Have you HEARD . . . the Gospel . . .

is the new series we are starting and going into the next few weeks leading up to Easter.  I hope you can be LISTENING each week as we post and preach several messages that we pray will remind and enliven our hearts afresh to the simple message of the Gospel of the Kingdom.
     Most people in this part of the country anyway, have heard the gospel many times.  Yet, have we really HEARD it as the Lord Himself preaches it.  Thankfully, it's recorded just as He preached it and we want to look at it afresh and respond to it afresh.  As the old song says, "Lord send a revival. . . .and let it begin in me."
     Last Sunday we began with the end of Jesus's message of the Kingdom. . .   " come on in and make yourself at home".  That's God's desire.  Indeed the very reason He came and shed His life's blood was to offer that saving invitation to "come unto me (Jesus) and I will give you rest".  In John 15, He invited His disciple's then ( and us now) to "abide in the vine (Himself, Jesus)" .  That to me translates into make myself at home.
     The gospel first and formost is God's desire for His children to COME HOME. . .  COME ON IN! 

EXPECTATIONS for 2013 . . .

Humble YOURSELF in the eye's of the Lord and EXPECT:

a.  God's blessing ( His desire is to lift you up)
b.  Satan's attack  ( his desire is to tear you down)
c.  Jesus's SALVATION ( His power to do this is well documented ... ask Him! )

I Peter 5: 6 - 11

LOOK ...

Back . . .  at what Jesus has done!  By His grace, let us be gospel centered disciples.

Out . . .  at what Jesus is doing!  By His grace, let us be a missional church. 

Up . . .  at who Jesus is! By His grace, let us be a worshiping church.  

Revelation 4 

What matters most. . .

I've lived a very blessed and exciting life.  Having lived and traveled over half the planet, seeing things that most people never see, not to mention that God has allowed me the opportunity to be part of His message delivery system to people about the greatest news and gift ever; all of this to wake up this morning, actually this weekend and realize what is the most important thing about life.  Faith, hope, and love are what God says are at the top, with the greatest being love.
Patsy Wynn's life was characterized by love.  Her family and friends testify that's what characterized her life.  Johnny Humphrey was one of the most faithful people I've ever seen.  He loved life, but lived in such a way that 'life' didn't control him, rather he faithfully lived patiently each day simply trusting God and waiting. 
Now, both of them are very aware of that reward for such love and faithful lives.  Both of them had a simple faith. . . like a mustard seed.  And both were people God used to 'move mountains'.  We may not have seen it or realized it, but one day we will see clearly what God did through both quiet lives. 
"Now we see through a glass darkly, but one day, face to face, we shall see WHAT GOD SEES...clearly.  "
( paraphrase  I Corinthians 13). 

Jack Gilliland, pastor
Rea Valley Baptist Ch.

Hindsight is a faith builder. . . .

     Yes, hindsight is 20 20.  Understanding that you do forget some things, it is always good when you can look back and see what God has done.  Last Friday we went to Ozark to visit an old friend Lorene Brooks.  At almost 92, just out of the hospital from some setbacks from previous surgeries and just plain not feeling good, she still wanted to know "can't I fix you something".  Of course we had brought our KFC bucket to share with her.  What a lady.  Always ready to serve.  And as usual, she had found a little book that she wanted to share with me.  "The Blood of the Atonement".  It was about the all sufficiency of Jesus and His shed blood for all that we need to satisfy the holiness of God.  Jesus is all we need.  It seems everytime I visit with this lady, the Lord uses her insatiable appetite for Jesus to touch my heart once more with a small bite loaded with more than enough spiritual nutrients to last me for the rest of the journey. 
     Several years ago she had found a scripture that intrigued her.  She said, "Jack, what does this mean?".  It was Ephesians 1: 6 where it says we are "accepted in the beloved".  Again, little known to her, God had used her to touch my heart at my deepest need of the moment; assurance of His love and hold on me. 

     All along the journey now as I look back I see these wonderful places of faith building.  Some are difficult times.  Some are comfortable times of ease.  All are remembered as times of God's hand touching my heart with another reminder of His faithfulness.
     Thank you Lord Jesus for that "Sabbath rest" that only you can give, and the leading into "paths of righteousness for your names sake" so we can receive it. 

