The Local Church is the Hope of the World

I recently attended a wonderful church service at Willow North Shore, a satellite of Willow Creek Community Church, which was started by Bill Hybels 36 years ago.  It just so happened that that Sunday was the anniversary of the church’s establishment so Hybels gave the main message.  Wow, did he hit the nail on the head.  Apparently, Hybels has often been quoted for saying, “the local church is the hope of the world.”  During his message yesterday he told the story of when he first came to this realization and how it's affected his ministry since.

As I sat there listening to the message and worshiping in the moment I clearly felt the Holy Spirit’s presence.  This ‘feeling’ was an answered prayer as I had specifically asked God to rein down on me during the service, to reveal Himself.  As is always the case, God is faithful to provide when we seek Him with our whole heart. Listening to the passion in Hybel’s voice brought tears to my eyes.  He eloquently stated what I had been feeling for some time:  There must be something more that the Church can do.  We must be able to affect people’s live more greatly and more directly than we are  now.  To summarize his message, Hybels challenged us to become an Acts 2 church.

On the drive home I had a great conversation with God.  Essentially, my thoughts went like this:

"God, I know that You want to bless me.  I know that you plant desires in my heart and that as I trust in You, You will fulfill them in your timing.  But Lord, if I know that You place the desires in my heart why do I so often feel undeserving of them?  Why am I so quick to deny the blessings You provide? Why do I doubt that you want to bless me abundantly?  For even Your Word says that You came so that we may have life and have it abundantly.  I pray for You to expand my territory, to use me in a mighty way, to provide for me and yet when you do all these things I feel spoiled and unworthy.  How dare I question how you chose to bless me."

As is often the case, God spoke to me through my own thoughts, answering my questions as I was still forming them, challenging my own thoughts.  He's good like this.   God desires to bless us richly.  There is nothing we can do to earn these blessings.  He does it because He loves us unconditionally.

That Sunday I was reminded of the Church's role in this temporary home.  There is much work to be done here on Earth.  But, I was also reminded of God's goodness - He desires to bless us abundantly as we serve Him and serve others, if only we will allow Him to do so. 

Reminded of my love

One of the books I’m currently reading is Crazy Love by Francis Chan.  I’m about halfway through….so far it’s been okay, not anything earth shattering but a good reminder nonetheless.  I think the book is definitely applicable for those maybe a little newer in their Christian walk, but me, I’m an old hat.  Ha, ya right.  Anyways, moving past the book review…a section I recently read caught my attention.

Chan quotes from John Piper, who poses the following question in his book God Is the Gospel: “If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ was not there?”

Perhaps some background leading up to this question would be helpful.  In this particular chapter Chan is discussing our love for God.  He prefaces this section with a beautiful story about his wife’s grandmother and how, near the end of her life, she spent hours praying with God and how she looked forward to the start of each new day in order to spend this time with her Savior.  As I read about this woman named Clara I questioned (as I’ve done before) my love for God.  Do I truly love Him?

Chan goes on to describe how we act when we’re madly in love with someone.  I’ve been in love like this a few times and must say, he hit the nail on the head.  Staying up all hours to talk, driving long hours just to see them for a little while, doing things you’d never thought you’d do for someone; being apart is painful, being together never last long enough….As I read this I compared it to how I am with Christ – it’s not like this, not any more at least. 

But after I read the question posed by Piper, about being in heaven without Christ, I knew.  To me there is no heaven if Christ is not there…..all of those good things would be empty and meaningless.  And this, this knowing, reminded me and showed me that I do love Christ, that my love for Him runs deep and cannot be shaken. As I was smiling and resting in this, God reminded me that all ‘madly in love’ relationships start off with big burning flames but true relationships are those where the burning embers survive the test of time; where years later, when the flames may have diminished, the burning embers still remain, fueling off of one another, constantly generating heat.  And this is where I am with Christ, with my Savior, with the One I love, who loves me unconditionally, undeniably. 

