More of God

"If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor." Exodus 33:13 NLT


Think about these words of Moses. Israel's greatest leader who saw the mighty and wondrous deeds of God first hand.  He wasn't satisfied.  He wanted more of God.  


Listen to Moses' words after God promises him "everything will be fine." Then Moses said, “If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place." (Exodus 33:15 NLT)


Moses wasn't content with a easy peaceful life, he wanted to see God.  


What about you?


An intimate deep relationship with God is what it is all about.  Our salvation is not just about getting out of hell.  It's all about enjoying Christ.  It's all about fellowship with God through the leading and power of the Holy Spirit. 


Jesus tells Martha, "you are worried and upset over all these details!  There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41, 42 NLT). What did Mary do?  All she did was sit at the feet of Jesus.  


I believe a lot of things we don't like or don't need happen in our life because we are not close to God.


It's not just about what He can do for you or what you can do for Him.  This week don't let yourself get too busy to take time to sit and enjoy at the feet of Jesus.  


Reflect on this verse this week... You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! (Isaiah 26:3 NLT).

In Christ

So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.  

Romans 5:11

I am enjoying teaching our summer road trip through the Book of Romans at Christian Life.  One of the things I love most is discovering the new person I am through faith in Christ.  Recently I journaled some of the wonderful benefits I receive in my relationship with God.  I encourage you to do the same this week.  Allow me to share a portion of my list with you...


In Christ I am... 
joyful (Nehemiah 8:10; Philippians 4:4), strong (Exodus 15:2; Ephesians 6:10) , new (2 Corinthians 5:17), chosen (John 15:16), forgiven (Romans 5:1, 8:1), blessed (Galatians 4:6-7; Romans 8:17),  whole and healed (Isaiah 53:5), living abundantly (John 10:10), safe (Psalm 28:7), never alone (Hebrews 13:5), loved (Jeremiah 31:3; John 3:16), complete (Colossians 2:10).


Don’t wait enjoy what is already yours in Christ right now!

Flood

For as the waters fill the sea, the earth will be filled with an awareness of the glory of the LORD.

Habakkuk 2:14

As we hasten toward our Lord’s return, I believe God wants to reveal Himself in even great ways than in the past.  I look for this to happen on both a corporate and personal level.  I believe God wants to flood the earth and our lives with His presence.


As we took a road trip as a family earlier this summer we traveled through areas affected by heavy flooding.  The pictures weren’t pretty.  We saw acres and acres of planted fields turned into lakes. Roads were closed.  Homes under water.  For many, their lives would be changed forever.  Although they tried to control the spread of the flood once it hit it was devastating.  It seemed as though once the water started to come it just spread covering more and more.


What happens when God “floods” our lives?  That’s what we want, right?  We desire more and more of God’s presence.  But what happens when it starts spreading to every area of our life?  Will it be uncomfortable?  Will we lose some things?  Will it devastate certain areas?  What happens if it just continues to spread?  Could we handle it?  Deep down is that what we really want?  I don’t know, but I hope so.  There is no doubt that when God gets hold of a life it is changed forever.  It might get uncomfortable, but there’s nothing better.

A Word From President Ronald Reagan...

To preserve our blessed land we must look to God... It is time to realize that we need God more than He needs us... We also have His promise that we could take to heart with regard to our country, that "If my people, which are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

Let us, young and old, join together, as did the First Continental Congress, in the first step, in humble heartfelt prayer. Let us do so for the love of God and His great goodness, in search of His guidance and the grace of repentance, in seeking His blessings, His peace, and the resting of His kind and holy hands on ourselves, our nation, our friends in the defense of freedom, and all mankind, now and always.


The time has come to turn to God and reassert our trust in Him for the healing of America... Our country is in need of and ready for a spiritual renewal. Today, we utter no prayer more fervently than the ancient prayer for peace on Earth.


If I had a prayer for you today, among those that have all been uttered, it is that one we're so familiar with: "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace...." And God bless you all.

President Ronald Reagan 

--From a speech to the American people, February 6, 1986

Happy Father's Day!

