Mark 10:46 Then they came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road.
This Sunday we talked about one of the favorites. A simple story about a blind man, Bartimaeus, who begs for his eyes to be healed. Take a minute and read the story. Mark 10:46-52. Jesus, the greater wonder worker, heals him. End of story. Application-if you have eye troubles ask Jesus for healing. Simple enough. Maybe you can avoid Lasik surgery or be freed from the hassle of contacts.
Of course there is more here than meets the eye. In fact, Mark carefully develops this story so that we look at Bartimaeus and the disciples standing in contrast to one another. The disciples are pictured as those who have physical sight and are spiritually blind. Bartimaeus is pictured as someone who has spiritual sight although physically blind. We see this in his address to Jesus in calling him, “Son of David,” and asking for mercy. At the end of the story, Bartimaeus is no longer sitting on the side of the road but following Jesus to the cross.
Here’s one way I know I can be like the disciples even though I don’t like to admit it: my present self always looks at my past self and says, “How could you have been so stupid?” Example: Today as I look at myself when I was first married I realize I could have been a more loving husband—at least a little bit. The problem is I have said this every year of my marriage. The bigger problem is that I can vaguely remember Vela saying something last week about fixing a light switch as an act of love. I also vaguely remember that she might have already asked a couple times.
So what do we do? Does anybody reading this want to be like Bartimaeus? Anybody want to see Jesus more clearly and follow Jesus more freely? Since Bartimaeus is clearly the model of faith and discipleship, maybe we should do just what Bartimaeus did. Confess our unworthiness by saying, “Lord, have mercy on me.” Then, cry out, “Lord, open my eyes.
PRAYER:
Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me. Open my eyes!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
AN UNSHAKEABLE KINGDOM
Hebrews 12:27 (NIV)The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
Check out this graph of the stockmarket. Stop and list at least five thoughts or feelings that come to you as you look at this before you read any further. What other events, relationships, disappointments or struggles give you the same thoughts or feelings? The author of Hebrews reminds us that everything on this earth can and will be shaken. Everything not bolted down to Jesus, the rock the doesn’t move, will be shaken. We live in a time when clearly things are being shaken—our money, security, health, centers of power, marriages, families, etc. How do we respond? Notice what the author of Hebrews goes on to say in the next two verses.
Hebrews 12:28-29 (NIV)Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”
How do we respond? We give THANKS and we WORSHIP. Why? Because we are promised that moving into a world where nothing will be shaken and our God is a consuming fire. When was the last time you looked at the stock market going down, read bad news in the newspaper, had an awful day at work, etc. and you responded by giving thanks and worshiping God? I wish I could say that's my regular practice. The other night I challenged the elders to memorize verses28-29. Will you join with us?
PRAYER:
Father, in a world that seems to be spinning out of control I thank you that because of the perfect sacrifice of Jesus I am guaranteed to live in Your kingdom that cannot be shaken. Father I worship You as that which cannot be shaken. When I sense my world is being shaken remind to respond with thanksgiving and worship. To the best of my ability I anchor all of me to all of You.
Check out this graph of the stockmarket. Stop and list at least five thoughts or feelings that come to you as you look at this before you read any further. What other events, relationships, disappointments or struggles give you the same thoughts or feelings? The author of Hebrews reminds us that everything on this earth can and will be shaken. Everything not bolted down to Jesus, the rock the doesn’t move, will be shaken. We live in a time when clearly things are being shaken—our money, security, health, centers of power, marriages, families, etc. How do we respond? Notice what the author of Hebrews goes on to say in the next two verses.
Hebrews 12:28-29 (NIV)Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”
How do we respond? We give THANKS and we WORSHIP. Why? Because we are promised that moving into a world where nothing will be shaken and our God is a consuming fire. When was the last time you looked at the stock market going down, read bad news in the newspaper, had an awful day at work, etc. and you responded by giving thanks and worshiping God? I wish I could say that's my regular practice. The other night I challenged the elders to memorize verses28-29. Will you join with us?
PRAYER:
Father, in a world that seems to be spinning out of control I thank you that because of the perfect sacrifice of Jesus I am guaranteed to live in Your kingdom that cannot be shaken. Father I worship You as that which cannot be shaken. When I sense my world is being shaken remind to respond with thanksgiving and worship. To the best of my ability I anchor all of me to all of You.
HOW DO YOU NORMALLY RESPOND WHEN IT FEELS LIKE YOUR WORLD IS BEING SHAKEN?
Monday, September 21, 2009
Whac-A-Mole for the Pastor
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For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and give His life a ransom for many. Mk 10:45
In Mark 10:32-45, for the third time Jesus says, “The Son of Man must suffer, die, and rise.” For the third time the disciples insist, “We want to be number 1.” For the third time Jesus says, “Number 1 is in the back of the line.” You get the idea that maybe this is something that we need to hear more than once.
I preach three times on Sunday mornings. The first time didn’t go as planned. Our reader read Matthew 10 instead of Mark 10. Stunned, I just sat there. Gosh, we have been studying Mark all year. Then I had a powerpoint slide (that I had made) with a mistake on it. The slide came at a point in the sermon where I felt things were not going well. In the middle of passionately speaking of the greatness of Jesus, a cell phone started ringing. I am sure it rang for at least 5 minutes. After it stopped, I guess the caller decided to try again. Another 5 minutes. With all the distractions I basically ran out of time and crash landed the plane. I felt like the crash landing put everyone out of their misery. Except me—I was miserable about this the rest of the day. I was the poor pilot who survived.
What was my problem? Right before the service, I had prayed with an elder. We actually talked about the fact that it is okay to make mistakes. I just finished reading 1776 before going to bed Saturday night. George Washington made some huge mistakes the first year of leading the army. What was my problem? In the act of preaching and leading that service, what I really wanted was to serve Jesus so that I could look like a put together leader who does everything right. What I really wanted was the same thing all the disciples wanted from Jesus…personal glory. Ugh! It is painful to be a living example of failure of the very lesson you are preaching.
If you heard the sermon I said that we didn’t need to play Whac-A-Mole with our failures but instead think hard on Jesus’ death. I went ahead and played Whac-A-Mole for the rest of the day.
PRAYER:
Jesus, You alone are holy, perfect, righteous, together. You alone are worthy. I confess that my flesh insists on being number one. Purify my heart of this selfish service that plagues me. Not only do I have too lofty of a view of myself, I have too lowly a view of You. Open my eyes to see more clearly Your greatness. May I learn to serve and give freely as I follow You.
In Mark 10:32-45, for the third time Jesus says, “The Son of Man must suffer, die, and rise.” For the third time the disciples insist, “We want to be number 1.” For the third time Jesus says, “Number 1 is in the back of the line.” You get the idea that maybe this is something that we need to hear more than once.