Chan, F. (2008) Crazy love. David C. Cook Publishing: Colorado Springs, CO

Piper, J. (2005) God is the gospel. Crossway: Wheaton, IL

Little Lamp, Big Light

I was walking home from work tonight chatting with Jesus....He's always available for a good chat.  As I approached my house I thought it looked awfully bright.  For a moment I thought I had left more than just the one lamp on but I realized I hadn't.  Instead, it was just one little lamp casting a big light.  And  then it hit me; or I should say Jesus hit me.  Of course He didn't really hit me, He wouldn't do, more like a nudge.  A nudge that said, "See, just one little light can shine really bright.  You are like that light.  You are just one but you have the opportunity to shine really bright.  You have the opportunity to touch so many lives if you open your heart and allow me to shine through you." 

And of course He's right.  I am just one light but I do have big opportunities to shine brightly.   I'm realizing more and more that God has me in public service for a reason....to share His love with the hundreds of people I interact with.....really though, we're all in some form of public service.  We all interact with lots of people.  So, is your little light shining brightly?  Is God's unconditional love passing through you to the lives of those around you?  I pray it is for you and for me.  Amen.

The Darkness of Dismay

Over my past few blogs I’ve hinted at this “thing” I’m going through right now.  It’s a hard thing to explain.  Essentially, I feel like I am distant from God in a way I haven’t experienced before.  I’ve questioned whether it was me, my thoughts or my actions causing this distance.  I feel like this “thing” is really big; a really big distance.  And yet in other, smaller ways I know that God is right there with me.  I’ve blogged before about how I love when God shows up in little ways…really little ways - but when He does it’s big, at least for me.  Because for me it reminds me that He is here, in the midst of this crazy world we live in, and He cares about the details….those little details that in light of recent events like the earthquake and tsunami in Japan really shouldn’t matter and yet they do…they do matter and sadly they have the ability to consume our thoughts.  And God shows up in these, which is AWESOME. 
       So this morning God woke me up….early.  (It’s 3:27 AM as I write this)  It’s these early, early wake ups when I tend to cry out to God and ask Him where He is….knowing full well He’s right here with me, He did wake me up after all.  And yet I don’t feel Him.  I want to feel Him because that’s what I do, that’s how I am.  I want to feel in love.  I want to feel happy at work.  I want to feel the joy of Christ…..well right now I don’t have a lot of feeling going on.  In fact, I’d say that the zest for life that I once felt, is gone.  Please, don’t be concerned.  I know exactly the reasons for this:  I moved 2,000 miles across the country, left my job, my family, and my friends to spend time with my father who passed away almost precisely 5 months after my move.  I’m now in a beautiful community with wonderful people, but it’s not the same….it’s not my community, they aren’t my people.  I’ve been uprooted from my foundation and as I recently blogged about…this action of uprooting can have dramatic effects on someone’s relationship with Christ.  That is where I find myself.  That is the “thing” I’m going through.

       So…back to being woken up by my loving Father at 3:27 AM.  As I’m doing what a lot of people do in the middle of the night (hint, the room with a toilet), a take a look at what Oswald Chambers would have to say on this day about my current situation….and low and behold, God showed up.  I take comfort in Chamber’s message for today from My Upmost for His Highest:

      "At the beginning of our life with Jesus Christ, we were sure we knew all there was to know about following Him.  It was a delight to forsake everything else and to throw ourselves before Him in a fearless statement of love.  But now we are not quite so sure.  Jesus is far ahead of us and is beginning to seem different and unfamiliar – ‘Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed.’ (Matthew 10:32)

      There is an aspect of Jesus that chills even a disciple’s heart to its depth and makes his entire spiritual life gasp for air.   This unusual Person with his face set ‘like a flint’ (Isaiah 50:7) is walking with great determination ahead of me, and He strikes terror right through me.  He no longer seems to be my Counselor and Friend and has a point of view about which I know nothing.  All I can do is stand and stare at Him in amazement.  At first I was confident that I understood Him, but now I am not so sure.  I begin to realize that there is a distance between Jesus and me and I can no longer be intimate with Him.  I have no idea where he is going, and the goal has become strangely distant. 

       Jesus Christ had to understand fully every sin and sorrow that human beings could experience, and that is what makes Him seem unfamiliar.   When we see this aspect of Him, we realize we really don’t know Him.  We don’t recognize even one characteristic of His life, and we don’t know how to begin to follow Him. He is far ahead of us, a Leader who seems totally unfamiliar, and we have no friendship with Him.

