One of the things reading the Bible shows me is that people never change. From the time of Adam, we have wanted to be our own king, our own god. We want to control our lives. But everything I read in the Bible shows that leads to disaster.
We really don't learn our lessons - even if we are taught with the hard teaching of painful experiences. I'm not talking necessarily about individuals but about people in general. Over and over again in the Bible, the prophets told the people of impending disaster. It always came to pass and the people repented for a time but them went right back to their evil ways.
After 9/11 and Katrina and other catastrophic events the churches are often filled with people because they are afraid. But give it a little time and many will drop out and go back to their "usual" lives.
The most important thing that never changes, though, is God. He never leaves me or forsakes me. He always loves me and cares for me. Zephaniah 3:17 reminds me of God's care. I really like this passage - makes me want to shout for joy.
17 The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Spread the Gospel
On Sunday Perry began his new series on "How to Survive the End of the World". One of the things he talked about was the spread of the Gospel to other lands. This "movement" began with 12 men who were faithful to preach what they knew and God began to increase the church in large numbers.
One of the things that is pretty obvious when I read Acts is that the Gospel was spread initially because of persecution. The Bible tells us in Acts 8:1 that when the persecution started the people were scattered BUT as they were scattered they were preaching the word.
If I am pushed out of my comfort zone, do I shut up or speak out? These men and women were running in fear of their lives. Their persecution meant death yet they spoke about Jesus everywhere they went. Am I willing to spread the Gospel within my sphere of influence? I willing to put the salvation of those I know above my personal comfort and feeling? Not always, I'm sorry to say, but with God's help that will change.
One of the things that is pretty obvious when I read Acts is that the Gospel was spread initially because of persecution. The Bible tells us in Acts 8:1 that when the persecution started the people were scattered BUT as they were scattered they were preaching the word.
If I am pushed out of my comfort zone, do I shut up or speak out? These men and women were running in fear of their lives. Their persecution meant death yet they spoke about Jesus everywhere they went. Am I willing to spread the Gospel within my sphere of influence? I willing to put the salvation of those I know above my personal comfort and feeling? Not always, I'm sorry to say, but with God's help that will change.
Mornings
Not all mornings are welcome in my life. Sometimes I stay up too late or don't sleep well at night then, when it is time to get up, I dread it.
But I love mornings like today. My windows are up, the house is cool, the birds are singing that just before dawn concert. What a great time to be awake and taking a few minutes just to sit and listen. To think about the creative God who gave such different voices to the birds, who made the seasons that bring change not only to nature but to people...we think differently in different seasons.
Makes me really grateful that God has given me the ability to hear, to see, to smell, to taste, to feel and to appreciate His creation. Just how awesome is it that God made all this diversity, all this beauty, all this sound and then made man with the ability to enjoy it.
But I love mornings like today. My windows are up, the house is cool, the birds are singing that just before dawn concert. What a great time to be awake and taking a few minutes just to sit and listen. To think about the creative God who gave such different voices to the birds, who made the seasons that bring change not only to nature but to people...we think differently in different seasons.
Makes me really grateful that God has given me the ability to hear, to see, to smell, to taste, to feel and to appreciate His creation. Just how awesome is it that God made all this diversity, all this beauty, all this sound and then made man with the ability to enjoy it.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Habakkuk
This is a really cool book. It opens with Habakkuk complaining to God...where are You? Why don't You do something? Basically he is saying don't You even care what is happening to us?
God comes right back at him and says:
5 "Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days
that you would not believe, even if you were told."
I think that is what He still says to us today. You can't even imagine what I am going to do. Look around, be amazed, I am at work all around you and sometimes you are just clueless. That's one of the reasons I like NewSpring's celebration of all God is doing - it's not us but Him and yet He lets us, wants us, to be part of it.
Habakkuk has more than that one complaint but God, of course, answers them all. Habakkuk comes to understand that "the righteous shall live by faith" 2:4 and "the whole earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord" 2:14 and "the Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth keep silence before Him." 2:20
But my absolute favorite part of this book, and indeed one of my favorite passages in the Bible is the conclusion of Habakkuk's prayer in chapter 3:17-19.
17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.
No matter what I WILL rejoice in the Lord, I WILL be joyful in God my Savior. That is one of the things missing in America today. We have forgotten how to rejoice in the Lord. We want to grumble and complain and ridicule those who are far from God. But God is still doing a great work. He is still on His throne. There is still reason to rejoice.
God comes right back at him and says:
5 "Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days
that you would not believe, even if you were told."
I think that is what He still says to us today. You can't even imagine what I am going to do. Look around, be amazed, I am at work all around you and sometimes you are just clueless. That's one of the reasons I like NewSpring's celebration of all God is doing - it's not us but Him and yet He lets us, wants us, to be part of it.
Habakkuk has more than that one complaint but God, of course, answers them all. Habakkuk comes to understand that "the righteous shall live by faith" 2:4 and "the whole earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord" 2:14 and "the Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth keep silence before Him." 2:20
But my absolute favorite part of this book, and indeed one of my favorite passages in the Bible is the conclusion of Habakkuk's prayer in chapter 3:17-19.