God bless,
Jack Gilliland

'Sit at the feet of Jesus, and tell them what you see. . ."

     I can't remember where I heard that particular bit of advice, but it has stayed with me for awhile; at least long enough to get locked into my heart to the point it's what I really want to do.  I think it was given to someone heading to the mission field and upon asking advice for how to be a good missionary, that was the reply. 
     Can you think of a better way to describe a disciple of Jesus.  That nails it pretty good.  Our focus is on Him, learning from Him, living by Him and then passing it on. 
     This morning I asked everyone if Jesus was in the other room and you could go there and talk with Him privately would you want to go in?  I think all the hands went up.  That's it.  That's what the Bible studies are all about; getting with Jesus and listening to Him, then telling others. 
     "What a friend we have in Jesus.  All our sins and griefs to bear.  What a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer".  
     God bless you in your journey with Him this week.   Isaiah 40:31!

Jack Gilliland, pastor

"Just Married". . .

That was what my college roomate and 'friends' plastered on my 62 Olds, June 1st, 1969.  Sara and I had made the commitment before God, family, and friends and, literally, rode off into the sunset.  Eureka Springs was west of Pyatt.  The happily ever after part took a little work though.  That's just the way it is.  Especially  in the Christian journey.   It's a beginning ( yes, born of God).  Only He can make that initial transformation from 'death to life'.  It's also an adventure of 'faith walking' with Him guiding you by the same grace that He used to save you intially.  That's where the work comes in.  It's trials, errors, and overcomings (victories).  The real joy of this 'roaring lion' infested walk is Jesus walking with you through it.  You learn that He can easily take care of that adversary and change you at the same time.

I'm very excited and encouraged by so many of you who responded last Sunday to "let Jesus change your life, by getting into His Word".   I believe, not only you, but so many all around us are also hungering for the truth that only comes from God.  Let's pray to that effect; that God will create and also satisfy that hunger. 

 " O' taste and see that the Lord is good".  Psalms 34:8. 

My friend, pastor Dale Freeman must have been on this same thought this week because in his notes today he wrote: 

"Perhaps you remember when you first fell in love.  The nervous glow of the first date and ultimately the excitement of the wedding.  Then, after the festivities, you went home and learned to live life together under one roof.   A little less glow and a little more hard work required in building the relationship. "  

God bless as we 'study the Word' together, 
Jack

 

". . .give an account. . . "

I Peter 3:15 - . . .   say's we should " always be ready to give and account of the hope that is within us. . ."  .  That is definitely one thing that is becoming 'obsolete' in our culture; the idea of accountability.  Are we constantly hearing "we'll if _____ would just do this or that"  or "if I had this or that then things would be a lot different".  My favorite is " well if the government would just make some right decisions. . . "  
What ever happened to personal accountability?  Hebrews 9: 27 says that "it is appointed unto men, once to die, after this the judgment".   Judgement of what?  Your life.  What did or did not do with the "grace God gave YOU". 
Yes, there is the mess of this world we must live in, but there is also the LIFE of Christ given us, through His own blood which offers HOPE and salvation. 
I am not innocent of the griping and complaining about the circumstances I find myself in; but I am "learning to be content, in whatever state I find myself in" and to "be still and know that He is God". 
Do you have THAT HOPE?  Are you receiving and reinvesting that 'grace that is sufficient"? 
Jesus has touched my heart and given me His love and that hope.  Just like the blind man, "now I can see".  Thank you Lord Jesus! Please help us to "give that account" to all who will hear it. 

God bless you
Jack

"Where Can We Go. . . " ( John 6:68) . . .

     What a wonderful week around RVBC.  Business meeting was actually fun ( drama can help rather than be part of the dragginess).  Frank Snell's memorial was a beautiful tribute to a kind, Christian gentleman that brought glory to the Lord Jesus whom Frank loved and served.  Even Sunday, as tired as I was turned out to be a gentle reminder that we have NO WHERE ELSE TO GO, but to the Lord. 