      The discipline of dismay (emphasis added) is an essential lesson which a disciple must learn.  The danger is that we tend to look back on our times of obedience and on our past sacrifices to God in an effort to keep our enthusiasm for Him strong (see Isaiah 50:10-11).  But when the darkness of dismay comes, endure until it is over, because out of it will come the ability follow Jesus truly, which brings inexpressibly wonderful joy.”

      The darkness of dismay.  Dictionary.com defines the noun dismay as: “sudden or complete loss of courage; utter disheartenment; sudden disillusionment; agitation of mind; perturbation; alarm.”  I would definitely say at times I’m experiencing disheartenment and disillusionment in my walk with Christ for all the reasons I’ve mentioned before.  But, as Chambers says….I will take heart and endure this season with the faith that it too shall pass and when it’s over my relationship with Christ will be even stronger and even more wonderful.   After all, faith is not a feeling.  Faith is “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”  (Hebrews 11:1)  In my case, faith is also being sure of what I hope for and certain of what I do not feel.  While I may not always feel God’s presence when I find myself in the darkness of dismay, I will endure until the darkness is over.  I will continue to trust in my God’s great undeniable love and continue to walk in the plan He has prepared for me.  Amen.

Are We Inviting the Enemy In or Do We Just Not Keep Him Out?

I've heard that the true test of a Christian is to remove him from the environment in which he is familiar and comfortable and place him somewhere new.  Then watch and see how he responds and reacts.  Does he still love his neighbor like himself? Does he still consider others before himself?  Is he still willing to lay his life down for his brother?  Does he still exhibit the fruits of the spirit? (Galatians 5:22-23: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.) Is he still growing in his relationship with his Savior, Christ Almighty?

I currently feel like the subject of this 'experiment' described above.  Although I voluntarily  removed myself from where I was comfortable and familiar, I am in a new place nonetheless.  (Sure it's not that new since I've been here for a years now; but compared to the almost 7 years before it still feels new at times.) So, the question is - how have I done?  Do I love my neighbor like myself? Do I consider others before myself?  Am I willing to lay my life down for my brother?  Do I exhibit the fruits of the spirit?  And most importantly, am I growing in my relationship with my Savior, Christ Almighty?

Honestly, if this was an exam I'd probably make a 50%.  If it was a pass or fail....I'd probably fail.  (Unless the professor was nice and graded on a curve.)  Isn't that sad to admit?  It's certainly hard to admit (insert humbling moment).  This is coming from a girl that loves God, thinks Jesus is amazing, and relies on the Holy Spirit for her next breath at times.  So why the change?

First, I'm probably being too hard on myself.  I'm sure if I asked others around me they would put me more at a 75%.  But still, why not a 100%  Why?  Because I'm snarky at times (I like this word because it sounds just as not nice as it is.)  Because my mouth runs - a lot.  Because I work (once again) in the public service industry, which tries my patience.   Because I forget (often) that the world does not revolve around me.  Because I have a blind eye and deaf hear to the needs of those right in front of me.  

As I was praying this morning about this very thing,  I asked God what I had done, if anything, to let the enemy in.  His response was a question (so typical).  "What have you done to keep Him out?"  OUCH.  Me, being a dense dope at times, asked - 'What can I do?'  (Yes, I regretted it as soon as I asked it.)  But our God is gentle, and polite, and non-condescending, and truly exhibits that there are no dumb questions (not like us at all thankfully).  He gently directed me to Ephesians 6:10-18 the great passage about the Armor of God.  Forgive me if I've written about this before, I obviously needed a reminder today.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God , so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.   And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and request.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." (NIV)

God is with us all the time and He sends the Holy Spirit to help us; but it is our job to do our part to keep the enemy out.  Every day we must guard our hearts from this guy - he's a sneaky devil. (wink) Remember where the light does not shine the darkness prevails.  May God's undeniable love continue to encourage you and call you to put on the full armor of God and shine His light for all to see.  Amen.

Random Nuggets of Goodness - Part 6

As I continued sorting through my stack of old Bible Study and Sermon notes I found....

Becoming an Authentic Follower of Christ - Week 1 of 8 - Crosspointe Church, Valdosta, GA - 1/4/09

Am we completely surrendered to Christ?  

There's a big difference in just believing in something (or someone) and actually following that something (or someone).  It's easy to say that we believe in Christ; it's much harder to actual follow Him.  Following Him means living a life that reflects Him, seeking His wisdom and guidance, loving like Him, seeing others like He sees them.