17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.
No matter what I WILL rejoice in the Lord, I WILL be joyful in God my Savior. That is one of the things missing in America today. We have forgotten how to rejoice in the Lord. We want to grumble and complain and ridicule those who are far from God. But God is still doing a great work. He is still on His throne. There is still reason to rejoice.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Take Refuge in the Lord
Sometimes when things are not going well, I have a tendency to take refuge in books or solitude or chocolate chip cookies. At one time in my life that refuge was in a liquor bottle or sex. But God says we are to take refuge in Him.
"The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him." Nahum 1:7
Sometimes I forget that I am God's and that God is mine. He is my Father. He loves me more than I can possibly imagine. He wants only the very best for me. He gave His Son's life for my life. Why would I ever doubt Him? Why would I ever seek refuge any place else? Why would I go anywhere but to God when I have a problem of any size?
Often I think I can handle this, it's only a small issue. But that is where I go wrong. God wants to be involved in every aspect of my life - big or small. I have heard people say, I've tried everything so I guess it's time to pray. That is so wrong. The time to pray is before doing anything, before trying to solve anything.
God knows those who take refuge in Him. I want to be one of the people who go to God first with everything, not as a last resort.
"The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him." Nahum 1:7
Sometimes I forget that I am God's and that God is mine. He is my Father. He loves me more than I can possibly imagine. He wants only the very best for me. He gave His Son's life for my life. Why would I ever doubt Him? Why would I ever seek refuge any place else? Why would I go anywhere but to God when I have a problem of any size?
Often I think I can handle this, it's only a small issue. But that is where I go wrong. God wants to be involved in every aspect of my life - big or small. I have heard people say, I've tried everything so I guess it's time to pray. That is so wrong. The time to pray is before doing anything, before trying to solve anything.
God knows those who take refuge in Him. I want to be one of the people who go to God first with everything, not as a last resort.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Potential
As my home group is reading and discussing the book "Just Walk Across the Room" by Bill Hybels we talked last week about recognizing potential in people. I've thought a lot about that.
How can I recognize someones potential? Does that mean I should be able to see the Sunday School teacher in the drug addict? Or the team leader in the business man? Or the middle school youth worker in the rebellious college student?
I don't think I can do that. Does that mean I am not "in tune" with God? I don't think that is necessarily true. But I have thought about seeing potential as remembering what it was like for me to be lost...the emptiness, the futility, the frustrations, the lack of contentment. If I can meet people living far from God and remember what I felt and how I lived, then I can relate better to them. I can not dismiss them as unworthy of my time or energy. I can remember how God changed my life and know that they too can have the peace of God and the fruit of the Spirit. The love, joy, peace, patience, etc can exude from their hearts and minds and life can be lived with real purpose. The real potential of every person is to have a new life in Christ, to be a new creation.
How can I recognize someones potential? Does that mean I should be able to see the Sunday School teacher in the drug addict? Or the team leader in the business man? Or the middle school youth worker in the rebellious college student?
I don't think I can do that. Does that mean I am not "in tune" with God? I don't think that is necessarily true. But I have thought about seeing potential as remembering what it was like for me to be lost...the emptiness, the futility, the frustrations, the lack of contentment. If I can meet people living far from God and remember what I felt and how I lived, then I can relate better to them. I can not dismiss them as unworthy of my time or energy. I can remember how God changed my life and know that they too can have the peace of God and the fruit of the Spirit. The love, joy, peace, patience, etc can exude from their hearts and minds and life can be lived with real purpose. The real potential of every person is to have a new life in Christ, to be a new creation.
What Does the Lord Require
Micah 6:6-8 really speaks to my heart. What do I bring when I come before the Lord? Is it how large or important my gift is? Is it how great the sacrifice? Not at all.
What the Lord requires of me is to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly before Him. vs 8
How do I walk humbly? By recognizing that EVERYTHING I have is from Him; everything I am is because of His touch on my life. By accepting myself as uniquely made and gifted by God to be who I am; I don't need to try to be someone else. By acknowledging that He paid the price for my salvation. By not worrying about "stuff". By spending time alone with God. By being obedient to His commands. By recognizing the victory is already mine. Micah 7:8 reminds me of that victory and 7:18-19 of His love and forgiveness.
What the Lord requires of me is to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly before Him. vs 8
How do I walk humbly? By recognizing that EVERYTHING I have is from Him; everything I am is because of His touch on my life. By accepting myself as uniquely made and gifted by God to be who I am; I don't need to try to be someone else. By acknowledging that He paid the price for my salvation. By not worrying about "stuff". By spending time alone with God. By being obedient to His commands. By recognizing the victory is already mine. Micah 7:8 reminds me of that victory and 7:18-19 of His love and forgiveness.
