Success in This Age

Posted on February 21, 2016 by Rich Stevenson

20c14e2Success in this age is measured by faithfulness over decades.

This morning, I get to celebrate the faithfulness of some of my dearest friends.  Tim and Becca Westrom are celebrating 10 years of faithful leadership at Hope Springs Christian Fellowship in Cumberland, MD.  My friendship with them goes back even farther than that.  While they were getting their Master’s Degree at Asbury Theological Seminary they were also some of the most faithful leaders in the church we started in Wilmore, KY.  They were one of a handful of couples that could always be counted on to serve and more importantly to pray.

For the last 10+ years, they have raised a remarkable family.  Asher, Anna and Lydia love Jesus.  They worship, dance and pray.  Some time this year, the Westroms will add another son to their family.  He is a 4 year old special needs child living in a village in northeast India right now.

For the last 10+ years, they have been faithful to plant and lead a wonderful church family.  I celebrated with them when they started in their living room and I will celebrate 10 years of public services this morning in the beautiful sanctuary God has given to them.

They have labored intensely for this Church family.  Over this last decade, God has used Tim and Becca bi-vocationally.  They are both highly trained pharmacists as well as ministers of Christ’s Gospel.  I’m so proud that they have carried the bi-vocational mantle so faithfully.  They are an example of what I believe Church leadership is going to look more and more like as we approach the end of this age.

This morning, I will lay hands on them again after preaching a message from Ephesians 3:14-21.  I will pray that they can continue to apprehend what we can’t comprehend:  God’s love that surpasses knowledge.  Paul challenges us to grasp this love and to be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Paul also promises that there will be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus.  Tim and Becca are being used in a beautiful way to bring about this promise.  They are amazing examples of success…faithfulness over decades.

And I get to be their friend.

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Top 10 Things I’ve Learned About Preaching

Posted on January 16, 2016 by Rich Stevenson

549743_10151179889257029_1091851890_nI began my preaching ministry as a 21 year old college student.  I still have some of the manuscripts that I wrote for that congregation in the hills of Eastern Kentucky.  The overwhelming feeling that I get when I read them is:  “What was I thinking?!?

I’ve learned some things over the last 32 years. . .below are the Top 10 most important lessons. Continue reading →

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Already Struggling with Resolution?

Posted on January 11, 2016 by Rich Stevenson

revised-Resolution-Logo-Options-Master_colorIf you started the year with the best of intentions, but your resolution has been lacking. . .

Here is some insight from the very word itself:

  1.  Resolution is a decision to do or to not do something; it involves resolve, firmness and commitment.  Let the JOY of the LORD be your STRENGTH!
  2. Resolution is the agreed upon decision of an assembly.  The Kingdom of God is rooted in interdependence.  Even the Trinity models this truth.  You can RELY on brothers and sisters. . .all in favor say aye!
  3. Resolution is the answer to a problem.  You can really cast your cares on HIM because He really does care for YOU.
  4. Resolution in Chemistry is separating something into its components.  The HOLY SPIRIT brings clarity and will remind you of what Jesus has taught you.
  5. Resolution in Music is moving from dissonance to consonance, from what is agitating to what is harmonious.  Jesus can bring wholeness to relationships and peace in the storm.
  6. Resolution in Optics means clarity from pixels.  Ask the LORD to give you EYES that SEE.
  7. Resolution in Medicine is the disappearance of any pathological occurrence.  The prayers of righteous people are effective for healing!
  8. The root of the word resolution is resolvere and it means “to release”. . .Jesus came to set the captives free and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor!

You can stand with Christ and stand with your spiritual family!  You can keep your resolution!  You have access to the release of all the resources of heaven.  This can be a year of RESOLUTION!

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Peter’s Dance – He Was a Leader, But Became a Follower

Posted on January 1, 2016 by Rich Stevenson

doyoulovemeThe longer I follow Jesus, the less spectacular His guidance seems to be. When I was younger, sometimes I needed Him to use a two-by-four to get my attention. I was on the lookout for big plans, prophetic insight that came like billboards as I raced down the highway of Kingdom ministry. One of the things I am learning now that I am over 50 is to slow down and pay better attention to Jesus. He’s after an intimacy that doesn’t need a megaphone. It doesn’t even need words. I’m learning to change direction just with a slight touch from Him.

This is clearly what Jesus was after with Peter. Continue reading →

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Christmas Fear

Posted on December 25, 2015 by Rich Stevenson

There is a good bit of fear in the Christmas story.  Every time the angels appear (Joseph, Mary, the shepherds, etc.), they begin the conversation with “Fear not!”

Can you imagine the real life fear that Mary had as a young girl processing the whole virgin birth miracle?  Or Joseph’s fear regarding his reputation?  How about the fear this young family must have had as refugees in Egypt?

I’m dealing with some fear in my life, some rational, some not so rational.  It seems like the middle of the night is the worst.  I’m trying to appropriate the truth that we sing about in one of our favorite Christmas carols:

“The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight.”

I felt the grace of Christ in a Peanuts clip that has made its way around the social media block the last few weeks.  As you watch this Christmas clip, take notice of when Linus drops his security blanket (click on image). . .

image

With the words “Fear not,” Linus drops his much needed security blanket.  I am asking Jesus to help me drop the insecurities that I seem to cling to.

I believe that the perfect love of Jesus Christ casts out all fear.  I believe that all of our fears have been fully met in Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection.

If you have fear, declare the truth of the Gospel story.  Say it out loud.  See if your insecurities seem to drop away.

Merry Christmas.

 

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