You are here: Home / Archives for Ken Blue

MARTHA, SIT DOWN

by

By Ken Blue

“But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.” Luke 10:40.

I’ve seen hundreds of Marthas during my ministry. We quietly thank God for them; but they do make us feel somewhat uneasy. Maybe the word “guilty” would better describe our feelings. Whatever it is about the Marthas, they appear to be driven by some unseen force to constantly stay busy.

Jesus loved to visit in the home of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. They loved Him and He loved them. But, whenever Martha heard that He was coming, she worked herself into a state of exhaustion, preparing for His visits. Once He arrived, she could not sit down or relax; she always saw some article out of place or the need to pour another cup of tea. Marthas are anxious about every detail, and can’t understand how others can refuse to help in the work. Perhaps others have discovered that whatever they do, it isn’t quite good enough for the Marthas.

You can always spot the Marthas. They serve in the cleanup ministries around the church. Whatever the task, you can count on them. Watch them at church dinners and picnics. Usually they wear an apron and carry a cleaning cloth while others visit and fellowship. Marthas are the worker bees of the hive.

The Lord is not rebuking Martha for her attention to detail or her desire to serve. The issue in this situation was one of priority. Jesus was teaching things she needed to hear, and He would also be returning to heaven shortly. While Martha sits in church, she has a difficult time keeping her mind on the sermon. She is thinking about what she must do after church or worrying about what she many have forgotten and left undone at home. This was the time for Martha to sit down and listen.

There are times when we should get up and help the Marthas, and there are times when the Marthas should lay aside the cleaning cloth and sit down. The key for all of us is to know the priorities of the day.

FLUFF IS NOT ENOUGH

by

FLUFF DOES NOT EDIFY

FLUFFBy Ken Blue

“Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.” Titus 1:9.

The man who knows the least, usually, talks the most and the loudest. This is a cover-up for his insecurity and lack of knowledge about biblical truth. The preacher who quips is generally ill equipped for ministry.

The pastoral epistles resound with the need for pure motives and pure doctrine. The idea of “holding fast the faithful Word” is not instruction on how to grasp or hold the Bible. Many, who hold the Book in their hands, do not hold it fast in their heart. It means, you must know what you have been taught and who taught you. It is important that the preacher have a strategic grasp of the Book; but it is imperative that the Book have its grasp on him.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The pulpit is not a place to ramble on and say nothing.[/perfectpullquote]

The pulpit is not a place to ramble on and say nothing. Jesus said, they think they will be heard for their much speaking. The only one deceived is the one speaking. If you know what you are talking about, you should be able to make it clear, keep it concise, and bring it to a conclusion.

Fluff is not enough. You must be able, by sound doctrine, to encourage and edify God’s people. The proof will not be in your verbosity, but in lives that are changed. Also, you must, like Stephen, be able to silence the naysayers. Your preaching and teaching will be challenged and contradicted. Fluff will not edify the Saints or silence your critics. Sound doctrine, for this dispensation, is the preachers answer to the needs of all men and women.

AN EARLY REMINDER

by

By Ken Blue

I awake every morning with the rising of the sun.
My purpose is to announce that a new day has begun.
Many are pleased with my work; every day they count on me.
They arise and going forth; they meet that day’s destiny.

I am sure I annoy some, who wish that I’d be quiet,
But God has programmed me to proclaim the approaching light.
My familiar voice never changes; always sounding the same.
But God can use it differently; His message to proclaim.

Was a morning like all others; the day had just begun,
And little did I know, I would be serving God’s dear Son.
Twice, I made proclamation; remaining silent I kept,
For somewhere in the darkest night, poor Simon Peter wept.

I have added purpose now, though my duties are routine.
I’m still announcing the morning light with its coming beams.
I am also a reminder, to each before they start,
Not to boast about today, for no one can know his heart.

“And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.” Mark 13:72.

IF YOU CAN’T SEE IT, YOU CAN’T FIX IT

by

THE NEED FOR FEEDBACK

FEEDBACK
Card from Al Hughes’ church in Port Orchard, WA.