Minor Prophets
I used to think that the Minor Prophets - the reference to all those "obscure" books toward the end of the Old Testament meant that they were not very important or didn't really have much to say. Obadiah is only 21 verses, Jonah only 49 where Isaiah is 66 chapters and about 75 pages in my Bible.
Of course most everyone knows the story of Jonah and the whale. In fact a lot of non believers find Jonah to be so ludicrous as to make the whole Bible unbelievable because of that one book. Who could really believe a great fish could swallow a man and the man could live? Well, Jesus did! Most of the others books are not stories in the sense that Jonah is; most are telling of God's coming wrath for the sins of the people.
But they are not called "minor" because they are less worthy but simply because their written prophecies are short. One of the most preached verses on tithing is in Malachi. Some of my favorite verses are in these books. It's nice to revisit them occasionally and to be reminded again and again of God's faithfulness. Despite all the gloom and doom of these prophets, their love for and faith in the sovereign God is huge.
Of course most everyone knows the story of Jonah and the whale. In fact a lot of non believers find Jonah to be so ludicrous as to make the whole Bible unbelievable because of that one book. Who could really believe a great fish could swallow a man and the man could live? Well, Jesus did! Most of the others books are not stories in the sense that Jonah is; most are telling of God's coming wrath for the sins of the people.
But they are not called "minor" because they are less worthy but simply because their written prophecies are short. One of the most preached verses on tithing is in Malachi. Some of my favorite verses are in these books. It's nice to revisit them occasionally and to be reminded again and again of God's faithfulness. Despite all the gloom and doom of these prophets, their love for and faith in the sovereign God is huge.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
The Yard Police
This morning I found a note taped to my front door from the yard police in my neighborhood. Although it was addressed to me personally, I don't think it was to just me. It had been up there for 4 days 'cause I rarely use my front door.
It was from one of the ladies on the board of the homeowners association. She has been spending her money on Round-Up and her time digging up the grass in the cracks and along the curb. She told me that now that it is cleaned up I need to keep it that way. I should not leave any clippings or dirt by the curb because that promotes weed/grass growth in unwanted places. I did actually spray round-up about 6 weeks ago on all the cracks and crevices in my driveway and the sidewalk. I just didn't think to do the street.
The reason I don't think this was for just me is because there are several of us who don't cut our grass every week or spray the weeds as soon as they come up. I saw the weed killer lady working on the sidewalk across the street from me about 7 AM a week or so ago. And I saw the lady who lives across the street sweeping the street and getting up the dirt a day or two ago. Although she sweeps her driveway every couple of days, I've not seen her do that before. I'm not sure anyone cares quite as much as those on the board. Every time I get minutes of the quarterly meetings, the only people in attendance are the same 3 or 4 people out of the 76 homes in the neighborhood. I've been here almost 3 years and no one new has come on the board.
I understand that it is important for home values and safety to keep the neighborhood looking well groomed and sidewalks free of trip hazards. And I admit my yard very rarely looks well groomed - the grass gets cut but that is about it. I am trying to make myself care about it but I just can't seem to do it. There are so many more things in life that I care about and prefer to give my time to.
I probably should not have bought this property because I really am not a good owner. Maybe if the economy makes a rebound, I'll put it on the market and see if I can sell it and go back to renting and letting someone else take care of everything.
It was from one of the ladies on the board of the homeowners association. She has been spending her money on Round-Up and her time digging up the grass in the cracks and along the curb. She told me that now that it is cleaned up I need to keep it that way. I should not leave any clippings or dirt by the curb because that promotes weed/grass growth in unwanted places. I did actually spray round-up about 6 weeks ago on all the cracks and crevices in my driveway and the sidewalk. I just didn't think to do the street.
The reason I don't think this was for just me is because there are several of us who don't cut our grass every week or spray the weeds as soon as they come up. I saw the weed killer lady working on the sidewalk across the street from me about 7 AM a week or so ago. And I saw the lady who lives across the street sweeping the street and getting up the dirt a day or two ago. Although she sweeps her driveway every couple of days, I've not seen her do that before. I'm not sure anyone cares quite as much as those on the board. Every time I get minutes of the quarterly meetings, the only people in attendance are the same 3 or 4 people out of the 76 homes in the neighborhood. I've been here almost 3 years and no one new has come on the board.
I understand that it is important for home values and safety to keep the neighborhood looking well groomed and sidewalks free of trip hazards. And I admit my yard very rarely looks well groomed - the grass gets cut but that is about it. I am trying to make myself care about it but I just can't seem to do it. There are so many more things in life that I care about and prefer to give my time to.
I probably should not have bought this property because I really am not a good owner. Maybe if the economy makes a rebound, I'll put it on the market and see if I can sell it and go back to renting and letting someone else take care of everything.
The End Times
Perry is starting a new series on September 27 about the end times. I am so excited to hear what he will say. I have been through a year long study of The Revelation to John and find it most fascinating. Perry is doing a 5 part series and preaching on the entire book of Revelation in one sermon. That ought to be a whirlwind trip. Maybe I find it fascinating because I have been a sci-fi fan for many years and some of the revelations seem to be so strange as to be almost incomprehensible, almost science fiction in nature.
