Archive for September, 2011

This is the latest prayer letter we have received from the Garcia family, our missionaries to Venezuela.

Bro. Beckum emphasized prayer – our talking TO God in that father/child relationship. Have you done that this week?

If you’re concerned about not having enough to pray about, I’ve got a few suggestions for you. My wife and I got an encouraging email from Cassi regarding this subject, and since I had already taken the time to type all this out in my response I wanted to share it with all of you! Here are some ideas:

     Set aside the time every day and go through a list and you’ll run out of time! Or, you COULD eventually separate your list into different sections for each day: 

• Daily – confess sin, love God, family, thank God, ask for wisdom (Jam 1:5), Armor of God (Eph. 6), God’s direction (school today, college future, future husband/wife…), lost people (ACTS method – Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication), yield my members to you…
• Sunday –  worship (read Psalms, read hymns, talk to God about His greatness, recognize yourself before him (Psalm 19, Isa. 6, Isa. 66:1-2…) 
• Monday - church (Pastor, Bro. Ryan and Mrs. Jamie, Bakers, TOF members, outreach program, friendships, problems you know about, Sunday school teachers by name, ministries by name and need…)
• Tuesday – school (lost friends, saved friends, backslidden friends, teachers, school leadership…)
• Wednesday – America (political leaders, CA leaders, Temecula leaders, Churches, church planters by name, cities, states, current events…) 
• Thursday – Colleges (HBBC leadership, college students: Tucker and Chelsea, Brianna, Justin, Garret, Dylan, Ryan, Alyssa, Amber…) 
• Friday – Foreign Missions (Pray through missionary cards, website list, weekly missions bulletin, needs, field, God to call you…) 
• Saturday – Church prayer list (salvations, health needs…), soul winning burden, door knocking today…

     I personally pray for places I’ve been like Heartland, Southwest Baptist Church in OKC, Bible Baptist in Stillwater – all their leaders, my friends, the direction the churches and ministries are going, financial help, special needs, problems… 

Anyway… it’s a LOT to pray for when you break it down like that! This is just a QUICK list and only IDEAS on how to pray. Come up with your own personal list over time, use it, and you’ll grow, grow, grow.  – Bro. Ryan.

SATURATION SATURDAY – THIS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

Meet at 9:45 before we go out and “Round Up” people to come to church on Sunday.

TEEN WORKDAY – THIS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

This will be from 12:30-1:30.  We’ll be helping Mrs. Rangel set up and decorate for Roundup Sunday.

WESTERN ROUNDUP SUNDAY – THIS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

Bro. Sam Brock will be preaching in the morning service.  If you have in any western clothes, go ahead and wear them…yeehaw!

CHILI COOKOFF – THIS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

Stick around after the morning service to try some award-winning chili.

BRO. RYAN PREACHING CHAPEL – Next Wednesday, Sep. 28

If you want to come… leave church: 6AM.  Return home: 10:30AM?

CLOSE Your Mouth (Shut up!) – 8/31

OPEN Your Mouth (Speak up!) – 9/7

WATCH Your Mouth (Watch it!) – tonight

Proverbs 4:24: Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

Proverbs 10:6: Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

Proverbs 10:11: The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

Proverbs 10:14: Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.

Proverbs 10:18: He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.

Proverbs 10:31: The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.

Proverbs 10:32: The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.

Proverbs 11:9: An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

Proverbs 12:6: The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

Proverbs 12:18: There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

Proverbs 12:19: The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Proverbs 12:22: Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.

Proverbs 14:5: A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.

Proverbs 15:2: The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

Proverbs 15:4: A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

Proverbs 17:4: A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

Proverbs 17:7: Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

Proverbs 17:9: He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

Proverbs 18:6: A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

Proverbs 18:7: A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

Proverbs 18:8: The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

Proverbs 18:21: Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Proverbs 19:1 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

Proverbs 19:5: A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.

Proverbs 19:7: All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.

Proverbs 19:9: A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.

Proverbs 20:19: He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

Proverbs 22:14: The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.

Proverbs 24:28: Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.

Proverbs 25:18: A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

Proverbs 26:22-24: The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. 23. Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross. 24. He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;

Proverbs 26:28: A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

Proverbs 29:5: A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet

Proverbs 29:11: A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

Can I ask you a question?

Did you talk to the Father today?

Yesterday? Will you tomorrow? And Tuesday?

