Benny’s Blog

HOW OLD WAS HE?

A dear friend of mine recently went to be with the Lord. His name was Daniel James Franklin Mosier. The last time I talked to him his voice was still strong. He would often tell me how much he missed his wife Vera. Of course he had physical challenges, but he was always an encourager. 

He befriended many younger ministers. My friend Pastor Warren Harkins and I were two such ones. He meant so much to the two of us and when we conversed we always talked about our friend.  

Reverend Mosier was one of those giants in the Lord. He and I spent many hours together when he would visit his mother, who attended the church I pastored. He often told of his days as a tent evangelist when he preached to thousands every night during those crusades. He, though small of stature, was a giant among men. 

So how old was he when he passed away? In years he was 92 years young, but in life he never grew old. He was a humble man, but a man of great passion and love for his fellow-man. 

I leave you with one question. Who, pray who, will take his place in the Kingdom? 

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WHAT CAN YOU BUY WITH JUST $1.00?

In the last several years we have seen an ever-growing number of Dollar Stores and in recent months, with the economy in a downturn, these stores have enjoyed continued growth in sales. 

Even one of the late night show comedians has done a few sketches showing what his staff found in Dollar Stores. Many jokes have been made about them, but to others these stores are important. 

So, what can you buy with just $1.00? As it turns out one can purchase a lot of inexpensive items, but generally nothing of true or real value can be found there. Why? Because nothing costs more than $1.00. 

Then what can be bought with $1.00? I assure you $1.00 is very important. Recently I spoke at First Assembly of God in Versailles, MO for Pastor Gary Petty when they were conducting their annual Light for the Lost service. Those present were asked to give at least $1.00 per week to Light for the Lost. These funds will be used to reach lost souls around the world. 

So you see $1.00 is important. Let me ask, “what are you doing with your money one dollar at a time?” 

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WHAT’S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?

It is cold in Springfield. Well, that’s not so strange. After all it is January. But what is wrong with this picture? This morning it was 28˚ in Anchorage, AK and 6˚ in Springfield, MO. To add insult to injury we have upwards of 6” of snow and the winds are above 20 MPH. Below is a picture from KSPR showing one scene in the Ozarks.

Some of you are thinking so what; guess what we put up with where I live? And I know that is true, but let me pose a question.

What is wrong with this picture? Not the local weather forecast, but the forecast that millions will be lost unless something is done. It is said that Nero “fiddled while Rome burned.” Are we guilty? Have we become so caught up in the weather or economic forecast, or other concerns, that we forget the weightier matters of lost souls?

Which forecast are you watching?

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CHRISTMAS CAME EARLY THIS YEAR

There is no sound to me like one of my grandchildren screaming my name and running to me. That is exactly what I experienced the Sunday evening before Thanksgiving. I had gone to the Springfield airport to pick up Benny, Kelli and the girls. Kelli and the girls were still in the terminal when I arrived. As I was helping Benny load their luggage, I heard Elaina screaming, “Papa, Papa!” I turned to see her running toward me at full speed. For me, there is nothing like it! 

This is the year they spent Thanksgiving with Sherri and me, and will have Christmas at Kelli’s mom’s home with her family. So Christmas came early this year because we had Christmas at Thanksgiving! I guess you could say we will have two Christmases this year. We will be with Leo, LaDawna and the boys on or near Christmas day, as well as some of our extended family. To Sherri and me there is just nothing like being with our family, and even more importantly during the holidays.

Will everyone have Christmas this year? Unfortunately, no because nearly half of our world has never been properly introduced to Bethlehem’s Babe.

May we take time during this extremely busy season to pray that “The Lord will send laborers into His harvest!”

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“WE’VE NEVER DONE IT THAT WAY BEFORE”

I was sitting on the front pew waiting for the service to begin. The pastor walked over to chat. It was the church’s first-ever Missions Convention. I asked the pastor for permission to tally the faith promises before dismissing the service. That’s when he said it. “We’ve never done it that way before, but let’s do it!”

So, last Sunday I explained the faith promise concept to Bethel Assembly and challenged them to believe God for a miracle. At the end of the service, after speaking on missions, Pastor Israel Flores and I tabulated the faith promises.

I could sense the enthusiasm beginning to build. Then it was like a mighty wave of God as the faith promises continued to come. A church that had given just over $3,900.00 to faith promises in 2008 committed over $32,000.00!

Maybe you’ve “never done it that way before,” but let me challenge you, as I challenged Bethel Assembly in San Angelo, Texas, to step out in faith and give God a chance to perform miracles in your life and in the life of your church.

Our only limitations are those we place on ourselves!

