new heart, not to correct his old heart, but to create him a new heart; showing that his heart was like an old garment, so rotten and tattered that he could make no good of it by patching or piecing, but even must cut it off, and take a new.”  Revival begins with repentance but ultimatley can only happen by the power of God doing a work in our hearts that we can never do ourselves but can only ask God to do in us.  For the believer this is a repentant life style of when we fail and fall into sin we repent and turn our hearts back to God & His will.  For the unbeliever there is not really a revival because one cannot revive something that is already dead!  The bible declares that we are “dead in our trespasses.”  So, for the unbeliever they are brought to life by the proclamation of the gospel through which the Holy Spirit convicts them of their sin, leading them to repentance and placing their faith and trust in Jesus Christ.

So, I encourage all of our believers to take this opportunity to examine our lives and to repent of the things in our lives that hinder us from doing the work of the gospel and enjoying our relationship with the Lord Jesus.  And lastly, be in prayer that God will do a mighty work in our midst during our revival services and that many would come to faith in Jesus.  Remember, revival is not a service it is a change that only God can do in the heart’s of men and we hope to see much of that before and during our upcoming services!  So, lets pray for God to do a revival in ourselves that God might do a mighty work in Pinellas Park.

In Christ Alone,

Pastor Dewayne Slusher