By Ken Blue

It is obvious that each person has, what is called “a blind spot.” That is an area where we cannot see. Not only is this factual relating to our vision, it is also true in all other areas of life. Others see what we are blind to. We need their help in pointing these areas out, if we are truly interested in improving our ministry and personal lives.

Recently, I was having lunch with a fellow pastor in Vancouver, Washington, and we were discussing this very matter. He reached to the center piece on the table and pulled out a card which asks for our evaluation of the restaurant. The questions ranged from the quality of the food to the cleanliness of the establishment. There was no place for your name. You were simply instructed to leave it for your server.

Pastor Al Hughes, along with a few other wise pastors, have seen the need and value of having as many eyes as possible surveying their church and noting the impression the church makes on them. Brother Hughes has allowed me to post the card and message they are implementing FEEDBACK

Ken Blanchard, the co-author of “The One Minute Manager,” said, “Feedback is the breakfast of champions.” “Feedback” is information about reactions to a product, service, or a person’s performance of a task, used as a basis for improvement. Organizations need feedback from their clientele and constituents to improve how they serve and relate to them.

A local church is no different. People need to communicate feedback to the church leadership so they can evaluate how to better meet the needs of the congregation. Sometimes people leave a church without ever giving a solid reason why. When asked why they are leaving they are very evasive. Consequently, the church can never correct the problem.

Therefore, I am asking you to take a few minutes to complete the “Help Us, Help YOU” feedback card enclosed in this bulletin (more cards are available on the information table in the foyer). You will notice, there is no place to put your name, therefore your feedback will be anonymous. After completing the card please put it in the offering plate or you may mail it to the church. In the future, one of these feedback cards will be included with every welcome letter we mail to first time attenders at BBC.

Hopefully, the information on these cards will help us to help you have a more meaningful worship experience and walk with the Lord at BBC. Thank you in advance for your feedback! God bless you.

FROM THE OBVIOUS TO THE BIZARRE

by

121474-jamaican-donkey-0
By Ken Blue

“Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.” Proverbs 1:17. “And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.” Numbers 22:12 .

Not all of God’s warnings are written in Scripture. Many are made evident in the natural events of everyday life; sometimes He uses the bizarre.

The story concerning Balaam illustrates this principle clearly. Balaam was requested by King Balak, to come and curse Israel. He was promises untold wealth if he would comply. He went to God for direction, and was told clearly not to go. But, Balaam was determined and sought for ways to comply without Gods approval.

While on his journey, an angel unseen by him, stood in the path and turned aside this beast of burden. “And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.” Numbers 22:23. As far as Balaam was concerned, the donkey was simply being stubborn and going his own way. That too was what Balaam was doing.

Again Balaam drives him own and the donkey crushes his foot against a wall in order to stop the madness. But Balaam is determined to go forward. “And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall: and he smote her again.” Numbers 22:25.

Still ignorant of the angel standing in his path to turn him back, Balaam beats the donkey all the more. Finally, the beast falls to the ground before the angel. Balaam is now so angry he would kill the donkey if he had his sword. Just then, God opens Balaam’s eyes and he sees the angel of the Lord.

God had used what appeared to Balaam as natural events to turn him back from his wicked mission. But, Balaam not only ignored the clear command of God, he ignored the three natural events intended to detour him. So, God resorted to the bizarre. God used the donkey to rebuke him! “But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.” 2 Peter 2:16.

Man is in a sorry state when God must use a brute beast to rebuke or correct him. We have an example of this before us, and as bazaar is it was, he still did not repent and retreat. Another example is that of Jonah. He was told to go to Nineveh, but he did everything possible to not go. God gave him three days in the belly of a whale to reconsider. He did and he reluctantly went. The final example is the crowing of a rooster in the early morning hours that broke Peter’s heart and brought him to repentance. “And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.” Matthew 26:75.

You and I have the Word of God, and we should be quick to obey. In addition, we have the events of everyday life to warn and instruct. Hopefully, none of us will be so dense and disobedient that God must resort to the bazaar to get our attention.