Awhile ago I received this list from a member in our congregation.  I wanted to share it with you this Father’s Day Weekend.




Ten Commandments of a Successful Father

Thou shalt hold no other group more important than the family unit, in all thy ways being faithful to it.

Thou shalt teach thy sons and daughters to love, respect and obey their parents.

Thou shalt be a loving and considerate husband.

Thou shalt not speak in a manner unbecoming to a Christian gentleman.

Thou shalt, by example, make Sunday a special day set aside for God and for worship as a family.

Thou shalt provide for thy family – spiritually and physically –in an adequate manner.

Thou shalt promote and lead family worship in thy home.

Thou shalt be honest in all thy dealings.

Thou shalt respect the desires and freedoms of the family as individuals.

Thou shalt be the head of thy household, while ruling it with love.

I Don't Read My Bible

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.  

Hebrews 4:12

Confession time... I didn’t read my Bible for about a year.  I took it out of my bag, put it on my desk, and haven’t read it since.  Shocking, I know, but it’s not what you think.  Last summer I purchased an iPad and when I got it I loaded a wide variety of study Bibles, different translations, Bible resources, and Bible apps that I have thoroughly enjoyed using over the last year, but my “old-fashioned” Bible that I read and studied had been put aside.  


Recently, Leslie and I went on a pastoral retreat where they frown on the use of electronics so I packed up my old Bible in my bag and took off.  I have to admit, while I didn’t have all the resources I’m used to with my iPad, I really enjoyed holding, turning the pages, reading, and highlighting my old Bible.  In fact, I’m finding myself using the old Bible more these days.


It’s important that we love the Bible.  It’s God’s Word to us!  It’s all He wants us to know about this life and the life to come.  There is nothing greater, no higher standard.  Read, memorize, study, listen to the Word of God.  Whatever you do, however you do it, make sure you get the Word inside of you!


I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 

Psalm 119:11 

Rest

Be still, and know that I am God!  Psalm 46:10


A rest-less work style produces a restless person. We do not rest because our work is done; we rest because God commanded it and created us to have a need for it.  Gordon MacDonald




When asked how they are doing, many will tell you that they are “busy,” “behind,” “treading water,” or just “trying to get ahead.”  Chances are you have never heard anyone respond “I’m well rested.”  The rhythm of our lives seems to get faster and faster each passing year and yet in the midst of our crazy busy culture God commands us to “be still” and rest in Him.  At first when we are told in Scripture to rest at first it seems like just one more thing to add to our schedule.  But rest isn’t about adding, it’s about stopping what you are doing.  


Don’t ignore God and His commands.  You’re just not that important.  Jesus, the Son of God, was our example of rest.  Even with His limited time of ministry (3 years to change history), He frequently found time to rest.  Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” Mark 6:31.


Truly resting fills us up physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  This weekend and each weekend find time to rest.  It’s God’s idea and you need it!  For more on the importance of rest and how it impacts your life, I encourage you to read Margin by Richard Swenson and Choosing to Cheat by Andy Stanley.

Glamorizing Grace

I’m getting tired of hearing about grace.  (I know this post is going to get me in trouble.)  Recently I have been listening to people share their testimonies and watching a variety of TV preachers talk about the grace of God and instead of rejoicing I find myself getting haggard of hearing the message of grace.  This really troubled me.  I mean grace is the ultimate gift of God, right?  Grace always wins (Romans 5:20).  I love grace.  I’ve experienced God’s grace.  I preach God’s grace.  Grace is essential to the Christian experience.  Grace is unique to Christianity, the distinguishing mark among world religions.  So why this feeling?


When I took the time to meditate on my trouble with grace I realized the issue was that too often we glamorize grace instead of focusing our attention on the giver of the gift of grace, God.  Grace is simply a gift.  Grace (charis) is commonly defined as “unmerited favor.”  Grace is the ultimate expression of God’s love and generosity to those in relationship with Him.  “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God...” Ephesians 2:8


So why my angst?  Grace is a big deal!  But it is a result of a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  Every gift has a giver.  It’s the gift that follows the relationship.  I hear a lot of people talking about grace and other amazing gifts of God but they talk very little about an ongoing intimate relationship with the Lord.  I love receiving gifts, it’s one of my “Love Languages,” but if my wife Leslie gave me a gift and I was more excited about the gift than our relationship, there would be trouble.  