I preach three times on Sunday mornings. The first time didn’t go as planned. Our reader read Matthew 10 instead of Mark 10. Stunned, I just sat there. Gosh, we have been studying Mark all year. Then I had a powerpoint slide (that I had made) with a mistake on it. The slide came at a point in the sermon where I felt things were not going well. In the middle of passionately speaking of the greatness of Jesus, a cell phone started ringing. I am sure it rang for at least 5 minutes. After it stopped, I guess the caller decided to try again. Another 5 minutes. With all the distractions I basically ran out of time and crash landed the plane. I felt like the crash landing put everyone out of their misery. Except me—I was miserable about this the rest of the day. I was the poor pilot who survived.
What was my problem? Right before the service, I had prayed with an elder. We actually talked about the fact that it is okay to make mistakes. I just finished reading 1776 before going to bed Saturday night. George Washington made some huge mistakes the first year of leading the army. What was my problem? In the act of preaching and leading that service, what I really wanted was to serve Jesus so that I could look like a put together leader who does everything right. What I really wanted was the same thing all the disciples wanted from Jesus…personal glory. Ugh! It is painful to be a living example of failure of the very lesson you are preaching.
If you heard the sermon I said that we didn’t need to play Whac-A-Mole with our failures but instead think hard on Jesus’ death. I went ahead and played Whac-A-Mole for the rest of the day.
PRAYER:
Jesus, You alone are holy, perfect, righteous, together. You alone are worthy. I confess that my flesh insists on being number one. Purify my heart of this selfish service that plagues me. Not only do I have too lofty of a view of myself, I have too lowly a view of You. Open my eyes to see more clearly Your greatness. May I learn to serve and give freely as I follow You.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Want to preach this Sunday…or at least give some input?
This Sunday we will be studying Mark 10:32-45. Here is what is going on. This is the third time Jesus predicts his death in the gospel of Mark. Again, the disciples reveal by their words that they really don’t get it! They really have not grasped Jesus’ purpose and therefore are out in left field concerning their own calling. Actually, they are not even in the ball park.
When Jesus says get ready because I am going to die a nasty death, James and John run up to him and want to talk about their inheritance. They ask, “Grant that we may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left, in Your glory.” Pretty bold! Obviously, all Jesus previous lessons have not registered—“save your life by losing it, the last will be first, if anyone want to be first he must be the servant of all.” James and John view greatness in terms of power and pride.
Jesus helps them along by clearly stating His purpose verse 45.
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.
Here’s how you can help with this Sunday. Please tell me how in specific ways you see yourself (or others) in James and John as a comment on the blog. You might think of it this way: where and how do you see the gap between Jesus coming to serve through death, and your own attempts to serve Him and others around you?
Recruit some friends to give their opinion.
When Jesus says get ready because I am going to die a nasty death, James and John run up to him and want to talk about their inheritance. They ask, “Grant that we may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left, in Your glory.” Pretty bold! Obviously, all Jesus previous lessons have not registered—“save your life by losing it, the last will be first, if anyone want to be first he must be the servant of all.” James and John view greatness in terms of power and pride.
Jesus helps them along by clearly stating His purpose verse 45.
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.
Here’s how you can help with this Sunday. Please tell me how in specific ways you see yourself (or others) in James and John as a comment on the blog. You might think of it this way: where and how do you see the gap between Jesus coming to serve through death, and your own attempts to serve Him and others around you?
Recruit some friends to give their opinion.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Faith says, "I will..."
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Here are some thoughts based on Hebrews 11:1-16 from some time with the LORD yesterday.
Because my faith is in the Creator God who made holy through Jesus and an heir of his kingdom, because I want to please him, because of the joy of this thought, “God is not ashamed to be called their God”,
I will do what he says no matter what anyone else is doing or how they respond to me,
I will seek to know him and love him with my whole heart, soul, mind, and strength,
I will live in holy fear listening to his warnings in calling myself, my family and others to repentance,
I will go where ever, whenever, to whomever when he says go,
I will go as far as and no further than the light he gives me,
I will live fully in this God-ordained moment never forgetting this verse is not my home,
I will meditate long and hard on the faithfulness of God,
I will believe God for great things while releasing times of fulfillment and results to him,
I will live with a constant greatest longing for a heavenly place where I will see Jesus in all his glory.
Prayer:
Spirit of Jesus, I believe you can empower me to live this life of faith.
BE ENCOURAGED TODAY—Every act of faith regardless of the outcome leads to this:
God is not ashamed to be called your God Heb 10:16
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Here are some thoughts based on Hebrews 11:1-16 from some time with the LORD yesterday.
Because my faith is in the Creator God who made holy through Jesus and an heir of his kingdom, because I want to please him, because of the joy of this thought, “God is not ashamed to be called their God”,
I will do what he says no matter what anyone else is doing or how they respond to me,
I will seek to know him and love him with my whole heart, soul, mind, and strength,
I will live in holy fear listening to his warnings in calling myself, my family and others to repentance,
I will go where ever, whenever, to whomever when he says go,
I will go as far as and no further than the light he gives me,
I will live fully in this God-ordained moment never forgetting this verse is not my home,
I will meditate long and hard on the faithfulness of God,
I will believe God for great things while releasing times of fulfillment and results to him,
I will live with a constant greatest longing for a heavenly place where I will see Jesus in all his glory.
Prayer:
Spirit of Jesus, I believe you can empower me to live this life of faith.
BE ENCOURAGED TODAY—Every act of faith regardless of the outcome leads to this:
God is not ashamed to be called your God Heb 10:16
Friday, September 11, 2009
A thought for all us perfectionists
In almost everything we do in life, we want a “do over.” We almost always think with another try we could do a little better. We could run a little faster, jump a little higher, love more fully, be a better parent, get a better deal, etc. Why is this? We know we are not perfect and we desire the possibility of it. Even those of us who are proud of our accomplishments keep going for more. Hussein Bolt still plans to run faster and break his own world records. We love to watch the pursuit of perfection. We ooh and ahh when we see the perfect car. We cheer when we watch a performance that is close to perfection.
Hebrews 10:14
because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
Jesus, in one act, dealt with the sins of the whole world. Unlike the sacrifices of the Old Testament, He didn’t need a “do over” year after year. If we really grasp this perfect performance we would do more than ooh and ahh or cheer for a moment. We would praise Him forever ever and ever. That’s what the book of Revelation tells us is happening because the Lamb who was slain is worthy. We can also give ourselves a break and rest in His finished work on our behalf. Jesus died for imperfect people.
Prayer and Praise.
Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise! To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!
Hebrews 10:14
because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
Jesus, in one act, dealt with the sins of the whole world. Unlike the sacrifices of the Old Testament, He didn’t need a “do over” year after year. If we really grasp this perfect performance we would do more than ooh and ahh or cheer for a moment. We would praise Him forever ever and ever. That’s what the book of Revelation tells us is happening because the Lamb who was slain is worthy. We can also give ourselves a break and rest in His finished work on our behalf. Jesus died for imperfect people.
Prayer and Praise.
Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise! To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Please don’t think you are the only one who struggles in your marriage.
