...Adventure! 2022

In the 1983 moving Never Cry Wolf (based on a true story) an inexperienced government researcher named Farley Mowat was being transported by a bush pilot named Rosie to the Alaskan wilderness. In flight the frozen cold is causing the engine to falter and stall. Rosie startsreaching for a tool box, finding a wrench, begins to open the door of the failing plane. As he dos Rosie looks at Farley and says, “You know what the answer is to boredom?…ADVENTURE!. He tells Fowley to take the wheel and proceeds to hang out the door while hammering on the sputtering engine until it returns to full power. Farley stares in amazement and fear.

Well I am on a new adventure. For some pastors reaching their 60’s comes thoughts and planning of requirement. Or they are happy pastoring where they are at and never pay any mind that there is more for them. Not for this pastor. Over the past few years there has been steps taken to raise up a young man and staff that are mature and capable to lead their ministries. This now has allowed me to begin a new chapter of service to the Lord that has opened to me.

Churches and pastors. This new door includes more travel. I am already assisting a church out of state to get re-established as it has been without a pastor for some time. I am advising and teaching as well as involved in the search for a new pastor. I continue to minister out of the country to pastors and leaders in other lands. but even more and with a purpose to encourage discipleship of their church members for the work of the ministry. I am sure I will be coming along side the missionaries of CC Perris Valley but also supporting others.

Publications; An added focus is the publication of discipleship materials for churches in the USA and those in foreign lands. Presently editing is in the works for my first book that will be translated in Vietnamese, Haitian and Spanish. I have established discipleship classes at CC Perris Valley and previously at CC Moreno Valley that will soon become a workbook for churches and mission teams. I have already had contact with some missionaries who are seeking such a book to send to teams in preparation for short-term mission trips to their country.

So there is a lot going on. It is an adventure. Your prayers are appreciated. If you want to know more Contact Me. If you want to support me in my travel and publication expenses you can Support Me.

Leading like Jesus

I recall a story of a friend that was the air-conditioning contractor for Calvary Chapel’,s then newly purchased, conference center in Murrietta, CA. He shared how pastor Chuck Smith regularly came with tool belt on hip and dressed in his work clothes to join in the remodeling, restoring and refurbishing  of the historical complex. He was so impressed the example of a pastor who didn’t mind getting his hands dirty with the workers demonstrating the heart to lead by example. 

If we pastors desire to follow Jesus as the leader/shepherd he is we would be spending a great deal more of our time with our people showing them how ministry is done. The Law told God’s people how to behave and act and serve. When Jesus came he did so in “Word and Deed” (Lk 24:19).  He personally demonstrated how to behave, act and serve to his disciples and the world.

I believe the apostle Paul followed this model with Silas, Timothy and others who joined him. They watched and participated with him while receiving instruction and teaching along the way.  he lived out before them the Christian and servant life for them to follow.

A pastor in defending his absence, might refer to Acts 6, where men were chosen to do the practical delivery of food to the widows so that they, apostles, could place their attention to the word and prayer.  But is their absence following the example of Jesus who didn’t only speak of the way but led the way. 

Jesus’ style of discipleship is not a leading from behind but from a position ahead so those following can watch and learn from our word and deed.   So if you are a “pastor” or even a “church leader,” time to show your people how and not just say how. Whether it is going door to door, a mission trip, a hospital visit, or other act of service, remember the clear example of Jesus. AS Paul stated, “Follow me as I follow Christ, (1Cor 11:1).

Blessings
pBob

LEARNING to PREACH

Personal

By my title you may think I meant to share about learning how to preach a message. Actually what I mean is learn from your time of study for your personal growth then preach, or teach what you have learned. It is a common mistake of Bible teachers tone focused more on what they want to say than what the need to learn. By experience I have come to believe that when you are focused on preparing a message to prepare what you want to say out to your listeners you actually hinder your own personal deep dive into the scriptures. But when you study to learn, be enlightened, get directed and even corrected, by the Word of God, for your personal spiritual growth and transformation of your soul then what you have to say is real and spoken from experience and with authority. This makes your teaching personal.

