Sayings from Great Men of God...

      Here are just a few quotes that I found to be very inspirational to me personally. I pray they will be the same to each reader, and that someone might surrender to do their part to reach the world with the Gospel of Jesus today!

“When godliness goes, faithfulness inevitably follows; without fear of God, men have no love of truth.” - C.H. Spurgeon

"Someone asked Will the heathen who have never heard the Gospel be saved? It is more a question with me whether we -- who have the Gospel and fail to give it to those who have not -- can be saved." -- Charles Spurgeon

"God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply" -- Hudson Taylor

"The Great Commission¹ is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed" -- Hudson Taylor

"Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God" -- William Carey

"To know the will of God, we need an open Bible and an open map." -- William Carey

"In the vast plain to the north I have sometimes seen, in the morning sun, the smoke of a thousand villages where no missionary has ever been" -- Robert Moffat

"If a commission by an earthly king is considered a honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?" -- David Livingstone

"Some wish to live within the sound of a chapel bell; I wish to run a rescue mission within a yard of hell." -- C.T. Studd

"No one has the right to hear the gospel twice, while there remains someone who has not heard it once." -- Oswald J. Smith

"Any church that is not seriously involved in helping fulfill the Great Commission has forfeited its biblical right to exist." -- Oswald J. Smith

"We talk of the Second Coming; half the world has never heard of the first." -- Oswald J. Smith

"There is nothing in the world or the Church -- except the church's disobedience -- to render the evangelization of the world in this generation an impossibility." -- Robert Speer

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Prayer Letter 1/28/10

Dear Friends and Family,

I am very excited to tell you that the Lord truly is continuing to bless the Underwood family. Classes are going well, and I am learning so much that to tell you about it would be a separate letter in itself. Prayers are being answered! Ashlee has been offered a job at a daycare; however, the details are still in the works. We are not sure if the distance and the hourly wage would be sufficient to make the decision to take it just now. She also has a couple of other opportunities before her that include another daycare and/or keeping a few children out of our home. Please continue to pray with us that we would have wisdom to make the decision that would be best for our needs.

Also, I have been given another estimate on my car to replace the O2 sensor that is much less expensive. My first quote was $200 including installation. My second, from another mechanic is $125 including installation. Please pray with us that the Lord would supply the funds to have my car pass emissions and allow it to be driven. I want to give praise to the Lord for opening a door for me to serve here at Vision Baptist Church. I have recently become the Bus Captain that will have many responsibilities that involve:

1) Organizing Bus visitation

2) Planning of promotional ideas to attract bus visitors

3) Cleaning and maintenance of the bus

4) Acquiring a CDL (please pray for this as well)

Finally, I want to invite all of you to be a part of the ministry that is taking place at Vision Baptist Church! There are many opportunities to get involved with some type of ministry, and there are many others that share my heart for reaching the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Please check us out on the web at

http://visionbaptist.com or simply click the map to the left and you will be redirected. Find a place to get involved with reaching the world!

Your companion in labor!

Stephen Underwood

Acts 20:24

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Spiritual Discipline

(Rom 8:28) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
(Rom 8:29) For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
(Rom 8:30) Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
    Although God will grant Christ-likeness to us when CHRIST returns, until then, He intends us to grow toward Christ-likeness.
(1Ti 4:7) But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
   What does the word "exorcise" in the verse above mean? To discipline yourself, or train yourself to refuse profane or empty things that do not make you more like Christ. The Spiritual Disciplines are the God-given means we are to use in the Spirit filled pursuit of godliness. The three catalysts for changing us to Christ-likeness are:

1) People: (Prov 27:17) Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. The friends that you have, and the people in your life will influence you! If they are the right, Godly type of people, then it will be unto Godliness. If they are not, then the influence you bring yourself subject yourself to will be one of ungodliness and undiscipline.

2) Circumstances: (Rom. 8;28) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. We cannot control our circumstances; that is the Lord's to control. However, we can control how we react to circumstances! Do your reactions reflect Spiritual Maturity or immaturity?

3) Spiritual Disciplines: (1 Tim 4:7) But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. It is ultimately up to you whether or not you will discipline yourself to become more like Christ. If you do not refuse profane or vain things in your life, and exercise yourself in your daily walk with the Lord, then you cannot expect to be more like Christ. God has given us these disciplines as a means of receiving His Grace and growing in Godliness.
"I must take care above all that I cultivate communion with Christ, for though that can never be the basis of my peace-mark that- yet it will be the channel of it." - C.H Spurgeon

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Fun Times!