In the Old Testament there are prophecies in Isaiah, Daniel and Joel, maybe others. In the New Testament there is Matthew 24, 1 Thessalonians 2, and of course Revelation. Ever since Jesus ascended into heaven we have been in the end times awaiting His return. And although Jesus clearly says no one knows the time except the Father, people in every generation speculate is it now.
Having just recently read Daniel and Joel has peaked my interest so it's not really a sci-fi connection. It is more my desire not to taste death but to meet Jesus in the air; to be changed in the twinkling of an eye; to be on earth to hear the trumpet and see Him descend from Heaven. Of course watching it from the other side, from Heaven, has it's on special moments...seeing the Lamb come forward to take the scroll; seeing preparation for the battle of Armeggedon; already being in the presence of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
All I can say to that is "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!"
In the Old Testament there are prophecies in Isaiah, Daniel and Joel, maybe others. In the New Testament there is Matthew 24, 1 Thessalonians 2, and of course Revelation. Ever since Jesus ascended into heaven we have been in the end times awaiting His return. And although Jesus clearly says no one knows the time except the Father, people in every generation speculate is it now.
Having just recently read Daniel and Joel has peaked my interest so it's not really a sci-fi connection. It is more my desire not to taste death but to meet Jesus in the air; to be changed in the twinkling of an eye; to be on earth to hear the trumpet and see Him descend from Heaven. Of course watching it from the other side, from Heaven, has it's on special moments...seeing the Lamb come forward to take the scroll; seeing preparation for the battle of Armeggedon; already being in the presence of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
All I can say to that is "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!"
Amos
When I read the prophets and their words from God, I get tired of hearing of all the disaster God is going to bring. But God's judgment is real and there will come a time when I will stand before the throne of Almighty God and His son Jesus and the books of my life will be opened and read. Will I hear well done?
But in the days of Amos, God goes down the list of those that will face his judgment. God names a people or city and says "because they...so I will..." He lists several who have handed people over to Edom, Edom because they took the people and Moab for killing the king of Edom. Edom is under judgment but so is the guy who attacks Edom.
One of the things I notice through out the prophets is that God is very specific about the judgment that will come and why it will come. God is not random in His actions. I have heard people say a loving God would not send "good" people to hell. But God has been very specific - My Son is the only way to Me so if you don't accept Him, I will not accept you. John 14:6, 2 Timothy 2:12
It's very tragic to think that there are people who have no concept of an eternity without God. As evil and perverse as our world is, the Holy Spirit is at work holding back and counteracting so much of the evil. An eternity spent pursuing the emptiness of the lusts of the eyes and the flesh would be bad enough but add in Jesus' description of the lake of fire and darkness and it becomes horrible.
Help me, Lord, to share this truth with those I love, to help people on their journey to know You.
But in the days of Amos, God goes down the list of those that will face his judgment. God names a people or city and says "because they...so I will..." He lists several who have handed people over to Edom, Edom because they took the people and Moab for killing the king of Edom. Edom is under judgment but so is the guy who attacks Edom.
One of the things I notice through out the prophets is that God is very specific about the judgment that will come and why it will come. God is not random in His actions. I have heard people say a loving God would not send "good" people to hell. But God has been very specific - My Son is the only way to Me so if you don't accept Him, I will not accept you. John 14:6, 2 Timothy 2:12
It's very tragic to think that there are people who have no concept of an eternity without God. As evil and perverse as our world is, the Holy Spirit is at work holding back and counteracting so much of the evil. An eternity spent pursuing the emptiness of the lusts of the eyes and the flesh would be bad enough but add in Jesus' description of the lake of fire and darkness and it becomes horrible.
Help me, Lord, to share this truth with those I love, to help people on their journey to know You.
Rend Your Hearts
In Joel 2:12-13 God is telling the people of Judah and Israel to return to Him in repentance and He will relent from bringing disaster on the people.
The people would often tear their clothes in anger or dismay over wrongs but God did not want this outward appearance of repentance. He wanted their hearts. "Return to Me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning, and rend your hearts not your garments."
God is always after my heart. Who ever or what ever controls my heart is what I worship. God wants it to be Him and Him only. I should want it to be Him only because He is the only one who can satisfy all the deepest longings of my heart and because "He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love." In verse 32 God tells us "And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." That a WooHoo if I ever heard one.
There have been times in my life when I have worshiped people or my stuff or my reputation or my ambition but that never works. It always ends with a feeling of emptiness, an is this all there is feeling. Only God can sustain me and fill all the needs of my life.
The people would often tear their clothes in anger or dismay over wrongs but God did not want this outward appearance of repentance. He wanted their hearts. "Return to Me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning, and rend your hearts not your garments."
God is always after my heart. Who ever or what ever controls my heart is what I worship. God wants it to be Him and Him only. I should want it to be Him only because He is the only one who can satisfy all the deepest longings of my heart and because "He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love." In verse 32 God tells us "And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." That a WooHoo if I ever heard one.
