Yesterday, I read Todd Rhodes blog about an evangelical church plant in Utah that had it's funding taken away because they allow attendees to drink beer (2's the limit) at the Applebee's style restaurant/bar (see the comment section for this information from the church planter.)
Then I read today's devotion from NewSpring. Luke 7:36-47 has the story of a "sinner", a woman, who comes into the Pharisee's house and washes His feet with her tears, dries them with her hair and anoints them with perfume. And the Pharisee complains.
Seems to me to be very similar to the controversy with the guy in Utah. Just a few verses earlier, Jesus seems to be saying there was a "damned if you do/damned if you don't" mentality among the religious leaders. Seems to me some things NEVER change!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Obedience
Everywhere I turn over the last few days has been about obedience. On Sunday at NewSpring, Clayton said if I don't OBEY the Bible, I don't believe the Bible. In Luke 5:4-5, Peter is given the opportunity to obey Jesus even when Peter thought it was useless. The response to his obedience overwhelmed Peter - and his friends. In Luke 6:46-49, Jesus asks a very direct question..."Why do you call me Lord and do not do what I say?"
In 2 Kings 4:1-7, Elisha tells the destitute widow to borrow jars - as many as she can get - from all her neighbors. She does what he says and begins pouring her "little oil" into the jars and God miraculously provides her with enough oil to sell to pay off her debts and live on the money left over.
When I hear something over and over from God, I automatically think He is talking directly to me. He is drilling down on an area I need to work on.
Although I think I'm already obedient in most areas of my life, there is either something I am overlooking OR something coming up that will require me to make a choice - obey or not. My prayer then is for God to show me where I may be disobedient and to open my eyes, my heart, my ears to His voice, His leading so that I may be obedient in all things.
Obedience to His commands is the greatest form of worship. Help me, Lord, to worship you with my actions, my words, my attitudes, my obedience!
In 2 Kings 4:1-7, Elisha tells the destitute widow to borrow jars - as many as she can get - from all her neighbors. She does what he says and begins pouring her "little oil" into the jars and God miraculously provides her with enough oil to sell to pay off her debts and live on the money left over.
When I hear something over and over from God, I automatically think He is talking directly to me. He is drilling down on an area I need to work on.
Although I think I'm already obedient in most areas of my life, there is either something I am overlooking OR something coming up that will require me to make a choice - obey or not. My prayer then is for God to show me where I may be disobedient and to open my eyes, my heart, my ears to His voice, His leading so that I may be obedient in all things.
Obedience to His commands is the greatest form of worship. Help me, Lord, to worship you with my actions, my words, my attitudes, my obedience!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
God Is ALIVE
Last Sunday, April 4, was Easter. It's usually a high attendance day at most churches. One of the differences at NewSpring is they encourage us constantly to invite the unchurched and those far from God.
On Easter Sunday, all campuses combined saw 16,400+ in attendance, plus those watching the live stream on the web for a total of around 22,000. We saw over 200 people confess Jesus as Lord...53 of those were at the Greenville campus and 1 was my daughter-in-law. WooHoo!
But what amazes me is that the gospel message was preached just as strongly today - the Sunday AFTER Easter - and 23 more people confessed Christ at the Greenville campus. I don't know yet what the total for all campuses is but I know it will be mind blowing.
Many churches don't see 23 people a YEAR confess Jesus as Lord so that just amazes me. The problem is never with God but with the way people conduct church and who they have church for. I think every gospel preaching pastor wants to see people come to Jesus but I don't think most church leadership teaches their people to invest in the lives of those who need to know Him.
God is still changing lives, still making people brand new, still taking the heart of stone and giving a heart of flesh - a new heart - all for HIS glory!! But someone (and it's usually NOT the staff) has to get them in the door.
On Easter Sunday, all campuses combined saw 16,400+ in attendance, plus those watching the live stream on the web for a total of around 22,000. We saw over 200 people confess Jesus as Lord...53 of those were at the Greenville campus and 1 was my daughter-in-law. WooHoo!
