Mission Kids     God has been doing Mighty work in our children in the last months as they have come to know Him, love Him, and live for Him in Sunbeams, Mission Friends, RA's (Royal Ambassadors) and
GA's (Girls in Action).  In fact, over the past months we have had open discussions about putting our faith in Jesus, with several of our children having already taken this step of faith.  Even recently we have witnessed and cheered on three of ours who professed Christ publicly in believers baptism.

Mission Kids has afforded opportunities for the very youngest through 5th grade to learn about what it means  to love and serve Jesus.  Through a focus on missionary families, our children have seen how even missionary kids are on mission. They have heard about the many diverse ways missionaries share Jesus through art, chaplaincy, hospice care, disaster relief and more.
Our children have experienced missions first hand as they packed 'Samaritan Purse Shoeboxes 'and prayed over the children that would receive their boxes at Christmas.

They celebrated the birth of Jesus as they learned about and participated in giving to our annual Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.  They know that in giving, even a little,
to the LMCO, they too can have a part in telling the World about Jesus.

Meaningful prayer times, Bible drills, Bible lessons, games, projects, and fun activities are just a few ways our children are learning to serve and become the church God loves both now and in the future.
RA's and GA's are excited about the New Year as we gear up for our annual 'Race Car Derby' to take place in February.

We are so thankful for our wonderful Mission Kid volunteers who pour into our children each and every Wednesday evening. They want you to know it is not too late to register your child and/or grandchild to join us for Sunbeams, Mission Friends, GA's or RA's in 2026.  Sign them up and drop them off with us each Wednesday evening from 6:15-7:15 and let them join in the fun !

In his Service,
Randy and Becky Carlton, Mission Kid Leaders

Pictures, videos, and souvenirs! Summer is full of road trips, rest, and a lack thereof. King Solomon and the Byrds remind us that “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Eccl. 3:1).  Each season brings blessings if we are not too busy or too distracted to see them. Don’t miss these three gifts God has provided in this season:

1.Giggling, running, and noisy kids. The disciples thought they were a nuisance, but Jesus cleared His schedule to make sure there was time for the beautiful chaos of little ones. Byne has always been a great place for families, and this summer is no different. From VBS and family nights to summer camp for teens, make sure you don’t miss out on serving, giving, and praying for great things to happen in our families. The next great missionary, pastor, artist, or Christian business leader may be called this summer. God is writing stories, and we can be a part.

2.Friends. Not just friends, new friends. God is bringing people into our community, and He wants to bring new people into our lives. While we are blessed to have many wonderful people already in our lives, Hebrews 13:2 reminds us to “show hospitality to strangers”. Find time for people trying to find a place. See if God finds ways to bless you in ways you didn’t expect.

3.In the words of my high school Spanish teacher to rowdy boys after lunch, “silencio clase!!!”. (Silence class). Yes, kids. Yes, friends. Yes, silence. Six times the Bible records that Jesus, the only perfect one to walk the earth, ventured off by himself for prayer and solitude. It is difficult to hear from the Lord when everyone wants your ear. While many people may be vying for your schedule, schedule time to be alone – with the Lord.
Thank you, Lord, for summer! Let’s use this season well!

Everyone has heard, and most have used, the old Jamaican saying, “monkey see, monkey do”. Monkeys are not the only animals that mimic human behavior or actions, many birds are able to repeat words and noises. The African Grey Parrot can have up to a 1,000 word vocabulary.  Children also repeat actions and words they observe in authority figures.

In an effort to reach young people, churches have reoriented everything to cater to the preferences of young people. In previous days, movements like the Sunday school movement and organizations like the YMCA were formed to bridge this gap. In recent decades, churches have made changes in everything from music and programming to building plans and branding to reach the next generation. The late Michael Catt famously said, “whoever wants the next generation the most will get it”. Churches should make generational ministry a priority.

While each church will use various pragmatic approaches to bridge the gap, we must regain a biblical posture of discipleship to gain God’s blessing. Effective disciple-makers demonstrate a biblical lifestyle and invite disciples to follow. Jesus did not chase the whims of His disciples. He invited them to be on mission with Him. Jesus did not take a poll to see what the disciples valued or what they preferred. He showed them what is valuable and what is desirable. He showed them what pleased the Father.

