Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Therefore...continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Do everything without complaining or arguing...
Philippians 2:3-14a
Monday, May 31, 2010
Rest
I love the rumble of thunder and the rain we are having today. The ground has been so dry and the need for rain has been great so the off and on rain is a gift from God. Of course it means the cookout I was going to will not happen but that is OK too.
Perhaps it means I need to extend the restfulness of this weekend. Perhaps it means I need to extend the exploration of God's purposes for me. Perhaps it means I need to read another book. Whatever it means, this day off from work with it's forced curtailment of a lot of activity is just what I need - today.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Freedom
As we celebrate Memorial Day weekend, I think of the lives that were given to fight all the wars way back when up to the present. Men and women over the years have given their lives willingly to sustain the freedom that Americans take so much for granted. I wonder how many of our children or grandchildren actually know what this day is all about.
As great as that sacrifice is, true freedom comes only from a life surrendered to Jesus Christ. He, too, gave His life so we could have freedom. But only His sacrifice has eternal repercussions. Even people living under great oppression, under government tyranny can have real freedom by submitting to the Lordship of Christ.
How often do I fail to live in the freedom granted to me by Jesus? Not freedom to sin but freedom from worry over the troubles of this life, freedom to give generously to the work of Christ, freedom to tell others of His love, freedom to worship without restraint.
As great as that sacrifice is, true freedom comes only from a life surrendered to Jesus Christ. He, too, gave His life so we could have freedom. But only His sacrifice has eternal repercussions. Even people living under great oppression, under government tyranny can have real freedom by submitting to the Lordship of Christ.
How often do I fail to live in the freedom granted to me by Jesus? Not freedom to sin but freedom from worry over the troubles of this life, freedom to give generously to the work of Christ, freedom to tell others of His love, freedom to worship without restraint.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Faith
The book of Job was written a long time ago. Scholars are not sure just how long ago but say it was somewhere between 4000 and 2500 years ago. Whenever it was, the commonly held view of God was that God causes good things to happen to righteous people and bad things to happen to sinful, rebellious people.
When Job lost all his wealth - donkeys, oxen, sheep and camels - and all his sons and daughters as well as his servants in a single day, and then he got sick with sores all over his body, his friends came to "comfort" him by accusing him of being unfaithful to God.
Admittedly Job is confused. He has been a righteous man and doesn't understand why God has turned His back on him and brought this calamity. But through all of this Job proved to be a man of faith. His very first response was "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I shall return. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21
His wife tells him to curse God and die. Job says, "Shall we receive good from God and shall we not receive evil?" Job 2:9-10 Job understands that God controls it all.
He even understands that their is a mediator for us in heaven, who is Jesus. Job 16:19, 1Timothy 2:5
And He knows that one day there will be a resurrection. Job 19:25-26 And this guy didn't have a church or preacher or Sunday School teacher or weekly Bible study. Yet because he worshiped God and sought to know Him, God put all this belief and faith into his heart. He'd never heard of Jesus, yet he believed in Him.
We are a lazy generation of people who lack faith because we expect someone else to feed it to us. We don't build the relationship with God to find it for ourselves. We don't turn off the busyness of life often enough or long enough to "cease striving and know that I am God". Psalm 46:10 When times are tough, we need a faith that goes deeper than Sunday morning.
When Job lost all his wealth - donkeys, oxen, sheep and camels - and all his sons and daughters as well as his servants in a single day, and then he got sick with sores all over his body, his friends came to "comfort" him by accusing him of being unfaithful to God.
Admittedly Job is confused. He has been a righteous man and doesn't understand why God has turned His back on him and brought this calamity. But through all of this Job proved to be a man of faith. His very first response was "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I shall return. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21
His wife tells him to curse God and die. Job says, "Shall we receive good from God and shall we not receive evil?" Job 2:9-10 Job understands that God controls it all.
He even understands that their is a mediator for us in heaven, who is Jesus. Job 16:19, 1Timothy 2:5
And He knows that one day there will be a resurrection. Job 19:25-26 And this guy didn't have a church or preacher or Sunday School teacher or weekly Bible study. Yet because he worshiped God and sought to know Him, God put all this belief and faith into his heart. He'd never heard of Jesus, yet he believed in Him.
We are a lazy generation of people who lack faith because we expect someone else to feed it to us. We don't build the relationship with God to find it for ourselves. We don't turn off the busyness of life often enough or long enough to "cease striving and know that I am God". Psalm 46:10 When times are tough, we need a faith that goes deeper than Sunday morning.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Fuse Summer Kickoff
We had a great night at the Fuse summer kickoff in Greenville. The CFC will probably never be the same. There were inflatable slides, volleyball, soccer and food out in the yard. Inside upstairs were ping pong & pool tables, lots of video games and comfortable sofas.
