I STILL GET BUTTERFLIES!

Peter Cartwright, a circuit riding Methodist preacher of the 19th century, was scheduled to preach to a large audience in Maryland. When he arrived, he was informed that President Andrew Jackson would be among those in attendance. The informant commented, "We wanted to let you know that President Jackson would be in attendance so that you would not say anything that might offend him." Peter Cartwright thanked him for the information, and then mounted the platform to prepare to preach.

When he got into the pulpit, he cleared his throat and said, "I have been told that President Andrew Jackson is in the congregation today. I have also been warned about saying anything that might be offensive to the President. Thus, I want to begin my sermon today by saying that if President Andrew Jackson doesn't turn to Jesus, repent of his sin, and get saved, he will go straight to hell." Needless to say, you could have heard a pin drop. Immediately after the service, President Andrew Jackson made a b-line to Peter Cartwright and said, "If I had a army of men like you, I could whip the world."

As pastors and preachers of the gospel, we have an unpopular job. In the day of political correctness and social acceptance, even many professing, born-again believers have no appetite for the truth of the Word of God. Rather, the culture has infiltrated the church and created a desire for "feel-good" theology. The average church member marches into our services, plops down in their seat, folds their arms, looks to the platform as if to say, "Okay, preacher man, give it your best shot."

I have been doing this for about half of my life and I still get butterflies as I step behind the sacred desk. I haven't been able to determine if it is nervousness or anxiety; but, I am certain that it is partly due to the great responsibility that has been placed upon my shoulders as a shepherd of His sheep.

Sadly enough, many pastors/preachers have succumbed to the pressure of the day and ceased to be men of God who boldly declare the truth of God. I believe the apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, knew this day would be upon us when he wrote to young Timothy, "Preach the Word....for the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine: but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (2 Timothy 4: 2-4)

However, as men of God, Paul did not leave us to fend for ourselves without knowing what to do in the midst of the day. Rather, he says that we are to, "...be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine...endure afflictions...make full proof of thy ministry." (4:2, 5)

Men of God, stand before your people with a backbone like a saw log and preach convicingly, courageously, compassionately, consistently, and compellingly. We are not professionals or CEO's; nor, are we in the running of a popularity contest. We have been called of God, to be men of God, anointed by the Spirit of God, to preach the whole counsel of God. Preach it strong and preach it straight and ask the Holy Spirit to "break up the fallow ground," then sow a little while, water a little while, and allow God to get the increase.

I'm praying for you as you preach tomorrow.

Your Friend in the Fight,

Bro. Steve

I Got a Look at Grace

I wish that I had the linguistic ability to describe what I was privileged to witness last week as we ministered to the Shoshone/Arapaho Indians on the Wind River Reservation. I guess that the best I could describe would be, "I Got a Look at Grace."

From the moment my plane landed in Jackson Hole, WY, I saw the handiwork of God's creation manifested in the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park. What a sight it was to behold. Upon arriving late Monday night, in Lander, WY, I already knew in my spirit that God had something great in store for the week. Well...I was right!

All totaled, I Got a Look at Grace by seeing 24 Shoshone/Arapaho's have their "robes washed white in the precious blood of the Lamb." Friday night was the volcano service of the week. We did not dismiss the service until MIDNIGHT!! That's right, MIDNIGHT! Amazingly enough, no one got up and left, and no one was looking at their watches. The power of God's Spirit broke the dam, and waters rushed forth in mighty power.

For the past couple of years, one of our biggest prayer request was for God to raise up Native Americans to preach the gospel. Truth be told, they can reach their own people much better, and much faster than we can. God heard our prayer and raised up 4 young men to preach the gospel! I Got a Look at Grace!

This blog does not afford me the space to describe to you what God is doing through EMI and Native American Ministries. But, allow me to suffice it to say that God is doing things we never dreamed possible. He is raising up native American preachers, He has provided a building to house RUI (Reformers Unanimous International) and we are leasing the building for $1/year. He is opening doors to new native American reservations in South Dakota, North Carolina, Washington, and the Yukon territory of Alaska.

I want to thank each of you who agreed with me in prayer for this endeavor. Please continue to pray that God will culitvate the soil of the hearts of these new Christians that they might tell their native American friends and family, what great things the Lord has done. If you would like to be a part of something special, I would recommend that you take a trip with me to one of these reservations so that you will be able to say with me, I Got a Look at Grace!

His and Happy,

Bro. Steve

Partners in Prayer

I covet your prayers this week as I preach on the Shoshone/Arapaho Indian Reservation in Riverton, Wyoming. A couple of years ago, God deeply burdened my heart for the Native Americans. Thus, He has opened doors, through Evangelism Missions International (EMI), to plant Bible-believing Baptist churches on their reservations, as well as ministries of recovery and rehabiliation for their wide-spread alcohol and drug addictions.

The Native Americans are some, if not the most neglected and overlooked people of history. Many of them hold feelings of deep resentment toward the "white man," because of how they feel they have been treated by the United States government. Thus, one of the first things that must take place, in order to reach them, is a relationship of trust. They must believe that we, the "white man," have not come to take anything from them; but, we have come to bring Jesus to them.

Last year, I had the privilege of preaching to the Jicarilla Apache Indians in Dulce, New Mexico, and we watched God do an amazing work during that week. Near the end of the meeting, we watched the walls of distrust begin to come down, and God knit our hearts together with some of the sweetest people you would ever meet.

I have been informed, however, that the Shoshone and Arapaho are much different than many other Indians. They are very "suspicious" and "clannish," and are not immediately open to outsiders. Bro. Richard Morgan established a great Baptist church and has been working with the Shoshone/Arapaho for several years. This week will be their annual campmeeting, and I have been asked to come and break the "bread of Life" to them.

I will fly out early in the morning (Monday), so please pray that God will grant me travelling mercies. Also, please partner in prayer with me that the Holy Spirit will begin, right now, to cultivate the soil of their hearts so that the "incorruptible seed of the Word of God" will fall on fertile ground, and God may reap a bountiful harvest of souls.

I'm not sure if there will be any internet capabilities on the reservation, but, if so, I will try to post a blog later in the week to give an update on the meeting. If not, I will most definitely post one upon my return. Until then, I am praying that God will grant you His peace, protection, provision, and power as you stand before His people and bodly declare "the unsearchable riches of Christ."

Your Partner in Prayer,

Bro. Steve