THE BUCK STOPS HERE!

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THE BUCK STOPS HERE!

buckstopsherefrontsmallBy Ken Blue
“The sign “The Buck Stops Here” that was on President Truman’s desk in his White House office was made in the Federal Reformatory at El Reno, Oklahoma. Fred M. Canfil, then United States Marshal for the Western District of Missouri and a friend of Mr. Truman, saw a similar sign while visiting the Reformatory and asked the Warden if a sign like it could be made for President Truman. The sign was made and mailed to the President on October 2, 1945.”

The history of the statement is very interesting. Today, it simply means you must stop putting the blame on others, and take responsibility for that which has been passed on to you. That means, if you are the pastor, the buck stops with you.

Many pastors and Christians are living under a “doomsday” cloud. The attitude is that things are worse than they have ever been, sinners are not being saved, and that Christians have no interest in living for God. Well, we know many churches where the opposite is true. Professions of faith take place every Sunday, new believers are baptized and join the church, and many are involved in serving the Lord.

We would be in denial if we failed to see the evil in the world, but there is also something wrong if we can’t see the working of God in many good churches. We cannot blame society and worldly Christians for all our failures. The buck must stop where it belongs. Good and evil have always run on parallel tracks, and they always have, and always will until the end. That means the two are always present.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]We cannot blame society and worldly Christians for all our failures.[/pullquote]

If people will not listen to you where you are, move to a more fertile field. If you can’t get your people to follow you, improve your leadership or move to another church, if necessary. If you have troublemakers in your church, stop fighting with them. Get them out or win enough young families so you have a majority. Then lead the church on to victory. The buck stops with you.

It is not a sign of failure to relocate. I know pastors who were not able to grow a church in their chosen location; they moved to the other end of town or to another city or state and did a great job.

You must shake off this attitude of negative doom and win families to Christ. It can be done; it is being done, and if you don’t think so, contact me and I will hook you up with churches that are. Don’t blame others for your problems. You are the leader, and the buck stops with you.

LET GOD USE YOUR INFIRMITY

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GOD CAN USE YOUR INFIRMITY

InfirmityBy Ken Blue

“But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;” Philippians 1:12

Last week I received a phone call from a lady whose fiancé has ALS. Her doctor is a member of Open Door, and she suggested I be contacted because I too am afflicted with this terminal neurological disease. We set a time for a meeting at the church.

When I first met Charles, it was obvious that he was very ill and troubled. I spent some time getting acquainted and sharing my story and history of ALS. I explained how I became a Christian and why I have perfect peace concerning my death and meeting the Lord Jesus Christ. I assured him that I am not looking forward to the process, but I am sure of heaven after I die.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]God wants to use your infirmities to help win others to Christ.[/pullquote]

After presenting the simple gospel story, I ask if he too would like to accept Jesus as his Savior. Again, I made it clear that this would not change the nature of his disease, but would change his destination at death. I also reassured him that it is acceptable to trust Christ, even when one is dying. It does not mean he is praying a “foxhole prayer.” I told him of the thief on the cross and that he was saved that very hour.

Charles agreed that he wanted to accept Jesus as his savior and in faith bowed his head and accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. I showed him a couple of assurance verses and we rejoiced together.

Two things I would like to ask you to do. One, please pray for him and his family as Charles nears the time of his departure to be with the Lord. Next, don’t complain about your misfortunes; God wants to use them to help and win others if you will be available. Believe me, I am not glad I have ALS; but if this one soul will be in heaven because of it, then I thank God that He could use it to win others to Him.

WHEN TO STAND AND WHEN TO YIELD

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KNOWING WHEN TO YIELD

yield signBy Ken Blue

“Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.” Acts 16:3.

When one reads all that Paul had to say about circumcision, the above verse should shock him back into reality and give him a backbone that has the ability to bend. If we compare this verse with those in Romans and Galatians, we are hard pressed to reconcile them, but it can be done.

Dogmatism causes one to be unclear about what is important and what is most important. It was important to Paul that circumcision not be added to the gospel for salvation. But if circumcision would open the door so he could give the plan of salvation, he would do it.

The question is: what will your religion allow you to do? What traditions, standards, and assumptions would you disregard in order to open the door of salvation to others? Paul knew when to stand and when to yield. Do you?

THAT WE MAY BE ABLE TO ENDURE SUFFERING

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THE BENEFITS OF SUFFERING

Man With Back PainBy Ken Blue

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-6

All too often we are guilty of complaining about the very things God uses to strengthen us and equip us to help another brother or sister in Christ. If you never have problems, God can never solve them. If you are never lonely, you can never enjoy God’s presence. There must be discomfort in order to experience and appreciate His comfort. So, don’t kick against the “pricks”. They are intended for your good.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Life changing experiences make is possible to empathize with those who are suffering.[/pullquote]

Also, your experiences will be life changing and make is possible for you to identify and empathize with those who are suffering. None of us want or enjoy heartache or misery in life; but those things are necessary. I do not wish misfortune on anyone, but a death in the family, a divorce, a bout with cancer or a wayward son or daughter will change your prospective completely, and make it possible for you to understand the hurt and grief of others. You will then “be able to comfort them which are in any trouble”.

SHOW ME THE PICTURE OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH

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WHY THERE IS NO BAPTIST CHURCH

Baptist CHURCHBy Ken Blue

Recently a family took a two week vacation, traveling across the country to visit sites of interest. They were faithful in church attendance each Sunday and sought out a Baptist Church whenever possible. The wife said to her pastor, “Pastor, I was so disappointed. It was almost impossible to find a ‘Baptist Church that looked Baptist.’”

Her response echoes the thoughts of many who believe churches must look like other baptist churches to be considered Baptist. She was not speaking of the physical configuration of the buildings. What she meant was every Baptist Church was different and none were like her home church.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]There is no such thing as the Baptist Church. There are only Baptist Churches, and every one of them is independent and autonomous.[/perfectpullquote]

This is the mentality of many. They have in their mind that the Baptist Church is God’s favorite and that each one should be a carbon copy of their own. Once a group of churches form a close net fellowship, the next move is for a leader to arise and begin teaching how the other churches must look and believe. What many have forgotten is that there is no Baptist Church. There is a Catholic Church, a Presbyterian Church, a Lutheran Church; But, there is no such thing as the Baptist Church. There are only Baptist Churches, and every one of them is independent and autonomous.

The reason some are so critical of other churches, is because they have a mental picture of what a Baptist Church must look. Of course, they think it should look somewhat like theirs, or it isn’t truly a Baptist Church. Perhaps the reader could give us, from the Pastoral Epistles, a clear picture of what a Baptist Church looks like; then we could all conform to their image. Until then, each pastor should pastor his own church and wait for the picture.