The Manna Challenge of Obedience

 About a month ago, we started sharing with our congregation about the need for sacrificial giving for our missionaries.  We had been told there is a need for an extra 6 million dollars to keep all our missionaries in the harvest fields of the 152 world areas in which we present the gospel.  My wife and I have always given to missions above our regular tithes and God has always seemed to enable us to give what we never thought we could afford.  This past month I just did not see the source from which giving was to come.

We have been taking the Dave Ramsey course on Financial Peace University in our church.  It has been a great course with great lessons.  With that we have been striving to be totally debt free.  So, with learning to save, pay debts off and "Live like no one else so we can later live like no one else," giving sacrificially was feeling different.

We have two vans and a motorcycle.  The newest family van is not paid off and very far from it.  The other van was an old 1996 Windstar and ran well for the past 3 years after giving us 32,000 miles of its 230,000 miles.  About the time of the mission challenge, the old van was dying.  My daughter names it "the ghetto van' because it was wearing out but still was used for ministry of teens and kids.  You had to get out to let anyone out of the back because the side door would not open from the inside anymore.  The a/c died in the summer and the heat died in the winter.  Then, once in a while, it would work for a cool or warm treat and then die again.  We took teens on activities and picked up and dropped off kids with it regularly.  It was just part of the family and then part of the ministry.

Once, when a church attendee needed a way to Miami, it was loaned out in crisis and died 280 miles away.  But love and cash towed her home and a little fixin' got her going again.  Then, she was loaned out on and off to another family for about a month all total.  I just got used to letting it be used as life and ministry demanded.  Then the bad news came when Nick, the mechanic, said, "Peter, it will cost you around $1200 to fix her."  With that news, I knew it was time to say "good bye" with over 230,000 miles on her.

I sensed from the Lord when the end of the van was coming that I should sell it and give the money to missions.  At first, it was just a nice idea, but then it was a stronger and clearer voice.  Finally, I said to my wife, "I don't know what we will do, but I feel like we are supposed to sell it and give the money to missions as our offering for "Thanksgiving."  She was agreeable and trusting in me and the Lord that something would work out.  Years ago, when we had a need, we would just start looking at car lots and consider a loan.  But since the Dave Ramsey course, we had learned to think differently about loans and debt.

To make a longer story shorter, I sold the van for exactly what I had bought it for still running.  On Saturday before the Thanksgiving offering, I prayed and said, "Lord, if you will sell the van for xyz dollars before 4 p.m., I will give 100% to missions tomorrow."  Well, the car went to the street side and the calls came in.  With one hour left before 4 p.m., Victor showed up.  I explained everything I knew about the car's problems and he agreed to the price in cash.  I would mention the amount, but truly, the story is of obedience, sacrifice and faith…not the cash.  Anyway, the kids helped me clean it out through the process of that day.  We knew we prayed for the van to sell and would give it to missions.

Now, for the "Manna" side of things.  Wednesday was the day I voiced to sell the van for missions and on that day, we agreed to trust God.  Soon after that, I felt impressed to call a car sales manager I know, who attends our church, and who we bought our newer van through.  Knowing we did not plan to seek a loan again and had very few dollars to work with, I explained my dead van and need of basic transportation.  I asked if he had any ideas or solutions.

He told me that only that day, a lady had a car for trade and he could only offer her $100.  He told me he suggested to her that she would be better off donating it to a charity.  So, he said, "Peter, let me call her and see if she would donate it to your church."  Later the same day, he called back and said she agreed.  I was blown away.  So, I called a meeting of my leadership that night to tell them the story of the dead van, the phone call and the soon donated car and my need of a running car.  I then asked if they would give me the donation.  I know they thought I was a bit strange on this piece of business, but with smiles and an affirmative "Yes", they agreed.  They also did not know that I was planning to give to the Lord any money received from the sale of the van to missions.

On the day of my joyous family sacrificial offering, I heard the voice of the Lord say, "Peter, what if the car deal falls through.  Will you still want to give the money away to missions?"  I said, "Yes Lord.  I know I can trust you with this adventure."  The day after, we headed out on a week of family vacation and then we discussed the "what if" the car does not come through.  My wife said something like, "We don't need a second car this week because we are on vacation.  Relax and let's have a fun vacation."  I must admit she has great wisdom and perfect timing and brings great balance to me.  Thank God for mates with hearts of faith!  Within an hour, the dealership called me while driving down the highway.  They told me the car was ready to be picked up.  All I knew about it was that it was a 1992 running car with high mileage.