I hope so. After a week like we just had, I don’t know how you couldn’t be grateful to God and want to talk to Him. I loved that the whole emphasis of Bro. Beckum’s preaching last week was that prayer is a constant talking relationship with God throughout your day.

Do you have that?

Yesterday on the bus ride home from the youth rally, some (most!) of you were sharing with the others about your version of that relationship with God. I wish all of you could have come to the services this week and to the youth rally yesterday! It was icing on the cake to be able to see you every day this week, get preached to about prayer, and then to spend the time with you at the youth rally yesterday… what an awesome 7 days!

I sure hope you love the Lord and want to hear from Him today. Remember this week to pray, letting God be your power to roll back the stone (creativity, confidence…)

Bro. Ryan

SATURATION SATURDAY – THIS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

Meet at 9:45 before we go out and “Round Up” people to come to church on Sunday.

TEEN WORKDAY – THIS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

This will be from 12:30-1:30.  We’ll be helping Mrs. Rangel set up and decorate for Roundup Sunday.

WESTERN ROUNDUP SUNDAY – NEXT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

Bro. Sam Brock will be preaching in the morning service.  If you have in any western clothes, go ahead and wear them…yeehaw!

CHILI COOKOFF – NEXT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

Stick around after the morning service to try some award-winning chili.

PIE FELLOWSHIP – NEXT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

This will be in the fellowship hall after the evening service.

INFO

Each Parent Meeting I try to include 3 major points: Information, Vision, and Encouragement. The past meeting was the last we’ll have this year, and we wanted to communicate as clearly and as early as possible, particularly on a few cost-related activities we are coming up on.

Parent, please expect the following activities in the coming months:

• Oct. 21 – Bonfire at Pastor’s house. $0, but they will be bringing something TBA (snack, drink?)
• Nov. 3-4 – WCBC College Days. $45 (or so) for Jrs. and Srs.
• Dec. 4 – $60 downpayment due for Youth Winter Rendezvous (Jan. 5-7)
• Dec. 10 – Christmas Party. Gift and snack TBA
• Jan. 5-7 – Youth Winter Rendezvous. $135
• Jan. 9-13 – Church Planting Conference at Heartland Baptist Bible College, OKC. $400 (giving from TOF Home Missions Fund – our weekly offerings.)
• Feb. 18 – Preaching Rally. $5

VISION

Bible Study Series. The teens have the spirit to grow and learn, but it seems they are at the point that they do not know where to turn next. Every time they are challenged to read God’s Word it is convicting, but when they go to do it, it seems like God’s Word is hard to understand. We want so badly for them to make it as productive Christians, and that will ONLY come from hearing from God through His Word. If you say you love God but don’t keep His commandments you’re a liar! Wow! Strong language! But thankfully, I’m not the one saying it… God is in 1 John.

I’ve challenged teens in another post  to take hold of the Christian’s tools… books. Parents, consider spending about $40 to help you and your teen grow in God’s Word. These recommendations are a good start to Bible study, and can only help as your fervency and hunger for Biblical knowledge grows.

Outreach Program. We’re a few weeks out still from launching a new outreach program, and I’m very excited about trying to capture some of the guests that God has brought to our class. We desire 100% involvement, and hopefully these teens will be sanctified Christians and WANT to be involved… hopefully we’ll have a waiting list of people who simply want to serve God by reaching out to guests through texts, emails, postcards, visits and more. Thank God for the spirit that is growing in the teens… we pray we can spread it to everyone else as well!

ENCOURAGEMENT

Finally, I wanted to encourage the parents in a simple thought: Pray with your teen.

Especially after a week like we just came through with Bro. Beckum, we ALL at least realize the importance of prayer… how about putting it into practice?

Every time I’ve had a chance to pray with one of the guys I’ve absolutely loved it. I love praying one on one with guys making commitments, guys getting ready to preach, or guys who need help. It’s not only encouraging to hear them pour their hearts out to God and see a part of them that you might not have otherwise seen, but it’s also enlightening! You get to see part of their heart; you get to hear their burdens and feel their spiritual desires. You catch a glimpse of what they’re thinking… which is FAR more than we sometimes give them credit for! “Teens are so shallow these days!” someone says. No they’re NOT! Pray with them sometime, and you’ll see some depth that you’ve never sensed before.

This encouragement is based not on my experience or expertise but on a couple things: 1) last week’s prayer revival and 2) the recommendation of other youth pastors who have raised teens and have seen God work by following this exact model. I say that lest you think, “Bro. Ryan, you don’t have a clue! You’re not a parent, let alone a parent of a teen.”

