The Lord's Horses Continued

Good Monday Morning To You.  Welcome to Monday Morning With Pastor Vic.  If this is you first visit, thank you for stopping by.  I’m glad to meet you.  If you are a regular visitor, it’s always good to have you come for a visit.  I would love to see you, and we are working toward that goal.  I am meeting monthly with other church planters in our section of the state, and they are bringing in experts to help us do video blogging.  Hopefully by the end of the year we will have everything in place to come to you by way of video.  Do make this a matter of prayer.  All of this technological stuff rattles my brain.  Computers are not from my generation.  They were just coming into popularity about the time I was graduating from high school.  The other day I fought and argued with my laptop about why it suddenly was no longer on speaking terms with my printer.  I found myself saying, “I’ve got to go find a teenager.  He can fix it!”

For the last six weeks, you have been praying for my mom.  It looks as if she will be released later today.  Believe me, after six weeks and four days, she is quite ready to come home.   When she gets home, Miss Bessie will be there to help her with whatever she needs.  It is possible that she might continue with a physical therapist coming to her house.  Bess flew up to Cincy last Thursday and has been busy doing mom’s spring cleaning.  My mother always kept a clean house and sometime I was forced to participate in the process.  She is excited about Bess being there, and Bess is happy to be there for her.

Yesterday was another super day at Friendship Harmony.  The attendance was excellent, and the Spirit was moving throughout the service.  I’m even proud to say that the Friendship Harmony Baptist Choir sang.  They are good!  You can hear good four part harmony, and Ken Birdsong gets more out of them than they knew they had.  It is interesting to note that the choir consisted of everybody who experienced Friendship Harmony yesterday.  Good singing choir!  Keep it up!!!

The message was titled, “The Lord’s Horses.”  I preached from chapter 19 beginning at verse 11 from The Book of the Revelation.  Here we see the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.  He is riding a white horse and so are the armies coming with Him.  The Lord must love white horses because He has millions of them.  However, what else would you expect Him to have?  A white horse is a victory horse and when King Jesus comes back to this earth again, He’ll not be mocked, laughed at, crucified, or in any way humiliated.  He will come in power and with victory!  I feel a “Hallelujah” swelling inside me as I think about it!   Until the Father commands Michael to sound the horn and set these last days prophecies in motion, let’s all be about our Father’s business.  That business includes telling the lost about the saving grace and mercy of our Lord.  As I look at what the future is, I don’t want it for my family or for yours.  Heaven is much to be preferred.  If you are left here on earth when Christ comes in the air for his bride, the church, you will enter the tribulation.  Let me tell you here and now, you will not survive it.  You will be eternally lost and damned to a devil’s hell.  You do not want that.  Your only hope of escape is to cry out to God by confessing your sin, and asking His forgiveness.  For the sake of Jesus who freely shed His blood on your behalf, God will hear your prayer and forgive your sin.  Call upon Him today.  If you’d like to speak about it further, call me or send me an e-mail.  My address is www.preachercooper@hotmail.com.

I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!  

Horses In Satan’s Stable

Good Monday Morning To You!

How was your week? Healthy, safe, and sane I hope. Mine was routine; nothing causing too much excitement happens when you live out in the woods. When my grandson, Nathan, was little, he called it “Grandpa’s forest.” One year my daughter, Amanda, brought her two, Nathan and Layne, to Florida to visit us. After Nathan called the woods, Grandpa’s forest, I asked him if he would like to go and swim in Grandpa’s ocean. When he said he would, Bess and I loaded everybody in the car. The grandkids were able to swim in the Gulf of Mexico --- Grandpa’s ocean! I never told them any different, but now that they are both in High School, I’d say it’s safe to assume they know better. However, for a little while, it was nice to be a big shot real estate tycoon in someone’s eyes.

Services at Friendship Harmony went quite well yesterday. As usual the congregational singing was superb. It is so cool to sit and listen to it and hear three and four part harmony. When you add harmony to any melody, you have a full, rich, and moving piece of music. It’s truly a joy to participate. Participate! That is what worship is all about. A good worship service is not a spectator sport. When you go, throw yourself into it. Be part of it. Sure, there is a time to listen, but there is also a time to be heard. Make your voice heard whenever you are in the house of the Lord. I know there are those reading this who think, “Preacher, you have never heard me sing. I’d stand out like a cat at a dog show.” If you’re interested, look up the following Psalms: 66:1; 81:1; 95:1; 98:4,6; 100:1. Look them up, then you’ll see what worship is all about.