This is more than mere semantics.  The giver is always greater than the gift.  Without the giver there is no gift.  While we celebrate the gift let’s not neglect the giver.  It is my contention that we glamorize the Giver and then let Him offer the gift.  In other words, seek (and preach) Jesus first and His grace will follow.

Susanna Wesley’s 16 Rules of Parenthood

Susannah Wesley was the 25th child of twenty-five, and the mother of nineteen children, including John and Charles Wesley. Through much adversity, she dedicated her life to instilling a sense of Christian destiny into each of her children. Her children went on to change the world.


Here are 16 rules she laid down in her home.

• Eating between meals not allowed. 
• As children they are to be in bed by 8PM
• They are required to take medicine without complaining.
• Subdue self-will in a child, and those working together with God to save the child’s soul. 
• To teach a child to pray as soon as he can speak. 
• Require all to be still during Family Worship. 
• Give them nothing that they cry for, and only that when asked for politely.
• To prevent lying, punish no fault which is first confessed and repented of.
• Never allow a sinful act to go unpunished.
• Never punish a child twice for a single offense. 
• Comment and reward good behavior. 
• Any attempt to please, even if poorly performed, should be commended.
• Preserve property rights, even in smallest matters.
• Strictly observe all promises.
• Require no daughter to work before she can read well. 
• Teach children to fear the rod.

Money

Mark Driscoll, of Mars Hill Church, shared eight questions every Christian should ask themselves about money.  I thought they were excellent and thought I’d repost them here:


To whom do you compare yourself financially?  Specifically, this was an admonition to have some perspective and realize how rich we are as a culture.

Do you worship your money or worship with your money?

How do you worship/serve money in a sinful way?

What deep idols fuel your worship of money (status, comfort, security, fame, beauty)?

How do you define yourself by what you have and consume?

How has money enslaved you?

If Jesus set your budget, how would it be different?

Why is Jesus a better God than money?

Bell v. Hell

I've just finished reading Rob Bell's controversial new book, Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived (HarperOne, 2011). Let me first say that I like Rob Bell. I read and watch pretty much everything he publishes. He is a gifted communicator and, whether you like him or not, one of the most influential voices in the church today.

Love Wins toys with a postmodern universalism/inclusivism where heaven is forever here on this earth, and hell is only temporary at best. I believe there are profound insights and yet deep flaws in Bell's book examining heaven, hell, and God himself. In this post I'll tell you what I liked and didn't like about the book. Then you can read Love Wins for yourself.

I liked the questions Bell asked--questions we have all asked, or at least should be asking. I liked the questions about heaven, salvation, the now and yet not-nowness of our Christian life. Bell is heavily influenced by the Christus Victor view of atonement and looks for creative, relevant ways to express to our culture what Christ has done for us. I even enjoyed hearing his questions about hell, including "Is it real and is it really forever?" My favorite question was "If God gets what he wants, and he desires everyone to be saved, does everyone go to heaven?"

I didn't like that he tried to answer all the questions as he did. He bit off more than he could chew in this volume of work. It's one thing to ask questions, it's another to answer them thoroughly. Great scholars take time to develop logical and conclusive arguments. You are free to disagree with them, but their work is solid. Bell's interview on MSNBC made it clear that while he was ready to ask the big questions, he wasn't ready to answer them. Bell is not a scholar; he is a pastor, and there is a big difference. I have forgiven him in the past for some sloppy scholarship, granting him artistic license as an author/speaker. But this time he sought to speak as an authority on the subject and came up short.