There have been times in my life when I have worshiped people or my stuff or my reputation or my ambition but that never works. It always ends with a feeling of emptiness, an is this all there is feeling. Only God can sustain me and fill all the needs of my life.
Monday, September 14, 2009
God's Plan
I was watching Louie Giglio earlier on a live stream from the Passion Conference. He was speaking to college students but he spoke God's word directly into my heart.
He was speaking from Ephesians 1 about the riches and power and wisdom and revelation that God longs to give to me. Not so I can brag about all this stuff; not even to share it with others but so that I can know more about God.
I have the same power in me from the Holy Spirit that raised Christ from the dead. This same Spirit wants to give me wisdom and revelation about God so that I can know God. God created me individually and knows me by name. God has a plan for me, even if I don't know what it is.
Even though I know this I really needed to hear it tonight. Especially the story he shared about Hannah who is a young woman serving in an African country, backpacking alone to share the gospel with people who have never heard of Jesus. She replied to Louie's blog that she would be watching the Passion conference and mentioned where she served. He replied that he wanted everyone to pray for her. Then, bam, her mother died unexpectedly and she is now on her way home for the funeral.
Louie said he doesn't presume to know why things happen when or how they do, but his and Hannah's lives intersected when they did because God knew she would need the 6,000-10,000 people watching to be praying for her. That just overwhelmed me with God's love and faithfulness and provision for my needs. He is always on my side!!
He was speaking from Ephesians 1 about the riches and power and wisdom and revelation that God longs to give to me. Not so I can brag about all this stuff; not even to share it with others but so that I can know more about God.
I have the same power in me from the Holy Spirit that raised Christ from the dead. This same Spirit wants to give me wisdom and revelation about God so that I can know God. God created me individually and knows me by name. God has a plan for me, even if I don't know what it is.
Even though I know this I really needed to hear it tonight. Especially the story he shared about Hannah who is a young woman serving in an African country, backpacking alone to share the gospel with people who have never heard of Jesus. She replied to Louie's blog that she would be watching the Passion conference and mentioned where she served. He replied that he wanted everyone to pray for her. Then, bam, her mother died unexpectedly and she is now on her way home for the funeral.
Louie said he doesn't presume to know why things happen when or how they do, but his and Hannah's lives intersected when they did because God knew she would need the 6,000-10,000 people watching to be praying for her. That just overwhelmed me with God's love and faithfulness and provision for my needs. He is always on my side!!
Rain Righteousness upon You
Hosea 10:12 (English Standard Version)
12 Sow for yourselves righteousness;reap steadfast love;
break up your fallow ground,
for it is the time to seek the LORD,
that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.
I read this scripture several days ago but all that happened at NewSpring over the weekend had me reading it again. God brought 276 people into His kingdom...the fallow ground of their hearts was broken and they sought the Lord in repentance and God rained righteousness upon them. Also 906 people took their next step with Jesus by being baptized by immersion.
What really amazes me is that so many of the people being baptized were "spur of the moment" decisions. The baptism was planned and many had already signed up but large numbers were people saying yes to Jesus right then, on Sunday. I love being part of a church that expects God to do HUGE things and prepares for it.
Our church provided towels, shorts, t-shirts, underwear, sports bras and feminine hygene products for anyone who wanted to be baptized. Perry preached about recognizing and submitting to Jesus. He talked about the infant baptism. He talked about the need to be baptized after salvation. He talked about baptism being the next step after salvation. He challenged people to do it "right now" and they did. One guy was watching online; knew he needed to be baptized; drove to the Anderson campus and got dunked.
It really makes me think, though, about people I DON'T ask to church for whatever reason. I am not giving them an opportunity to "break up the fallow ground." I have the responsibility to ask, God has the responsibility to save.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
God is SOOO Amazing
God just keeps blowing my mind with what He is doing in, around, through, with NewSpring Church.
Today, Sunday, September 13, 2009 saw the first unofficial services at NewSpring Columbia. The actual launch date is September 27. Even though they are not officially open, there were 132 people in attendance and 6 people took their next step with Jesus by being baptized.
NewSpring, Greeville had approximately 140 people declare publicly they are Christ followers by being baptized.
All campuses together (with 2 services still to go in Anderson) have seen 185 salvations and 649 baptized today. Brad Cooper saw a woman in Anderson get baptized with a house arrest anklet on! Today we have seen college students, kids, high school students, married couples, brothers and sisters, young & old, white, black, Hispanic go public with their faith in Jesus. Anyone who does not believe God is still active in the lives of people through HIS church are missing something big!!
All I can say is THANK YOU, JESUS for letting me be part of this!
Today, Sunday, September 13, 2009 saw the first unofficial services at NewSpring Columbia. The actual launch date is September 27. Even though they are not officially open, there were 132 people in attendance and 6 people took their next step with Jesus by being baptized.