I often wonder if I should preach the exact same sermon two or maybe even three Sunday’s in a row. This past week I talked about marriage from Mark 10:1-13. We heard an honest story from a staff member and his wife how they experienced failures in their marriage and also fought for their marriage. Here is the outline:
Title: Let the Cross Shape our Marriages
Why our marriages is worth fighting for:
Jesus doesn’t want us to die of a long slow heart attack.
Jesus doesn’t want us to experience the pain of an amputation.
Jesus doesn’t want us to go toe to toe against God.
JESUS WANTS GOD’S VERY BEST FOR US.
Although, I have not been made privy to all the details or even names, I have heard from many that there are lots of stories coming out of marriages in trouble. I ask all of us that if anyone is moving towards a divorce, about to get one, or about to have an affair please swallow your pride or whatever holds you back and call someone today.
If Sunday wasn’t motivation enough, I want to remind us that marriage is a God-given picture to show how He relates to the world. Think about this:
The coming together of a man and a woman in marriage is a picture of…
The oneness of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Gen 1 & 2)
The relationship between Jesus and His church. (Eph 5)
What it will be like the day we see Jesus in glory. (Rev 19)
Maybe I should preach this outline this Sunday-not just for everyone else but also for me.
Please don’t let Satan trick you into thinking you are the only one who struggles in marriage and therefore hiding your problem. Please don’t let your flesh, Satan, and the world trick you into thinking marriage is more about your happiness than your holiness. Please don’t let your flesh trick you into thinking that life will be simpler and the consequences will not last if you don’t fight for your marriage.
PRAYER
Jesus, for your glory shine your light on our sins and failures. Expose the darkness so that honesty and healing can break forth. Protect us from the evil one! Protect us from ourselves! Make Northwest Bible Church a place of grace so that sinners like me can come forward and find help at the cross of Jesus. We need you now!
Please, right now pray for marriages. Please, right now if you need help call someone.
Title: Let the Cross Shape our Marriages
Why our marriages is worth fighting for:
Jesus doesn’t want us to die of a long slow heart attack.
Jesus doesn’t want us to experience the pain of an amputation.
Jesus doesn’t want us to go toe to toe against God.
JESUS WANTS GOD’S VERY BEST FOR US.
Although, I have not been made privy to all the details or even names, I have heard from many that there are lots of stories coming out of marriages in trouble. I ask all of us that if anyone is moving towards a divorce, about to get one, or about to have an affair please swallow your pride or whatever holds you back and call someone today.
If Sunday wasn’t motivation enough, I want to remind us that marriage is a God-given picture to show how He relates to the world. Think about this:
The coming together of a man and a woman in marriage is a picture of…
The oneness of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Gen 1 & 2)
The relationship between Jesus and His church. (Eph 5)
What it will be like the day we see Jesus in glory. (Rev 19)
Maybe I should preach this outline this Sunday-not just for everyone else but also for me.
Please don’t let Satan trick you into thinking you are the only one who struggles in marriage and therefore hiding your problem. Please don’t let your flesh, Satan, and the world trick you into thinking marriage is more about your happiness than your holiness. Please don’t let your flesh trick you into thinking that life will be simpler and the consequences will not last if you don’t fight for your marriage.
PRAYER
Jesus, for your glory shine your light on our sins and failures. Expose the darkness so that honesty and healing can break forth. Protect us from the evil one! Protect us from ourselves! Make Northwest Bible Church a place of grace so that sinners like me can come forward and find help at the cross of Jesus. We need you now!
Please, right now pray for marriages. Please, right now if you need help call someone.
Saturday, September 05, 2009
Connecting with Future Generations
How many of you know what I mean when I say, Connecting with Future Generations?
This is the official name for the facilities master plan project we introduced to you this summer and we highlighted at the ministry expo two weeks ago.
I want you to know what this project means to me.
First, we have some older buildings that are beyond their useful life. While they have served us well and we are thankful, they need to be replaced. Second, I am excited that the first phase of this project is focused primarily on enhancing the environment we are creating for children and families to come to know Jesus and grow in Him. Third, we are embracing our stewardship of the land God gave this church 57 years ago. We are building to meet the needs of current and future generations just like people did when they built the old chapel, old gym, the CE building, the CLC and all of the buildings we enjoy today.
So when you hear connecting with future generations know that we are talking about phase one of our master plan.
Many of you are now asking, “How are we going to get the money for Connecting with Future Generations?” And as elders we have been asking, “How are we believing God for the necessary resources?” After months of prayer and wrestling, here is what we believe God is calling us to do over the next sixty days; everyone prays hard and leaders give first.
First, everyone prays hard.
God has put it on my heart that my primary responsibility is to pray. On September 1st I began praying though our master list of people in our church body. Over the next 30 days my commitment is to spend two hours a day during the week praying for the individuals on this list. I am praying that we will see more clearly the greatness of the One who loves us, that we will desire Jesus deeply, follow Jesus closely and trust Jesus fully. And as we trust Jesus as the owner of the world and all it contains I am praying that we will live as stewards storing up treasure in heaven. I am praying that God will put on your heart to engage, pray and give toward Connecting with Future Generations.
If you would like to bring a friend and join me in prayer call the pastors office. In October you will receive a devotional developed by people in our body to help us spend the month praying in one accord.
Second, leaders give first.
In 1 Chronicles 29 David was gathering the resources for God’s temple that would serve future generations. Let’s be clear, we are not building a temple but we are relying on God to provide for what we believe is His work. There are some things David did that we believe God is calling us to do. The first thing that David did was give from his own treasury and call on leaders to give. And as David and the leaders gave, guess what happened? The scriptures tell us everyone was encouraged in the LORD and everyone gave gladly. Therefore, I am praying and asking you – if you see yourself as a leader here – because of the ministry you hold, because of the influence you have, or because of the gifts that God has entrusted to you, I am asking you to start praying right now about what you will invest in Connecting with Future Generations.
Leaders, as God puts on your heart what you are to give, we invite you to let us know during the month of October. As you give, we will keep the body updated regarding our progress, so that the body will be encouraged and take joy in your willingness as they consider what they will pledge the first Sunday in November.
In the mean time, our elders will be considering their own gifts, and speaking with many of you to answer your questions and to help you understand what this project is about. Please feel free to contact one of them or our executive pastor Brandt Wright. In addition, we have established a Connecting with Future Generations page on our website to help answer your questions.
May we passionately pursue Jesus Christ in the midst of this venture of faith. I am believing God to use this project to produce great rejoicing and lead us to overflowing, humble worship as David and the Isrealites experienced in 2 Chronicles 29.
This is the official name for the facilities master plan project we introduced to you this summer and we highlighted at the ministry expo two weeks ago.
I want you to know what this project means to me.
First, we have some older buildings that are beyond their useful life. While they have served us well and we are thankful, they need to be replaced. Second, I am excited that the first phase of this project is focused primarily on enhancing the environment we are creating for children and families to come to know Jesus and grow in Him. Third, we are embracing our stewardship of the land God gave this church 57 years ago. We are building to meet the needs of current and future generations just like people did when they built the old chapel, old gym, the CE building, the CLC and all of the buildings we enjoy today.
So when you hear connecting with future generations know that we are talking about phase one of our master plan.