I preached the second in the three part “Horses” series with, “The Horses In Satan’s Stable.”. From Revelation six, we looked this week at the black horse, and the pale horse. His color is a washed out looking greenish yellow. He is an ugly horse whose name is Death. His name befits him. I’m sorry, but there are no notes available; I preached these in the extemporaneous, expository style. We looked at the logical progression from the white to the red to the black to the red horses.

Next Sunday we will look to Revelation chapter nineteen. The sermon title is “A Herd Of White Horses!” On Sunday April 1, the title is “Surely He Has Borne Our Sorrow.” Sister Eleanor McDonnel will sing a special of that same name. On Easter Sunday, April 8, we will have our Easter Sunrise Service followed by our annual Fellowship Breakfast. If you are anywhere in the area, come out these next few weeks and be with us. Come and experience Friendship Harmony. As I’ve said so many times in the past, you do not simply attend Friendship Harmony, you experience it. We’d all love for you to come whenever and as often as you can.

Before I close, l.et me give you an update on my mom’s condition. She is doing very well, and the target date for her release is March 26. She is walking with the aid of a walker, and she says her physical therapy sessions are intense. The therapy is working and her medical staff expects a full and complete recovery. She will need some help at home until she gets stronger, so Miss Bessie is flying up to be with her. She has already assigned my neighbor to chaperone me, so I guess I’ll just have to behave while she’s away. Stay safe and healthy, and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

Horses

Good Monday Morning To You!
I hope you’ve had a good week since we last visited. Praise the Lord, my mom is doing fantastic! Her mind is sharp, and her physically therapy is progressing very well. As soon as she can get up from the bed or a chair by herself, she could very well be discharged. She was stricken with a rupturing gall bladder way back on February 9, and for several weeks it was touch and go. It has been slow going, but mom is in good spirits and she is being well cared for. I’m thankful for that! Please continue to pray for her, and I’ll keep you updated weekly in this blog, and on the church facebook page.

Services yesterday at Friendship Harmony were good. Eleanor McDonnel sang a special and it was a blessing to hear. I’m so glad when people are willing to share the talents God has given them. After the service we had our monthly carry in dinner, and as usual our cooks outdid themselves. The food was awesome!

The message title was The Horses In Satan’s Stable. Our text came from Revelation 6:1-8. We were able to get acquainted with the first two horses: the white horse and the red horse. We discovered that the rider of both horses was the same; the Anti-Christ. He rides the white horse for the first 42 months of the tribulation. For more on that you can read Daniel’s account of the seventy weeks. Sixty nine weeks have passed, while one yet remains. A “week” is a seven year period of time. Remember, in Jewish reckoning, a year is 360 days, not our common 365. You can find this in Daniel 9: 27. At the mid point of the tribulation, Anti-Christ breaks his treaty with Israel, and the last 42 months, known as “great tribulation” begins. What he has done is jump down off the white horse, and mounts the red horse. The white horse represents victory and peace, while the red horse represents war. For a complete set of sermon notes on all four horses, see the blog for next Monday morning. I’ll post them in their entirety then.

This is a busy week at Friendship Harmony. On Tuesday night at 6:30pm at the home of Bill and Patty Wolfe we will have a night of fellowship and fun. This time, known as “game night” is a real good way to get to know others better, and to enjoy some good Christian laughter and amusement. If you aren’t into games, come out anyway and enjoy the fellowship. You’ll be glad you did. On Wednesday from 2:00 - 4:00pm our small group, The Jewish Roots of Christianity meets. This time has been a real blessing. Wednesday we continue our look at the Tower of Babel. Thursday morning from 9:00 until 11:30am is our time of visitation. If you know of anyone who would appreciate a visit, please call or e-mail me their name, address, and phone number. Friday, at the time of your choosing, is the time we encourage all of you to spend an hour with the Lord in prayer, Bible reading, and private devotions. The date for this coming Friday is the 16th, so I suggest Proverbs 16 as a good place to visit. Each of you, no matter where you are geographically located in this world can take part in this. Finally, on Saturday Morning at 8:00am at the Twisted Lemon on Pine Island Road will be our men’s breakfast. Any of you men in the area are encouraged to come. Burt Nelson will lead our devotion this month.

Take care of yourself, and have a good and safe week. I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!