Personally speaking, I like the idea of universalism--the theological doctrine that all people will eventually be saved. The doctrine revolves around the philosophy that a loving God would not send people to an eternal punishment in hell. So either those who do not become believers during their lifetime are given multiple opportunities postmortem to choose Christ, or perhaps hell is not a real place, or perhaps hell is temporary, or perhaps there are other ways to heaven. Universalism includes a wide variety of views, but at its core is the premise that everyone is, as theologian Karl Rahner says, an "anonymous Christian" and thus with God in heaven forever.

I would love to be a universalist. I would love to be an inclusivist. I'm not just saying this, I really would.But I can't. It's just not biblical. It doesn't line up with what the Bible teaches. I'm not saying that universalists/inclusivists are not Christians. Many Christians, including a few early church fathers and great theologians, have been and are universalists. What I am saying is that it's poor theology, and Bell overstates its acceptance in the orthodox view of Christianity.

A big problem in the book is that Bell only takes time to discuss the passages that tell of God's love for the world, God's desire for everyone to be saved, and Christ's complete work on the cross. All wonderful and true passages. It's what Bell ignores that is problematic for his "Love Wins" premise. What about the passages concerning God's holiness, justice, and anger? What about the sacrificial system that is necessary for justification, redemption, atonement, and propitiation? Bell conveniently leaves these out of his argument.

But here's something I don't like: how Rob Bell is being viciously attacked by other Christian leaders as a heretic. It is relentless, Pharisaical, and mean. A lack of love and grace pervades the voices of many critics. Why destroy the man while attacking the message? Is there no room for reasonable discussion? Is this how we should treat a Christian brother? Is this what Christ would do?

I like how Bell is handling the opposition. Yes, in the book he can be condescending to his critics, calling those who disagree with him "misguided" and "toxic." But since the book's release Bell has seemed to stay above board. Even from his pulpit last Sunday (Mars Hill Bible Church, Grand Rapids, Mich.), he resisted retaliating against his detractors. "Love your enemies." Now that I know is biblical.

For full theological definitions of Christus Victor, universalism, inclusivism, etc. please visit www.theopedia.com. For a better and more creative look at this subject, read The Great Divorce, by C. S. Lewis.

How You Think

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2

God does not decide your thought life. How you think is up to you.  But luckily we are not left on our own.  God provides His Word to help in the process of renewing our minds.  


We must resist the natural temptation to allow your thought life to birth sin, stress, worry, panic, fear and the list goes on and on.


Spend time in God’s word this week and allow Him to renew your mind.    Here are a few verses to get you started.

"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!" (Isaiah 26:3)

"So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace." (Romans 8:6)

"Those who love your instructions have great peace 
and do not stumble." (Psalm 119:165)


Psalm 119 is a great place to renew your mind.

Be Encouraged!

Be encouraged in the Word!


"Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men." (Colossians 3:23)


"The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." 
(Luke 18:27)


"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)


Yet in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." (Romans 8:37)


"Be confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6)


"Rejoice in the Lord always, AGAIN I say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand." (Philippians 4:4)

Expectation Matters!

“Ye have not, because ye ask not.”  James 4:2b


This weekend we welcome our special guest and friend Steve Sampson to minister at Christian Life.  A consistent theme of Steve’s prophetic ministry has been expectation.  Steve often says, “Our expectation puts a demand on God.”


I believe that miracles pass by millions daily because no one is expecting their arrival.  Satan has convinced many to "wait on God", instead of wrapping expectation around an already given scriptural promise.  


God is not only moved by our need, He is moved by our faith.  Our faith in His promises.  Our faith in His Word.  Our faith in our covenant relationship with Him.


The women with the issue of blood did not wait for an instruction, she simply declared her expectation... “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed." (Mark 5:28)

Faith always requires an action.

God is listening.  What are you expecting?

Say it often.

Say it aloud.

Say it with expectation!

Six Words

I received an email from Steve May to pastors that I want to share with you this week...


In the 1920s, someone bet Ernest Hemingway ten dollars that he couldn't write a complete story in just six words. Hemingway came back with: 


"For Sale: baby shoes, never worn."


He won the bet.


Last year Smith Magazine asked readers to sum up their own lives in just six words.  The results are now a book called Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure.


