Church Attendance
November 16, 2012
When we go door-to-door to evangelize (with our church evangelism team), we use a survey approach. And one of the questions that we ask is this: “Do you have a church that you attend on a regular basis?” You would be surprised at the number of people, even Christians, who answer that question, “no.”
The Bible tells us how important it is for us to come together as the “body of Christ.” One of the most famous Scriptures on this subject is: “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). The writer of the book of Hebrews is telling us the necessity of worshiping together and even more so as the coming of the Lord nears.
When people tell us why they don’t attend church it is usually due to the fact that they are busy with work and other duties. But if they knew that Jesus was returning in the next week they would probably rearrange their schedules. When we get to heaven, will we wish that we had gone to church more often?
THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Prayer Request
June 15, 2012
In my lifetime, I have used many means to request prayer, and the Lord has answered those petitions in miraculous ways. I have not, however, used this blog to send out a prayer request, but I am now. Sometimes, when one gets desperate enough, “you will use all means possible.”
I have experienced several car accidents over the last two decades, six in all. These vehicular “rear enders” have done much damage to the cervical vertebrae (neck) of my spinal column and several physical impairments have resulted.
First of all, in 1995, I began to have “spells” of fatigue and extreme tiredness. I was sent to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL where I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome.
But in the last few years, my condition has worsened. I, now, have a real struggle with balance, coordination and some slurred speech. It has been, to say the least, tough at times. But I am not discouraged.
I have been looking at Scriptures on healing for the last three days in my personal devotional time, and they have been inspirational: James 5:15, Psalm 103:3 and 1 Peter 2:24. Jesus paid for our healing at Calvary.
So I am asking all of you who follow this blog to pray for me to be healed of these injuries. Also, if you feel led by the Lord, re-blog this post or send it as a link to those who you know to have great faith. In addition, if you felt led to use facebook, twitter, etc. that would be great. All I can say is, “thank you and God bless you.”
Internship Anniversary
June 13, 2012
This month marks the completion of a full-year internship for my wife and I at Faith Assembly of God in Orlando, Florida. It has been a wonderful and rewarding learning experience in many areas of ministry. I am thankful to Pastor Carl Stephens and the church for offering us the internship and to my “boss,” Pastor Phil Waisanen.
Although the majority of my time has been spent in evangelism, I have had the privilege of working in other areas of Christian service. Some of these varied ministries would include: hospital visitation, small groups ministry, teaching (Homiletics and Evangelism) and altar ministry. Altogether, I have had a “hand” in around fourteen different branches of ministry in the last three years at this church.
We took on this assignment in an unpaid scope, and it has been a struggle at times. God, however, has been faithful to Lou Ann and I. He has supplied our needs, and we have lacked nothing. Praise the Lord!
We are praying for God’s direction for where we should go from here. We will continue to serve in our current position until He tells us otherwise. Jesus has yet to abandon us, and I know that He will not in the future. Thank you for praying for us. We really appreciate it.
I am attaching the letter from my superior, Phil Waisanen, from last year:
May 15, 2011
Dear Follower of Christ,
Scott and Lou Ann Sholar have been active members in our congregation at Faith Assembly in Orlando for the past three years. Scott received a call to ministry three years ago, and he soon began his studies at Asbury Theological Seminary to fulfill that calling. He was blessed with a full scholarship to attend seminary, and he has now graduated with an M.A. in Christian Ministries. The only stipulation to his scholarship was, upon finishing school, he would “plan to serve in full-time pastoral ministry in the local church.” Faith Assembly has offered Scott an internship in an unpaid capacity. This letter hopes to enlist any who might be interested in helping fund this internship.
Scott would be working under me in the evangelism department of the church. If God speaks to you concerning this couple’s ministry start, please contact my office at (407)581-7710, or mail check (designated “internship, Scott Sholar”) to Faith Assembly of God, 2008 N. Goldenrod Rd., Orlando, Florida 32807.
Sincerely,
Pastor Philip C. Waisanen, Associate Pastor
Faith Assembly of God, Orlando
Truth
April 28, 2012
The world says that it is impossible to find “truth.” The news media, the world’s political establishment and even some church leaders do not subscribe to the belief in “absolute truth.” The Bible, however, has a great deal to say about “truth.”
In the New Testament, which was written in the Greek language, the word for “truth” is “aletheia” (αλήθεια). This word also means “reality.” But when one thinks about it, nothing is more “real” than the truth. So it makes sense that the word “reality” would be synonymous with “truth.”
Jesus said, regarding truth, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). This could be restated, “Then you will know the [aletheia, reality], and the [aletheia, reality] will set you free” (John 8:32).
Also, in John’s Gospel, the apostle, quoting the Lord, wrote, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Jesus states unequivocally that He, and only He, is “the truth.” There is no wiggle room, here, for those who would say that there are “many ways to God” and that there is no “absolute truth.”
Here is the “bottom line.” If one chooses not to believe in “truth” that does not change the fact that it exists, and that it exists in the person of Jesus Christ. So my final statement would be this: “knowing the truth is knowing Jesus.”
If you are reading this post, and you don’t know Jesus as Savior and Lord, let me encourage you now to pray to receive Him into your heart. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins and to come live in you. Today could be the greatest day of your life.
THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
New Testament Greek
April 26, 2012
In my final semester at Asbury Theological Seminary (Spring 2011), I took a course in New Testament Greek. It was a very enlightening class, and I learned much.
After graduating, I continued to study the language, and I even began the tough task of trying to translate Scripture verses from Greek to English. But I haven’t been as diligent to open my Greek Bible or study materials in the last ten months.
I have been sick (diverticulitis) this week, however, so I have been looking at the Scriptures in Greek again. It has been a blessing to delve into the original text that was written by the authors of the New Testament under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
What I have learned, today, is that the Greek word for Christ “Christos” comes from the root word “chrio” which means “anoint.” Therefore, the literal translation for the word Christ is, “the Anointed One.” So whenever a person sees the word “Christ” in Scripture, “the Anointed One” is its meaning.
For example, Colossians 3:4 states, “When [Christos, the Anointed One], who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” Also, Philippians 1:6, states, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of [Christos, the Anointed One] Jesus.” In addition, Ephesians 1:9 says, “And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in[Christos, the Anointed One].” Lastly, Galatians 5:1 begins, “It is for freedom that [Christos, the Anointed One] has set us free.“
I haven’t had a great week, physically, but I’m thankful that I was able to get back into the study of God’s Word in the original text. Praise the Lord!
THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