When parents, grandparents, and churches place the emphasis of ministry on pacifying and entertaining young people, they change the goal from discipleship to idolatry. Children and teenagers should learn to join adults in ministry. They should learn to live “on mission”. Yes, ballfields can be mission fields, but if all of life is centered around ballfields, rarely do they become places of authentic kingdom-first mission.

Question: In what ways are you serving the Lord that are intentional, observable, and repeatable? Kids need to learn what adults do. They need to see what authentic faith in the Lord and relationship with the Father causes us to do with our lives. Kids need to see parents on mission. Kids need to see grandparents on mission. Kids need to see the church on mission. Kids need to learn to be on mission.

 The emphasis of each Wednesday is to provide an opportunity for adults to live on mission as we teach how to live an abundant life in Christ.  Remember the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:1 : Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Prepping for the Journey

This summer families have traveled all over the country and many, all over the world! We have “liked” your pictures online and have enjoyed hearing your stories. As we prepare for the “journey” of the 2024-2025 school year, over the course of the next few weeks, we will provide a few tips to consider as you prepare your family and pack your backpacks.

Hey kids, look out the window!

I remember bringing VHS cassettes of our favorite movies in the conversion van, pulling down the shades on the windows and reclining in the velour captain's chair. Many of our kids bring phones, iPads, and gaming devices to help the time pass by. While the distractions may have “improved,” the world outside the window continues pass us by.

Enjoyment and comfort can keep us from discovering the most awe-inspiring and fulfilling experiences of life. Encourage your children to not only find something they enjoy, but to try things they have never attempted. This season of life affords opportunities for students to take classes, join new clubs and teams, and experience events.

How tragic would it be if you never discovered your child’s “A” strength, because everyone has been applauding their “B” and “C” strengths?  Some great athletes are amazing musicians, and many musicians are brilliant leaders on the field.  Encourage your kids to “go for it” and give something new a try. Sometimes shepherds, like David, make the best warriors and fashionistas, like Lydia, make the best leaders! The God who knit each child in the womb (Psalm 139:19) and called each a masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10) is sending us on a journey this year to discover His design in each life every day!

Many of us share common goals in the new year – lose weight, save money, and read the Bible through. As I try to stay on pace with a chronological reading plan, I find myself reading the same story multiple times because it is recorded multiple times in the gospels. As three or four authors tell the same story, we are presented with a great deal of evidence for the veracity of the story. Witnesses matter. Many witnesses matter more.

One of my favorite pastors, Adrian Rogers, tells the story of a many who encountered a Christian at work and then another Christian on a plane. After getting off the plane, he encountered another Christian (I believe in a cab). It seemed like everywhere he went, there was a witness of the gospel. It will not shock you to hear that the man gave his life to Christ. Each person played a part. Each witness has power.

You do not have to do everything, but God will place you in moments to do something, to say something. He is God who seeks to save. It is not up to you to save people, but it is up to you to be a witness. 

What has God said? What has God done? Be a witness.  

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 1 Corinthians 3:6

I've Witnessed Him

Every day, our lives are completely dependent upon a burning ball in the sky. We need the sun’s gravitational pull to keep our world in the proper place. We need its warmth to maintain atmospheric conditions conducive to life. We need its light to provide nutrients to plants, vitamin D for our bodies, and to keep deadly bacteria at bay. By the light of the sun, we can see everything.

Without the sun, we would have no life. Which characteristic of the sun is most important? Which benefit matters the most? All of them. We need it to be everything that it is for us to be anything at all.

Forgive the predictable pun – so it is with the Son. We need Jesus for everything. Literally, without Him, we would not exist. By His power, He sustains all things. By grace through faith, we not only have life, but we have access to eternal life. Which characteristic of the Son is most important? Which of His benefits are most consequential? All of them. We need all of Christ for all of life.

In Acts 1:8, we are called to be His witnesses to the entire world. What are we to be a witness of? All of Him. All that He is, all that He is done, and all that He has promised to do.

