Posts Tagged commitment

Leftovers, Part 1 – Malachi 1:6-14

May 12

Posted by Big Island BC Admin in Pastor Bryon, Sermons | 1 Comment

Friends,

Another great day to be in the House of the Lord!  Mother’s Day is always a special time of worship and a reminder to me of just how blessed we are in our congregation.

As we continue our walk through Malachi, we come to the 2nd sermon in the series.  This passage really challenged me to think not only about what I am bringing as an offering to God, but the quality of what I am bringing.  Originally written to the priests in the Israelite community, I believe this passage speaks to us all.

Malachi 1:14 in particular really hit me hard.  How often in our relationships (marriage, parenthood, etc.) do we make a commitment, only to fall short too quickly?  What about in our school work, job, community organizations?  Too often, I believe, we commit our best, and we truly desire to give our all; but in the end, sometimes all we can offer is our leftovers.  Our leftover time, leftover energy, leftover resources, leftover money.

There are some powerful questions raised by this passage:  What kind of offering are you bringing to God?  Is it your best?  Or is He only getting your leftovers?  What are you doing to make God’s name great among the community?

Anyway, take a listen…your thoughts?

You can download the sermon here:  Leftovers, Part 1 – Rev. Bryon LePere

Scriptures Referenced:

  • Malachi 1:6-14
  • Leviticus 22:17-22, Deuteronomy 15:21
  • Numbers 30:2
  • Matthew 5:33-37
  • 1 Peter 1:19

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Committed to getting there together…

May 2

Posted by Big Island BC Admin in FUSION, Mike Poff | No Comments

In such a self-serving hedonistic time as ours how do folks make, manage and maintain a health marriage? Interestingly, this is one area where following Christ’s example might find us a bit stumped. Jesus never married. I do not care what Tom Hanks says. The apostle Paul was married back in his hometown of Tarsus. However, he could not even get his ministry going until both Tarsus and the wife were behind him. His advice basically on marriage was “if you don’t have to, don’t”.

Now we could lay out a good Christian comedy routine about here but marriage is not a joke, nor is divorce a laughing matter. Paul valued marriage but was committed to the ministry. It had to be his priority. He had learned that priorities mattered and will take us places. Indeed this is my first point. Marriage must be a priority that we are committed to in order to make it a trip worth taking.

I can hear you saying,”Well DUH Mike”! Just stick with me. Commitments are really about goals. This is where any couple can completely blow it. Trips can be nice but if we disagree on the destination, we have troubles. Too many couples, including the Christian ones, take off on their little train trip of life long love with rosy feeling, warm hearts and good intentions. Some soon find themselves disappointed and going back to the conductor because they did not have tickets to the same locale.
Goals, mutual goals must be in place if we are committed to reaching them. Having no mutual goals means, you have no real commitment. Mutual goals must also be more than wanting to have children and raising them from the same page but this is a good start. Sadly, you would be surprised how many folks even overlook this before signing the papers.

Here is my advice. Sit down together and talk about each others wants, needs, hopes and dreams. List them out, then begin to plan the short, middle, and long term plans to get to those relational destinations. In the effort, you will create mutual goals and mutual understanding. Even if the wants, hopes and dreams do not all come true. You will be fulfilling more than a few serious needs for a good and Godly marriage. Even if you do not like making lists JUST SIT DOWN AND TALK!

Take this advice and apply just half of what Jesus walked and talked about concerning, forgiveness, meekness, kindness and self-sacrifice. That is the example that will smooth out all of life’s travels. Then use those tickets for two on a trip well worth taking with a destination that is mutual and truly heavenly for those committed to getting there together.

Blessings,

Mike Poff

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Marriage

Apr 2

Posted by Big Island BC Admin in FUSION, Mike Poff | 2 Comments

In just a few days of this writing, Pam and I will celebrate our 18th fruitful year of marriage. Indeed, eighteen most fruitful years it has been. Had anyone mentioned during our pre marital counseling that we would be having seven kids with a set of Quads in middle well, I would have been concerned. If they had went on to detail my being their at home dad we might not be having this discussion.

God’s ways, plans and timing are so often not working from our wish list. One thing I know however is His way, time and plan is perfect, and the only glitch is our acceptance and cooperation. Stuff happens, hard stuff, sad stuff, great stuff, unexpected stuff all fill and deplete our lives sails every day. Weather we fell tossed about by random gales or guided by a loving hand is our call.

Now 18 years may not sound like a lot to some folks. At our church every Sunday, we hear announcement about anniversaries. 30, 40, 50 even 60 years and beyond all met with great applause. Brethren and sisteren we are part of a set of generations where those numbers may be all but unheard of.

George Barna and Gallup both agree that the divorce rate for the churched and non-churched are about the same. In fact we church folk are a fraction of a percentage ahead in the number of marital breakups. Thank God for mercy and that margin of error thing!

Having grown up in a household rocked by three divorces I have seen the damage done. I have lived the restoration possible. I have made it my purpose to not recreate any of it. At your Pastor’s invitation, I would like to open up a dialog with you here.

I have a bit to share on what creates strength and commitment to grow in a marriage. In addition, I have an insight or two on how to make it work even with a load of little ones in the mix.

Anyone interested?

In His Love,

Mike Poff

“Not by power, nor by might, but by My Spirit, says the Lord”

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DON’T BE A WISE MAN – Matthew 2.1-12

Jan 12

Posted by Big Island BC Admin in Pastor Bryon, Sermons | 3 Comments

Friends,

Happy New Year!  What a wonderful start to the year it has been for us in worship.  Yesterday I preached from Matthew 2.1-12, the story of the Magi, or Wise Men.  It is a familiar story, but as I read it this past week, it struck me that after they brought their gifts, they are never heard from again.  I’m not attempting to put them down, they certainly fulfilled their prophetic purpose.  But, there are so many other stories within the Gospels where a person or group has a singular encounter with Christ, and then we never hear of how their lives were changed.

This got me thinking, what can be told of our story after our life-changing encounter with Christ?  As much as there is a need for us to continue to bring others into the family of God through evangelism, I believe we also need a greater level of commitment and perseverance in faith.

After watching the horde of people at the Y exercising on Saturday I wondered…how many of these were starting their year off strong but would fade as the year continues?  Likewise, Christians often begin their faith or a new year off great in terms of Bible study, prayer, tithing, missions, and worship.  But how often do we fade in one of these areas?

Our Father God is faithful, and never fades from that commitment to us.  Likewise, we should seek to be strong in our commitment to Him.  What are you doing with your time/talents/finances?  Have you kept the faith?  Thinking about your original life-changing encounter with Christ, where are you now?  The wise men came and brought their gifts, never to heard from again.  Don’t be a wise man.

Scriptures Referenced:

  • Matthew 2.1-12
  • Deuteronomy 7.9
  • Matthew 9.37
  • Matthew 25.14-30
  • Mark 15.21, Acts 13.1, Romans 16.13
  • Luke 9.23
  • Acts 2.42, Acts 20.31-32
  • 1 Peter 4.19

Your thoughts?  Share them with us!

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