WANTED: Dead AND Alive! (Guest Post by Keith Fife)

This weeks post is from Bethel Church, Choctaw Associate Pastor Keith Fife.  It is actually a two part post and can be read at Keith's blog Christ Is All In All.  The post is from two messages he preached on consecutive Wednesday nights June 11 and 18.  I hope you enjoy it.  Along with the blog post is a "bonus" audio of each message. Please leave Keith some feedback and let him know what you think.

A Father's Responsibility

Being a father is a huge responsibility.  Fathers are there at every stage of a child's life to help them grow spiritually, emotionally, and physically and they acknowledge their responsibility to their family and don't try to shift it on to someone else.  Fathers serve their families in three different capacities.

• The first is as spiritual head of the home and family.  Fathers have to understand that every decision they make whether good or bad will affect everyone in the home.  To make wise godly decisions, Fathers have to have the mind of Christ.
• Fathers also serve as the priest of the home. Just as Jesus is our High Priest and sacrificed His life for us all and is always interceding for us, fathers make sacrifices for their families and never cease to intercede for them.
• A father is also the "warrior" for his family. They have to go to battle for the health and future of their wife and children.  Ephesians 6:13 "therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist the evil day, and having done everything to stand firm." Dad, you are in a battle for your family but don't be dismayed, because God will be your strength.

There are five gifts that every dad can give to his children.  These gifts have the power to change your children's life.

1. Love and Encouragement.  Every father needs to be the greatest support that his children have.  Fathers should encourage their children to set goals for their lives and rejoice with them in every achievement.
2. Time and Acceptance.  Children need their father's time.  One man said children spell "love" "T-I-M-E."  If you want your children to know you love them, then spend time with them.  Also accept your children for who they are and speak positive words into their lives.  Your children aren't perfect, but neither are you.
3. Your Care.  A father is to provide for his children and give them the kind of care that will help develop them in to what God desires for their life.
4. Your Faith.  If a father has faith in God and His Word and in everything seeks to obey Him, his children will most likely put their confidence in God when they are older.
5. Your Example.  A father is to be a godly example to his children.  Telling your children what is right isn't enough.  You must show them by example.

Being a father is a great honor.  But it is also a great challenge.  Are you up it?  With God's help you can do it.

-- Pastor Temple

The Power Of Your Testimony (Part 2)

Your testimony can have a powerful impact on the lives of other people and there is incredible power in sharing your story.  When you share the story of God's work in your life you are sharing your testimony and that's exactly what God expects from you.  You don't have to be a Biblical scholar to be a witness.  You only have to be willing to share the story of what God did in your life.

When Jesus encountered and ministered to people they would in turn share their story of what Jesus did.  When he healed the blind man, the blind man simply reported that all he knew was that "I was blind, and now I can see!" (John 9:25).  When Jesus spoke with the Samaritan woman at the well, she reported to others "come and meet a man who told me everything I ever did!  Can this be the Messiah?" (John 4:29).

In this post I want to share with you four strategies for you to have a powerful testimony that will impact the lives of others.

1.  Do Good

It's really that simple.  Galatians 6:10 tells us "whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone."  It's simple, but it isn't always easy.  Doing good requires you to be unafraid of what others may or may not say.  You can't worry about the crowds when it comes to your testimony.  God calls us to do good, but we have to realize that we can't do it in our own ability. We must rely on God to help us.

2.  Keep Your Focus On The Cross

It's unfortunate, but there are many Christians who like to share their "horror stories" about what

they were like before they came to Christ.  It's almost as if they were bragging on their sins.  Even though their life before Christ is important to their story, the most important part is what Christ has done for them.  So whenever you share your story, the focus needs to be on what Jesus did, not on what you did.  That's why Paul said in Galatians 6:14 "God forbid that I should boast about anything except the cross of our Lord."  The more we focus on the cross the less we focus on the stuff that weighs us down.

3.  Realize You Are A Changed Person

Galatians 6:15-16 tells us we are a changed person. If you want to have a powerful testimony, and if you want to have confidence to share your story, then you have to realize you are not the same person you were before.  Those who become Christians are not the same anymore.  The old life is gone and a new life has begun (2 Corinthians 5:17).  Your testimony is more effective when you realize you are not the same person you use to be.

4.  Be Willing To Take The Hits And Wear The Scars

Paul readily admitted "from now on, don't let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus." (Galatians 6:17).  Paul was willing to take the hits, both literally and figuratively, and still live for God's purpose.  Paul was willing to do whatever it took as long as it meant he could live for Christ.

Your story can be a powerful impact on others.  It's time you share it.

-- Pastor Temple

The Power Of Your Testimony (Part 1)

"And they overcame him (Satan; the accuser of the brothers) by the blood of the lamb and by the word of their testimony..."  (Revelation 12:11).  Your testimony is a powerfully important part of your life.  Your testimony is what makes you a real threat to the devil.  It's  not just what you come through that makes you a threat; it's that you came through your circumstances and now have a testimony of God's delivering power and grace.

1.  Don't Hide Your Testimony

Whatever you do, never be afraid to share your testimony.  It's yours, no one can take that from you.  Too many people let a spirit of fear manipulate and intimidate them into not sharing what God has brought them through and what He has done for them.  Your testimony has the power to bring life, hope, joy, peace, restoration, and deliverance to not only yourself, but to others also. The devil knows the power of your testimony, it's time you realized it too.

2.  The Power Of Your Testimony

We overcome by the blood of the lamb, and by the word of our testimony.  It is very possible that someone who was ready to quit on life is going to keep on living because of your testimony.  Grasp this truth: "when you go through big trials and big problems, it allow you to have a big testimony!" Remember, there is no miracle without a problem; no victory without a battle; no resurrection without a death; and no testimony without a trial.  You may be facing a huge fiery trial right now, but you are going to make it through.  You may not see it, you may not feel it but God is working to give you a tremendous testimony.  The Psalmist David declared: "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.  And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord." (Psalm 40:2-3).

You have a testimony.  It is time you told the devil that God is greater than anything he can throw at you.  There is power in your testimony and you need to share it, so start today!

-- Pastor Temple