Our journey with Christ begins with an invitation to enter into a relationship with Him. Although because of the actions of many it may seem that Christianity is simply a religion, it's not.  It is a relationship, a relationship with the Almighty Creator of this Earth.

Our relationship with Christ continues in His presence.  He is always with us even when we may not physically, emotionally, or even spiritually feel it.  Once we accept Him as our one and only true Savior, He promises He will never leave us nor forsake us.  And He never breaks his promise.

As we continue strengthening our relationship with Christ it results in an overflow from heart.  The love that we feel from Him will overflow into our relationships with others.  Through our words, our actions, our thoughts we are witnesses of the overflow of Christ.  What is our overflow?  Is it evident to others?

"Everything Jesus desires to do through you, He accomplishes through the time He spends with you." Whoa, so this means if I spend little time with Jesus He accomplishes little? (Note: although He is always with us, we are the ones who have to actively spend time with Him, actively reach out to Him.)

As I write this, I confess I am guilty of not spending sufficient time with my Lord.  What is sufficient?  Sufficient to experience an overflow.  Without the overflow I don't have the energy or compassion to love people the way Christ calls me to.  I have neglected my relationship with Christ and the one who suffers is me.

Father, please forgive me for taking advantage of my relationship with you and neglecting our time together.  I know that I cannot survive this world without You and that I truly depend on you in all areas of my life.  Please forgive me for having an independent, self-reliant attitude.  I surrender that to you Lord.  I pray that your Holy Spirit moves in me and continues to call me to You.  Lord I know you never leave me but please show me how to come back to you so that I may fully experience your undeniable love and share that love with those around me.   Amen.

Are we Hearing About or Experiencing Nourishment?

There is an important difference between hearing about something and experiencing something.  Picture someone describing the nourishment found in a big healthy meal to a starving man.  As the man listens he grins, he can imagine the taste of the yummy food, he knows the meal would provide him the vitamins his nonexistent diet lacks, he knows his body would feel so much better once he ingested the nutrient rich food.  For a moment, he may be satisfied but then he realizes: just knowing about the benefits of this healthy meal does nothing for him if he can't actually experience the meal.  He needs to actually ingest the fullness of it.

When it comes to the Word of God, we are much like this man.  We can know about the benefits of ingesting the Word but unless we actually read it for ourselves and experience the fullness of the Spirit, we will remain hungry.   Personally, I am guilty of trying to fill my God-given need for the Word with fillers and substitues.  I do my 'daily devotionals' and try to think those will fill me up.  They may, for a while, but eventually my craving for pure nourishment, straight from the source wins out.  Eventually (thank God) I go back to the Word and once again am amazed at the experience, the filling of my soul, the peace that surrounds my heart.

There is no substitute for God's pure Word.  Daily devotionals and words written by others certainly help us to know about the Word but only experiencing it for ourselves will we truly meet our need for sustenance.  Only then will we truly experience His undeniable love for us. 


"Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."  Matthew 4:4 NIV

Random Nuggets of Goodness - Part 5

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." - Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

I wrote down this verse during a time in my life where I was burning my candle at both ends;  over-committed at work, over-committed in my social life, over-committed in my volunteer work.  Everywhere I looked I tried to give more until I eventually ran out of anything to give.  Yet, if you had asked me if I thought I was doing God's will I probably would have said yes. 

But God doesn't want us to burn the candle at both ends, He doesn't want us to burn ourselves out.  Sadly so many who love Christ, in both the secular world and the ministry,  fall victim to this habit of overdoing.  The reasons are plentiful so I'm not going to go into them.  The reasons don't really matter.  What matters is that Christ has a better plan in store for us.  His yoke is easy and His burden is light.  It is us that make His yoke difficult and His burden heavy.  We are the ones that pick up more, that must always do more.

Let us remember that God will never give us more than we can handle.  He equips us to complete everything He calls us to.  If we trust in His undeniable love and seek His wisdom, He will show us where to devote our limited time and energy - for the benefit of His kingdom and for our benefit as well.