When I finally went to get the car (I did not know what make/model it was), I was pleased to hear it start and look half way drivable.  My associate pastor brought me over to pick it up and asked me what I was going to name it.  Within a few minutes, I heard the voice of the Lord speak to my spirit the name, "Manna."  Yes indeed, it is a Manna car.  Manna actually means "what is it" and until the day I went to see it and pick it up, all I knew was, it is a 1992 car.

As God provided food for his people in the wilderness calling "it" Manna each day, so is He still providing Manna for his people today.  Our family obedience and sacrifice will help some missionary now.  What a great adventure it truly is to follow the Lord and obey the promptings of faith along the journey of life.

What Food did Jesus eat for Thanksgiving?

In my devotions today I was reading from John 4:27-38. There was alot of lessons in this short passage, but verse 34 especially caught my attention with tomorrow being Thanksgiving Day and so much attention focused on food. Every Thanksgving since I can remember a big meal is prepared and spread with family and friends.

So I began to think about how the disciples were focused on physical food to strengthen the body, but Jesus was referring to spiritual food to nourish the soul.

So what does food do for us? It seems like a stupid question, but nonetheless bear with me. Food satisfies an internal hunger, food taste good, food fill us up, food makes us happy, food gives occasion to fellowship with others and finally food keeps us alive. Bottom line food is great stuff.


Jesus I believe was saying the exact same thing to the disciples. He said , "My food, is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work." As I thought about that it appeared to me that my food should be the same as I walk with my Father through my relationship with Jesus. If everywhere I went and every relationship and conversation opportunity I had was potential food from the Father to satisfy the hunger to please God, to enjoy the spiritually satisfying taste of doing the Spirit's biddings from day to day how satisfying each day would be. To do His will does fill me up and satisfy the longing of my soul. When I can do the will of the Father and enjoy physical food at the same time it's a double whammy blessing.

God help me to be ever ready in his harvest to consume what food he sets before my eyes. May God prevent me from getting side tracked when He calls, that I might be satisfied with the unexpected spiritual meal He places before me more often then I probably often recognize. Oh to dine with the Master and continue in His work that He daily sets before me.

A friend called me two before Thanksgiving with an amazing story of giving through his local church. The stories of spiritual food satisfying hungry souls is yet to pour forth from what I believe was a large step of faith on his and his leaders prompting of the Father.


Dear Church Family,

The Pastor and Church Board wish each of you a blessed Thanksgiving and a joyful Christmas season. When we think about being thankful, our first thoughts center upon God. We have much to be thankful for...families & health top the lists.

For many years I have pondered the possibility of giving back to our church family a gift to let each of them know just how much they mean to God and the Church. Today you are being given a gift of a hundred dollar bill. It is a gift! All we ask in return is that you begin to pray how God would lead you in dispersing His gift to you.

Some are thinking..."What is the catch?" There is no catch, there are no strings enclosed in your envelope. The only thing we ask in return is that you write out a testimony on paper and place it in a box in the back of the sanctuary. Do not sign your name, it is not important who did what, as much as we believe the impact will be something the whole church needs to share. These testimonies will be read by the pastor, and for those who would like to personally share their story, you will given the opportunity to share it publically.

So, take time and begin to pray and seek out how God wants to make you a blessing to someone between now and Christmas. The other thing we felt that was important is this: Perhaps it is you that needed this Gift from God today? Well, now how do you think God knew that?

From all of us to all of you..."It really is better to give than it is to receive"...Happy Holidays!

Which food satisfies you the most? A physical feast or a spiritual one? Let us all be mindful of the Masters table that He sets before us each day and may we find true eternal satisfaction in consuming the food that nourishes the soul.

Happy Thanksfgiving to all.

Pastor Movie Review of “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader”

I received an email about a week ago that was intriguing and very inviting (a free movie review). Since my 11 year old son read the entire series of the Chronicles of Narnia my wife felt he should be the one in the family rewarded to attend the preview with me as my one guest to invite along. That seemed like a great way to narrow down who goes with dad and the two of us had a great time.  I have never really been much of a fiction reader so it was great to have my well read son along to bounce stuff off of. My review is from the eyes of both my 11 year old son and myself so I hope it make sense to read a double review in one.