Many of you are now asking, “How are we going to get the money for Connecting with Future Generations?” And as elders we have been asking, “How are we believing God for the necessary resources?” After months of prayer and wrestling, here is what we believe God is calling us to do over the next sixty days; everyone prays hard and leaders give first.
First, everyone prays hard.
God has put it on my heart that my primary responsibility is to pray. On September 1st I began praying though our master list of people in our church body. Over the next 30 days my commitment is to spend two hours a day during the week praying for the individuals on this list. I am praying that we will see more clearly the greatness of the One who loves us, that we will desire Jesus deeply, follow Jesus closely and trust Jesus fully. And as we trust Jesus as the owner of the world and all it contains I am praying that we will live as stewards storing up treasure in heaven. I am praying that God will put on your heart to engage, pray and give toward Connecting with Future Generations.
If you would like to bring a friend and join me in prayer call the pastors office. In October you will receive a devotional developed by people in our body to help us spend the month praying in one accord.
Second, leaders give first.
In 1 Chronicles 29 David was gathering the resources for God’s temple that would serve future generations. Let’s be clear, we are not building a temple but we are relying on God to provide for what we believe is His work. There are some things David did that we believe God is calling us to do. The first thing that David did was give from his own treasury and call on leaders to give. And as David and the leaders gave, guess what happened? The scriptures tell us everyone was encouraged in the LORD and everyone gave gladly. Therefore, I am praying and asking you – if you see yourself as a leader here – because of the ministry you hold, because of the influence you have, or because of the gifts that God has entrusted to you, I am asking you to start praying right now about what you will invest in Connecting with Future Generations.
Leaders, as God puts on your heart what you are to give, we invite you to let us know during the month of October. As you give, we will keep the body updated regarding our progress, so that the body will be encouraged and take joy in your willingness as they consider what they will pledge the first Sunday in November.
In the mean time, our elders will be considering their own gifts, and speaking with many of you to answer your questions and to help you understand what this project is about. Please feel free to contact one of them or our executive pastor Brandt Wright. In addition, we have established a Connecting with Future Generations page on our website to help answer your questions.
May we passionately pursue Jesus Christ in the midst of this venture of faith. I am believing God to use this project to produce great rejoicing and lead us to overflowing, humble worship as David and the Isrealites experienced in 2 Chronicles 29.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Seven days of prayer and repentance for our church leaders.
This Sunday we were studying Mark 9:30-50. In light of this passage, we are taking seven days to pray for our Elders, staff, and church leaders. Maythe Holy Spirit reveal any sin that hinders us from serving. May the Holy Spirit bring a fresh wave of repentance. May the Holy Spirit give us a will to change. And then may the Holy Spirit bring rain on prepared soil so that we see a crop 30, 60, and 100 fold.
Monday: Made deeply and painfully aware of our selfish agendas in ministry.
Tuesday: Receive everyone as we do children, with no thought of their accomplishments, their influence, their fame, or their gifts.
Wednesday: Die to all competitive attitudes in ministry.
Thursday: Promptly and decisively discard our sin that we might not be rendered useless or hurt others.
Friday: Rejoice in suffering, rather than complaining or quitting when ministry is hard.
Saturday: Undone by the call to serve and lose our lives so that it drives us to tears of repentance at the cross.
Sunday: Enter into the fullness of Jesus’ peace with each other so that we will be salt to the world.
Thanks for praying,
Neil
Monday: Made deeply and painfully aware of our selfish agendas in ministry.
Tuesday: Receive everyone as we do children, with no thought of their accomplishments, their influence, their fame, or their gifts.
Wednesday: Die to all competitive attitudes in ministry.
Thursday: Promptly and decisively discard our sin that we might not be rendered useless or hurt others.
Friday: Rejoice in suffering, rather than complaining or quitting when ministry is hard.
Saturday: Undone by the call to serve and lose our lives so that it drives us to tears of repentance at the cross.
Sunday: Enter into the fullness of Jesus’ peace with each other so that we will be salt to the world.
Thanks for praying,
Neil
Saturday, August 29, 2009
One more thought and prayer for all the performance junkies.
Here is translation of Galatians 5:6 that is a combination of the Message, the NIV, and a little of Neil’s stuff added.
For in Christ, neither our most conscientious religious performance, nor disregard of religious deeds amounts to anything. The only thing that counts is faith in Jesus’ work expressing itself though love.
PRAYER:
Jesus, I am totally dependent on Your gift of righteousness to me today. At the cross, I receive the smile of God, the Father. I refuse any attempt to see His smile as a result of working hard on my sermon, spending time in prayer, writing a blog, helping a friend, checking things off my to do list, rectifying some wrong, caring for someone in need...Let me enter into the love expressed for me on the cross. Let me enter into the rest secured for me at the cross. As I live in this reality, I trust that You will produce in me the fruit of love. In Your Name, Amen.
P.S.
May you sense His rest in the midst of a busy Saturday!
For in Christ, neither our most conscientious religious performance, nor disregard of religious deeds amounts to anything. The only thing that counts is faith in Jesus’ work expressing itself though love.
PRAYER:
Jesus, I am totally dependent on Your gift of righteousness to me today. At the cross, I receive the smile of God, the Father. I refuse any attempt to see His smile as a result of working hard on my sermon, spending time in prayer, writing a blog, helping a friend, checking things off my to do list, rectifying some wrong, caring for someone in need...Let me enter into the love expressed for me on the cross. Let me enter into the rest secured for me at the cross. As I live in this reality, I trust that You will produce in me the fruit of love. In Your Name, Amen.
P.S.
May you sense His rest in the midst of a busy Saturday!
Friday, August 28, 2009
A thought and prayer for all the performance junkies: fight for freedom.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 (NIV)
This week I have been meditating on the book of Galatians. When it comes to the gospel, Paul is a freedom fighter. The Galatians were in danger of being enslaved to the Mosaic law. They were being prodded, pulled and coerced into a life of work to gain a righteousness before God, others and themselves.
Although I am not tempted or pulled to seek righteousness from the Mosaic law, I often am looking to other things to feel good before God, others, and myself instead of the work of Jesus. It is so subtle that I often don’t even notice it. This comes out in things that “I ought to” or “I should” or “I need to.” However, when I pay attention to my feelings and listen to God, I notice the pressure, tension, and sometimes anger as my attempts at righteousness are blocked or thwarted. This week I have been keeping a list of the “burdens and yoke of slavery” I put myself under.
Here are a few of mine I wrote over the course of this week:
· If I get up at 6 a.m. I feel better about myself than if I get up at 7 a.m. I didn’t get up until 7 a.m. on Wednesday. Bad deal especially when I was supposed to meet with an elder for breakfast.
· I feel better about myself when I am “productive.” Work was highly valued for me growing up. I think I am a productivity addict.
· If I was really like Jesus I “should” work with people, help people, deal with their issues without ever having conflict or them getting upset.