In 2024, we will stir up faith in one another by sharing stories of what we have “witnessed” God do in our lives. We will call unbelievers to turn to Christ because He is a trustworthy Savior. We will encourage believers to press on, because He is faithful, sovereign God.  

What have you witnessed God do? We cannot wait to hear!

The Path of Abundant, Eternal Life

You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalms 16:11

In our house, we have boxes filled with sheet music, where each page is adorned with musical notes on a clef, precisely following the author's timing and tempo. I possess the ability to read music, comprehending the notes and markings, but I lack the skill to play an instrument. Consequently, the beauty of the music remains concealed, relegated to mere facts without practical application.

The Bible offers a comprehensive worldview that touches upon every aspect of life. Through its teachings, we gain insight into the act of creation, the nature of God, the order of the family, future events, and countless other realities. While we may possess profound doctrinal knowledge, there's a need to deepen our understanding of the significance of these doctrines. Knowing what the Bible says is one thing, understanding why it holds importance is another. As our comprehension of "why it matters" grows, so should our experience of joy and fulfillment in our relationship with God.

Our, friends, family, and community need to experience the outcome of faith. They need a vibrant church filled with joy and steadfast hope. In a world marked by brokenness, the world needs a church that knows the truth and why it matters. The path is a path of abundant, eternal life.

For decades, church members received awards in recognition of their unwavering commitment to perfect church attendance. These godly individuals were honored year after year, receiving pins as a testament to their dedication and loyalty to the church. Regrettably, this once-vibrant tradition has faded into obscurity, and with it, the emphasis on regular church attendance has waned. Thom Ranier, an authority on faith-based research and trends, offers a disconcerting overview of social shifts:

Two decades ago, a frequent churchgoer was someone who actively participated in church services or activities once or twice a week. Prior to the pandemic, most church members and leaders considered attending church twice a month as a sign of active involvement. However, one of the trends emerging from the pandemic is the increasing number of individuals attending church only once a month.

While church attendance remains crucial, it is but a symptom of a larger issue: a deficiency in faithfulness to Jesus. Weekly gatherings with fellow believers are a vital aspect of faithfulness to Jesus, but true faithfulness encompasses much more.

1. Faithfulness to Jesus equates to obedience. As Jesus told His disciples in John 14:15, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." In 1 John 5:3, the author reiterates, "and his commandments are not burdensome."

2. Faithfulness to Jesus entails spiritual growth in holiness. Just as accents change when children move to different states, our close relationship with Jesus should transform His followers to be more like Him. John also echoes this sentiment in 1 John 3:2, "Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be. We know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."

3. Faithfulness to Jesus involves serving one another. The disciples were not instructed to display their faith through Christian paraphernalia; rather, Jesus emphasized, "By this, all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another." (John 13:35 ESV)

4. Faithfulness to Jesus is synonymous with following Him faithfully. Describing Himself as the Good Shepherd, Jesus clarifies, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27) He calls us to forsake our plans and follow wherever He leads.

Many individuals faithfully attend church every week but fall short of genuinely following Jesus. The health of our church cannot be measured solely by filling pews; true growth stems from our collective commitment to faithfully follow Jesus. Do you love your fellow believers? Do you serve them? Are you dedicated enough to meet with them faithfully? Naturally, we all have our shortcomings. Let us be thankful for the promise of Revelation 3:20: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me."

Driving an old church van through the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, the words of Randy Travis came to mind and the words rolled out of my mouth (in my favorite country music voice): “My love is deeper than the holler, stronger than the river, higher than the pine trees growing tall upon the hill”. No one told me. There was no announcement, just a realization. There I was - in the holler. I had never been there, but when I got there, I knew what it was called!

Without metaphors, we would have very few love songs or poems. Not only as a tool of artistic expression, but also has a tool for educators, metaphors help us to understand truth on a deeper level. Scripture is full of metaphors to help us understand spiritual truth. Christians are called sheep with a Good Shepherd Jesus. The Psalmist compares God to a fortress, a rock, a high tower, and a buckler. In each metaphor, God is compared to virtues of earthly formations or objects.