      Yes, I was whining Sunday about how tired I was and asking you to pray for me.  Yes, I really do go to that special room that we are invited to come to for 'grace to help in time of need'.  And yes, I certainly do ask all to come with me there.  That's the Lord's invitation, signed in His own blood, to all who will surrender to the Father's call;  that we "come to Him, all who are weary and heavy laden and He WILL give you, me, all who come with a submissive, repentant heart,  . . . REST!" 

       It was His own body "broken for you ( us)" and because of that, when we gather together as His body on earth, filled with His Spirit we are able to minister that love and grace to each other.  (Ephesians 4:16). You did pray and He did bless. 

      Pray for each other, and the things God will be directing us through in the coming days.  WASP starts September 19, and  prayer for revival begins NOW. . . .    WHERE ELSE CAN WE GO? 

Isaiah 40:31

Great day at Rea Valley Baptist today. . . "I am not ashamed of the gospel. . . " with the Lord challenging us this morning through the apostle Paul in Romans 1, and then tonight with more celebration of what the Lord has been doing thro ugh this wonderful, little church with pastor Dale Freeman from Calvary Baptist Church, Albany, Oregon adding the emphasis via a sermon from K'melnitsky Ukraine, 2004. Keep praying everybody. It's going to be an exciting year!

What A Saviour !

Rea Valley Baptist Church
This is one of the strangest Easters I have ever spent, but definitly BLESSED! Praise the Lord. HE IS RISEN, HE IS RISEN INDEED ! I'm forced to sit on the sidelines this morning ( I used to do that quite often when I played basketball and the coach pulled me out to talk with me) at home. But thanks to technology and the Lord being here with me I'm not missing anything. I've been to three Easter services already in several parts of the country, helped a friend in Kansas City Mo., who is stranded at a Rescue Mission, and literally been lifted up 'into heavenly places' by the Spirit of God, all while sitting on my couch sick with a cold. Thanks to whoever took this picture ( hi Marc P ) I'm also able to celebrate in abstentia with my church family at the Cotter overlook. HALLEUIAH WHAT A SAVIOUR

Boredom is. . .

a real feeling that all of us encounter. The question is what do we do with any 'gift' God puts into our hands. Christians should always remember one major truth. Nothing happens to us except God allows it. Sometimes, more often than not we have trouble with that lesson. In Luke 19, right after the account of Zaccheus' s life changing lunch with Jesus, Jesus tells about 10 men each receiving a gift to use. One multiplied his into 10, but one put his away in fear and did not use it at all. Jesus said his gift was taken away and given to the one who already had the 10. I don't know all of the meaning of that, but I do know God is not a 'waster' of anything, even of empty time we may find ourselves with.
When finding yourself with much time, and no artificial relationships with entertainment 'stuff' that we so much rely on, what could we be doing? Here's some possibles:
1. Talk to someone you've been neglecting in a real relationship: wife, son, daughter, neighbor or the Lord himself.
2. Go visit someone who is in a 'can't help it' boring situation: nursing home, shut ins, or friends needing some help.
3. Call your pastor and ask if there is someone he needs you to visit or pray for.
4. Enjoy the quietness that you were wishing for the last time you were overwhelmed by activity.
As I sit here in Chur village Udmurtia, I'm watching the snow fall, the electric was out for awhile, and I am unable to go anywhere til my foot heals from the burn. Can't watch TV cause I really don't understand what they're saying. Yes, I'm on my computer writing this note, but now I'm finished. What do YOU think I should do?

. Pray for Olga in village Bolshoy Vinya.

As we sat and talked over the usual tea and cookies it became evident that the Lord is working powerfully in this ladies life. From an initial encounter with R & Andrei sharing the good news to now listening to another new man talking about praying for her she's definitely wondering who is Jesus.
Keep up the prayers as that is the most important thing. A study group would start in her home if she decides to accept the Lord.
Pray also for R & R as they make these excursions during bad weather Many obstacles here.
Praying for her and others to "know the height and depth and width of the love of God through Christ Jesus".

Faith, foolishness, fantasy and fun. . .

