Vote Jesus.

Today is the last Friday in the month of October.  That means Election Day 2012 is almost here!  Finally!  If you're rejoicing that all the political ads will soon end, please raise your hand.  If you'll enjoy driving around and viewing our beautiful landscape without having to look at a thousand political signs littering the ground - shout Hallelujah!   I see your hands and I hear your voices and I agree!  At least mostly.  

One thing you may not know about me is that I am a HUGE history fan and I'm especially fond of U.S. history.  (Don't get me started on the parentage of Abraham Lincoln!)  I've always been fascinated with the political process in America and have even entertained thoughts of being involved in government one day, so I love this time of the year more than most.  My wife and I will even be working at the polls on November 6th, so I may even run into you on Election Day!    

As a Pastor who has an interest in local, state and federal government, I am often asked about party preference.  The popular question is: "Are you a Democrat or Republican?"  My reply is always the same:  "I'm a Christ-Follower!"  Sometimes they'll push a little more.  I still answer the same.  I tell them I always vote for the candidate  I believe best represents a person who follows Christ and that's why I've never voted a straight ticket.  According to God's Word, it shouldn't be about a particular party for any of us.  It's about choosing a candidate who best walks with God and supports legislation that does the same.  

Recently, I was asked to consider being the Chairman of a particular political party.  I had lunch with some leaders I love and respect and listened to what they had to say - but I had to respectfully turn down their offer.  I told them a particular party isn't the answer, because no political party is flawless.  While I may lean more heavily towards the beliefs of one party over another, I always look at the candidates based on God's Word and then vote.  The color of their skin doesn't matter to me.  The condition of their heart does.  Do they have wealth and stature in society?  Unimportant.  Do they have Godly character and a desire to impact society for the kingdom of God?  Infinitely important!  Are they an eloquent speaker who handles their words well?  Obviously, those are desirable traits, but more critical is how well they handle the Word of God!  Have they been led by God in the decisions they've made in their own lives and the lives of their families?  Remember, if a man or woman has a problem leading their own family, they certainly can't lead a Board of Commissioners or a State and certainly not a Nation.  Do they care more about being popular - or striving to be holy?  I love how the bible addresses these issues in Acts 10.  Verses 34 and 35 say: “...I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism  ³⁵ but accepts from every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right."  

So why do you vote the way you do?  Will you be ashamed when you have to explain to God why you've voted the way you have?  Are you led by God or by a party?  When your vote is cast, do you value family tradition more than the leadership of the Holy Spirit?  I'm shocked at the number of people who vote a certain way because their father, or grandfather - or even great-grandfather - voted a certain way, with no regards to what that party currently supports whatsoever.   Again, I love history, so I know the value of tradition, but you and I won't stand before relatives when we get to heaven.  We'll stand before God.  So as much as I love my family, I will follow God first.  (Read Matthew 10 and you'll see God's warnings about following family traditions before Him.)      

I once read that the problem with American politics is that we've lost all our statesmen and are left with nothing but politicians.  Their definition of a politician was someone who would do or say anything to be elected and then do all they could to stay in office by appeasing the loudest or wealthiest sector of society - regardless of what that sector of the population believed.  But a statesman realized they were divinely appointed by God to serve Him first and the people second.  A stateswoman realized they would stand before God one day and answer for their actions.  I guess what we need are more statesmen and stateswomen and less politicians. So my advice is to do what I've already done.  (I voted last week!)  Study the candidates, see who best fits Acts 10: 34 - 35 and vote for the candidate that fears God and does what is right.  Leave the results to God.  Romans 13:1 reminds us that we are to respect those in leadership over us and that God is still in control.  He is the One who appoints those to lead us - even if you disagree with them.  

I encourage you to please vote on November 6.  And may God be pleased with our selections.  

My name is Scott Limerick.  

I am your Worship Pastor and I approved this message.  :)

Perspective!

If there is one thing that scares me more than anything it is my fear of heights. 

Just climbing a step ladder makes me tense. 

On October 14th, 2012, Felix Baumgartner accomplished something that I would never even think about. He successfully completed the highest skydive ever. Jumping from 128,000 feet above the earth and reaching a speed of 834mph, Fearless Felix made it safely back to earth after a 4 minute free fall.

Watch it here: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_11587&feature=iv&src_vid=FHtvDA0W34I&v=dOoHArAzdug

Right before Felix jumped he made this statement: 

"I wish the world could see what I can see... Sometimes you have to go up really high to understand how small you really are." 

Our point of view or perspective is something that is so valuable right now. There are so many people wanting to capture our approval and gain control of our point of view. 