NewSpring, Greeville had approximately 140 people declare publicly they are Christ followers by being baptized.
All campuses together (with 2 services still to go in Anderson) have seen 185 salvations and 649 baptized today. Brad Cooper saw a woman in Anderson get baptized with a house arrest anklet on! Today we have seen college students, kids, high school students, married couples, brothers and sisters, young & old, white, black, Hispanic go public with their faith in Jesus. Anyone who does not believe God is still active in the lives of people through HIS church are missing something big!!
All I can say is THANK YOU, JESUS for letting me be part of this!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Inquire of a Piece of Wood
Hosea 4:12 "My people inquire of a piece of wood..."
One of the issues that confronts me is idols. In this verse God seems to actually be making fun of His people. Who would inquire of a piece of wood? The next part of the verse says, "and their walking staff gives them oracles".
I read that and realize that I don't go to a piece of wood as in an actual idol - a wooden figurine - and expect it to solve my problems or make me feel good about myself or heal my diseases. But what about TV? I actually don't watch TV but their are so many people who put their trust in Oprah or Dr. Phil. Or they spend so much time watching American Idol or Big Brother or Home and Garden or the History Channel or ESPN that they can't find time to read God's word.
I'm not talking about people who don't know Jesus, but people who claim to be Christ followers.
What about earning money or staying in shape, exercise - those can become idols too. For me it's books. I love to read. Sometimes I will spend hours reading a novel and never pick up the Bible or find time to pray. Although I may not be looking for "salvation" in those books, if it takes away from my time with God; if it becomes more important to me than my relationship with God it has become an idol, a piece of wood in my life.
One of the issues that confronts me is idols. In this verse God seems to actually be making fun of His people. Who would inquire of a piece of wood? The next part of the verse says, "and their walking staff gives them oracles".
I read that and realize that I don't go to a piece of wood as in an actual idol - a wooden figurine - and expect it to solve my problems or make me feel good about myself or heal my diseases. But what about TV? I actually don't watch TV but their are so many people who put their trust in Oprah or Dr. Phil. Or they spend so much time watching American Idol or Big Brother or Home and Garden or the History Channel or ESPN that they can't find time to read God's word.
I'm not talking about people who don't know Jesus, but people who claim to be Christ followers.
What about earning money or staying in shape, exercise - those can become idols too. For me it's books. I love to read. Sometimes I will spend hours reading a novel and never pick up the Bible or find time to pray. Although I may not be looking for "salvation" in those books, if it takes away from my time with God; if it becomes more important to me than my relationship with God it has become an idol, a piece of wood in my life.
God Doesn't Mince Words
In reading through the prophets I see over and over again that God doesn't mince words when He confronts the people of Israel and Judah with their sin.
In the book of Hosea, he goes so far as to tell Hosea to marry a prostitute because Israel has been playing the whore with Him, whoring after other gods and looking to kings for their salvation. I think sometimes we want a pretty, pacifist, calm God who would never show any wrath or punish us for any wrong; not a loving father who disciplines but a doting grandfather who overlooks.
But God is a Father who disciplines, who calls it like it is. We often pussyfoot around issues and are afraid not to be "nice" with people. I don't mean I think we ought to shake our finger in someone's face and tell them they are going to burn in Hell but I do mean that sin needs to be confronted with lots of love but also lots of directness.
In the book of Hosea, he goes so far as to tell Hosea to marry a prostitute because Israel has been playing the whore with Him, whoring after other gods and looking to kings for their salvation. I think sometimes we want a pretty, pacifist, calm God who would never show any wrath or punish us for any wrong; not a loving father who disciplines but a doting grandfather who overlooks.
But God is a Father who disciplines, who calls it like it is. We often pussyfoot around issues and are afraid not to be "nice" with people. I don't mean I think we ought to shake our finger in someone's face and tell them they are going to burn in Hell but I do mean that sin needs to be confronted with lots of love but also lots of directness.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Final Thoughts on Daniel
Several things in the book of Daniel really speak to me every time I read them. Daniel's prayer in chapter 9 comes after he studies the words of Jeremiah the prophet and finds out how long the captivity will last. Verse 3 says, "Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking Him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes."
Do I seek God with that kind of fervency when I want to hear from Him? Or do I pray half-hearted prayers and then wonder why they seem to bounce off the ceilings?
Another thing about Daniel's prayer is his confession of sin. This is the guy who refused the king's food rather than defile himself; who faced the lions rather than give up worshiping his God; who was given wisdom by God to interpret dreams. Yet he recognized that he was just as sinful as all those who had actually done all the things he didn't do.
Reminds me of what Brad said Sunday...sin is not something I do, it is what I am. I am desperately sin sick. Daniel recognized that even when he lived in a time of "good works" religion. I have recognized it in myself and have confessed my sins and asked Jesus to cleanse me of all my unrighteousness...and He did! Its not about anything I can do, but all about what Jesus did on the cross.