      In general my favorite type of movie is adventure and this flick is thoroughly that from start to finish. We were told that the producers were still open to changes and feedback from pastors was being considered. Time will tell on that one.  In general I enjoyed it and never felt any embarrassment with what was said or shown in the film. No foul language, no rude or course jokes, no sexual overtones or insinuations at all. Violence was within reason since there was never bloodshed even though there were plenty of battles along the way in the film.  

Two things about the film for I give caution about are the “Sea Serpent” at the end and the “Evil Midst” might be too scary for little ones under 8 years old. My youngest daughter who is 8 would have been hiding her eyes under my arm had she been with me. We saw the movie is 2D and if it had been 3D I think that would be even scarier for little ones.

   As my son and I discussed the filmed on the way home he told me that the movie was great, but it was not as good as the book. He said they changed more in this movie than the previous movies as it related to being in line with the book. My least favorite scene was that of entering the invisible house to read from the book on incantations. When it comes to the battle of good and evil at least good truly is triumphal, but the evil and spells associated with the cult seems a bit more than I would prefer. My son seem to indicate that it was in line with the book, but the terms and use of words was more associated with the battle of powers in the book, whereas in the movie is a battle of power against evil and the term “spells” seems to be on the good side as well as the bad side which is was confusing to me while watching the movie.

  In one scene the blue star came down from heaven and turned into a beautiful woman who I thought was really portraying satan as an “angel of light” to deceive them. But I was wrong and she was part of the good side of the movie on behalf of the Voyagers.

   The spiritual lessons are good, but they are not easily grabbed as being Christian and especially so if you have no history with either the book or movie series. Even some of the comments by Aslan at the end could get misconstrued by viewers to be an endorsement to salvation by other names other than Jesus even though a Christian would perceive he meant Jesus.

  As a movie I would say a thumbs up compared to the junk that is usually produced today. As for it being a “Christian Flick” with clear scriptural implications to a post Christian culture I would give it 5 out of 10. For a Christian family with knowledge of the Word of God I would give it 8 out of 10. As far as running along with this movie as a pastor to preach and promote it within the body of Christ I am hesitant and will not do such from the pulpit. I am not much of one to preach a movie and use scripture to support it and that appears to be the perspective from the people from Narniafaith.com website. I continue to preach the Gospel from the bible and when and if I can find a clip from the movie that supports God’s Word I would be glad to use clips from Narnia.  It appears to me that the producers want pastors to almost make the movie like a book of the bible to preach from using scriptures. Pre canned sermons are available to help promote the movie from pastors of mega churches. I certainly hope this is not the direction of the church of the future.

     I am grateful for the free preview and we will likely watch it again as a family at some point, but my son said they should stick to the book plot and not make so many changes.

95 Theses to the Modern Evangelical Church

The following was not mine, but worth reprinting on my blog to help spread the word! These truly challenge me and stretch me in the day we live.

95 THESES TO THE MODERN EVANGELICAL CHURCH by Greg Gordon

Greg Gordon

I have revised many of these and also all of them are of a size that will fit on twitter and facebook easily to re-post. Pray about sharing these with others and sharing each theses individually. I believe many need to hear these truths and they are shared in the humility of my weakness and lack in my own Christian Life. May God in His mercy come and revive North American Christianity for His glory alone. “May the Lamb of God receive the reward of His sufferings in our lives today!”  - Greg Gordon (founder of SermonIndex.net)


1. The “church” at large has forgotten that the chief end of man is to glorify God. (Rom 16:27; 1Cor 6:20; Mt 6:9; 1Cor 10:31)

2. Christians ignore most of the methods, practices and principles found in the book of Acts. (Acts 2:42,44; Acts 2:46; Acts 2:38)

3. Many treat “church” like any other social club or sports event that they might attend. (Acts 2:46; Heb 10:25; Acts 1:14)

4. We’ve made Christianity about the individual rather than the community of believers. (Rom 12:5; 1Cor 12:12; 2Tim 4:16)

5. In most “churches” the priesthood of all believers isn’t acknowledged and the role of pastor is abused. (1Pt 2:9; 1Cor 12:12; Eph 4:11-13)