Here are some interesting entries:

•  Head in books, feet in flowers. (Heather Thomson)
•  Trust me, I did my best. (Ray Kemp)
•  Married childhood sweetheart. Two kids. Content. (Steve McMullen)
•  Partner, pension, motorhome, life is good.  (Bob Lindblom)
•  Wasted my whole life getting comfortable. (Richard Merrington)
•  Worry about tomorrow, rarely enjoy today! (Richard Rabone)
•  Four Weddings, Three kids, then cancer. (Gillian Johnson)
•  Not quite finished, tell you later. (Dave Nicholson)
•  Really should have been a Lawyer. (Gules Fallan)
•  Bored, so bored, so very bored. (John Doyle)
•  Ditched the map, found better route. (Gillian Smellie)

Following this same idea, Jesus might have summarized his life this way: "To seek and save the lost." [Luke 19:10] or "To give abundant life to all." [John 10:10]


Paul might have summarized his life: "Tough fight, long race, won both." [2 Timothy 4:7]


Peter might have said: "Took chances, failed often, experienced power." [Matthew 14:29; Mark 14:71; Acts 5:15]


King David might have said: "The Lord is all I need." [Psalm 23:1]


How would you summarize your life in six words? 

Grace

“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow...”

Isaiah 1:18

I thought after our blizzard this would be an appropriate verse for this weekend’s Bible Blog.  It also got me thinking about my favorite quotes concerning God’s grace.  


Our heart is a Dixie Cup and God's grace is Niagra. We simply can't contain it all.
MaxLucado


Disobedience happens, not when we think too much of grace, but when we think too little of grace.
Tullian Tchividjian


The law detects, grace alone conquers sin.
Augustine


Let the scandalous grace of God offend your pride and restore your joy.
Darrin Patrick


Grace is given to heal the spiritually sick, not to decorate spiritual heroes.
Martin Luther

Grace is but glory begun, and glory is but grace perfected.
Jonathan Edwards


Grace is free sovereign favor to the ill-deserving.
Benjamin B. Warfield


Man is born broken. He lives by mending. The grace of God is glue.
Eugene Gladstone O'Neil


Amazing grace! How sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
John Newton

SMART Goals

This past December I took time to write down a number of personal, family, and ministry goals for 2011.  I was excited about the possibilities that the new year held.  The problem is... I forgot about the list.  Without thinking, life continued on as usual.  My life didn’t all of a sudden go bad, it just stayed to the same.  The purpose of the goals was to enhance the life and call that God had given me and my family.

Goals are an important part of life.  The help us to be good stewards of the life God has given us.  Now that I found my list of goals almost a month into the new year it’s time to get going!  I’m not going to lose them this time.  Each week I will take time to think and pray about my 2011 goals.

I hope you take time to set goals for your life.  Joyce Meyer, in an article I shared with our staff this week, writes about how to set SMART goals.  Set yourself up for success by making sure your goals are SMART goals.

Specific.  Be specific as possible.  Don’t say, “I want to lose wight.”  Write down how much weight in what amount of time.

Measurable.  Goals that are hard to measure are hard to meet.

Attainable.  Make sure the goals are reachable.

Realistic.  Dream big and aim high but don’t set yourself up for disappointment with unrealistic goals.

Timely.  Give yourself a deadline by which to accomplish your goal.

I Want The Good Stuff!

Don’t be drunk with wine... Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 5:18

I recently heard that worship leader, Roger Hodges, said that “too often the church is accustomed to getting drunk on the cheap stuff.”  Pretty provocative statement, don’t you think?  His point was that we settle for too little in our worship experiences with God.   We’re satisfied with only a portion of what God really wants to give us.  We get so excited about and satisfied with the little that we have that we don’t seek God for more.


The Holy Spirit has been moving in a powerful way at Christian Life this year.  The power of God is evident each time we gather together in His name.  Each weekend I can’t wait to see what God is going to do in our midst.  I sense there is both an excitement and expectancy in our church.  I don’t want us to settle or feel like we have arrived.  Let’s press in and seek God!  