Daniel even recognized this when he ended his prayer in verses 18-19 with "For we do not present our pleas before You because of our righteousness, but because of Your great mercy. O Lord, hear, O Lord, forgive, O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not for Your own sake, O my God because Your city and Your people are called by Your name."
Do I seek God with that kind of fervency when I want to hear from Him? Or do I pray half-hearted prayers and then wonder why they seem to bounce off the ceilings?
Another thing about Daniel's prayer is his confession of sin. This is the guy who refused the king's food rather than defile himself; who faced the lions rather than give up worshiping his God; who was given wisdom by God to interpret dreams. Yet he recognized that he was just as sinful as all those who had actually done all the things he didn't do.
Reminds me of what Brad said Sunday...sin is not something I do, it is what I am. I am desperately sin sick. Daniel recognized that even when he lived in a time of "good works" religion. I have recognized it in myself and have confessed my sins and asked Jesus to cleanse me of all my unrighteousness...and He did! Its not about anything I can do, but all about what Jesus did on the cross.
Daniel even recognized this when he ended his prayer in verses 18-19 with "For we do not present our pleas before You because of our righteousness, but because of Your great mercy. O Lord, hear, O Lord, forgive, O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not for Your own sake, O my God because Your city and Your people are called by Your name."
Monday, September 7, 2009
Follow Your Heart
Brad Cooper preached yesterday at NewSpring. I went to the Anderson campus because I was out of town during the morning. It was about time for a road trip to Anderson anyway. I love the Greenville campus and my friends there but there is something really special about occasionally going to the Anderson campus. But I digress...
Brad preached a great message on lie #3 in the series Five Lies of the Devil. This lie is "Just Follow Your Heart." Brad read Jeremiah 17:9 - The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?
The enemy tells me to "follow my heart" but God tells me my heart will deceive me. The only way to be sure my heart does NOT deceive me is to allow God to own my heart. If my heart belongs to Jesus, if I am seeking Him, He will transform me to have a heart like His...a heart that allowed Stephen, as he was being stoned to death, to cry out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." Acts 7:60
The prayer Brad mentioned that I personally need to pray more often is break my heart, Lord, for what breaks Yours. I want to be concerned about my family, neighbors, co-workers, friends and acquaintances who are far from God. But am I? No, the cares of this world, my own needs and selfishness get in the way many times of God using me to make a difference in people's lives. The thing for me to do is to implore God to give me His eyes, His ears, His love for a lost world. I need to be constantly in tune with what God is doing around me.
Brad preached a great message on lie #3 in the series Five Lies of the Devil. This lie is "Just Follow Your Heart." Brad read Jeremiah 17:9 - The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?
The enemy tells me to "follow my heart" but God tells me my heart will deceive me. The only way to be sure my heart does NOT deceive me is to allow God to own my heart. If my heart belongs to Jesus, if I am seeking Him, He will transform me to have a heart like His...a heart that allowed Stephen, as he was being stoned to death, to cry out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." Acts 7:60
The prayer Brad mentioned that I personally need to pray more often is break my heart, Lord, for what breaks Yours. I want to be concerned about my family, neighbors, co-workers, friends and acquaintances who are far from God. But am I? No, the cares of this world, my own needs and selfishness get in the way many times of God using me to make a difference in people's lives. The thing for me to do is to implore God to give me His eyes, His ears, His love for a lost world. I need to be constantly in tune with what God is doing around me.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Holiday
Here it is a little after 7 in the morning and I have already put in a full day. I'm headed to the mountains for Labor Day weekend.
I'm really looking forward to this because I don't take many vacations for rest and relaxation. Just about every day off this past year has been busy. Last March I took off to volunteer for Unleash. Memorial Day and 4th of July were spent with friends but it was a large crowd which is never restful for me. My actual vacation was spent in Kenya working harder than I ever work at home.
But now...it's ME time. This annual trip to Lake Junaluska with some old friends is a time to just do nothing. I usually read a book or 2. Beth and I are the slobs on this trip. Sometimes on Saturday we don't take a shower or get dressed until lunch time. We just sit in a rocker and watch the mist rise off the lake as we drink our 2nd or 3rd cup of coffee.
So now, I have finished cleaning the house and packing and am about to go to work for half a day. Really looking forward to some genuine down time.
I'm really looking forward to this because I don't take many vacations for rest and relaxation. Just about every day off this past year has been busy. Last March I took off to volunteer for Unleash. Memorial Day and 4th of July were spent with friends but it was a large crowd which is never restful for me. My actual vacation was spent in Kenya working harder than I ever work at home.
But now...it's ME time. This annual trip to Lake Junaluska with some old friends is a time to just do nothing. I usually read a book or 2. Beth and I are the slobs on this trip. Sometimes on Saturday we don't take a shower or get dressed until lunch time. We just sit in a rocker and watch the mist rise off the lake as we drink our 2nd or 3rd cup of coffee.
So now, I have finished cleaning the house and packing and am about to go to work for half a day. Really looking forward to some genuine down time.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Belteshazzar
Belteshazzer is better known to most people as Daniel. I like reading about him because he was held in captivity for so long under 3 kings in Babylon and yet never abandoned God nor compromised his beliefs. There is so much to learn about God and His faithfulness in trying situations.