When they cranked up inside there were 380 students registered with 170 first timers! That is mind boggling! And tonight was the first ever live event with Greenville and Florence joining the Anderson campus for the message from Adrian Depres. He was funny. Jay and I laughed a lot but I'm not sure the kids really understood his humor.
But that's OK because the message was about TRUE belief - not intellectual belief like the demons have but life changing, heart changing belief. And there were LOTS of kids who gave their hearts to Jesus. From all campuses it's got to be hundreds.
As we were leaving the excitement was not letting up...the place was electric!
When they cranked up inside there were 380 students registered with 170 first timers! That is mind boggling! And tonight was the first ever live event with Greenville and Florence joining the Anderson campus for the message from Adrian Depres. He was funny. Jay and I laughed a lot but I'm not sure the kids really understood his humor.
But that's OK because the message was about TRUE belief - not intellectual belief like the demons have but life changing, heart changing belief. And there were LOTS of kids who gave their hearts to Jesus. From all campuses it's got to be hundreds.
As we were leaving the excitement was not letting up...the place was electric!
God Confirms
Today I went back to my "old" church for the funeral of a friend. It was the first time I'd been back in over 2 years and I have to say God confirmed in a very powerful way that I am exactly where He wants me to be. Although I was on staff at the church for 2 years, I had known for several years prior to my going to work there that God wanted me to leave. But I was disobedient.
I was comfortable where I was. I liked the ministries I was part of. I knew just about everybody - and they knew me - even though there were several thousand members. I'd built lots of friendships over the course of 22 years there. But I was becoming discontent because I knew God was telling me it's time to go.
Although I never verbally disagreed with the leadership, I found myself disagreeing mentally with a lot of things. After I went on staff, I began to disagree with even more. It became obvious that I could not stay on staff so that job ended.
I stayed at the church for about 6 more months - in the choir, running camera, heading the prayer ministry until one day I just said I can't do this any more. So I walked away - with notice to my pastor, the music dept, and the media dept. I didn't have any idea what God had in store. Now I'm just sorry I didn't leave many years earlier when I knew that's what God wanted me to do.
You'd think I would learn. I wasted many years wandering in the desert, in sin and disobedience, outside the body of Christ. Here I was wasting years in sin and disobedience INSIDE the body of Christ. When God says do it, I should just do it. Why, oh why, am I so stubborn? So slow to obey?
I was comfortable where I was. I liked the ministries I was part of. I knew just about everybody - and they knew me - even though there were several thousand members. I'd built lots of friendships over the course of 22 years there. But I was becoming discontent because I knew God was telling me it's time to go.
Although I never verbally disagreed with the leadership, I found myself disagreeing mentally with a lot of things. After I went on staff, I began to disagree with even more. It became obvious that I could not stay on staff so that job ended.
I stayed at the church for about 6 more months - in the choir, running camera, heading the prayer ministry until one day I just said I can't do this any more. So I walked away - with notice to my pastor, the music dept, and the media dept. I didn't have any idea what God had in store. Now I'm just sorry I didn't leave many years earlier when I knew that's what God wanted me to do.
You'd think I would learn. I wasted many years wandering in the desert, in sin and disobedience, outside the body of Christ. Here I was wasting years in sin and disobedience INSIDE the body of Christ. When God says do it, I should just do it. Why, oh why, am I so stubborn? So slow to obey?
Stiff-necked People
Nehemiah 9 is a great chapter to read! I've read it several times over the last few days. It recounts all the things God has done for the people of Israel over the years and how the people sinned. It also tells of the results of that sin but that God in His mercies forgives and restores and brings them back again and again when the people repent. God still does that for every sinner who repents.
The description "stiff-necked" is often used in the Bible to describe Israel as it is in Nehemiah 9. That term brings two images to my mind and both have been descriptions of me.
The first is someone with head held high and chin jutted out in defiance and pride. An I'll do it MY way attitude. A can't make me attitude.
The second is a religious head that won't bow before a holy God. I think of the Pharisee who prayed saying thank you that I am so much better than everyone else. It was the tax collector who bowed his head and said have mercy on me who was justified before God. That's how I need to approach God.
Being a stiff-necked person only leads to disaster. Teach me, Lord, to trust You and Your ways, to know that Your plans are better than my plans. That without You I am nothing and have nothing. Help me to bend my neck and my knees willingly to You in submission and worship.