PRAYER
Jesus, I acknowledge that there is nothing I have ever done or will do that will make me any more pleasing or less pleasing in the eyes of God. I confess there is a pride at work in me that still wants to prove myself before You and others. There is something in me that wants to say, “Look what I did,” and “I did it, I am good!” I recognize that the “ought to’s” and the “should’s” are hard task masters in my life. Help me to see this and repent. I want to know the reality that it is no longer I who lives but Christ lives in me and the life that I now live in the flesh I live by faith in You. You are not a hard taskmaster. You love me and delivered Yourself up for me. May I rest in You. Thank You, Jesus.
PS
What are your “ought to’s/need to’s/should’s” that are yokes of slavery?
This week I have been meditating on the book of Galatians. When it comes to the gospel, Paul is a freedom fighter. The Galatians were in danger of being enslaved to the Mosaic law. They were being prodded, pulled and coerced into a life of work to gain a righteousness before God, others and themselves.
Although I am not tempted or pulled to seek righteousness from the Mosaic law, I often am looking to other things to feel good before God, others, and myself instead of the work of Jesus. It is so subtle that I often don’t even notice it. This comes out in things that “I ought to” or “I should” or “I need to.” However, when I pay attention to my feelings and listen to God, I notice the pressure, tension, and sometimes anger as my attempts at righteousness are blocked or thwarted. This week I have been keeping a list of the “burdens and yoke of slavery” I put myself under.
Here are a few of mine I wrote over the course of this week:
· If I get up at 6 a.m. I feel better about myself than if I get up at 7 a.m. I didn’t get up until 7 a.m. on Wednesday. Bad deal especially when I was supposed to meet with an elder for breakfast.
· I feel better about myself when I am “productive.” Work was highly valued for me growing up. I think I am a productivity addict.
· If I was really like Jesus I “should” work with people, help people, deal with their issues without ever having conflict or them getting upset.
PRAYER
Jesus, I acknowledge that there is nothing I have ever done or will do that will make me any more pleasing or less pleasing in the eyes of God. I confess there is a pride at work in me that still wants to prove myself before You and others. There is something in me that wants to say, “Look what I did,” and “I did it, I am good!” I recognize that the “ought to’s” and the “should’s” are hard task masters in my life. Help me to see this and repent. I want to know the reality that it is no longer I who lives but Christ lives in me and the life that I now live in the flesh I live by faith in You. You are not a hard taskmaster. You love me and delivered Yourself up for me. May I rest in You. Thank You, Jesus.
PS
What are your “ought to’s/need to’s/should’s” that are yokes of slavery?
Monday, August 24, 2009
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I took this picture two years ago from top of Mt. Elbert, the highest mountain in Colorado.There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them…Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” Mark 9:2,3,7
Have you ever had a mountaintop experience? What was it like? Peter, James, and John saw Jesus totally transformed, clothes whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. You get the sense that words can't explain it. Maybe you feel the same about your mountaintop experience. They were also enveloped by the cloud. Throughout the Old Testament, the cloud was the manifestation of the presence of God to His people. Of all the things the Father could have said in that moment, of all the things the disciples could have heard, felt and experienced, the Father says, “This is my beloved son.” When Peter, James, and John got a taste of glory, they got a special taste of the love of the Godhead!
Although I haven’t had quite the experience of those three disciples, God has given me some mountaintop experiences where I truly sensed, experienced, and felt His love in a special way. After those moments, I expected to be so radically transformed that I would not struggle anymore or at least struggles would diminish significantly and everyone would say, “Wow you have changed! You’re amazingly like Jesus!” Never happened.
The very next thing Mark records is life back on the everyday playing field. Arguments, Pharisees, a demon possessed boy, a helpless father. You know the place. The place where spouses argue, parents struggle to connect with their kids, employees grind against authority, churches frustrate their members, believers fail to live like Jesus…you get the picture. So what do we do? One, we take encouragement from the mountaintop that God loves us and one day will string together an eternity of mountaintop experiences. Two, don’t waste your time trying to keep it or recapture it. It will just become a dumb idol that breaks your heart. Three, come to Jesus like the father of the demon possessed boy and admit your complete helplessness. It really is the way to access His power and joy in the ordinary life.
Have you ever had a mountaintop experience? What was it like? Peter, James, and John saw Jesus totally transformed, clothes whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. You get the sense that words can't explain it. Maybe you feel the same about your mountaintop experience. They were also enveloped by the cloud. Throughout the Old Testament, the cloud was the manifestation of the presence of God to His people. Of all the things the Father could have said in that moment, of all the things the disciples could have heard, felt and experienced, the Father says, “This is my beloved son.” When Peter, James, and John got a taste of glory, they got a special taste of the love of the Godhead!
Although I haven’t had quite the experience of those three disciples, God has given me some mountaintop experiences where I truly sensed, experienced, and felt His love in a special way. After those moments, I expected to be so radically transformed that I would not struggle anymore or at least struggles would diminish significantly and everyone would say, “Wow you have changed! You’re amazingly like Jesus!” Never happened.
The very next thing Mark records is life back on the everyday playing field. Arguments, Pharisees, a demon possessed boy, a helpless father. You know the place. The place where spouses argue, parents struggle to connect with their kids, employees grind against authority, churches frustrate their members, believers fail to live like Jesus…you get the picture. So what do we do? One, we take encouragement from the mountaintop that God loves us and one day will string together an eternity of mountaintop experiences. Two, don’t waste your time trying to keep it or recapture it. It will just become a dumb idol that breaks your heart. Three, come to Jesus like the father of the demon possessed boy and admit your complete helplessness. It really is the way to access His power and joy in the ordinary life.
Prayer
Holy Spirit, thank You for the times I have uniquely tasted the love of God. I am sorry for the times I have missed because I did not stop, wait and listen. Strengthen me to deeply know how wide and long and high and deep is Jesus’ love for me. I want to taste the glory! I want to know the fullness of God. I need divine encouragement. Jesus, I admit that I am totally helpless without You. Protect me from my foolish pride that moves into relationships, work, my daily duties, church activities and so many other activities without coming to You in prayer. I want to live in the power and joy of a life desperately, dependent on You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Holy Spirit, thank You for the times I have uniquely tasted the love of God. I am sorry for the times I have missed because I did not stop, wait and listen. Strengthen me to deeply know how wide and long and high and deep is Jesus’ love for me. I want to taste the glory! I want to know the fullness of God. I need divine encouragement. Jesus, I admit that I am totally helpless without You. Protect me from my foolish pride that moves into relationships, work, my daily duties, church activities and so many other activities without coming to You in prayer. I want to live in the power and joy of a life desperately, dependent on You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
PS. Tell us where you have had a mountain top experience with the Lord?
Friday, August 21, 2009
What do our elders do?