We often make the mistake of confusing other divine truths as metaphors. To say God is a heavenly father, is not to liken Him to fathers on earth. It is to call fathers on earth to the perfection of our heavenly Father. Fatherhood is not a cultural reality, it is an eternal reality with an unchanging reference - God the Father. In the same way, the church IS the bride of Christ. This is not a comparison of the church to an earthly bride. This is called theomorphic language. It is to say through the church we enter into covenantal relationship with Jesus. Our identity as a church and our purpose as a church finds its purpose in our relationship with Jesus – as His bride. While the church exists with many cultural markings (and always has), our defined purpose lies outside of local traditions and personal preferences.

In the 90’s, it became popular for churches to survey communities to find out what people want in a church. Best-selling books were written about how to create a seeker-centered church that gave people what they want. Many (not all) megachurches were built with this seeker-centered mindset. Churches became expressions of preferences, not a fulfillment of purpose.  As a church, our purpose is not defined by our preferences or based upon “market trends”. Scripture calls the church several names that define our purpose:

1.The Body of Christ living with Christ as the head and carrying out the commands of His headship.
2.The Bride of Christ set aside wholly for the glory and pleasure of God.
3.The Household of God, heirs of the Kingdom. Now called sons and daughters.
4.A Temple of the Lord for the indwelling of His Spirit.
5.A Flock listening to follow the voice of our Master.

The primary question is not how to grow the church, but how to fulfill the mission. May Byne continue to fulfill the purpose that God has given to us. May we be the church God desires and the church the world needs. Lean in and take another step as the Lord leads His church!

I had a great visit to Puerto Rico. I hope this answers some questions about the upcoming trip on September 10-15. I'm super excited about the two pastors I met. We will be working primarily with Pastor Camilo in San German.

The work will consist of building a shed roof on the back of the church. About 6ft x 50ft. Sounds hard but not really. There is also some yard work and cleaning out a storage area to set up as a children's area.

We will do a block party one night from 4pm to 6pm. We will also have dinner and fellowship with the church on Wednesday night.

The cost will be $1000 per person.
Tickets $500
Transportation $250
Lodging $200
Food $50

We will have breakfast and lunch at the church daily to save money.

You will need to pay for dinner each night when we will go out to eat (relatively inexpensive). Meals on Tuesday and Wednesday will be covered as part of the trip.

It's going to be a great trip. Please let me know if you plan to go by Sunday evening (8/20).  I plan to book the tickets on Monday morning. I will need a copy of your Drivers License or passport by Monday as well. Future trips will be planned well in advance. This trip will allow us to develop missional partnerships for the future.

For His Kingdom,
Hal

A Rock of Offense

Flannel graphs and coloring sheets have introduced children to Jesus for decades. He fed 5,000, walked on water, and healed the lame, diseased, and blind. His life inspired statues, stained glass, and jewelry. More songs have been sung and books have been written about Jesus than any other historical figure. What’s not to love about Jesus? He is the center of our mission statement and the object of our faith.

While our words will always fail to capture the wonder, beauty, and majesty of Jesus, the prophet Isaiah penned words that capture a neglected part of Jesus:

“But the LORD of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many shall stumble on it. They shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared and taken.” Isaiah 8:14

We have grown accustomed to a Jesus that is part of American culture – widely accepted and somewhat revered. However, this popular Jesus conception of Jesus is not a historical figure with divine origins. This popular Jesus has become an symbol of what we want God to be. We have imagined God in our own image and fashioned a god lacks divinity, authority, and power.

This Jesus, our Lord and Savior, is described as a rock of stumbling, a trap, and snare? Those words do not fit well in the altar call, but they are true. We are reminded that narrow is the way that leads to life and that few will find it. The masses, those who walk on the broad path, whose end is destruction, stumble on Jesus. He is a rock of offense which will break many.

As America spirals in the chaos of post-modernism and critical theory, pressure will increase for the church to abandon truth and conform to false narratives. We will see an increase in animosity toward the exclusive claims of Jesus and the authority of the Bible. There will be increased pressure to reimagine Jesus as less controversial. There will be pressure to detach Jesus from the Old Testament which He quoted authoritatively and the gospel which he gave explicitly. There will be an increased effort to make Jesus an icon earthly power rather than regard as the supreme Creator of all things who is, who was, and is to come.