If we are not careful, our perspective can get so clouded. It is no secret that times are tense in our country about this upcoming election. You cannot turn on the television or even drive down a street where the evidence of this is not everywhere. As a christian, I think the way to make sense of all this is to change our perspective. The solution is to begin to see our world as God sees it. If we could have his perspective on the world we live in, how would that change how we do life? It scares me to try to have a perspective from God’s point of view because when I do have that perspective, it challenges me to consider what is truly important in my life. It means that the Gospel and making it known has to be priority number one. 

When Felix jumped, he put his faith and trust in one thing to get him back safely home - his total trust was that his parachute would work. The same goes for us as Christ followers when it comes living by God’s perspective. We have to give God complete trust with our lives and our point of view. It is wise to trust the only One who has the ultimate perspective!

"My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:1-6

- Marty Burgess

College Pastor, BCC

Am I Who I Was Created to Be?

How do you know if someone is good at what they do?

If I wanted to know if an artist was good at creating art, how could I find out? If I wanted to know if a hairstylist was good at cutting hair, how would I know? If I wanted to know whether or not a builder was a good at constructing houses, how could I know? I would look at what they have accomplished, right? I would look at the things they have created, the hair they have cut, and the houses they have built.

Well the bible says that when it comes to God there is a way to know if He is what He says He is. And that is by looking at the lives of the people who claim to have a relationship with Him.

Ephesians 6&7 says “For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.  So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of His grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.”

When we accepted God into our lives, He rescued us from death so that when people want to see who God really is, how powerful He is and what He is capable of, all they have to do is look at us and the way we live our lives. I don’t know about you but when I read these verses, it’s a little overwhelming to think that I am going to be what God points at to show the world who He is and what He is capable of. And after reading this, the question I am left with is, are people in awe of God and who he is after they see what it is he has “done” in my life? Because the reality is if they’re not then I am portraying the wrong picture of who Jesus Christ is.

Few of us would disagree with the fact that God is awesome but the issue is not whether or not God is awesome; the issue is whether or not my life is showing how awesome He really is. It is important to understand that displaying God’s grace by the life you live is less about what you do and more about who you are. We were created to be an example of what God is capable of; the question is, what do people see when they look at you? Do people better understand who God is? Are you living the life God created you for? 

Today, before you step away from your computer and go on with your day I would challenge you to ask God this:

“God am I living the life you created me for am I a positive example of who your are and what you are capable of. If not what is keeping me from being who you created me to be?”

Ask Him; you may be surprised by the answer.

-Brad Snipes

Middle School Pastor, BCC

Obedience Unleashes the Power of God!

Want to see a miracle?  Come inside!  If someone invited me over to experience a real miracle, I would not need to pray much about that.  Being a visual guy, I am always on the lookout for something big. 

Joshua was a man who followed a great leader, Moses.  Joshua had seen God do some amazing things in Moses’ life.  Now God was promising Joshua, "If you will just do what I tell you, you are going to have a blast!"  Joshua did not know that he would see the Jordan River divided or the walls of Jericho implode, but he did know that God was a God of His Word. 

Joshua teaches us a very powerful rhythm for life: Listen to the voice of God and do it.  Joshua listened to God and did what He told Him to do by telling the people of Israel what God said.  As the people obeyed they experienced miracle after miracle.  Even to this day we are still talking about the walls of Jericho falling.

The obstacle to experiencing the power God is sin.  Like Achan discovered, sin always weakens our ability to be intimate with God, it hurts our family relationships and causes the world to miss God.  So be quick to confess any sin that is in your life.  Do it right now! 

Now you are back in rhythm with God!  Take time to listen to God’s voice in His Word, through the power of the Holy Spirit and do what He says.  Obedience unleashes the power of God.  You are only one obedient step away from experiencing the power of God.

Let me caution you here.  Don’t miss what the miracle is!  It may come in the form of encouraging someone, praying for someone, seeing someone trust Christ into their lives, or many others things.  The power of God is unleashed in our obedience.  So let the God of the universe do what only He can do and you do what you need to do.  You listen and obey and let Him take over from there. 

The greatest miracle in all the world is for people to cause the world to see the living God and glorify Him forever!

- Todd Alewine

Lead Pastor, BCC

Anticipate

What a wonderful treat it is to share my thoughts with you from Chiang Mai, Thailand. In case you didn't know, I was blessed to be included on this year's Thailand trip. Even more amazing is that I have been asked to encourage the Thai believers here with how they can do children's ministry - that's one of my favorite things!

I have an idea how this can be done in Brevard. But I don't know if this is how it can work in Thailand. But God is faithful and He has been explicit in how I should prepare for this opportunity. Anticipate.