     Last night, as I was in Old Testament Survey, Ashlee calls me with panic in her voice. Once I calm her tone from yelling and screaming to something just shy of a loud screech, I learn that “water is everywhere! And it’s coming from under the kitchen sink!” As I try to explain how to shut the water off, she tells me, “You’ll have to come home now…I can’t do it!”
     So I leave class early, drive almost 20 minutes, on fumes, water still coming in, and many emotions running through my head. I find myself angry that Ashlee couldn’t understand how to turn off the water. I find myself confused to how it all happened. Then, I find myself worried that once I get there and turn it off, we’ll have to deal with mold, and other issues.
     As I walk through the door and see ALL of our towels lying on the floor like sandbags used to slow the flood waters, I find the site very humorous. Ashlee is frantically trying to control where the water goes, Peyton is crying in his crib, and I can’t help but laugh just a little.
     Needless to say, I went down to the basement where three inches of water lay on the floor, and is continuously coming down from the floor above, and shut off the valve with a two second turn of the wrist. This followed by, “I could have done that!” The damage was minimal, the water was about two inches in the kitchen, and three in the basement, and it took us a couple of hour to clean up the water. All in all, the Lord really blessed us! We could have had much worse in damages, cost of repairs, and time invested. Now all we are left from our “night of the flood” is a good story to share with all of you! Thanks again for remembering the Underwood family in your prayers! God bless!

Prayer Letter 1/25/2010

January 25, 2010

Dear friends and family,

    It is with a grateful heart that I write in regards to your many prayers. As you are aware, Ashlee, Peyton, and I are serving and studying at Vision Baptist Church under Pastor Austin Gardner. I am attending classes at the Our Generation Training Center with the expectation of starting deputation for Foreign Missions in the next two years. As my family and I make the transition, I hope that you will pray with us about a couple of issues.

1) Ashlee’s job situation. She has applied and interviewed at several daycares in the area and we are confident that the Lord will provide with the income needed to sustain.

2) My job situation. I am delivering pizzas for Pizza Hut in the evenings and am highly reliant on the Lord to provide tips and hours to make the money not only for living, but ministry and school as well. In addition to delivery, I am working on staff at Vision as the personal assistant to Pastor Gardner. This is a great opportunity to learn directly from the man of God and apply his discipleship to others as well. (2 Tim 2:2)

3) Our vehicle situation. In the thirteen surrounding Atlanta area counties; you are required to pass an emissions test before you can get a tag. My car did not pass, and it will cost approximately $200 in order for it to pass.

Please pray with us about these areas and see how the Lord blesses! If the Lord lays it upon your heart to be a blessing to the Underwood family, you can contact me at underwood@bcwe.org.

I trust that the Lord will see fit to supply our needs as promised in Matthew 6:33!
(Mat 6:33) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Thank you in advance for your prayers and support!

Your “companion in labour”,

                                          Stephen Underwood
                                          Acts 20:24

Sorrow Upon Sorrow

(Php 2:25) Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
(Php 2:26) For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.
(Php 2:27) For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
(Php 2:28) I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
(Php 2:29) Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
(Php 2:30) Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
    In this passage, we see Paul speaking of Epaphroditus, who is not mentioned in Scripture outside of Philippians. However, we see that Epaphroditus is very important to the Apostle Paul, and he gives several characteristics of this man of God in verse 25:
    1) He is a Brother in Christ.
To be called a "brother", one must know the Lord Jesus Christ, and be saved. Epaphroditus is a Christian.
    2) He is a Laborer in the Work.
He was not a "pew warmer." Epaphroditus was doing more that showing up to church, filling his spot in the pew and coming just to leave like average Christians today! He was not lazy.
    3) He is a Soldier in the War.
Paul knew better than most that the Christian life was a constant spiritual battlefield. Epaphroditus was enlisted in the Army of God, and remembered by Paul as a key figure in the spiritual warfare.
    4) He is a Messenger to the World.
(Php 4:23) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. To the Philippians written from Rome, by Epaphroditus.
This letter to the Philippians was written by Paul, however as stated in (Phil 4:23), it was penned by his servant Epaphroditus from Rome. Because of this we know that he was with the Apostle Paul on this journey because Paul wrote this letter while imprisoned in Rome. In (Phil. 2:25) Paul said, "Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus..." Epaphroditus shared the heart of Paul, one that longed to reach the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
    5) He is a Minister to the Church.
The word "minister" literally means to "serve." Epaphroditus gave his health, and was willing to give his life to serve the Apostle Paul, and the church at Philippi. His burden and heart was for the Philippians.
    I find it very convicting that the Apostle Paul said that God had spared His servant Epaphroditus for not only himself, but Paul as well. Paul said that he would not have "sorrow upon sorrow." I wonder; what would the man of God feel if I were to pass to eternity? Would my life be one that caused sorrow upon sorrow, or would it be just another average church member that "we'll all miss?" How will the man of God remember you? What are you doing to serve where you are right now? Who will miss you when you're gone? Can you be called a "necessity", or are you just a "pew warmer?"