Cornerstone of Life

Good news - Jesus is a rock of offense, but He is also the chief cornerstone. He is the foundation of our lives. As Peter prepared the exiles for pushback they would receive, he gave them the following encouragement:

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9



Additional Encouragements:

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27

I have two thumbs and neither are green. I have been given flowers, vegetables, and many other plants, but there is no evidence of such gifts. They all died. Or, you could say, I have not kept them alive. When we moved to Albany, we were blessed to have purchased a house from a wonderful family that maintained the house – and the landscaping. Plants are constantly blooming. We love to see new blossoms open and beauty spring forth.

While we love the blossom, we under-appreciate the limb that holds it and the roots that nourish it. This natural beauty is only possible because it is held and nourished by something. Grace comes in the same manner.

We love grace. We write and sing songs about it, write books about it, preach about it and talk about it. Grace is unmerited favor – getting something favorable that we did not earn. Who does not love grace? Like a flower, it grows from something.

Jesus was said to be “Full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). In this passage we discover the limb that holds grace and the roots that nourish it. If we are to grow in grace as commanded in 2 Peter 3:8, we need to understand the source and structure.

The structure that holds grace is the stem of truth. Without truth, a blossom would have no starting point. The truth is, you do not deserve grace. God does not owe us anything. Nothing. The truth is, God gave us life and has been very good to us despite our rebellion. Even though we have constantly rejected God, He still pursues lost sheep. He died for the ungodly. While we were still sinning, Jesus gave everything for our salvation. The truth is you do not deserve salvation. Good news, grace showed up and blossomed in the gospel.

To grow in grace, we need to understand how grace is nourished. The roots of grace have their origin in Jesus. How do we grow in grace toward those who have hurt us deeply? We look to the one who showed grace when our sin hung Him on a cross. How do we find grace to exercise patience when we have none? We consider that the only reason Jesus has not yet returned is because God is patient, not willing for anyone to perish but for everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

We live at a time when the church sings about grace, preaches about grace, and limits so much conversation to grace. However, the church has increasingly cut itself off from structure that supports grace – truth. For the world to experience the grace it desperately needs, it must first encounter the truth that brings conviction.

Though the church may fixate on grace, the world knows no need of grace. With no moral compass, no right or wrong, no acknowledgement of the truth, it finds no reason to need grace. The world does not know the smell of the blossom and therefore it sees no need of the stems of truth, let alone the source of the true, the good, and the beautiful. His name is Jesus.

In late October, if you find yourself in the middle of Kentucky, stop by Shaker Village. Our Senior adult group enjoyed the historic tours, the restaurant, in-tact stone wall stretching for miles, and the beautiful landscape of rolling hills covered with bright leaves changing into their fall color palette. The peaceful wind was refreshing, and the conversations were uplifting. Though the Shakers built a beautiful community, the secrets of the commune were disturbing.

Their belief in the eminent return of Christ caused them to make several mistakes. They practiced communal living and demanded adherents forsake all worldly goods. Everything was shared. That would not be a problem, but they also decided to no longer have children. New converts were the only source of growth. Pacifists politically, they became passive in faith and eventually died out, literally.

Shakers gave up on the world God created because of eschatological fanaticism. They huddled together while the world fell apart. Their inward preoccupation led them further down the path of extinction.

Jesus instructed His disciples to be the salt of the earth. We are to be agents of preservation and accents of flavor. Salt is applied to the entirety of food being preserved. Any place without salt will spoil much sooner. The gospel is to influence every area of life. 1 Corinthians 10:31 reminds us that in whatever we do, everything should be done for the glory of God. There is no portion of the cosmos where God does not reign.

In culture, education, government, and in the marketplace, Christians should have a presence and an impact. The weight of the world is not placed upon us, but the call to go to the world comes to each one of us. When Paul cast the demon out of the slave girl in Acts 16, he interrupted a corrupt marketplace which profited on her abuse and found himself at odds with governmental officials which led to his imprisonment.