6. The “church” as a whole has lost the concept of their being grafted into the promises given to Israel. (Rom 11:15, 17-18, 20, 25)

7. There needs to be a recovery of teaching the whole counsel of God, especially in expository form. (Acts 20:27; 1Tim 4:6, 2Tim 2:15)

8. We take it too lightly that we have the blessing and honor of having God’s Scriptures in our possession. (Ps 119:16; Acts 13:44; Neh 8:9)

9. There has never been more access to the Word of God, yet so little reading of it. (1Tim 4:13; Neh 8:1-3; Ps 119:59)

10. Some read the Scriptures to attain knowledge, but do not practice what they read. (Jam 1:22; Mt 7:21; 3Jn 4)

11. Worship has become an idol in many “churches”. The music often resembles that of the world. (Amos 5:23; Phil 4:8; 1Jn 5:21)

12. The world is shaping the views of the “church” more than the “church” shaping the world. (Rom 12:2; Mt 5:13; 1Cor 1:22-23)

13. The “church” spends more money on dog food than on missions. (2Cor 9:6; Lk 21:2; Acts 4:34-35)

14. We take lightly the cost of discipleship laid out by Jesus Christ and do not deny our lives. (Lk 14:33; Lk 14:26-27; Mt 8:19-20)

15. There is a lack of true discipleship and making others to be obedient disciples. (Mt 28:20; 2Tim 2:2; 2Tim 2:14)

16. Many subscribe to the error that parts of life are to be spiritual while others are to be secular. (1Pt 4:2; Col 3:3; 1Jn 2:6)

17. Modern Christians often find Jesus’ command to sacrifice and serve abhorrent. (Phil 2:21; Jam 3:16; Rom 12:1-2)

18. Self disciplines in the Christian life such as fasting and praying are considered legalistic. (2Tim 2:21; 2Tim 1:8; Mt 6:17)

19. Little thought and contemplation is put towards the lostness of men, the seriousness of the Gospel. (Phil 3:8; Gal 2:20; Heb 10:34)

20. We are living with an epidemic of cheap grace with flippant confession and shallow consecration. (Lk 14:28-30; Lk 14:26; Jam 4:8)

21. Since the inception of the Church, the Gospel had the requirements of repentance and discipleship. (Acts 2:38; Lk 14:26; Jn 8:31)

22. Now forgiveness is offered without repentance, discipleship without obedience, salvation without sanctity. (Heb 10:29; 4:11; Lk 13:24)

23. Introspection, counting the cost, godly sorrow over sin, are all foreign to many in the “church”. (Acts 2:37; Ps 119:9; Heb 6:1-2)

24. The modern church loves itself more than its neighbor. (1Cor 3:3; Gal 5:13; Phil 2:3)

25. The church must repent of its idolization of personality, and of business principles. (2Cor 2:17; 1Cor 3:5; 1Cor 12:23)

26. Many elders and pastors of the “church” sadly are fleecing the flock to supply their own wants. (Jn 10:12-13; 1Pt 5:2-3; Rev 2:15)

27. The qualities most in demand in today’s pastorate are frequently foreign to the Scriptures. (1Tim 3:2-3; 1Tim 3:5; 1Tim 1:5-7)

28. The professionalization of the pastorate is a sin and needs to be repented of. (2Cor 11:13; Gal 3:1; Gal 2:6)

29. There must be repentance for the ambitious desire and idolization of the celebrity pastorate. (3Jn 9; Jer 17:5; 1Cor 12:22)

30. Pastors must trust the Spirit, not statistics. (2Sam 24:1; 1Cor 1:25; Rom 8:14)

31. Modern day prophets are being stoned by criticism and neglect. (2Tim 4:3-4; Gal 1:10; Jer 1:7-8)

32. God’s prophets are ill-treated and shunned by most “christians” considered too harsh or extreme. (Jer 6:10; Isa 6:9-10; Gal 4:16)

33. The prophets prophesy falsely, priests rule by their own power; and my people love to have it so. (Mt 24:4, 11-12; 1Cor 1:19, Jude 8 )

