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THE MIRACLE ON 45AVE.

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miracleBy Ken Blue

Unobserved, and of no interest to those who never knew, That eternal business was discussed on Forty-Fourth Avenue.

A little band that prayed for land, the year of seventy-two, Gave God a reason, it was the season to trust and to do.

The owners replied, and we complied, with witnesses: two. What began continues the plan, on Forty-Fourth Avenue.

 Sacrifice, a will to work, visions Satan could not subdue; The little band that stood on the land, into the hundreds grew.

 Every Sunday, from far and near, visitors come two by two. At invitation time, you will find sinners in line waiting to say, “I do”.

 Hundreds surrendered to serve at home, and some across the blue. The question is, would you respond, “Here I am”, if He called you?

Miracles persist at Open Door, as we stay faithful and true. Windows of heaven remain open, on Forty-Fourth Avenue.

 

HOW IMPORTANT IS SOUL-WINNING

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How Important Is Soul-Winning

Soul-WinningBy Ken Blue

How important is soul-winning? Perhaps the following illustration will help you decide: A storm developed in the Pacific Ocean and for several days the waves crashed against the sandy beaches of the Hawaiian Islands. Thousands of sand dollars washed upon the seashore and were stranded. A lady, walking along the beach, saw them and one by one began tossing them back into the ocean. A man came along and said, “You’re wasting your time. There are too many for you to make a difference.” She picked up one and threw it back into the water and said, “It made a difference to that one.” She picked up another and as she tossed it back into the ocean she said, “It made a difference to that one.”

I ask you, how important is soul-winning? You decide. It will make a difference to that one.

SERVICE IS THE KEY

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It’s All About Service #1

service

By Ken Blue

A few years ago I visited the Eagle Hardware store in our town. It was a man’s shopping paradise, with tools everywhere! As I entered the large double-doors, a man wearing an employee vest came out of an aisle on my left. We almost collided. I asked where I could locate a particular electrical item. He said, “Come with me.”

I followed him down the main aisle about one hundred feet, and then we turned to the right and walked another hundred and fifty feet. He then turned left and we walked fifty feet to the place where he knelt to the floor on one knee and took the item from the bottom shelf. He smiled and said, “Here you are sir.” I asked, “Are you the owner of this store?”  “No sir,” he said, “I only work here, but I do want you to come again.” I assured him I would. Not only would I return, I would tell all my friends.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Wouldn’t it be great if the people who visit our churches left feeling like they had received same special service?[/pullquote]

Wouldn’t it be great if the people who visit our churches left feeling they had received the same special service I received from a hardware employee? Instead of telling our guest where the bathrooms are, or where the nurseries are, why not train our greeters and ushers to walk with them and help them with their smallest needs. You may not be the preacher, but you will be telling the guest, “You are valuable to us, and we really want you to come again.”  Not only are they likely to return, they will also tell their friends. You see, it’s all about the service.

DON’T BELIEVE THE CAMEL STORY

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Eliminating Camel Humps

By Ken Blue
Many pastors agonize over the summer and winter months when it comes to church  attendance and offerings. They have been programed to believe that these two seasons are predestined to lower church attendance. Dr. Elmer Towns compared it to a two humped camel. The gap between the camel humps is supposed to represent these two seasons. Growth could only be expected in the spring and the fall.

However, there are some who do not accept this view of defeat, and they work, pray, and expect to see God work in a great way. The following note from Pastor Murphy illustrates my point. He gave me permission to post it.

“Pastor Blue praise God for a great outreach at our annual Freedom Celebration (July 2012). We had over 800 in attendance with 300 + first time visitors and 14 people indicated they trusted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

That next week we had a great team of members and staff that visited over 130 homes with one profession of faith in those visits. Since this outreach we have had multiple families come back as they are looking for a church home.

What a blessing to see the church body come together to make this possible as we try to reach the community God has placed us in.

Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily….. Acts 2:47”

Pastor, don’t be discouraged, and don’t quit. You can do better! I pray that some pastor, by the grace of God will accept the challenge.

IT CAN BE DONE, EVEN IN THE SUMMER SLUMP!

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH OR SUMMER SLUMP

Summer SlumpOnce again Pastor Jason Murphy and church members have demonstrated that you can reach your community for Christ, even in the summer slump, if you are determined to do so. Below are some pictures and comments by Pastor Murphy.

“Praise God for a great day at Open Door. Last Sunday we had our annual “Freedom Celebration.” It was such a blessing to see our church work together to reach the community. These are some of the benefits I see by having community outreaches in a local church.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]You can reach your community for Christ.[/pullquote]

1. It involves our members in inviting their lost friends, relatives, coworkers and neighbors.

2. It gives them a chance to serve in multiple capacities: Set up, clean up, manning a booth, cooking food or simply running the visitor booth.

3.  They get involved in praying for the lostSummer Slump

4. It helps the church to not grow inward and become complacent

5. It helps develop a spirit of unity for the body as they serve together with one goal in mind. To bring honor and Glory to Jesus Christ and to fulfill our Biblical command of reaching the lost.

Summer SlumpBy God’s grace last Sunday we had just over 700 in attendance 240 first time visitors 7 professions of faith. Now, we as a church have the opportunity to follow up and these souls God has brought us into contact with.”