Colossians 4:2 (NIV) Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
I have often been asked, “What do Elders do when they meet?” I am sharing our time together from last week’s meeting and I hope to send you more of these throughout the year.This past meeting we were continuing our discussion of how we will raise money for our building project in a God honoring way. We have spent a lot of time talking about this, because we know that how we do it; says something about what we believe about God, what we believe about the body of Jesus, how we view the resources God has entrusted to us, and how we intend to live out our values. I believe this meeting resulted in one of our best times of prayers as elders since I've been senior pastor. We came to a place in the meeting where we stopped talking and had an intense awareness that we needed wisdom that only comes from God—not wisdom that comes from our experience or the world around us. During our time of prayer, there was a lot of silence, a lot of confession of our own inability, a long time on weak knees, and a sense of struggling deeply with the Lord. This was the main part of our meeting.
Bibles read without prayer; sermons heard without prayer; marriages contracted without prayer; journeys undertaken without prayer; residences chosen without prayer; friendships formed without prayer; the daily act of prayer itself hurried over, or gone through without heart: these are the kind of downward steps by which many a Christian descends to a condition of spiritual palsy, or reaches the point where God allows them to have a tremendous fall.
J. C. Ryle (1816-1900), A Call to Prayer, from Christian Quotation of the Day
LORD, teaches to be diligent to pray in all things. LORD, make our elders men of prayer. Help us to honor these men as commanded in the scripture. We confess our foolish pride. We confess that we are deceived into thinking we can do Your work without Your help, grace and power. Please don’t let us miss the opportunity to see You work in supernatural ways. In Jesus Name, Amen.
I have often been asked, “What do Elders do when they meet?” I am sharing our time together from last week’s meeting and I hope to send you more of these throughout the year.This past meeting we were continuing our discussion of how we will raise money for our building project in a God honoring way. We have spent a lot of time talking about this, because we know that how we do it; says something about what we believe about God, what we believe about the body of Jesus, how we view the resources God has entrusted to us, and how we intend to live out our values. I believe this meeting resulted in one of our best times of prayers as elders since I've been senior pastor. We came to a place in the meeting where we stopped talking and had an intense awareness that we needed wisdom that only comes from God—not wisdom that comes from our experience or the world around us. During our time of prayer, there was a lot of silence, a lot of confession of our own inability, a long time on weak knees, and a sense of struggling deeply with the Lord. This was the main part of our meeting.
Bibles read without prayer; sermons heard without prayer; marriages contracted without prayer; journeys undertaken without prayer; residences chosen without prayer; friendships formed without prayer; the daily act of prayer itself hurried over, or gone through without heart: these are the kind of downward steps by which many a Christian descends to a condition of spiritual palsy, or reaches the point where God allows them to have a tremendous fall.
J. C. Ryle (1816-1900), A Call to Prayer, from Christian Quotation of the Day
LORD, teaches to be diligent to pray in all things. LORD, make our elders men of prayer. Help us to honor these men as commanded in the scripture. We confess our foolish pride. We confess that we are deceived into thinking we can do Your work without Your help, grace and power. Please don’t let us miss the opportunity to see You work in supernatural ways. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Do I really want what Jesus wants?
Mark 9:31,34
31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again…
34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
Peter had just confessed that Jesus was the Christ—the long awaited King of all kings who would set all things right. And Peter was on the inside. I wonder what he expected he would soon gain by being on the right side: the comfort of a palace, control over some Romans soldiers, the convenience of having some servants, or the freedom to become a consumer of all the best the world has to offer? To hear the Son of Man must suffer was stupefying.
Peter, like us, not only had to learn that Jesus is a King on a cross but that Jesus’ followers go to a cross. This Sunday I said that doing what Jesus wants involves a no and a yes. Denying yourself means saying no at times to comfort, convenience, control, and consumerism. Taking up your cross means saying yes to whatever Jesus wants (even when it doesn’t make sense). That simple yet so very difficult.
I am thankful that Jesus follows this with statements like “whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.” I need the encouragement.
Prayer:
Jesus, help me to want what You want. I confess that at the first taste of discomfort, inconvenience, lack of control, or challenge to give I react with second guessing, complaining, asking why, and a number of other selfish responses. I do not want to waste my life. I do not want to come to the end with a chest full of stuff that moths and rust are feeding on. I want to experience the joyful adventure of stumbling to a throne by way of death with You. I also confess the idea is as scary as it is thrilling. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak! Holy Spirit, show me where I am to say no and to say yes that I might do what Jesus wants.
P.S.
I really think it would encourage others if you would share what a “no” and a “yes” to do what Jesus wants means for you. You can do this with the comment function.
31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again…
34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
Peter had just confessed that Jesus was the Christ—the long awaited King of all kings who would set all things right. And Peter was on the inside. I wonder what he expected he would soon gain by being on the right side: the comfort of a palace, control over some Romans soldiers, the convenience of having some servants, or the freedom to become a consumer of all the best the world has to offer? To hear the Son of Man must suffer was stupefying.
Peter, like us, not only had to learn that Jesus is a King on a cross but that Jesus’ followers go to a cross. This Sunday I said that doing what Jesus wants involves a no and a yes. Denying yourself means saying no at times to comfort, convenience, control, and consumerism. Taking up your cross means saying yes to whatever Jesus wants (even when it doesn’t make sense). That simple yet so very difficult.
I am thankful that Jesus follows this with statements like “whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.” I need the encouragement.
Prayer:
Jesus, help me to want what You want. I confess that at the first taste of discomfort, inconvenience, lack of control, or challenge to give I react with second guessing, complaining, asking why, and a number of other selfish responses. I do not want to waste my life. I do not want to come to the end with a chest full of stuff that moths and rust are feeding on. I want to experience the joyful adventure of stumbling to a throne by way of death with You. I also confess the idea is as scary as it is thrilling. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak! Holy Spirit, show me where I am to say no and to say yes that I might do what Jesus wants.
P.S.
I really think it would encourage others if you would share what a “no” and a “yes” to do what Jesus wants means for you. You can do this with the comment function.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
A Prayer for this Sunday 8/16/09
Here is a prayer to prepare our hearts for worship this Sunday that I wrote this morning as I was meditating on 1 Thessalonians 1.
May the gospel of Jesus come into and proceed from this body of believers with power in the Holy Spirit, and may many receive it with deep life altering conviction. May we joyfully welcome the gospel into our lives no matter the cost to embrace Jesus’ kingdom. May the gospel message ring out long and loud from us. As it happened in the church of Thessalonica, may people in the city of Dallas talk about how people here turned and are turning from idols, saying no to the gods of this culture and how we are saying yes to You the true, living God. To do this we wait on our risen, rescuer Jesus.
May the gospel of Jesus come into and proceed from this body of believers with power in the Holy Spirit, and may many receive it with deep life altering conviction. May we joyfully welcome the gospel into our lives no matter the cost to embrace Jesus’ kingdom. May the gospel message ring out long and loud from us. As it happened in the church of Thessalonica, may people in the city of Dallas talk about how people here turned and are turning from idols, saying no to the gods of this culture and how we are saying yes to You the true, living God. To do this we wait on our risen, rescuer Jesus.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Colossians 3:3-4.