Life's Seasons

I'm working through the Experiencing God Day-by-Day devotional by Henry and Richard Blackaby.  I thought today's passage and message was particularly appropriate for my life right now.  They follow with my thoughts further below:

"To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven." - Ecclesiastes 3:1

"The beauty in the way God designed the four seasons is that, though each one is distinct, they all work together to bring life and growth.  Spring is a period of freshness and new life.  Summer sees growth and productivity.  Autumn is a time fore harvesting the rewards of past labors.  Winter is the season of dormancy and closure.  Each season has its own unique beauty and makes a significant contribution to life. 

Just as God planned seasons in nature, he planned seasons in life as well.  Life has its spring time, when we begin new things and look excitedly toward the future.  Summer comes and we work diligently in the heat of the day at all that God has assigned to us.  With autumn comes the fruition of things begun at an earlier time in our lives.  Winter brings an end to a particular period in our lives.  Sometimes winter brings hardship, but we remain hopeful, for another spring is just around the corner!

In God's perfect design for our lives, He has planned for times of fruitfulness and activity.  He will also build in times of quite and rest.  There will be times when He asks us to remain faithful doing the same work day after day.  But there will also be periods of excitement and new beginnings.  By God's grace, we will enjoy seasons of harvesting the fruit of our faithfulness.   By God's grace, we will also overcome the cold winters of heartache and grief, for without winter there would be no spring.  Just as it is with the season of nature, these seasons in our lives work together to bring about God's perfect will for each one of us."

As I read this, I could clearly picture the various seasons of my life.  The spring as I graduated from college and started finally working in my chosen career field.   The summer as I worked, and worked, and worked in that field dedicating myself to "all that God had assigned to me".  The autumn when I began to receive recognition for my efforts; where I achieved my goals and could see the "fruition of things begun at an earlier time."  And now, the winter where the earlier period of my life is over and I've entered a time of "dormancy and closure".  (Ironically, as I write this, it's only 5 degrees - truly a time of dormancy!)  But as the passage mentions, winter can bring times of hardship and grief as well.  With the passing of my father only 5 months ago I've certainly walked through and continue to walk through the winter season.  BUT!  Spring is just around the corner!  By God's grace I was accepted to graduate school to achieve a dream I've had for quite some time.  By God's grace I will move once again to a new community.  By God's grace, I will continue to experience His undeniable love as I begin on this new adventure and look excitedly toward the future!

What season of life are you in?  Spring? Carry God with you on your new adventure.  Summer? Carry God with you as you diligently complete the tasks He's set before you.  Autumn? Carry God with you as you celebrate the fruits of your labor and give Him the honor and praise for your success.  Winter?  Carry God with you as you walk through this time of solitude, grief, hardship or whatever may be facing you.  And take hope, for spring IS just around the corner!   Amen. 

Random Nuggets of Goodness - Part 4

What We Are Called to Do:

Love one another - "Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for you brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart." (1 Peter 1:22 NIV)

Bear burdens for one another - "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2 NIV)

Pray for one another (James 5:16)

Forebear one another - "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." (Ephesians 4:2 NIV)

Be kind to one another - "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32 NIV)

Admonish one another - "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16 NIV)

Build up one another - "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." (Romans 14:19 NIV)

Give preference to one another - "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Honor one another above yourselves."  (Romans 12:10 NIV)

Live in harmony with one another - "Live in harmony with one another.  Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.  Do not be conceited."  (Romans 12:16 NIV)

Encourage one another - "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV)

Submit to one another - "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." (Ephesians 5:21 NIV)

Serve one another - "You, my brothers, were called to be free.  But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love." (Galatians 5:13 NIV)

Accept one another - "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." (Romans 15:7 NIV)

Be devoted to one another - "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Honor one another above yourselves."  (Romans 12:10 NIV)

Teach one another - "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16 NIV)

Comfort one another - "Therefore encourage each other with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:18 NIV)

Forgive one another - "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32 NIV)

Be of the same mind with one another - "May the God who give endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 15:5-6 NIV)

Regard one another as more important - "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3 NIV)

Random Nuggets of Goodness - Part 3

I have a tendency to write down words of wisdom, encouragement, love, prayers, etc. that I believe the Lord shares with me.  Not surprisingly, He lays these on my heart more frequently when I am spending good, quality time with Him on a regular basis.  When I get lax in my devotions and time with Him my ability to hear Him speak to me (okay, whisper) is harder.

Here are two things I wrote some time ago....they are encouragement for me still today.