Let’s expect revival in our hearts and in our church!  Let’s believe God for even greater things!  Are you with me?  Let’s be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit!  I want the good stuff!

Momentum Is Everything

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:11 (NIV)

Momentum is everything. What are you going to do right now, before the end of 2010, to get momentum on your side for the start of 2011?

May I suggest a Bible reading plan to get some serious spiritual momentum going in your life? Log on to YouVersion.com to see their list of reading plans, or pick up a One-Year Bible, or purchase an audio version to listen to, or find a daily devotional to get the Word of God in your heart each day.

The benefits of daily Bible reading are numerous...

• You will have an active spiritual life.
• You will draw close to God.
• You will sense God speaking to you.
• Your heart will be in tune with God’s heart.
• You will know God’s will for your life.
• You will improve your prayer life.
• You will grow in maturity and walk with Him.
• You be participating in an important spiritual discipline.

Make daily Bible reading a part of the spiritual momentum plan for your life and watch what God will do in 2011!

Savior

I want to say a BIG THANK YOU to everyone involved with last weekend’s Christmas Musical. To the leadership team, cast and crew, those who invited family and friends, and everyone who prayed, it was a tremendous Kingdom success! What a powerful Christmas presentation that got our hearts ready for Advent, the coming of Christ to our world.

But why did Jesus come to earth? He was a great teacher. He lived a perfect life. He did amazing miracles. But that’s not why he came. He came to be our savior. Each of the four Gospels give a purpose verse for Jesus’ life.

“And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:21

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:45

“For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

Luke 19:10

(Right before the cross Jesus says,) “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came!”

John 12:27

As we celebrate Christmas, remember why Jesus came to this earth. Let him forgive your sins. Let him into your heart. Let him be king. Let him be your savior this Christmas.

Jesus never looks away from a crying heart.

I want to share with you an excerpt from a recent letter I received from David Wilkerson.

Jesus never looks away from a crying heart. God’s Word says, “A broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.” (Psalm 51:17) Not once will the Lord tell anyone, “Get hold of yourself! Stand up and take your medicine. Grit your teeth and dry your teeth.” No - Jesus stores every tear in His eternal container.

Do you hurt? Badly? Then go ahead and cry. And keep crying until the tears stop flowing. But let those tears originate only from hurt, and not from unbelief or self-pity.

Life does go on after your crying. You would be surprised how much you can bear, with God helping you. Happiness is not living without pain or hurt. True happiness is learning how to live one day at a time in spite of all the sorrow and pain. It is learning how to rejoice in the Lord no matter what has happened in the past.

You may feel rejected or abandoned. Your faith may be weak. You may think you’re down for the count. Sorrow, tears, pain, and emptiness may swallow you up at times. But God is still on his throne. He is still God!

Look up! Encourage yourself in the Lord. When the fog surrounds you and you can’t see any way out of your dilemma, lie back in the arms of Jesus and simply trust in Him. He wants your faith, your confidence. He wants you to cry aloud, “Jesus loves me! He is with me, and He will not fail me. In fact, he’s working it all out right now. Therefore, I will not be cast down. I will not be defeated. And I will not be a victim of Satan. God is on my side! I love Him, and He loves me.”

The bottom line is faith. And faith rests on this one absolute: “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper.” (Isaiah 54:17)

Scriptures

As we walk through a season grief let us allow these Scriptures to bring comfort to our church family.

He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears.

Isaiah 25:8

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.

Psalm 61:1-4

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Psalm 91:1, 2

Jesus said... “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.

John 11:25, 26

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

John 14:1-3

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Revelation 21:3-4

Expectation

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

Hebrews 10:35

Steve Sampson always says, “Our expectation puts a demand on God.” I love that thought. I’ve also heard it said by Evangelist Mike Smalley that, “expectation is a divine magnet God finds irresistible.”

The Bible teaches our faith is an important element in the miracle ministry of God. In the Gospels, Jesus loved it when people had great faith in Him. When Jesus healed the blind men he said, “Because of your faith, it will happen.” (Matthew 9:29) The woman healed in Mark 5 was delivered because of her expectation.