When Peter had the audacity to say to Jesus, "If that's you (walking on the water), tell me to come to you," never did he dream that the call was to really follow Him to the stormy seas of life to proclaim good news to lost and dying of the world. What a saviour.
As I make my 11th trip to Udmurtia, all I can say is that. . . "Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe. Sin has left a crimson stain. He washed it white as snow." Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine being a pastor of a great church, and a messenger to a lost and dying world on the other side of the earth at the same time. Only God can do stuff like that.
Pray for me as I go and I'll pray for you while I go. Together we will "walk on the waters of the stormy seas of life" and watch Jesus change the lives of many whom He is calling.

blessings
Jack

Messiah / Christ . . . and Me.

What a great weekend of worship, outreach with our area families and watching God at work with a basketball ministry called 'Crossfire'. I would be lying if I didn't acknowledge a great deal of pride from watching Brad pop a 3 pointer and listen to the crowd roar when he did it. Yes that's called a 'glory' moment. He's my son and I am proud.
Even more so is how God feels about us. His desire is to see us succeed; do good; hit the 3 pointers and all as a result of His salvation He sent to us in the form of His Son, the Lord Jesus.
We are called to be 'in the race'. Several got in it over the weekend. But, they do not have to run it alone. That's why He ( Jesus) is called the Christ / Messiah. He provided the way and He is the truth. We run it WITH Him. He's the power, the guide, the protector, the comforter. His Spirit indwells us to enable us. "Christ in me, the hope of glory. . ." to Him!

blessings
Jack

"Thank you for letting us serve you". . .

When's the last time you had a teenager tell you "thank you for letting us serve you"? That came from the young people from Central Community Church, Harrisburg, Arkansas.
They came up to help us with VBS this year, but also to do a service project. After a long day Monday of painting the hallway in the children's department, and being on their knees a good while scraping dropped paint from the floor, one of them as they finished said "thank you for letting us serve you." Normally you hear, I'm glad that's over, I didn't realize all this was involved, or other such oh me statements. But, to hear a such a statement from such a young believer was a blessing.
We are studying 'growing in grace' here at Rea Valley Baptist for the past few weeks. That's a perfect illustration of how Jesus illustrated it in John 13 by washing the disciple's feet.
Thank YOU Central Community Church for sharing your young mission team with us for awhile. God bless all of you as you continue to 'grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ'.
Thanks Rea Valley Baptist for such a great VBS. Miracles are still God's business. Many took place this past week. To God be the glory!

keep praying and growing,
Jack Gilliland, pastor

"Go out into the highways and hedges. . ."

Jesus said in Luke 14. He was illustrating with a story about God's invitation to mankind about His salvation. Several things to note here that we at Rea Valley can learn from.
One is that the Lord uses food, feasting, banquets and so many other varieties of things associating salvation with one of most basic of our physical needs. . . eating. Not one of us should miss that analogy. We all do love to eat. We had lots of practice.
One other thing is how many people who were originally invited to this banquet in Jesus's story made excuses as to why they didn't want to come in. Would you buy some land and not look at it first?
But, the thing I want to emphasize for us is the part where He sends out His servants to the highways and hedges to get those people.
Growing in grace is definitely of importance to us if we are to be able to do this. We are looking at developing our bus ministry. That is hard work. There are no short cuts or easy solutions. But, the blessing is that He gives His grace to be able to accomplish it. We've seen it at work now for the last couple of years on our Wednesday evenings. We've seen it work on a small scale on Sundays. However we may feel, the call still remains for His servants to "go out into the highways and hedges and bring them in." Whether they answer the invitation or not, we are still need to feel the master's heart and go get them.
Mark down August 7th, right after church. Bring your lunch and we'll work on how to do this.

Growing in grace continues. . .