The description "stiff-necked" is often used in the Bible to describe Israel as it is in Nehemiah 9. That term brings two images to my mind and both have been descriptions of me.
The first is someone with head held high and chin jutted out in defiance and pride. An I'll do it MY way attitude. A can't make me attitude.
The second is a religious head that won't bow before a holy God. I think of the Pharisee who prayed saying thank you that I am so much better than everyone else. It was the tax collector who bowed his head and said have mercy on me who was justified before God. That's how I need to approach God.
Being a stiff-necked person only leads to disaster. Teach me, Lord, to trust You and Your ways, to know that Your plans are better than my plans. That without You I am nothing and have nothing. Help me to bend my neck and my knees willingly to You in submission and worship.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Random Verses
As I was flipping through 2 Chronicles this morning to find where I left off in my reading, some of the passages I had underlined caught my eye.
"Lord, there is no one like You to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on You..." 14:11
"If you seek [the Lord] He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you." "They sought the Lord eagerly and He was found by them and He gave them rest on every side" 15:2,15
"For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are FULLY committed to Him." 16:9 (my emphasis)
"For we have no power..." "We do not know what to do..." "Do not be afraid or discouraged...for the battle is not yours but God's." 20:12,15
"[Amaziah] did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not wholeheartedly." 25:2
"But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall." 26:16
I love the Old Testament! It is an action/adventure book, a fantasy book, a love songs book, a "self-help" book, with war and intrigue and hands writing on walls and proverbs and prophecy and fire falling from heaven and more and more and more.
But all of this is about God as He is revealing Himself to the sons of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel). He wants to reveal Himself to me too. Thats why He gave us the Bible. If I only read parts of it I don't see the big picture of who God is and how His hand has been on the lives of man from the beginning of time. He always brings about what He says He will whether redemption or disaster. The OT particularly helps me to see God's power, majesty and faithfulness.
"Lord, there is no one like You to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on You..." 14:11
"If you seek [the Lord] He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you." "They sought the Lord eagerly and He was found by them and He gave them rest on every side" 15:2,15
"For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are FULLY committed to Him." 16:9 (my emphasis)
"For we have no power..." "We do not know what to do..." "Do not be afraid or discouraged...for the battle is not yours but God's." 20:12,15
"[Amaziah] did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not wholeheartedly." 25:2
"But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall." 26:16
I love the Old Testament! It is an action/adventure book, a fantasy book, a love songs book, a "self-help" book, with war and intrigue and hands writing on walls and proverbs and prophecy and fire falling from heaven and more and more and more.
But all of this is about God as He is revealing Himself to the sons of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel). He wants to reveal Himself to me too. Thats why He gave us the Bible. If I only read parts of it I don't see the big picture of who God is and how His hand has been on the lives of man from the beginning of time. He always brings about what He says He will whether redemption or disaster. The OT particularly helps me to see God's power, majesty and faithfulness.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Zac Smith Has Died
One of the staff members at NewSpring, Zac Smith, age 32 - husband and father of 3 - died Sunday afternoon. Perry said he got the text at 3:24 PM. Zac had been diagnosed with colon cancer a year ago. His battle to remain with his family was hard fought with surgeries, chemo and lots of prayers but God chose not to heal him in this place.
I never knew Zac except through his video testimony and his writings but I grieve at our loss. I pray for his wife and children and all the NewSpring family who will miss him so much.
For those who are Christ followers, there is an unbelievable amount of grace and peace that surrounds you and allows you to celebrate God's goodness in the midst of untold heartbreak. It truly is a God thing to be able to celebrate when someone's body dies, knowing that the person is now healed and in the presence of Jesus and that those still on earth will some day join them for eternity.
We hold on to this life with all we've got because of our family and friends and things not yet done. But when the time comes to finally let go and we arrive at the feast table of the King, I think we will wonder why we held on so long.
I never knew Zac except through his video testimony and his writings but I grieve at our loss. I pray for his wife and children and all the NewSpring family who will miss him so much.
For those who are Christ followers, there is an unbelievable amount of grace and peace that surrounds you and allows you to celebrate God's goodness in the midst of untold heartbreak. It truly is a God thing to be able to celebrate when someone's body dies, knowing that the person is now healed and in the presence of Jesus and that those still on earth will some day join them for eternity.
We hold on to this life with all we've got because of our family and friends and things not yet done. But when the time comes to finally let go and we arrive at the feast table of the King, I think we will wonder why we held on so long.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
In God I Trust
I read this in one of David's Psalms and thought about America and the "In God We Trust" that is on our money. There is a lot of controversy about the name "God" in our country. We want a convenience god who is only spoken about on Sunday mornings and during times of disaster.