Running

Good Monday Morning To You!
Let me begin by saying how saddened I was to learn of the carnage left behind by the tornadoes that ripped through the mid west. My brother, Greg, told me the storms were very powerful. Although all my family is fine, he told me his son, Chris, was very close to where one touched down. Our associate pastor, Bob Felber, is from Salyersville, Kentucky. Salyersville suffered a good deal of damage, but we praise the Lord his family was not injured in any way. When you say your prayers today, be sure to ask God’s blessings on those who were hurt, or who lost someone they loved. If you have ever suffered a major catastrophic storm, you can surely emphasize with these people. I have been through a category three hurricane, and believe me when I tell you that words cannot express the shock and horror you experience after it has passed. Going through a storm is not the hard part, although I do not mean to lessen it’s effects. The hard part comes after the storm passes. Then comes the time of dealing with things and emotions that you never dreamed you’d have to.

Thank you also for praying for my mom, Alene Cooper. She is doing much better since I last reported. She is able to swallow thin liquids once again, and her mind is sharp. I’m having some trouble understanding her because she has lost so much weight that her teeth no longer fit. If this the only lasting side effect of her ordeal, we will be pleased indeed. She still cannot stand or walk on her own, but the physical therapy people are confident that strength will return and that she’ll be up and about soon. If you would like to send her a card and let her know that you are praying for her, the address is Lois Alene Cooper; c/o Forest Hills Care Center; 8700 Moran Rd.; Cincinnati, Ohio 45244 Room 405B. Thanks again for your prayers. I am totally convinced that the prayers of God’s people are what have brought her through. I thank the Lord that He has seen fit to spare her.

The services at Friendship Harmony were good yesterday. Our folk love singing those tried and true hymns found in hymnals in many of our churches. Even though the weather was cold, rainy, and extremely windy, we had good attendance. I was pleased about that! After I preached the final message in the three part “Going Forward Series,” Pastor Bob Felber led us in our Communion Service. Pastor Felber conducted a beautiful Lord’s Supper, and it was a pleasure for me to get to sit in the congregation and receive the elements. I think the last time I received the supper without officiating was about twenty years ago. I am so blessed to be serving FHBC with my friend and colleague, Bob Felber!

Here are the sermon notes from yesterday. The point I hope people understood was that a good runner has a coach. Believers are in this race (called life) and we are blessed to have the best coach possible as we run it. Our coach: The Holy Spirit. I hope these notes are a blessing to you as you study God’s word.

Going Forward By Running
Various
Going Forward Series 1 of 3 By Victor Cooper
02/9,28,3-1,3,4/12

Intro: To conclude our Going Forward Series, we look at Going Forward By Running. In message one, we looked at Going Forward By Standing. In message two, it was Going Forward By Walking. In order to run, you must first be able to stand, then walk. This lesson is designed to help us run.

I. We go forward by running this race called life.
Hebrews 12:1-3 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, [2] Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. [3] For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
A. Running. No option --- you’re in the race.
1. It’s not a race of “me against you.”
2. Every runner runs his/her race as best they can with the aid of the coach; the Holy Spirit.
B. Looking. The good runner has a focal point.
1. For the believer the focus should be on Christ.
2. The Christian runner gets into trouble when he/she takes their eyes off their focal point; the Lord Jesus.
C. Considering. Consider all Jesus endured.
Hebrews 12:3 (NLT) Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don't become weary and give up.

II. We go forward by running with good coaching.
Psalm 119:32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
A. Adam Clarke Commentary I will run—The particle éë, which we translate when, should be translated because: Because thou shalt enlarge, or dilate, my heart; make plain my path by cleansing me from my impurity, and taking the hinderances out of my way. I will then run without dread of stumbling, and every day make sensible progress.
B. Solomon was given an “enlarged heart.”
1 Kings 4:29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.
C. Largeness of heart has to do with expanding ones mind.
D. Essentially the psalmist in our verse above was saying,
[VCT] “Lord make me smarter so I can better apply thy words.”
1. Apply His words to what? To every aspect of life.
E. The runner is successful because of the coach!

III. We go forward by running according to the published plan.
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
A. Is it possible to run without getting tired?
1. Physically, no. At some point even marathon runners’ bodies give out.
2. Spiritually, yes! To do so, you must follow the prescribed plan.
B. Habakkuk was instructed how to run.
Habakkuk 2:2 And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
C. Paul assures us that running according to the Scriptures will not be a waste of our time.
Philip. 2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

Conclusion: We go forward for the Lord by standing, walking, and running --- all three. You do not pick one or two and do those.. Sometime it is necessary to stand while at other times it becomes necessary to walk, or even run.

I hope your week is a good one. I pray that as you run your race you are looking always to the coach and keeping you mind fixed on the goal. If I can ever help you with things like that, please let me know. I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!