For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
How was your time with the Lord today? That is a question I know many of us dread getting. Even if we are able to say, “Well, I did have time praying and reading my bible” most of the people I talk to would say that no sparks went off or they did not feel close to the Lord. One pitfall of sharing my thoughts and prayers with you a couple times a week is that it can inadvertently give off the sense that all of us should have some kind of mountain top experience with the Lord. I know you know that is not true but it still needs to be acknowledged. I know of no person in the Bible who had this. You might say Moses but don’t forget the 40 years in the desert tending sheep.
I recently made a six week commitment about my time with the Lord. The first nine days were great—then today hit. I should say last night hit. Allergy attack. I was tired. Other times I am distracted, depressed, discouraged, frustrated, rebellious, too busy, any number of things that I let hinder me from having this sense of really entering in. This morning I was making my attempt to read, observe, take notes and pray over Colossians 3. I did all of those things—a little. Most of the time I just sat, trying not to doze off, repeating over and over Colossians 3:3-4. That simple. That ordinary.
Prayer
Father, thank You that my relationship with You starts with Christ, is presently held together by Christ, and will end in glory with Christ. Thank You for loving me because You love me. Thank You that because my life is hidden with Christ there is nothing I can do to be more pleasing to You. Thank You that when everything is said and done, I will be in glory face to face with Jesus! May I rest in Your love when I am on feel on top of the world or being crushed under it. In Jesus Name, Amen.
For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
How was your time with the Lord today? That is a question I know many of us dread getting. Even if we are able to say, “Well, I did have time praying and reading my bible” most of the people I talk to would say that no sparks went off or they did not feel close to the Lord. One pitfall of sharing my thoughts and prayers with you a couple times a week is that it can inadvertently give off the sense that all of us should have some kind of mountain top experience with the Lord. I know you know that is not true but it still needs to be acknowledged. I know of no person in the Bible who had this. You might say Moses but don’t forget the 40 years in the desert tending sheep.
I recently made a six week commitment about my time with the Lord. The first nine days were great—then today hit. I should say last night hit. Allergy attack. I was tired. Other times I am distracted, depressed, discouraged, frustrated, rebellious, too busy, any number of things that I let hinder me from having this sense of really entering in. This morning I was making my attempt to read, observe, take notes and pray over Colossians 3. I did all of those things—a little. Most of the time I just sat, trying not to doze off, repeating over and over Colossians 3:3-4. That simple. That ordinary.
Prayer
Father, thank You that my relationship with You starts with Christ, is presently held together by Christ, and will end in glory with Christ. Thank You for loving me because You love me. Thank You that because my life is hidden with Christ there is nothing I can do to be more pleasing to You. Thank You that when everything is said and done, I will be in glory face to face with Jesus! May I rest in Your love when I am on feel on top of the world or being crushed under it. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Monday, August 10, 2009
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Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16
I am back. Plugged in. This picture really captures how I felt being unplugged. This is Taylor Lake which sits at 6500ft above sea level outside of Etna, an old mining town in California. I spend the last two Saturdays there-the first one with Stephanie and the second one with Natalie. We experienced a peaceful, unhurried time that allowed us to connect with each other and with God. Being away from my computer, cell phone, twitter, facebook, blog, etc., created space in my day for God and my daughters in such a way that the days actually seemed longer. Often my wanderings and distractions with technology steal serious amounts of time—time for others, time for God, time for prayer, time for rest.
I am back. Plugged in. This picture really captures how I felt being unplugged. This is Taylor Lake which sits at 6500ft above sea level outside of Etna, an old mining town in California. I spend the last two Saturdays there-the first one with Stephanie and the second one with Natalie. We experienced a peaceful, unhurried time that allowed us to connect with each other and with God. Being away from my computer, cell phone, twitter, facebook, blog, etc., created space in my day for God and my daughters in such a way that the days actually seemed longer. Often my wanderings and distractions with technology steal serious amounts of time—time for others, time for God, time for prayer, time for rest.
LET'S PRAY TOGETHER
Father, thank You for the gift of connecting through technology. I want to live wisely, making the most of the days on earth that You have given me. Help me to fight all the distractions of life that I might live out what Jesus wants for me each day. I pray that You would help us as a church take this one life you have given us, individually and corporately, and live it to the fullest.
Father, thank You for the gift of connecting through technology. I want to live wisely, making the most of the days on earth that You have given me. Help me to fight all the distractions of life that I might live out what Jesus wants for me each day. I pray that You would help us as a church take this one life you have given us, individually and corporately, and live it to the fullest.
Dinner for Two
Reflections from Revelation 3.14-22
From Matt Dumas, Minister of Equipping, and while Neil is out.
The folks in the church at Laodicea had everything going for them. They lived in a wealthy city, well-known for its clothing industry and school of medicine. Seemingly the only thing the city lacked was a natural water source. Just north of the city in Hierapolis were hot springs known for their medicinal qualities. South of city there were cold water springs refreshing to drink. In order to get water into the city, the people constructed stone pipes to carry water from the cold water springs into the city. Although the water was cold at its source, during the hotter months the water would be warmed by the pipes and become lukewarm by the time it reached the city. When Jesus confronts the church of Laodicea, He confronts their lukewarmness. They were neither hot (picturing the healing properties of the hot springs) nor cold (picturing the refreshment of the cold springs), but like the water in the stone pipes, they had become lukewarm – they had become like the culture around them. So Jesus rebukes their self-sufficiency and self-righteousness and invites them back into fellowship with Him.
I am afraid that my life too often mirrors that of the Laodiceans. I can be very self-righteous and self-sufficient at times. I too like to appear to have it all together. Jesus is often an afterthought as I go about my daily routine. What about you? Do you find yourself in that comfortable place where you really don’t need Jesus in your day-to-day life? Is it hard to distinguish your lifestyle from that of your non-believing friends? When was the last time you had a good talk with Jesus? He’s still knocking, waiting for a dinner for two.
Jesus, forgive me for pretending that I can live the Christian life in my own strength. I pray for a desperate hunger, a thirst for righteousness that can only be satisfied in you. To the best of my ability, I want to invite You to come in and dine with me. May we as a people be ever aware of our need for You. Jesus, make us to want what you want. Amen.
From Matt Dumas, Minister of Equipping, and while Neil is out.
The folks in the church at Laodicea had everything going for them. They lived in a wealthy city, well-known for its clothing industry and school of medicine. Seemingly the only thing the city lacked was a natural water source. Just north of the city in Hierapolis were hot springs known for their medicinal qualities. South of city there were cold water springs refreshing to drink. In order to get water into the city, the people constructed stone pipes to carry water from the cold water springs into the city. Although the water was cold at its source, during the hotter months the water would be warmed by the pipes and become lukewarm by the time it reached the city. When Jesus confronts the church of Laodicea, He confronts their lukewarmness. They were neither hot (picturing the healing properties of the hot springs) nor cold (picturing the refreshment of the cold springs), but like the water in the stone pipes, they had become lukewarm – they had become like the culture around them. So Jesus rebukes their self-sufficiency and self-righteousness and invites them back into fellowship with Him.