There was a push a few years ago to take "In God We Trust" off our money - one of those separation of church and state issues. What gets me about that is some of the people who holler the loudest about keeping the slogan trust more in their money than God.
For me as a Christ follower, I profess to trust in God. But do I really? The next part of David's proclamation is "I will not be afraid". I am at a point in my life now where "I will not be afraid" is part of my DNA. However, I know some REAL worriers who profess to trust God. But they worry about their children, they worry about the economy, they worry about healthcare, they worry about who will be president - or governor - or senator. Like those things are outside God's sphere of control.
"In God I trust, I will not be afraid." I want that to be the very fabric of my life...to know God so intimately that I CAN trust Him in ANY situation and praise His name.
There was a push a few years ago to take "In God We Trust" off our money - one of those separation of church and state issues. What gets me about that is some of the people who holler the loudest about keeping the slogan trust more in their money than God.
For me as a Christ follower, I profess to trust in God. But do I really? The next part of David's proclamation is "I will not be afraid". I am at a point in my life now where "I will not be afraid" is part of my DNA. However, I know some REAL worriers who profess to trust God. But they worry about their children, they worry about the economy, they worry about healthcare, they worry about who will be president - or governor - or senator. Like those things are outside God's sphere of control.
"In God I trust, I will not be afraid." I want that to be the very fabric of my life...to know God so intimately that I CAN trust Him in ANY situation and praise His name.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Everything
Yesterday I finished reading 1 Chronicles. David spends a lot of time talking about the goodness and the provision of God. David has been accumulating gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, stone, marble and jewels to help his son Solomon build a house for God.
David has accumulated these things as king by taking tribute from other nations but he also gives a lot from his own personal wealth. He then challenges the leaders of the country to step up and give generously for the building of the temple and they give literally tons more. This prompts everyone to rejoice and David to pray.
Twice David says everything comes from God and they are only giving back what comes from His hand. That prompted me to think a lot about the "everything" in my life. I started off thinking about giving money (besides the money I give to NewSpring) to charities and people who have needs. Then I began to think about every breath I take and what a generous, precious gift that is...and my home, my family, my car, my job, my friends. EVERYTHING is from God.
Then today the devotion from NewSpring was titled Everything and here we are again. I am so glad God does that to me; showing me over and over His truth and the things that are important to Him. The hard part is keeping them important to me.
David has accumulated these things as king by taking tribute from other nations but he also gives a lot from his own personal wealth. He then challenges the leaders of the country to step up and give generously for the building of the temple and they give literally tons more. This prompts everyone to rejoice and David to pray.
Twice David says everything comes from God and they are only giving back what comes from His hand. That prompted me to think a lot about the "everything" in my life. I started off thinking about giving money (besides the money I give to NewSpring) to charities and people who have needs. Then I began to think about every breath I take and what a generous, precious gift that is...and my home, my family, my car, my job, my friends. EVERYTHING is from God.
Then today the devotion from NewSpring was titled Everything and here we are again. I am so glad God does that to me; showing me over and over His truth and the things that are important to Him. The hard part is keeping them important to me.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
God's Purposes
So often we humans, being made in the image of God, begin to act like we are God. Recently it was mentioned in a message at NewSpring that a French philosopher, Voltaire, back in the 1700's said the Bible would be non-existent in 100 years. I can see Jesus in Heaven saying, "Ya think? NOT!" After Voltaire's death the International Bible Society bought his home and used it as their publishing house. Hundreds of thousands of Bibles were printed and distributed from his property.
In the past few weeks, NewSpring was part of an extreme makeover of a building that used to be an abortion clinic and is now used to help teens who choose to have their babies learn to be good parents and to provide the moms with resources they need such as clothes, diapers, education.
One of the comments Mandy, the founder of Little Steps, made is God was there (the location) even when the building was used for abortions. I can imagine Jesus there to take each little baby to heaven, saying "Just wait, one day this place will honor Me."
How many times in our "wisdom" have we done things we think will thwart the purposes of God in the world or in our own lives? Whether it is as a nation or an individual person, a Voltaire or an abortion clinic, God's purposes go forward despite what we think or do. I take great comfort in that. God is sure, steadfast, dependable, consistent. God can redeem the bad choices I make and set me on the path of His purpose again if I am willing to repent AND surrender my wisdom for His.
In the past few weeks, NewSpring was part of an extreme makeover of a building that used to be an abortion clinic and is now used to help teens who choose to have their babies learn to be good parents and to provide the moms with resources they need such as clothes, diapers, education.