Passion

When the Word has impacted you spiritually and you have prayed over what you learned and how it is to impact your life and actions, it will stir up passion. This is when the Word finds good ground to sprout and grow. It is a deep hearted response to God in what you learned as true and necessary. It is from this new and real passion that your message is presented. No manufacturing, no theatrics but just pure sincere sharing from your heart.

Purpose

God will likely minister to you in several ways in your time of study. The more your heart is open the more he will fill it. But is it all meant for those you teach? They are in a different place of maturity, experience and participation with the Lord. Your listeners are not all the same but a diverse group of souls each on their own journey of spiritual growth. So from what you learned will the Spirit lead you to share and with His intent? What is the result God desires to see happen in those you teach? It may be only part of what he revealed to you. So this requires prayer. The purpose sets the tone of your message. Don’t rely on methods but trust in the Lord to reveal the need and minister to it.

Practical

When your study has impacted you to action then your know it is practical. What good is learning something you can not use in your life. So your teaching must be filled with why and how the text is acted upon and implemented in their lives. To do this your story is important to be shared. You can only do this when it has been acted upon and implemented in your life. Difficult to lead another where you have not yet gone yourself.

Pictures

People process information in different ways but all have an imagination. When you share your experience with the Word you are sharing a personal story and stories give the hearers a picture. The facts are welcome but how those facts your learned are crafted into a visual assists the mind to see them living out the truth. Jesus used parables (practical and relatable stories) to convey spiritual truths. They were illustrations that caused his listeners to think, question and reason within themselves and even see themselves.

One last thought

This is not just for teachers of God’s Word. Anyone that learns is to share what they learned with others. In any case it starts with your sit-down with the Lord. It is a personal time when he wants to reveal himself to you. All the while you are trusting the Spirit to reveal, as all things are spiritually discerned. What a privilege we have. It is never a duty or a job or a task but simply time before God your father to be mentored and it is also a privilege and honor to be used to bring His truths to others. So enjoy and grow in Him.

Blessings

pBob

MALACHI OVERVIEW - GOD'S LOVING CORRECTION

About Malachi,

1. Last book of 39 Old Testament Books

2. Ministry years, 435-396 BC, 39 years.

3. Followed by approximately 400 years of silence

4. Contemporary of Nehemiah, See Nehemiah chapter 10 & 13

5. History after Malachi

   1. The Greek conquering of the Persian Empire

   2. The rise of the 4 generals and Antiochus Epiphanies rules Judah

   3. The rebellion of the Maccabees and freedom as its own nation

   4. The division of the priests and the Roman oppression.

Simple Outline

1. God’s love for his people vs. 1:1-5 (Theological)

2. God’s condemnation of the priests vs. 1:6-2:9 (Historic)

3. God’s condemnation of his people vs. 2:10-3:15 (Historic)

4. Hope for the future vs. 3:16-4:6 (Prophetic)

JESUS Doctrine Series

Jesus Doctrine - Listen Here

There are plenty of name dropping of Jesus these days from religious philosophers, personal opinions of celebs or the political candidates. Jesus is quoted at best but often referred to as their proponent in some agenda. But what did Jesus really say and what did he mean? Who was he speaking to and why? How does what he said relate to us today? What is wonderful is that his words were recorded for us to read and learn from. The vary purpose of this series is to learn from Jesus what is important to us and to lead s to cut away the fat of personal opinions and perspectives that do not align with him. Hope you are encouraged and built-up as you listen.

pastor Bob

Marriage Workshop Recordings Uploaded

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Recording of a five session worskshop I gave for couples at CCPV on February 8thare now uploaded.  Go HERE to listen.  

5 part Series on Grace has been uploaded

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Go to Grace

I just completed a five part series on the topic of Grace that I taught at our Wednsesday night Bible Fellowship.  Grace isn't just found in the New Testament but is throughout the Bible narrative.  Grace was shown to Noah and then to Abraham and so the law of grace existed before the law of Moses was given at Mt. Sinai. Grace was understood by David and transformed Saul, the persecutor of the church, who became the apostle Paul.  Grace frees the sinner and empowers the Saint and this grace only comes through a faith in Jesus Christ.  These messages cover this and more and I pray that they encourage and minister to you as much as it did me in teaching them.

pBob