| Preacher's Byline - Volume IV, Section 6.1 |
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Lots of exciting updates to write about in this edition of the Byline! Before I get to them I want to mention the following events/rides. We as a Ministry would love to have you join us at any or all of them. Be sure to check in with the events section of the website as we routinely add more rides and events on a sometimes daily basis.
Upcoming events 2nd Thief is organizing or participating in for 2008:
We are also formulating plans for the following Events/Rides for 2008:
It’s been an amazing month here at 2nd Thief. Wide open as usual with the Ministry participating in six rides/events that occurred during the month of May. The funny thing is while we do stay busy it is not a wearisome kind. It is a humble privilege to share the Good News. What’s more is we have discovered that if you operate in the giftings He has given you there is an accompanying joy in your spirit that defies description.
Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9 NKJV We started off the month of May over in Harrisonburg, VA. Craig aka Circuit Rider, our Shenandoah Valley Coordinator, arranged for The Band to play at the “Cruise-In” that was sponsored by Cornerstone Church. Craig loves the Lord and is always looking for creative ways to share Jesus. The day started off with prayers to our Father about whether or not to go because of threatening rain. He made it clear that we were to go…and we did. What a great time enjoying The Band as they operated in their God-given giftings! An added blessing for me was being able to catch up with brothers and sisters…some of which I hadn’t seen in 11 years! Our Father continues to call His children to ministry here at 2nd Thief. 2nd Thief Riders make up the largest component of the Ministry and it continues to grow. This month three brothers and one sister heard “the call” and heartily obeyed.  Bart and Eden are husband and wife and come to us from Linden, VA. Bart heard about us from a brother that I had met a few years back when he attended a church where I was a co-pastor. He now is an elder at Hope Christian Fellowship in Fauquier County, VA where Bart and Eden attend. Interestingly enough I was invited to guest preach there one Sunday to fill in for their pastor who was out of town. Any way Bart was getting back into motorcycling in a big way and it was on his heart to get involved with a motorcycle ministry…well you can connect the dots. Since being called to the Riders Bart and Eden have jumped in with both feet. They joined us on the Cruizin for Kidz Ride. That ride was to benefit underprivileged children and enable them to participate in after school activities at the YMCA in Spotsylvania County, VA. Bart and his beloved daughter Morgan joined us for the 90N90 Ride sponsored by the Potomac Crest Baptist Church in Woodbridge, VA. That was an opportunity to ride to High Schools in Prince William County, VA and pray at each one. We would like to thank Jon who fellowships there for the outstanding job he did on coordinating the event.  That same evening The Band was at the Java Rock in Manassas. Bart and Morgan had ridden back to Linden that afternoon and then re-joined us at “the Rock!” What a joy to witness such commitment. Bart plays occasionally with the praise team at his church and has a great appreciation for music. It was evident they enjoyed themselves as The Band played their God-given “Rock ‘N Blues” for the King.And speaking of The Band…they are making great progress towards producing their first CD. The Lord has blessed them with two new songs. One that Fillmore wrote and the other written by Deuce. Both songs come from the heart and point to the love and grace of Jesus. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24 NKJV Last month I wrote of the anointed time spent with what was then our newest chapter of 2nd Thief Riders down in Vero Beach, FL. The Band and some Riders from VA went down there to share the Good News through music and a message in support of the Central Florida Chapter. This month I humbly rejoice in announcing the newest Chapter of 2nd Thief Riders in Ohio! Nine brothers and sisters from the Ministry to include three Chapter Coordinators from VA and the National Coordinator rode to Grafton, WV to meet, fellowship, break bread and pray with our newest Riders! Bill aka “Chaplain” hails from New Straitsville, OH and heard about the Ministry while officiating at a wedding in WV. Two of our Riders, Murdock and Jeanne, were at this same wedding. Chaplain was taken by the message of the 2nd Thief which clearly points to the love and grace of Jesus. He has plenty of motorcycle experience to include riding with outlaw clubs before he asked Jesus into his life 14 years ago. “Chaplain” is a Chaplain at a four county regional jail. He and His beloved bride Gala also run a half-way house called Salvation Place. It is obvious to me that he has a passion to be about his Father’s business and walks his talk.  