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AND THEN THERE WERE 50

The Assemblies of God has been good to me. I have had ministry in almost every state of the Union. Until last week I had traveled to 49 of the 50 states. September 8-11 I traveled to Anchorage, Alaska for meetings. This was the 50th state I have visited and what shall I say? Alaska was beautiful and I enjoyed my visit there, though it was much too short. One of the highlights was when former governor Walter Hickel addressed our group. 

I, along with others, was picked up at the airport by Pastor Gary Morton. He went beyond the call of duty in serving the delegates who were in Alaska to attend the meetings. He has a true servant’s heart.

Speaking of a servant’s heart, how do you and I measure up? Are we quick to serve our fellowman? Are we quick to serve, without hesitation, those who wait to be received into His great delegation?

Think about it!

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WEDDING MUSINGS

Congratulations to Valerie and Travis! Recently, Sherri and I were in Texas to attend the beautiful wedding of her niece Valerie. I began to reminisce during the wedding proceedings.  

One of Sherri’s nephews, Trent, who is now a pastor, conducted the ceremony. My mind went back to the years when Trent, Val, and the other cousins were growing up. They are near the age of our two children. Every Christmas there would be a family gathering and the cousins would be together. Watching them play and do “cousin-things” I never dreamed then what I was witnessing the afternoon of the wedding.

Here are two of the cousins who once played with all the other cousins…one is getting married and the other is performing the ceremony. Sherri and I were very proud of both of them.

How proud of His “kids” our Lord must be. He loves all of them with an everlasting love.

I conclude with a question. What about all the other “cousins” who haven’t come home yet? They are family too.

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A GREAT MAN IN THE MAKING

Some would call him a “diamond in the rough.” Others would call him young and inexperienced. I choose to call him a man who is on the “Potter’s wheel” being shaped to be mightily used of God.

Who is this person? He is a young pastor deep in the bootheel of Missouri. He is a sponge seeking everything he can learn, and more importantly, hungry to do his part in building the Kingdom of God.

Recently, I was at First Assembly in Steele, MO. Saturday evening was spent training Pastor Harris, his wife Shontae and their missions team how to conduct a Missions Convention in their church. On Sunday morning we received faith promises for the next six months. The pastor announced to the church “our faith commitments this morning equals the entire missions giving for our church during the previous three years combined.” I think you would agree that is rather impressive.

That evening on his Facebook page Pastor Harris stated, “What a day! Today Steele First committed to change the world, and God changed our world!! We are set for a launch into the land of no more limitations.”

Oh, I did get another wonderful perk out of my visit in Steele…met Jentezen and Morgan.

Pastor Harris and First Assembly have made the decision to join the vigilant search for the lost!

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UGLY SHOES

Should I buy dress shoes or ugly shoes? I remember preparing to go to General Council shortly after coming to work for Light for the Lost. One consideration was I would need comfortable shoes because of the unusual amount of walking I would be doing while there. So I went shoe shopping. What I discovered was there were no “comfortable” shoes that looked like they were made to be worn with a suit. So I had to choose. Would I purchase dress shoes or comfortable (ugly) shoes? I went with comfortable. Some of us made a joke about the “ugly shoes” brigade. 

General Council is a time when the Assemblies of God conducts its business. It is also a great time of connecting. I cherish those times of seeing friends whom I have not seen for many years. I am always hoping they don’t notice my “ugly” shoes.

But then I read where Paul writing to the Romans says in Romans 10:15 - “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” (NKJV) Paul was not concerning himself with his wardrobe, but rather speaking of the importance of taking this gospel to those who wait.

As much as you and I enjoy connecting with friends, how much more important is it that we connect with those who are bound in spiritual darkness.

“Ugly” shoes cannot be our issue. The real issue is and must remain, sending those with “beautiful feet” to those waiting to hear.

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I HAVE 4

Grandchildren, that is! And, what joy they bring to Sherri and me. Our two grandsons, Levi, age 29 months, and 14 month old Lincoln, live in Springfield. They are always happy to come to Meme and Papa’s house. Levi persistently wants to go to “Mal-Mart” (Wal-Mart) and ride Mickey Mouse. This is our “guy thing” to do together. Lincoln just wants to hang out with Papa and of course I love it.

Last week we were able to spend a few days with our two adorable granddaughters in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Malia is now 14 months old and Elaina is 3 ½ and of course they are the most beautiful little girls in the world. There is nothing like hearing my grandchildren say, “Papa, I love you!”

In the last couple of days I have meditated on those words. I have been thinking about how much I love these precious little ones. Here is a thought. If we as parents and grandparents love our children, and we do, how much more does our Heavenly Father love us? If I yearn to hear the voice of my grandchildren, how much more does our Heavenly Father long to hear our voice? How must He feel when we go too long without talking to him?

And think about this. What about those untold millions that he loves and yearns to hear their voice, but they don’t know to call on him? They don’t know him as their Heavenly Father.

Friends, this is WHY MISSIONS!

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