Sunday's Coming

Good morning from Branson,

I pray all is well with you and yours. We had a heat ending rain yesterday and made everyone happier. The parks are down this time of year but here at Oak Grove we are having the best year ever. We had a good turn out Sunday, even if was 90 degrees and 96% humidity at 9 am.

Our Bible study on Wednesday nights has been a success.

Last night several of us from the park went to the new show in town, the musical of Noah. Great production and even had an altar call at the end, WOW! The story got me to thinking what it would be like to shut the door and hear all the people crying for you to let them in. We have a whole world that needs to hear that this could happen to them if they don't call on Jesus. It also got me thinking about conforming to the world, we need to be different, stand out because we have the hope of heaven. I read this today that went with my thinking. Pray over it and see what God will say to you.

Thanks for your emails and phone calls and your financial help. We would not be able to do this ministry without you. If you have not given to help us, I urge you to pray and ask God to show you how you can.

Have a great day, love you, pass it on,
Don


Uncomfortable with the Culture

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.Romans 12:2
Recommended Reading1 Peter 1:13-16

It's happened more than once—missionaries leave the United States and, in time, become more comfortable in a foreign land than in their native country. They give various reasons: "It's quieter," "less materialism," "less peer pressure on our children," "the people are more receptive to the Gospel." When they return to America to visit, they talk about "returning home" in a new way—they've exchanged their old home for a new one.

That's what it means to be a citizen of the kingdom of God. Paul says our "citizenship is in heaven," not in this world (Philippians 3:20). It's why, over time, Christians begin to feel more and more out of place with the cultures of this world; why they speak of God's eternal kingdom as "going home." When we exchange our earthly home for our kingdom home is up to God. In the interim, our job is to so walk in the Spirit that we aren't "conformed to this world"; that we aren't squeezed into the world's mold, as Bible translator J. B. Phillips put it.

When you leave home today, let it remind you of where your true home is—in Christ Jesus, now and for eternity.

"If you stand on the Word you do not stand with the world." Vance Havner