I am afraid that my life too often mirrors that of the Laodiceans. I can be very self-righteous and self-sufficient at times. I too like to appear to have it all together. Jesus is often an afterthought as I go about my daily routine. What about you? Do you find yourself in that comfortable place where you really don’t need Jesus in your day-to-day life? Is it hard to distinguish your lifestyle from that of your non-believing friends? When was the last time you had a good talk with Jesus? He’s still knocking, waiting for a dinner for two.
Jesus, forgive me for pretending that I can live the Christian life in my own strength. I pray for a desperate hunger, a thirst for righteousness that can only be satisfied in you. To the best of my ability, I want to invite You to come in and dine with me. May we as a people be ever aware of our need for You. Jesus, make us to want what you want. Amen.
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Faith of Our Fathers - Moses: Depending on God
Reflections from Exodus 2–3
From Matt Dumas, Minister of Equipping, and while Neil is out.
Moses was a man who showed great potential as a child. He was obviously gifted, trained in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was raised in Pharoah’s palace as the son of Pharoah’s daughter. He had everything going for him, and then he made a decision that cost him everything…in a moment of time he chose to respond in his own strength to attempt to bring about a good result – to deliver the children of Israel out of bondage in Egypt – and ended up killing a man, being alienated from his people, and running for his life. He chose to do things his way and suffered the consequences. Forty years of wilderness wandering later and Moses has a second shot at delivering the Hebrews. This time he will be successful because he has learned the value of patience and humility and doing things God’s way.
Have you been there before? Really feeling like the thing you’re about to do or say is the right thing at that moment. You act and the thing blows up in your face. God isn’t even really an afterthought until you are faced with the consequences of your actions and are left to try to pick up the pieces and figure out what went wrong. You go on a wilderness journey of your own. I’ve been there, more than once I’m afraid. The wilderness is a lonely place, but it’s there that God meets us. It’s there that He begins to deal with our character. It’s there that we find redemption. We wouldn’t choose the wilderness, but there we learn to cry out to God. And it’s a good thing.
Father, thank you for the lessons you’ve taught me in the wilderness. Forgive me for the stupid choices I’ve made that have hurt You and others and sent me there. May I be ever mindful of my need for your grace, and may I give it as freely as it has been given to me. May we as a people become traffickers in Your grace this week. Jesus, make us to want what you want. Amen.
From Matt Dumas, Minister of Equipping, and while Neil is out.
Moses was a man who showed great potential as a child. He was obviously gifted, trained in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was raised in Pharoah’s palace as the son of Pharoah’s daughter. He had everything going for him, and then he made a decision that cost him everything…in a moment of time he chose to respond in his own strength to attempt to bring about a good result – to deliver the children of Israel out of bondage in Egypt – and ended up killing a man, being alienated from his people, and running for his life. He chose to do things his way and suffered the consequences. Forty years of wilderness wandering later and Moses has a second shot at delivering the Hebrews. This time he will be successful because he has learned the value of patience and humility and doing things God’s way.
Have you been there before? Really feeling like the thing you’re about to do or say is the right thing at that moment. You act and the thing blows up in your face. God isn’t even really an afterthought until you are faced with the consequences of your actions and are left to try to pick up the pieces and figure out what went wrong. You go on a wilderness journey of your own. I’ve been there, more than once I’m afraid. The wilderness is a lonely place, but it’s there that God meets us. It’s there that He begins to deal with our character. It’s there that we find redemption. We wouldn’t choose the wilderness, but there we learn to cry out to God. And it’s a good thing.
Father, thank you for the lessons you’ve taught me in the wilderness. Forgive me for the stupid choices I’ve made that have hurt You and others and sent me there. May I be ever mindful of my need for your grace, and may I give it as freely as it has been given to me. May we as a people become traffickers in Your grace this week. Jesus, make us to want what you want. Amen.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Faith of Our Fathers - Joseph: Carried by God
Reflections from Genesis 39
From Matt Dumas, Minister of Equipping, and while Neil is out.
Joseph was a man of integrity. The story of Joseph reminds us that life is not always easy or fair for those who are God-followers. Time after time in the biblical narrative Joseph faces difficult, even harrowing circumstances: thrown into a pit and threatened with murder at the hands of his older brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife, forgotten by the man whose dream he favorably interpreted. Yet the biblical author highlights Joseph’s integrity through it all. His obedience and his unwillingness to take matters into his own hands even when he has the opportunity to do so make him a prime candidate for God’s blessing. Instead of focusing on past wounds or future possibilities he was obedient to God and fruitful at the present time.
What about you? Are you living in the past or focused on the future? Or have you discovered the delight of experiencing God’s blessing in the here and now? I struggle with this most days. I long to get to the point of living solely in the present. For Joseph, the choices he made to be a man of integrity, even when the world would have considered it foolish, and even in the midst of devastating circumstances, were worth it. God saw him through. What choice will you make today to be a man or woman of integrity? Maybe it’s foregoing the gossip at the water cooler. Maybe it’s choosing not to retaliate when “that idiot” cuts you off in traffic. Or maybe it’s choosing to forego the promotion if it means bad-mouthing another employee. Whatever it is, let’s make that choice today, you and me.
Father, give me one pure and holy passion…to pursue You with reckless abandon, nothing left on the table, all in. May I be one who walks in integrity no matter the circumstance, knowing that you are the One who will one day right every wrong. May I trust You for that and not feel the need to take matters in my own hands. May we be a people marked by integrity, living our lives in such a way that we become the aroma of Christ to a watching world. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
From Matt Dumas, Minister of Equipping, and while Neil is out.
Joseph was a man of integrity. The story of Joseph reminds us that life is not always easy or fair for those who are God-followers. Time after time in the biblical narrative Joseph faces difficult, even harrowing circumstances: thrown into a pit and threatened with murder at the hands of his older brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife, forgotten by the man whose dream he favorably interpreted. Yet the biblical author highlights Joseph’s integrity through it all. His obedience and his unwillingness to take matters into his own hands even when he has the opportunity to do so make him a prime candidate for God’s blessing. Instead of focusing on past wounds or future possibilities he was obedient to God and fruitful at the present time.
What about you? Are you living in the past or focused on the future? Or have you discovered the delight of experiencing God’s blessing in the here and now? I struggle with this most days. I long to get to the point of living solely in the present. For Joseph, the choices he made to be a man of integrity, even when the world would have considered it foolish, and even in the midst of devastating circumstances, were worth it. God saw him through. What choice will you make today to be a man or woman of integrity? Maybe it’s foregoing the gossip at the water cooler. Maybe it’s choosing not to retaliate when “that idiot” cuts you off in traffic. Or maybe it’s choosing to forego the promotion if it means bad-mouthing another employee. Whatever it is, let’s make that choice today, you and me.
Father, give me one pure and holy passion…to pursue You with reckless abandon, nothing left on the table, all in. May I be one who walks in integrity no matter the circumstance, knowing that you are the One who will one day right every wrong. May I trust You for that and not feel the need to take matters in my own hands. May we be a people marked by integrity, living our lives in such a way that we become the aroma of Christ to a watching world. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
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