34. There are many false gospels being preached from pulpits in our day. (2Cor 11:4; Gal 1:8-9; Jude 16)

35. There is an epidemic of a “mock” salvation message. It is correct in doctrine, but false in reality. (2Cor 3:6; 1Jn 5:11-12; Rom 8:9)

36. A salvation that does not make men holy is trusted in by a deceived multitude. (Jude 4; Rom 8:1; Rom 6:17-18)

37. There is a needed perseverance in the truths of the Gospel without unbelief. (Eph 1:1; Heb 6:11-12; Heb 10:26-27)

38. A great need is to see “christians” become saints in actual experience. (1Jn 2:29; Col 3:5-8; Tit 3:8)

39. Many professors of religion are forbidding people to be a part of the holy body of Christ. (Mt 23:13; Ps 119:1-2; 2Pt 1:3-4)

40. Preaching has become all about the happiness of man and not the glory of God. (Jn 6:26; Rom 4:20; 1Pt 4:11)

41. Preachers give smooth words to entice men, yet very few give any words of correction or rebuke. (Jer 6:14; Pro 1:23; 1Tim 5:20)

42. Run from gospels that focus on our success and prosperity in the name of Jesus Christ. (Jn 2:16; Acts 20:33; Jer 6:13)

43. Run from gospels that focus on self-improvement. (1Tim 6:5; Heb 12:14; Jam 4:14)

44. Run from churches where men, and not Christ, are glorified. (Col 1:18; Jude 25; Jn 16:14)

45. Run from churches where there is no Bible, no cross, no mention of the blood of Christ. (1Pt 1:18-19; Eph 3:13; Rev 1:5)

46. Run from churches where the worship leaves you cold, where there’s no sense of God’s presence. (1Cor 5:4; Ps 80:14-15; Jer 12:11)

47. Run from churches where you’re comfortable in your sin. (1Cor 14:25; Heb 10:30-31; Heb 4:13)

48. Run from churches that use the pulpit of God for a personal agenda. (Jude 10-11,19; 3Jn 9)

49. Run from those who preach division between races and cultures. (Jam 2:4, Gal 3:28, Rev 5:9)

50. Run from ungodly, spasmodic movements and endless empty prophesying. (Jer 5:13; 1Cor 14:33, 1Jn 2:16)

51. Run from preachers who tell mostly stories and jokes. (Eph 5:4; Tit 1:8; 2:12)

52. Run from those that are only after money, who use one gimmick after another to get your money. (2Pt 2:3; 2Cor 12:14; 1Cor 9:18)

53. The phrase “accept Jesus as your personal Saviour” is not found in the Scriptures. (Rom 10:9-10; Col 1:13; Acts 26:20)

54. Evidence of true conversion does not seem important to modern day Christians. (1Jn 2:6; 1Jn 4:17; Mt 7:20)

55. Thousands of sinners think of God as having only one attribute: Love! But they continue in sin. (Rom 1:18; Acts 5:11; Ps 2:12)

56. “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life!” has hindered true evangelism. (Rom 3:19; Acts 26:18; Phil 3:18-21)

57. A Gospel of love and grace only, without the law of God being preached. This is a doctrine of Satan. (2Tim 4:3-4; Rom 2:4-5; 3:19)

58. There has clearly arisen a careless mixture of 20th century reasoning with God’s revelation. (Col 2:8; Rom 1:25; Gal 1:6)

59. Decisionism and the “sinner’s prayer” has been a major cause of false conversions in the “church”. (2Pt 2:1-2; Eph 2:4-5; 2Cor 5:17-18)

60. Many will be surprised to hear Jesus say, “I never knew you, depart from me.” (Mt 7:22-23; 1Cor 6:9-10; Gal 5:19-21)

61. Men have taken the place of the Holy Spirit in confirming men in their supposed salvation. (1Jn 2:3-5; 2Ths 1:8; Gal 6:12-15)

62. The doctrine of hell and eternal suffering is something little grasped by most professing “christians”. (Mt 13:42; Jam 5:1; Ps 9:17)

63. The judgment seat of Christ is perhaps one of the most neglected topics in the modern pulpit. (2Cor 5:10; Rom 14:10; 1Cor 3:13)

64. The second coming of Christ needs to be re-instated as the church’s general thrust and burden. (1Jn 3:2-3; Col 3:4-6; 1Ths 4:14-17)