Life is not compartmentalized, and neither is our faith. The world is falling apart, and it does not need freedom from religion, but the freedom that comes from faith in Christ! Just because Christian influence is not wanted, does not mean it is not needed. Be of good courage. Be salt. Be light.

March may provide the most enjoyable weather of the year. The mild temperatures, abundant sunshine, and lack of gnats make me want to stay outside as long as possible! During long stretches of good weather, we begin ignore forecasts in anticipation more beautiful days to come. Along comes a storm. While it does not come as a surprise, it does arrive unexpected.

This season of ministry has felt like a beautiful sunny week. I’m so thankful for the way the Lord is at work in our lives and in our church. From new ministry opportunities to new professions of faith, there are many reasons to be encouraged. As we think about the future and the great days that lie ahead, there is also a need to prepare for pop-ups and storm fronts that may move through our lives.

We are constantly reminded in scripture to expect trials (James 1:2), problems (John 16:33), and even persecution (1 Thessalonians 3:3-4). We are to expect it, prepare for it, and remind ourselves that God’s grace is fully sufficient for any season. Over the next few weeks, the Wednesday night prayer group will be walking through the armor of God to prepare for the amazing work that God is going to bring about through us!

BREAKING NEWS! The startling announcement is typically followed by an alarming sound effect and very concerned voice reading yet another headline. Headline after headline in BOLD print barrage our screens and our minds with notice of another major development. We are conditioned to look for a major change, a major event as we long for a major change. Big Event. Big Announcement. Big, fill in the blank. While the world is preoccupied with the headlines, God at work in the seams.

A timeless church not only values clarity over clever, it also values transformation over instantaneous change. While a longing for breakthrough or change is not sinful, it can lead with a preoccupation with personalities, problems, and perception.

We love stories of miracles and miraculous breakthrough in the Bible. However, these rare moments are surrounded by long seasons… those are the passages we skim or skip! God works through long seasons. The parable of the sower reminds us that it takes time to see results. Galatians 5 reminds us that fruit comes from through the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. While we long for circumstances to change, God works through seasons of transformation.

God exercises patience and ongoing faithfulness as He works in us and through us. It is to our advantage that God is longsuffering and merciful in His ways. He starts with today and promises to continue His work tomorrow. Jesus did not mind being called a friend of sinners, nor did the Father turn away from prodigals. He takes sinners and prodigals through long seasons of "becoming".

Often, churches long for big Sundays, big events, and big reports. Though the desire is not wrong, it discounts the ordinary ways God uses ordinary days to bring about extraordinary change – over time. Like the third hand on a clock, it takes 60 clicks to bring about “minute” change. There are 2,428,272,000 clicks of the third hand in the average Christian’s life. God is at work in every one with patience and faithfulness. That’s how change works, one degree at a time.

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:18

Throughout the history of the church, we have affected culture and have been affected by culture. “Blue laws” were laws or ordinances that prohibited the commercial sale of products or activities on Sundays or religious holidays. The church had an effect on culture. The modern “church service” is much different than the gatherings in the early church. We have been affected by time constraints, attention spans, personalized programs, and stage production. The culture has had an effect on the local church. The desire to stay relevant is not a bad thing. Many missiologists point out Paul’s relevance with local culture in Acts 17. Relevance is important, but its place in line is far behind biblical faithfulness.

As churches struggle to compete for the time and interest of congregants, we find ourselves more concerned with marketing and branding than authenticity and obedience. Our desire to be clever may, at times, come at the expense of clarity. Though churches want to remain relevant to a changing culture, it is more important to stay grounded in scripture. Paul tells the church in 2 Corinthians 4:2 that they set “forth the truth plainly”. When possible, we should opt to use words as they are used in scripture as opposed to clever alliterations and pithy sayings.

This year, our desire to please the Lord. I know, that is predictable. We want to please Him be remaining grounded in His Word – also predictable! Predictability is not a bad thing. Clarity is often more favorable than clever! Isaiah reminds us in Isaiah 40:8 (ESV) “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”

In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul reminds the church that everything temporal will pass away – even our level of understanding and incomplete knowledge will be swallowed up in eternity. Only three things on earth will remain – faith, hope, and love. In other words, fads come and go, but faith, hope and love are always relevant. If we want to be timeless and always relevant, we must value what will never fade.