"Lord, you were so clear about what you were doing.  I only want to go where you want me to go, I only want to serve where you want me to serve.  Grant me understanding so that I might choose wisely the options that are set before me.  Give me a clear picture of how I can best serve You and Your Kingdom all the rest of my days.  - Amen."


"I believe the Lord has a special and unique plan for me.  I will trust in the Holy Spirit to develop those plans and guide me in my steps to achieve those plans.  The Lord has blessed me with unique gifts and talents for a reason.  I will trust in Him as He reveals His plan to me each day."

I believe this is the same for all of you reading this.  The Lord has a special & unique plan for each of you and has blessed you with the unique gifts and talents you need to accomplish His plan for your life.  Trust in Him.  Surrender to Him.  Follow Him.

Dealing with Discouragement (Random Nugget of Goodness Part 2)

9 'Steps' for dealing with discouragement, something we all experience at least once in life.

1) Look Within - Prayerfully examine yourself for the underlying cause.

2) Admit your Discouragement - Denial is deadly, and it guarantees failure.

3) Identify Precisely What You're Discouraged About - Name it; then face it. 

4) Recall the Nature of Discouragement - Disappointments will come and go; Discouragement is a choice you make.

5) Meditate Frequently on God's Word  - Versus such as these are a reminder of God's greatness...

"But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head." (Psalm 3:3 NIV)

"I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.  I have set the Lord always before me.  Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.  Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay." (Psalm 16:7-10 NIV)

"On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.  Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.  My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me." (Psalm 63:6-8 NIV)

"I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds." (Psalm 77:12 NIV)

"I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.  I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word."  (Psalm 119:15-16 NIV)

6) Take Your Area of Discouragement to God in Prayer - Ask Him to teach you.

7) Focus on God, Not On Your Situation - Surrender control

8) View the Cause as Coming From the Lord - Find opportunities for growth

9) Confess These 3 Truths:

1. The Father is with me in my pain
2. He is in control of my life and has allowed this to occur for a reason
3. He is a good God who will turn this disappointment into a blessing in His timing.

Random Nuggets of Goodness - Part I

I've been going through bins of papers (you'd be surprised what a pack rat I can be) and came across a healthy stack of notes from various sermons and bible studies.  I can't possibly throw these away without first capturing their goodness somewhere.  So I chose here.  Enjoy.

Make Us One - Craig Groeschel (a great author by the way) - Heard via satellite at Summit Church Orlando, June 29, 2008.

Father, in heaven, make us one - [paraphrased from John 17:20-24 (ESV) "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that that may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.  Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world."]

As Christians we must recognize that we all have one enemy.  This enemy is not each other although with all the fighting amongst churches it certainly seems like it as times.  No, this enemy is the devil, Satan, evil, whatever you want to call him, it is the same nonetheless.   Sadly, we so often focus on what we don't like that other Christians are doing that we lose sight of all that Satan is doing.  We focus on what other Christians are saying that doesn't agree with what we say and we lose sight of the lies Satan is telling.  We have division in the Church and it is costing us dearly. 

Di-Vision....a dividing of our vision, a dividing of the vision Christ gave us when He gave us our one purpose, when He said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you..." (Matthew 28:19-20 ESV)  As Jesus said "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls." (Luke 11:17 ESV)  What are we doing as Christians to keep our household from falling?  Or instead, are we doing something to weaken its foundation?  Do we lift one another up, in spite of our differences, or do we tear each other down.  Do we focus on the one thing we have in common: the belief in a risen Lord, and on our one purpose: to share the Gospel?  Or do we focus on differences that, in the grand scheme of things, don't really matter but that when focused upon have the power to weaken us and do much damage to our mission as a Church?

The solution to a divided Church?  One heart and one soul.  In Acts we read about the followers of Christ who 'had everything in common'.  "Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common....There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need." (Acts 4:32,34,35 ESV)   Wow...imagine if that type of society existed today.  It would be called socialism I'm sure and yet here it is in the Bible. (I know....a topic for another discussion, another time.)  While we may not be able to have the same type of system today (due to a variety of reasons too numerous to list here) we can glean a worthwhile concept.  We are called to care for one another, to support one another, and to meet each other's needs.    Jesus said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love on another.  By this all  people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35 ESV)  What is love without action?  Nothing.  The world will see that we love Christ when we love the world.