65. The church has lost the fear of God and has over emphasized the love of God. (Heb 12:28-29; Lk 12:5; Heb 10:31)

66. The church has left evangelism to a few trained professionals. (Acts 8:1,4; Acts 4:29; Rom 10:14)

67. Repentance is considered a one-time act in modern evangelism rather than a way of life. (Rev 3:19; Heb 12:17; 2Pt 3:9)

68. The Lordship of Jesus Christ is something that is not taught in many pulpits. (Acts 2:36; 1Cor 12:3; Rom 6:18)

69. Many in “churches” are not open to correction, church discipline or rebuke. (1Cor 5:5; 1Cor 11:31-32; Heb 12:7-9)

70. Some preach salvation as a theory instead of persuading men to come to Christ. (Jn 5:40; Col 1:28; 2Cor 4:5)

71. There has been a loss of the fullness and majesty of the gospel. (1Tim 1:11; Jude 25; Rom 15:29)

72. There is little mention of sin or the depravity of man from “church” pulpits. (Jn 3:20; Gal 5:19-21; Eph 5:5)

73. Covetousness, consumerism, and coddling of the world’s goods does not appear wrong. (Jer 22:17; 1Jn 2:15-16; 1Tim 3:3)

74. Little is made of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in churches or in evangelism. (1Cor 15:14-15; Acts 4:10, 33)

75. The “church” has relied more on technology than God. (Zech 4:6; 1Cor 1:21; 2:4)

76. The prayer meeting is considered one of the least important meetings in the “church”. (1Tim 2:1; Acts 4:31; Phil 4:6)

77. Pastors have never prayed less than they do in the “church” today. (Jer 10:21; Phil 2:21; Eph 6:18-19)

78. Very few are waiting on God for His direction and purpose for His Church. (Eph 1:11; Ps 37:7; Isa 40:31)
79. The “church” has many organizers, but few agonizers. (Phil 3:18-19; Rom 9:1-3; Jer 9:1)

80. We need to have the gifts of the Spirit restored again to the “church”. (2Tim 4:2; 1Cor 14:39; 1Cor 12:31)

81. A serious, sober, self-controlled Christianity is very seldom found or preached. (2Pt 3:11; 1Pt 4:7; Jude 3)

82. The “church” at large has forgotten how to pray. (1Jn 3:22; Acts 6:4; 1Ths 5:17)

83. Many “churches” are more dependent on tradition than the leading of the Holy Spirit. (Mk 7:13; Acts 16:6; Acts 13:2)

84. Multitudes of professors preach and teach: that you cannot be freed from sin. (Rom 16:18; Rom 6:1-2; 2Pt 2:1)

85. The Apostles and Christ always preached the possibility to walk free from sin. (Tit 2:11-12; 1Pt 1:14-16; Rom 6:19)

86. Sinners are not saved to sin, but rather, saved to holiness and good works. (Rom 6:13; Eph 2:10; 2Pt 3:14)

87. Cheap grace means the justification of sin without the justification of the sinner. (2Tim 2:19; 1Pt 4:17-18; 2Tim 3:12)

88. A baptism of holiness, a demonstration of godly living is the crying need of our day. (1Tim 6:3; 2Ths 3:6; 2Ths 2:13)

89. Many are confused about obedience, and good works that are readily mentioned in the Scriptures. (Tit 3:8; Jn 10:32; Rev 3:15)

90. Little emphasis is put on the plan of God to make us like Jesus Christ in “churches”. (1Pt 1:14-16; 1Jn 2:6; 1Pt 4:1)

91. Christ did not die on the cross to obtain a worldly “church” but for a “glorious Church.” (Eph 5:27; Tit 2:14; Col 4:12)

92. Christ does not come into an unregenerate and impure heart as many contemporary theologians say. (2Cor 5:17; Mt 5:8; Eze 18:31)

93. A holy Church is God’s blessing to the world; an unholy “church” is God’s judgment upon the world. (Mt 5:14,16; Eph 4:1; 1Ths 2:12)

94. If Christianity is to make any headway in the present time, it must be proved to be more than a theory. (2Ths 3:6-7; 1Ths 4:1,11-12)

95. Unbelief has gagged and bound us as risen Lazarus! We need release in this final hour! (Heb 3:12-14; 1Cor 3:21-23; Heb 11:6)