 The early church faced persecution and opposition. They were imprisoned, beaten and even exiled. However, they did not view themselves as victims. They understood the empty tomb won the victory. How are we affected by cultural decay? Even though we may resist the moral decay, do we find ourselves living as victims who are simply “hanging on”? Let it not be said of us. We are more than conquerors through Christ! They prayed for boldness in Acts 4. They were filled with the Spirit and ALL boldness. The world needs a bold church. Our focus in 2023 is not clever, it is simply biblical:  BOLD Faith, BOLD Hope, & BOLD Love.

Last year, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology received 33,796 applications from prospective students. Though most applicants are intelligent, well-educated, and accomplished, only 1,337 were admitted into the institution. That’s less than 4%! Despite the rigor of their programs, MIT has one of the highest graduations rates of any school - 98% of incoming freshman will complete their degree. Why does the hardest school to enter and the most difficult program to complete have the highest success rates? The reward. The average starting salary for MIT grads is over $167,000 per year! It’s hard, but the reward is worthwhile!

In the 1990’s China’s economy was growing at a healthy pace. A group of investors were eyeing the West and were hoping to create more success stories on their own soil. The Reignwood Group began construction on Wonderland, a 120 acre amusement park with rides, shows, and of course – a castle.  Halfway through the construction phase, Asia experienced a massive economic downturn. In 1998, construction stopped on Wonderland. Though millions were poured into infrastructure and buildings, they park never opened. In 2013, the remaining structures were demolished. You can click here to see pictures of the park that was never enjoyed.

Paul sensed the challenges of the church in Galatia. He knew the battles they were facing and weight they were carrying. The gospel of Jesus Christ was intended to bring freedom from the law and joy in righteousness. In chapter six, Paul encourages them, “ Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up“. They had come so far, but the reward still laid ahead. He tells them, if they are going to gain the reward, they would have to do the following:

•Restore people who have committed egregious sins.
•Carry the burdens of the weak.
•Examine their own lives.
•Learn the Word and care for the teacher.

The performative tasks given by pharisaical persons weighed heavy. It was difficult living in community with flawed humans. Though it would be easier to withdrawal and take the path of self-centered living, Paul was calling them to more. He reminded them that there is a reward for those who do not grow weary of doing well -  for those who don’t give up.

We continue in a long line of faithfulness. Byne exists because God has blessed faithful people. For the past 112 years, amazing movements have come and gone. Many good deeds have been carried out and stories of redemption have been written – many, many stories. As you consider this season of life and all you have experienced, let me remind you, God is a rewarder. He has more in store for me and for you – more for us.

Do not become bitter or hardened against people who have made a mess of their lives (Verse 1). Carry the burdens of the weak (Verse 2). Humble yourself (Verse 4). Don’t give up (Verse 9). The hardest battles are not fought with human hands, they are fought within each human heart. It is difficult to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. It is difficult to love your neighbor as yourself. It is difficult, but the reward is great!

As this year comes to an end, consider the following questions:
1.Have I allowed bitterness a place in life?
2.Have I pushed away needy people?
3.Do I feel like withdrawing?

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” 1 Corinthians 2:9 (ESV)

Growth | A Sign of Life 

All my life I've been taught, " be like Jesus". This statement  seems simple and also seems impossible. In 2013, Judah Smith wrote a book called Jesus Is. In addition to the book, he also launched a website where users could fill in the blank "Jesus is _________". The website received millions of hits and millions of responses. What would you have answered?

 Of course, we should be loving, kind, & obedient, but the perfection of Christ sets the bar far too high for anyone to even close. There is one truth from scripture that frames our lofty aspirations. In Luke 2:52 (ESV) scripture says "Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man". Of all the things we attempt to emulate, we rarely think of the growth of Jesus as a model characteristic.

We know we need to grow because of our negative traits and shortcomings, but have you considered that we need to grow because it is a sign of life and health? All too often we find ourselves explaining ourselves and justifying our actions instead of seeking wisdom and understanding. Jesus grew in wisdom. Are you healthy? how are you growing?