Harmless as Doves.

(Mat 10:16) Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
     This is a verse that I have heard several times over for many years, and yet it is so contrary to what we (Independent Baptist) teach and practice. As an Independent Baptist, I have been taught and even practiced myself that we should take a militant stand against others that would pervert and twist the Word of God, ones that would teach another way to heaven, other than the truth. Lt. Col. Ronald C. Speirs, E Co. 101st ABN (WWII) is quoted for saying, "...a soldier is suppose to function; without mercy, without compassion, without remorse. All war depends on it."  This is too often the mentality that we have and even teach others to have by our actions and words. However, in Matthew 10, Christ is sending out the disciples to preach to the Jews and warns them of the men in which they will come in contact. But the answer of Jesus is simply to be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves! I understand that we are to "mark and avoid" them that teach contrary to sound doctrine (Rom 16:17), but how many times do we take it upon ourselves to be dogmatic and legalistic toward them in addition? Our command is to GO, TEACH, BAPTIZE, and TEACH; this is our Great Commission, this is our focus! If we are to be effective in reaching the world, and showing them that Jesus LOVES them and wants to save them, then we cannot be the average, arrogant, and hateful people as we are so often defined. I pray that I, myself might be defined as loving, compassionate, and as having a desire to show someone to Jesus. "Lord, lead me to someone, that I may share the Gospel with today."

Trying of your faith...

    Last night, Bro. Tony Howeth preached from Philippians 2:14, "Do all things without murmurings and disputings:" The message was stiring and convicting to me personally. I made a personal decision to be more aware of and attentive to my personal groanings, self-pity, and complaining.
    THEN TODAY... After waiting several days for the title to my car to get here, I proceeded to get a tag for it, so that I will be able to drive legally after the grace period of purchase. Once I arrived at the tag office, I was then told I needed an emission test before I could get a tag. (A new concept for a hick from Dalton.) So, remembering that I purposed that I would not complain, and that the verse in Philippians 2 said "DO ALL THINGS," I politely left and proceeded to get an emission test. After switching cars, and driving to the first auto shop I saw, I had the emission test done and much to my demise, I FAILED! Finding out more, that an "O2 sensor" will cost me $200 to pass the emission test, and allow me to get my car tag.
    I think of these events that take place the day after a message where I make a decision not to murmur, and I can't help but think of James 1:3, "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience." Then as I continue to think of how well this verse applies for me today; I am overwhelmed by Holy Spirit conviction in thinking that the trails and tribulations and sufferings of early Christians, and the early Church somehow compare to my car tag issue! How many times are we guilty of having circumstances merely inconvenience us, and claim that we are doing a great service to the Lord by not getting too upset?! If we would only consider what the New Testament Church considered the "trying of your faith..." , then we may not think so highly of ourselves when we conquer the small things.

How to start...

(Mat 9:36) But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

     In this passage of scripture, we see that Jesus is teaching and preaching the Gospel in the cities and villages. He then looks on the multitude, is moved with compassion, and sees them as they really are; as sheep having no shepherd. In order to begin making a difference in the lives of others for eternity, and reaching the world with the Gospel of Christ, we must realize three aspects:
 
    1) Look on the multitudes.
        To look at others, and see their actual state of being, you must GO! (Mat. 28:19)
        Here we are given the Great Commission from Jesus Christ. He gives us the command to GO!
   
    2) Be moved with COMPASSION.
        To be moved with compassion, one must remember and tell what the Lord has done for you! (Mark 5:19)
         Jesus had just cast out a demon from the man in Mark 5, and told him to go home and tell his friends what Jesus had done for him, and the compassion He had for him. If we remember how the Lord saved us from our sins, and brought us out of bondage, we can also show compassion to others!
 
    3) See the world as Christ sees them.
        In Matthew 9:36, when Jesus saw the multiudes, He was then moved with Compassion, and once moved with compassion, He saw them as they were in God's eyes.

   In spanish, the word for compassion is "con passion," meaning " with PASSION! If reaching souls for Jesus Christ is not your PASSION, then you cannot be effective in fulfilling the Great Commission. For us to have a burden for any people, we must first have a vision for the people. If we truly believe that Hell is a real, and eternal place; then it must be our responsibilty to tell others what Jesus did for us, and show the compassion of Christ to the entire world.