But what amazes me is that the gospel message was preached just as strongly today - the Sunday AFTER Easter - and 23 more people confessed Christ at the Greenville campus. I don't know yet what the total for all campuses is but I know it will be mind blowing.
Many churches don't see 23 people a YEAR confess Jesus as Lord so that just amazes me. The problem is never with God but with the way people conduct church and who they have church for. I think every gospel preaching pastor wants to see people come to Jesus but I don't think most church leadership teaches their people to invest in the lives of those who need to know Him.
God is still changing lives, still making people brand new, still taking the heart of stone and giving a heart of flesh - a new heart - all for HIS glory!! But someone (and it's usually NOT the staff) has to get them in the door.
God Is My Rock
I love David's songs. This one in 2 Samuel 22 is long and is mostly about God striking down David's enemies but there are portions that really speak to my relationship with God...who He is and wants to be in my life. It reflects the kind of faith and worship I want to have EVERY day!
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, and my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior-from violent men You save me. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. (vs 2-4)
As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. (vs 31-33)
The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior! (vs 47)
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, and my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior-from violent men You save me. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. (vs 2-4)
As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. (vs 31-33)
The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior! (vs 47)
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Worship
King David really knew how to worship - and the importance of worship. In 2 Samuel 11 & 12 we have the story of David's sin of adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband Uriah. The prophet Nathan confronts David who recognizes his sin and repents.
Nathan tells David his sin is taken away but the child conceived in this sin will die. (2 Samuel 12:13-14). David weeps and fasts and cries out to God on behalf of his sick child but the child dies anyway. As soon as he hears the child is dead, David gets up, takes a bath, puts on fresh clothes and goes to the house of the Lord to worship.
When Jesus Christ lives in our hearts, it is possible to worship in even the most difficult situations. When our hearts are breaking with grief, we can find reasons to celebrate because of the cross. Some of the most beautiful psalms David wrote, some of the most worshipful, were written while David was suffering in some way but always with a recognition that God is worthy to be praised no matter the circumstances.
Worship is an attitude, an ongoing acknowledgment that God is good and worthy to be praised all day, every day.
Nathan tells David his sin is taken away but the child conceived in this sin will die. (2 Samuel 12:13-14). David weeps and fasts and cries out to God on behalf of his sick child but the child dies anyway. As soon as he hears the child is dead, David gets up, takes a bath, puts on fresh clothes and goes to the house of the Lord to worship.
When Jesus Christ lives in our hearts, it is possible to worship in even the most difficult situations. When our hearts are breaking with grief, we can find reasons to celebrate because of the cross. Some of the most beautiful psalms David wrote, some of the most worshipful, were written while David was suffering in some way but always with a recognition that God is worthy to be praised no matter the circumstances.
Worship is an attitude, an ongoing acknowledgment that God is good and worthy to be praised all day, every day.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Will You Forget Me Forever?
In Psalm 13 David is crying out to God in his frustration. Where are You, God? Why am I losing the fight? Why does everything seem to be going wrong? Hellooo...have You forgotten me, God?
How many times have I felt that way about life? When all around me seems to be in a mess and I pray and I don't seem to be getting any response from God.
Part of David's "secret" of being a man after God's own heart is found in verses 5 & 6. Even in the midst of his frustration, his wondering where God is during this situation, he still praises God. "But I trust in Your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord for He has been good to me."
How often do I really, REALLY praise God in the midst of pain or trouble or a situation I can't see the end of? "I will NEVER leave you or forsake you." Hebrews 13:5. How often do I think God has forgotten me when life is not going to my liking?
Help me, Lord, to praise You instead of complaining!
How many times have I felt that way about life? When all around me seems to be in a mess and I pray and I don't seem to be getting any response from God.
Part of David's "secret" of being a man after God's own heart is found in verses 5 & 6. Even in the midst of his frustration, his wondering where God is during this situation, he still praises God. "But I trust in Your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord for He has been good to me."
How often do I really, REALLY praise God in the midst of pain or trouble or a situation I can't see the end of? "I will NEVER leave you or forsake you." Hebrews 13:5. How often do I think God has forgotten me when life is not going to my liking?
Help me, Lord, to praise You instead of complaining!
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