Up close and personal. Last week I wrote about the young people ( Immanuel church from Nashville, and our own) and what a blessing to see the Lord using them and 'growing them in grace' as they served and shared with us how God is working in our lives. That was truly a blessing of grace then, but nothing compared to what my family was to experience last weekend with Brad, Sara, and Shelly's accident.
I was not able to be with you last Sunday because I had been in the ER and finally ICU at Baxter Regional with Brad there and Sara on the 3rd floor. I listened helplessly as the Dr said "I don't want to give you any false hopes, Brad is still in danger. The next several hours will tell. He could go either way." And the other doctor that had examined Sara looked at her and said "no you're not alright; you've had a heart attack." My head fell down against my arm on the rail of the gurney Brad was laying on and my heart cried "Lord, help".
This is not the first time I've been in this particular valley. Each time there is a very strong reoccurance of God's presence and assurance that He is there, and in control.
I got on our modernized 'grapevine' called facebook and posted simple 'help, need prayer' message. You heard it. Thank you.
It's been unbelievable how many calls, visits, notes, and all answering the cry for help. God moved people's hearts in a powerful way, just to say " I'm here, I've got this".
I'm trying to piece together the several facets of this story and will write it into a more coherent version later, but there is a lot more to this than just the surface of the accident. You see, our daughter was scheduled to go on a mission trip to Haiti to join her husband Robby at the time this happened. She was torn between staying here to help her mom, and brother, while at the same time listening to God call her heart to 'join Him' there. What a blessing to listen to her share her burden with me and then decide to 'join Him'. Again, growing in God's grace continues.
There are more than just these testimonies coming in. Some of you have shared things happening in your lives also that are making God's personal presence more real and blessed than ever.
It's starting to appear that the enemy does not want us to learn about this wonderful Lord Jesus we have to walk with us through our lives. He is more than just a nice Bible story character that we can teach our children about on Sunday morning. He is our "wonderful, counselor, mighty God, prince of peace" saviour, Christ Jesus the Lord. "Now unto Him who is able. . . ".

God bless all of you
Jack

Evidences of God's Grace. . .

It's one thing to read of God's promises and hear the Bible stories about His working in the lives of Abraham, Moses, and NT disciples, but it is even more exciting when you see it NOW in the lives of our young people.
This week we had 'visitors' from Immanuel Baptist in Nashville, Arkansas. They were on their travel week. It was kind of like church camp on wheels. They were doing fun stuff such as going to the Passion Play in Eureka Springs and Silver Dollar City. But they had also planned this as a mission trip also. The church they were scheduled to work at cancelled out on them. Instead of saying to themselves 'well, it's too hot we'll just skip the work part', they called our White River Baptist office and offered themselves to any of our churches. They were sent to us and what a blessing they were.
After weed whacking the whole back yard of the church, cleaning inside, painting the rest of the floor in the youth room, and canvasing the valley and town for our VBS, they gathered around the piano and led a worship time of praise songs. . . not just once but several times on their rest breaks. Again, what a blessing.
To top it off, I took one of our small boys home that night after all the events. It was his first time to be at our church. I asked him did he like it. He said, "that was my first time at your church, I want to come back."
See you Sunday morning.

God bless y'all
Jack

Does A Pastor NEED to Grow In Grace? . . .

Many times ( I've done this, because I've sat where you are as a listener of sermons by my former pastors) we sit in the pew listening to one more sermon and thinking, "yeah, but you're a preacher and you've got this secret hot line to God and He gives you stuff because you're one of His messengers and . . . . ". Don't say you've never thought this, because I have as a listener, and shockingly, as a pastor/preacher now, I still do. It's a normal thing to think that God gives things to others that He does not give to 'me' for some not understandable reason. But, is that true? NO! His desire is to GIVE YOU His grace, not only to be saved, but also to live in this world. How can you KNOW this? He says so. "Grace to you and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ". You find this greeting over and over in several of the letters of the New Testament. This is as much scripture and heart of God as "...you must be born again...".

Not only has He already given us this grace through the blood of His Son, the Lord Jesus, He has given us a 'signed in blood' invitation to access this grace to walk in daily. It's our 'life vest' so as we encounter the storms of daily 'stuff' we don't sink.

So who needs to 'grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ'. Me! You! All of us. We have the exact same need. The need to be saved ( accept His personal invitation to "come unto Him, and He will give you rest") and the need for grace to walk through this world with His life in you ( accept His personal invitation to "take His yoke upon you. . . and find the rest only He can give). Matthew 11: 28 - 30.

This is what we're learning about presently at Rea Valley Baptist this summer. Who? Me ( the pastor) and hopefully you. Let's pray for each other as we walk in this together in His 'sufficient Grace'.

God bless you
Jack