As I have mentioned in numerous Byline’s we are a Ministry, not a club. We do not recruit, but allow His Spirit to lead His children here. One of my responsibilities here is to confirm the call to 2nd Thief. Chaplain told me that in all his years of riding he never allowed any club to “patch him,” secular or Christian. However when he was made aware of 2nd Thief Riders his heart was pricked by the Holy Spirit and he knew that he wanted to be “patched” by this Ministry. He knows that his calling to 2nd Thief is for the furtherance of The Kingdom. Chaplain was used by the Lord to share the Good News with JT (aka Ugly – yes that is his moniker) who asked Jesus into his life six months ago. Ugly joined Chaplain in meeting with us in Grafton. He too brings many years of motorcycle experience with him…mostly on the wilder side. But like Chaplain he has tasted the goodness of God and passionately desires to be about His business. To convey the type of riding experience he brings, the Honda Gold Wing he rode in on had over a million miles on it! Yes the motor has been rebuilt along the way, but the bike itself has been ridden over a million miles in several countries. Wow…that is impressive, but it does not begin to compare with how humbly excited Ugly is about putting another million miles on it “Riding the Highways and Byways Sharing the Good News…on Two Wheels.” Godspeed on your Great Adventure Bro! Well we are into a study called “Walking with God” here at 2nd Thief. Everyone that is participating has commented how the study is bringing them to a newer intimacy with our Heavenly Father. The origins for this began when during another message Enoch was mentioned and how he walked with God. The fact that God “took him” is very significant and that this is also mentioned in the fifth chapter of Genesis. Remember the fall occurred in the third chapter and the first murder occurred in the fourth. So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him. Genesis 5:23-24 NKJV That to me is very encouraging as with all the evil that seemed to be running rampart after the fall there was still a man that “walked with God.” Think about it, Adam and Eve walked with God in the garden in the cool of the day. And then sin entered the world and they were ushered away from the garden…but not from God Himself. Even with sin now in the world it is still possible to walk with God here and now. And not only did he walk with God, but then God “took him.” Enoch did not taste death, God literally took him from the earth. Woo wee…the first person to be “raptured” so to speak! Why did that happen? Why did the Lord do this? We find the answer in the New Testament. By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him” for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. Hebrews 11:5 NKJV But before Enoch was taken he had a testimony. In fact the chapter opens up by advising us that with faith we can obtain a good testimony. The Greek word for testimony is martyreō which conveys the meaning of witness. It is also where we get the word martyr. That is a person who is willing to die for the way they live. Isn’t it ironic that Enoch…who was willing to die for the way he lived…never died. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. Hebrews 11:1-2 NKJV We need to remember that chapter 11 of Hebrews is the “Faith Hall of Fame Chapter.” You aren’t included here unless you were a man or woman of great faith. You see that is how verse 5 starts out with Enoch, “By faith.” Faith is obviously a key factor in “Walking with God.” In fact, right after this verse we have a very well known verse of Scripture. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 NKJV Do you see a pattern developing here? Enoch had a testimony that pleased God. Conversely, without faith it is impossible to please God. Impossible, not hard or difficult…impossible. And here is the key, you not only need to believe that He is (or as He says – I AM), but that He is a rewarder of them who diligently seek Him. So here we have all the elements that enable us to “Walk with God” like Enoch did. First we need to operate in faith. Faith that is more than mere belief in Him. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. James 2:17 NIV Plenty of people believe in God, but don’t follow Him. He wants disciples. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19 NKJV [emphasis mine] Because disciples have the kind of faith that enables them to be empowered witnesses. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8 NKJV A witness (martyr) that would be willing to die for his faith. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21 NKJV Diligently seeking Him every day of our lives. Not because we subscribe to some rules and regulations that require it, but rather because of the joy of His presence. You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 NKJV Think about it, the path of life…walking with God. The way it began…the way it was always meant to be. Enoch is our witness and his life testifies to the truth of walking with God. That God pleasing testimony that includes the fullness of joy as we walk with Him is available to you now through a relationship with Jesus! Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen. Jude 1:24-25 NKJV Godspeed Preacher |
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