May we never forget our one enemy and that "the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.  [Jesus] came that [we] may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10 ESV)  "[Our] adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8 ESV)  As Christians, may we set aside our trivial differences and join together in this fight against the enemy.  May we have one heart and soul so that together we may we show the world God's undeniable love through our unity with one another.  Amen. 

WALKING in the Light

Both of my 'e-mail' devotions this morning dealt with the topic of walking with Christ.  Both mentioned the privilege and blessing we have of a real relationship with a real God.  Both talked about Christ as the light going into the darkness.  Both talked about the courage we must have to follow Christ, to trust in the Holy Spirit's leading.

A coincidence, I think not.  God knows that I need to hear things and see things clearly.  That sometimes I'm a little slow.  Although He's a God that whispers, thankfully He uses methods that comes across loud and clear.

May we all be bold to walk in the light, surrounded by God's undeniable love, everyday.  Amen.

Below are the texts of both devotionals:

January 18, 2011
Walking with God - Charles Stanley
Genesis 6 Once we receive Jesus as Savior, His Spirit indwells us permanently. Yet there is a difference between having salvation and actually walking with the Lord. Being saved involves the forgiveness of sin and the blessing of an eternal security, while walking with God is a privilege that we live out day to day.

To understand this idea more fully, let's consider the example of Noah, a man Genesis 6:9 identifies as one who followed the Lord in this way--that is, he lived by faith. Surely he did not understand God's direction to build an ark. After all, there had never even been any rain--let alone a cataclysmic deluge. Until the flood, mist would rise from the ground to nourish vegetation. But because the Almighty spoke, Noah believed and obeyed.

For us, walking by faith need not mean something as monumental as saving wildlife from destruction. Instead, it's likely to involve something more commonplace, like living with godly priorities, spending time in the Word, or holding to God's values in a world that belittles them. In fact, it is frequently when there is no crisis or quandary to motivate us that our true character is revealed. When we are faithful with the simple, mundane things, our heavenly Father will entrust us with more.

Believing God and acting accordingly is an important aspect of following Him. Do you have such trust that you obey even when His directions are difficult or confusing? Ask Him to increase your faith, and renew your commitment to follow wherever He leads.

Walk in the Light -January 17, 2011 by Ronnie McBrayer

Leo Tolstoy once compared religious rules to the light given off by a lamp post. It is a bright light. It dispels the darkness. As long as man or woman stood in that light, he or she could see. But the lamp post had limitations, Tolstoy said. To remain in the light meant going no where. One had to stay put to remain in the light. But following Jesus, Tolstoy said, was like a light or lantern fixed to a pole. A person could carry that pole out in front of him and travel anywhere he liked. Tolstoy never held a flashlight, I am sure, but we have and can understand the analogy that way: To remain a rule-keeper, is to remain under a street light. To follow Christ, is to take a flashlight in hand, and go somewhere – to explore, to pierce the dark, to have a faith that is dynamic, not static.

Much of the church is locked into keeping the rules. Therefore, they stand in their little circle of light, unmovable and fixed like a stone, barking at the street traffic as it moves along and cursing the darkness. They have light, but the light does not serve them well. They might as soon be chained to a post; they are imprisoned, not growing or going anywhere. Religious rules, or to use biblical language, “The Law,” has been eclipsed by Jesus. Written words have been improved upon. Yes, the rules were all we had, once upon a time, but now we have something better – we have Jesus himself – showing us the way.

Up to the coming of Jesus, the faithful followed religious codes to please or pursue God; that was their understanding of faith. But religious rules could not give life or spiritual freedom. While the law was instructive and useful, ultimately, it could only constrict and confine. In the words of the Apostle Paul, “The letter (the rules) kills;” it can’t give life. Now, I know to think of spirituality without rules is a radical departure for many of us who have based our entire connection to God on rule keeping, “being good,” measuring up, and following the jot and tittle of every bit of religious instruction. Of course, when we failed to live up to these demands, and failure was inevitable, we were swamped with guilt, fear, and shame.

Enough of that, for that is not the way of Jesus. Christianity is not a heavy obligation to stagnant, inanimate rules, handed down from the mountain and engraved in stone. Rather, Christianity is the free enjoyment of a relationship with a living person. This is Good News: God, who is now present in Christ, calls people of faith to follow Jesus, not to follow the rules. This is the liberation so many of us have been longing for.