Daniel was one of the young men (probably a teenager) taken to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar. As near as I can tell, he was there for most, if not all, of the 70 years of captivity. Daniel was threatened with death on more than one occasion but even in the face of death, he would not let go of what he knew God expected of him. When he was praised for his ability to interpret dreams, he gave all the glory to God.
He didn't say "woe is me". He didn't rail against his captors - he actually did so well that he became one of the great leaders of the country. He showed respect for those in authority. That respect did NOT cause him to break God's law by worshiping the idols that were erected by the king.
God was faithful to Daniel and his friends. God gave them wisdom, protection, confidence and peace. He walked with them through the fiery furnace and the lion's den. They EXPECTED God to be there, to take care of them and He did.
There have been times in my life when I didn't expect God to show up or I wanted Him to show up in a different way. As I've grown older and had more experience with God, I too am confident that whatever comes my way, God will show up. Now it doesn't matter HOW He shows up or even what the outcome is. I want to be like those men who faced the fire and say, "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Daniel 3:17-18
Daniel was one of the young men (probably a teenager) taken to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar. As near as I can tell, he was there for most, if not all, of the 70 years of captivity. Daniel was threatened with death on more than one occasion but even in the face of death, he would not let go of what he knew God expected of him. When he was praised for his ability to interpret dreams, he gave all the glory to God.
He didn't say "woe is me". He didn't rail against his captors - he actually did so well that he became one of the great leaders of the country. He showed respect for those in authority. That respect did NOT cause him to break God's law by worshiping the idols that were erected by the king.
God was faithful to Daniel and his friends. God gave them wisdom, protection, confidence and peace. He walked with them through the fiery furnace and the lion's den. They EXPECTED God to be there, to take care of them and He did.
There have been times in my life when I didn't expect God to show up or I wanted Him to show up in a different way. As I've grown older and had more experience with God, I too am confident that whatever comes my way, God will show up. Now it doesn't matter HOW He shows up or even what the outcome is. I want to be like those men who faced the fire and say, "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Daniel 3:17-18
Love of Money
Recently a man in SC won a huge lottery of $260,000,000. I kinda like seeing all those zeros - makes it harder for me to imagine it. The largest check I've ever seen had no more than 4 zeros.
This man, who seems to be a very nice, humble guy, a retired state employee was giving God the glory for his win. Brought up a conversation with a lady at my work about God and gambling. Maybe God did let this guy win so that God would get glory. Is gambling a sin? Is spending $2 on a couple of lottery tickets worse than spending $4 on a cup of coffee? Does it depend on your ability to pay the $2 or $4 or you motives? Does gambling mean you don't trust God to provide? This guy was saying God provided for him by the lottery.
What about all those who never win, who spend more than they should, pursuing a dream that never comes true. Perry mentioned in his sermon Sunday that if you make $50,000 a year (and many Americans do and consider themselves poor) you are in the top 1% of wage earners in the world.
Too much money can be a curse from the enemy. Look at a lot of young athletes who make huge amounts of money and end up in jail or even dead from the excesses all that money allows. The Bible doesn't say money itself is evil but it does say the LOVE of money leads to all sorts of problems.
But you don't have to have $260M to be in love with your money. People in America pursue money in all sorts of ways, not just gambling. Some work and let their time with family suffer so they can have lots of stuff. Some cheat and steal (like Madoff) so they can "have it all". In Mark 8:36 Jesus said "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" Having money or stuff in and off itself is not a problem, it's where your heart is that matters. And the only place that matters about your heart is Jesus.
This man, who seems to be a very nice, humble guy, a retired state employee was giving God the glory for his win. Brought up a conversation with a lady at my work about God and gambling. Maybe God did let this guy win so that God would get glory. Is gambling a sin? Is spending $2 on a couple of lottery tickets worse than spending $4 on a cup of coffee? Does it depend on your ability to pay the $2 or $4 or you motives? Does gambling mean you don't trust God to provide? This guy was saying God provided for him by the lottery.
What about all those who never win, who spend more than they should, pursuing a dream that never comes true. Perry mentioned in his sermon Sunday that if you make $50,000 a year (and many Americans do and consider themselves poor) you are in the top 1% of wage earners in the world.
Too much money can be a curse from the enemy. Look at a lot of young athletes who make huge amounts of money and end up in jail or even dead from the excesses all that money allows. The Bible doesn't say money itself is evil but it does say the LOVE of money leads to all sorts of problems.
But you don't have to have $260M to be in love with your money. People in America pursue money in all sorts of ways, not just gambling. Some work and let their time with family suffer so they can have lots of stuff. Some cheat and steal (like Madoff) so they can "have it all". In Mark 8:36 Jesus said "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" Having money or stuff in and off itself is not a problem, it's where your heart is that matters. And the only place that matters about your heart is Jesus.
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