No I’m not. But I know what the Bible says about prayer, and I know what other men who are parents of teens have said, and I know it’s possible. At least consider it, parent. It can only help, right?

Consistency and constancy will push you past the awkward stage of it and eventually bud into a deeper relationship with your child. Who wouldn’t want that?!

Have a great week!

RR

This is the latest prayer letter we have received from the Navarro family, our missionaries to the Philippines.

This is the most recent prayer letter from the Lukyanov family, our missionaries to Russia.

Growth

Growth.

We desire it for everyone. It’s strange when people don’t grow. There’s something wrong when someone doesn’t grow from infancy to adulthood.

The spiritual life is ALL about growth, otherwise we’d be scooped up to heaven as soon as we’re born (spiritually). The Christian’s walk OUGHT to be characterized by growth. Change. Sanctification.

Sanctification is just a big word for change or growth. Positionally, we’re sanctified when we’re saved, but practically, God wants SO much more from us in that kind of sanctification. He wants us to grow. To be changed into his image. To be sanctified.

In the Romans series in the Teens of Faith we’ve just come through one of the highest points in Scripture: Romans 6-8. Every week has been a rich, challenging message from God on sanctification… spiritual growth. Basically the point of these chapters is this, in simplified terms: God has done SO much for you and offers you the power through His Spirit to grow.

The sermon on Sunday briefly summed up a few thoughts from these chapters:

(more…)

I almost felt bad last week when I preached the “SHUT UP!” message right after receiving such a kind one-year anniversary gift!

Key word: almost.

But we REALLY appreciated the notes! They were SO fun to go home and read that night, and my wife and I told everyone how nice it was to see that you weren’t pushed or prodded to do something like that… it was just because you’re the greatest children and most angelic beings in the world! (Maybe not, but WE think you’re really cool!)

Thank you, thank you, thank you! It means SO much and makes a lot of work seem like just a little work. Encouragement has that kind of effect on people – a little goes a loooooong way! Keep it up!

I said that it ALMOST made me feel bad because if it’s BIBLE truth, I’d NEVER apologize for preaching it. I can’t! If it’s Bible, it will help. If you use Bible truth, you’ll be helped… so USE it! SHUT UP!

Thanks for being a blessing to us.

Do right,

Bro. Ryan.

DR. BENNY BECKUM – Prayer revival

Sunday – Friday, September 11 – 16.  Be SURE to attend every single night!! Leave practice or rehearsal early, reschedule any appointments, push through any sickness, and DON’T MISS Bro. Beckum!

BOOKS TO HELP YOU

Here are a few books that I’d encourage you to spend about $40 or $50 on (see gettextbooks.com for cheap prices listed; includes shipping):

• The King James Bible Commentary; Nelson Publishers; contributions by Dobson, Feinberg and more. About $14
• A Survey of the Old Testament; by Hill and Walton; Zondervan (2nd edition is cheaper) About $10
• Jensen’s Survey of the New Testament; Moody Press. About $17
• World’s Bible Handbook; Boyd. About $13

YOUTH RALLY – Saturday, Sep. 17  12:30-7:30.

Liberty Baptist Church, Newport Beach. Cost: $5

TITLE: Open your mouth

Pro. 9:7-9 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

Pro. 10:11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

Pro. 10:13 In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.

Pro. 10:20-21 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth. 21The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.

Pro. 10:31-32  31The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out. 32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.

Pro. 12:6 The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

Pro. 12:18-19 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. 19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Pro. 12:22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.

Pro. 12:25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

Pro. 15:1-2 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

Pro. 15:4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

Pro. 15:7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

Pro. 15:23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

Pro. 15:26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

Pro. 16:1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.

Pro. 16:10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.

Pro. 16:13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.

Pro. 16:23-24 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. 24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Pro. 17:9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

Pro. 18:4 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

Pro. 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Pro. 23:9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

Pro. 24:24-26 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou are righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him: 25 But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them. 26 Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.

Pro. 25:9-15 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another: 10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. 12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. 13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters. 14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain. 15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

Pro. 26:4-5 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

Pro. 27:5 Open rebuke is better than secret love.

Pro. 28:23 He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.

Pro. 29:17 Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.

Pro. 29:19 A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.

Pro. 31:8-9 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. 9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

Pro. 31:26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.