Anticipate that He will show me all that I need to know to be used by him for his purposes. And indeed, He has presented his provision already. I have had conversations with two missionaries here who know things about Thai children already, and I have had a handful of conversations with travelers and locals about Jesus that has helped paint a picture of the spiritual climate here. It has been so fun to see God revealed in these ways.

Should we be surprised that God will provide? I often operate in the normal routine as if there is a 50/50 chance that God will offer the means with which to serve Him. There is a difference in attitude between anticipation and resignation. Resignation says "I may see God, but if I don't that is OK." Anticipation says "My God will come through always. Let's prepare for his arrival!"

We have the opportunity to anticipate God everyday. I have been given the refreshing change of geography and culture to be awakened to anticipating God again. I hope you will be inspired today to anticipate God through my sharing. God Bless you with His presence, power, and promise today!

- Chris Schlender

Childrens Pastor, BCC

Do You Want to Be Successful?

(Thoughts from my journal this week that I hope will encourage you)

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.

The wicked are not so,
But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the wicked will perish.

Psalm 1

The blessed man or the successful man is the one who refuses to live (or walk) according to the wisdom of the world. He keeps far from the way sinful men live and does not join in scoffing at God by rejecting His Word as the ultimate authority by which they are to live their lives. Instead he delights in God’s Word which is true wisdom. He meditates on it day and night and is careful to do all that is written in it (Joshua 1:8). This man will prosper and have success wherever he goes. He will be like a well watered tree that never dries up even in the midst of a dry and weary land because his roots go deep and he is fed by channels of living water that the Lord has provided for Him.

Not so with the man who scoffs at God and refuses His council. He will be like chaff that the wind drives away because he has no weight and no root to ground him. He will not stand before God at the last judgment. But he will be sent away from His presence to suffer eternally for his sin because the Lord knows the way of the righteous but the way of the wicked (this world) will perish. What does it profit a man then if he gains the whole world (worldly success) but losses his soul? NOTHING.

Therefore if you carry the name Christian: Walk in His Path. Stand on His Word. Let the world scoff at you like it does Him. Trust in His promises. Walk in His wisdom knowing that you will be most blessed and truly successful in the sight of God. Have confidence that your soul will be secure safe away from the destruction of sinful man at the last day. For the man God knows has His loving & fellowship for all eternity.

My prayer today:

Lord, show me where I am walking according to the council of the world. Please Holy Spirit, convict me to turn from my own wisdom and instead to turn to your Word and find true wisdom to live by. Please grant me the discipline to meditate on your Word day and night and to wait on you. Thank you for your promise to never leave me nor forsake me. Grant me strength and courage to stand firm against the world’s scoffing. Fill me with the knowledge of your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding so that I will walk in a way that pleases you and truly become a successful man for your glory. Amen.

Thankfully in Grace,

Shannon Compton
BCC Life Groups Pastor

On Mission

This week is one of my favorite weeks of the year.  

College football starts back.  

There is nothing like Saturday afternoon football, wings and maybe even a few pigs in a blanket.  (Ok I confess, maybe more than a few....) That is relaxation and comfort to me.  Sitting down and watching football and eating more than I should.  I used to be such a football junkie that on any given Saturday, we would have to make our family plans around what time the Gators played.  God used friends and my wife to help me see that sometimes I was being really selfish wanting to plan the whole day around what I wanted.  Some days we still plan around Gator games, but others, I give in and don’t watch.  It can be very difficult for me to give up that comfort and entertainment but I know that it is what is best for my family.  

How hard is it for you to sacrifice things you enjoy for your family? For God?  

I have found that sometimes I need a shock or a shake to keep my heart where it needs to be.  The best way I have personally found to help me keep my perspective where it needs to be is going to the Dominican Republic.

When I was in college, I had the opportunity to go on a Mission Trip to the Dominican Republic.   While I was on that trip, God gave me a burden for the country.  Since that time it has been amazing to watch God open doors and opportunities for ministry.  In November, right after Thanksgiving, we will be taking another trip to the Dominican.

Maybe this is the exact thing that God wants you to do to help give you His perspective on what matters.  We all need wake up calls because we get stuck in our really small perspective of life but God’s perspective is so much bigger.  I am all for praying about going on a mission trip but sometimes I think we can use that as an excuse.  

We already know that God wants us to take a step of faith and simply go; that is one command as followers of Jesus we can’t dodge.  

We are all commanded to go, the question shouldn’t be if we go or not. It must shift to “When will we go?” 

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:19-20

- Brent Metcalf

High School Pastor, BCC

Dominican Mission Trip

November 26-December 3

For more details please contact brent@brevardcommunity.org