One of the comments Mandy, the founder of Little Steps, made is God was there (the location) even when the building was used for abortions. I can imagine Jesus there to take each little baby to heaven, saying "Just wait, one day this place will honor Me."
How many times in our "wisdom" have we done things we think will thwart the purposes of God in the world or in our own lives? Whether it is as a nation or an individual person, a Voltaire or an abortion clinic, God's purposes go forward despite what we think or do. I take great comfort in that. God is sure, steadfast, dependable, consistent. God can redeem the bad choices I make and set me on the path of His purpose again if I am willing to repent AND surrender my wisdom for His.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
National Day of Prayer
Today is the National Day of Prayer. This started as a way to bring Christians together to pray for America and her leaders. That is a good thing because God tells us we are to pray for those in authority over us. Too many people who claim to be Christ followers want to ridicule our president and not pray for him and those who are closest to him.
As I think about it, though, I wonder if this has been overtaken in places by political correctness. I would be curious to know how many prayers invoke the name of God but refuse to mention Jesus as the real source of change for our country and the world.
I also think about those in authority and it just dawned on me that I can't remember when I have prayed for my boss. Authority in my life takes all kinds of shapes - at church, Kevin who heads production, Catherine who heads volunteers, Howard who is campus pastor, Perry who leads it all. In society there are those in my community like the mayor and elected officials who have authority to make decisions on my behalf. That carries over into the state and national arenas as well.
So do I pray for them fervently or even regularly? Unfortunately the answer is no. I have been asking God what thing do I lack. Perhaps this is it...prayer for those that I do not pray for.
As I think about it, though, I wonder if this has been overtaken in places by political correctness. I would be curious to know how many prayers invoke the name of God but refuse to mention Jesus as the real source of change for our country and the world.
I also think about those in authority and it just dawned on me that I can't remember when I have prayed for my boss. Authority in my life takes all kinds of shapes - at church, Kevin who heads production, Catherine who heads volunteers, Howard who is campus pastor, Perry who leads it all. In society there are those in my community like the mayor and elected officials who have authority to make decisions on my behalf. That carries over into the state and national arenas as well.
So do I pray for them fervently or even regularly? Unfortunately the answer is no. I have been asking God what thing do I lack. Perhaps this is it...prayer for those that I do not pray for.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Lots of Churches
This morning I went to church early to help prepare for communion. Because the Fuse guys who help with load in and production setup stayed to help with communion, we were done by 7:40 rather than 8:30 as had been expected. I didn't have enough time to go back home and come back again and too much time to sit around and wait. So I did the next best thing...drove through downtown Greenville and out Anderson Rd (Hwy 81) and ended up in Anderson in time for the 9:15 service. (I really miss going to Anderson!)
As I was riding down the road I saw lots of churches along the way. They were mostly Baptist churches of some flavor but they were large and small, some with old buildings, some new, some "expanded". The expanded ones often have 2 fronts with columns - a small building with a flat top where the steeple used to be and the new, larger, taller sanctuary that now sports the steeple.
As I looked at all these churches, I wondered what God is up to in their midst. Do they recognize what He is doing? Were they expecting God to show up in their services today? I wondered what would happen if I went in in my jeans and flip flops.
But of course the question returns to me...do I expect to meet God each time I go to church? What do I do to prepare myself to meet Him? And then do I expect to see Him all throughout the week in the pages of Scripture, working around me in the office, in my family, in my finances, in my thoughts, in my attitudes? Because I am His child, He is always there! He NEVER leaves ME but I often leave Him.
And then, of course, that tied right in to Perry's sermon. What thing do I lack? What am I holding back from God?
As I was riding down the road I saw lots of churches along the way. They were mostly Baptist churches of some flavor but they were large and small, some with old buildings, some new, some "expanded". The expanded ones often have 2 fronts with columns - a small building with a flat top where the steeple used to be and the new, larger, taller sanctuary that now sports the steeple.
As I looked at all these churches, I wondered what God is up to in their midst. Do they recognize what He is doing? Were they expecting God to show up in their services today? I wondered what would happen if I went in in my jeans and flip flops.
But of course the question returns to me...do I expect to meet God each time I go to church? What do I do to prepare myself to meet Him? And then do I expect to see Him all throughout the week in the pages of Scripture, working around me in the office, in my family, in my finances, in my thoughts, in my attitudes? Because I am His child, He is always there! He NEVER leaves ME but I often leave Him.
And then, of course, that tied right in to Perry's sermon. What thing do I lack? What am I holding back from God?
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