While traveling once, I had two different sets of directions on how to get to where I was going. On the dashboard was a crumpled set of written directions. They were coffee stained, had notes scribbled on them, and unknown to me, did not match recent road construction. The other set of directions were being called out to me from a GPS system. As I neared my destination there was a terrible conflict. My written directions began to fail me. Following them to the letter, I reached a point that they no longer worked. The streets the written direction told me to take just weren’t there – either that or their names had been changed.

Meanwhile the voice of the GPS was saying things like: “Prepare to make a right turn…When possible, make a legal U-turn.” But I kept driving according to my written directions even though it was obvious they no longer worked. Finally, I had to make a leap of faith. I accepted the fact that my written directions had taken me as far as they could, and now, to get to where I needed to be, I had to listen to the personal voice, now calling me. And that Voice was right all along.

Come and See

At Church yesterday the message was from John, when the Disciple Andrew and another disciple see Jesus for the first time after he is baptized.  They ask Jesus where he is staying and he says, "Come and you will see."  Little did they know he was calling them not just to see where he was staying that night but where he stood in life, his beliefs, how he saw the world. (John 1:39)

Come and See.....isn't that what we as a Church are supposed to say to those around us that don't know Christ.  Come and see how good God is, how merciful God is, how full of joy you'll be, how patient and gracious and loving He is.  Come and see, I'll show you through my life.  You'll see through the way I live how much God loves you. 

Will they?  Do our lives reflect the undeniable love of Christ to those around us?

In the past five months I've been exposed to what seems like an increased amount of death and sadness on both a personal and global level.  Fathers died.  Moms got sick.  Babies died.  Children died.  Teenagers went missing.  Homes were destroyed.  People were robbed.  Useless violence persisted.  The darkness goes on and on.  The darkness will continue to go on until the light shines brighter.  I've said this before but I'll repeat it - more for myself than anyone else:  The darkness remains and spreads because the light does not shine.  For me, this is the easiest, clearest, simplest reminder of our job as Christ followers - to shine His light.

Just sitting in church yesterday I grew frustrated.  All around  me were people who claim to follow Christ, claim to love Him, claim to have surrendered their lives to His plan for them  - myself included.  All across the nation were thousands of other people just like us.  Sitting in warm churches, our tummies filled from coffee and donuts, our voices warm from singing, and our hearts full of Christ's love (hopefully).  But then...does it stop when we exit the church doors?  I have to think for some of us it must (including myself here again).  If it didn't then I don't see how it's possible that darkness could remain let alone continue to spread. 

My prayer this new year is that ALL those who claim to know Christ will step up to the plate and love like Christ.  And if we're not willing to do that I pray that we won't profess false claims....for that, perhaps, could do more damage than  darkness itself.  The Christian who claims to love but clearly isn't loving is a dangerous weapon indeed. 

May we all pray for the conviction of the Holy Spirit and the boldness of Christ to share God's undeniable love with those all around us.  So that then people, who need God more than anything else in their life, may truly 'come and see.  Amen.

Baptism Sunday

I attended a Lutheran church today; it was ‘Baptism of the Lord’ Sunday.  Part of the service included a Baptismal Renewal Litany which I thought was a good reminder of the relationship we enter into with Christ once baptized.   I’m recounting a portion of the litany below. 

“I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth...

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.  He descended into hell.  The third day he rose again from the dead.  He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the God the Father Almighty.  He will come again to judge the living and dead...

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting....

Baptism in not just plain water, but it is the water included in God’s command and combined with God’s Word....

In Baptism God forgives sin, delivers from death and the devil, and gives everlasting salvation to all who believe what he has promised....

It is not water that does great things, but God’s Word with the water and our trust in this Word.  Water by itself is only water, but with the Word of God it is a life-giving water which by grace gives the new birth through the Holy Spirit....

Baptizing with water indicates that the Old Adam in us – our sinful nature, should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new person should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever....

It is my earnest purpose to continue steadfast in this faith and in the promise of my baptism.  I ask God to help and guide me....

Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given me the new birth of water and of the Sprint and has forgiven me all my sins, strengthen me with His grace to life everlasting.  Amen."