• God notices our expectation!
• Expectation is feared by the enemy.
• Expectation is the key to the miracle power of God.
• Expectation births something fresh in our life.
• Expectation is agreeing with God’s power and plan for our life.

Study God’s Word. Listen to His voice. Believe His Promises. Expect God’s very best for your life!

How to Listen to a Sermon

Sermons are an essential part of each weekend service. They provide the spiritual food for our church to feast on each week. I wanted to write a Bible Blog on how to listen to a sermon with thoughts about prayer, focus, taking notes, acting on what we have heard, etc. But this week I came across an old article by George Whitefield on How to Listen to a Sermon.

How to Listen to a Sermon by George Whitefield

Keys for getting the most out of what the preacher says.

Jesus said, 'Therefore consider carefully how you listen' (Luke 8:18). Here are some cautions and directions, in order to help you hear sermons with profit and advantage.

1. Come to hear them, not out of curiosity, but from a sincere desire to know and do your duty. To enter His house merely to have our ears entertained, and not our hearts reformed, must certainly be highly displeasing to the Most High God, as well as unprofitable to ourselves.

2. Give diligent heed to the things that are spoken from the Word of God. If an earthly king were to issue a royal proclamation, and the life or death of his subjects entirely depended on performing or not performing its conditions, how eager would they be to hear what those conditions were! And shall we not pay the same respect to the King of kings, and Lord of lords, and lend an attentive ear to His ministers, when they are declaring, in His name, how our pardon, peace, and happiness may be secured?

3. Do not entertain even the least prejudice against the minister. That was the reason Jesus Christ Himself could not do many mighty works, nor preach to any great effect among those of His own country; for they were offended at Him. Take heed therefore, and beware of entertaining any dislike against those whom the Holy Ghost has made overseers over you.

Consider that the clergy are men of like passions with yourselves. And though we should even hear a person teaching others to do what he has not learned himself, yet that is no reason for rejecting his doctrine. For ministers speak not in their own, but in Christ’s name. And we know who commanded the people to do whatever the scribes and Pharisees should say unto them, even though they did not do themselves what they said (see Matt. 23:1-3).

4. Be careful not to depend too much on a preacher, or think more highly of him than you ought to think. Preferring one teacher over another has often been of ill consequence to the church of God. It was a fault which the great Apostle of the Gentiles condemned in the Corinthians: 'For whereas one said, I am of Paul; another, I am of Apollos: are you not carnal, says he? For who is Paul, and who is Apollos, but instruments in God’s hands by whom you believed?' (1 Cor. 1:12; 2:3-5).

Are not all ministers sent forth to be ministering ambassadors to those who shall be heirs of salvation? And are they not all therefore greatly to be esteemed for their work’s sake?

5. Make particular application to your own hearts of everything that is delivered. When our Savior was discoursing at the last supper with His beloved disciples and foretold that one of them should betray Him, each of them immediately applied it to his own heart and said, 'Lord, is it I?' (Matt. 26:22).

Oh, that persons, in like manner, when preachers are dissuading from any sin or persuading to any duty, instead of crying, 'This was intended for such and such a one!' instead would turn their thoughts inwardly, and say, 'Lord, is it I?' How far more beneficial should we find discourses to be than now they generally are!

6. Pray to the Lord, before, during, and after every sermon, to endue the minister with power to speak, and to grant you a will and ability to put into practice what he shall show from the Book of God to be your duty.

No doubt it was this consideration that made St. Paul so earnestly entreat his beloved Ephesians to intercede with God for him: 'Praying always, with all manner of prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and for me also, that I may open my mouth with boldness, to make known the mysteries of the gospel' (Eph. 6:19-20). And if so great an apostle as St. Paul needed the prayers of his people, much more do those ministers who have only the ordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit.

If only all who hear me this day would seriously apply their hearts to practice what has now been told them! How ministers would see Satan, like lightning, fall from heaven, and people find the Word preached sharper than a two-edged sword and mighty, through God, to the pulling down of the devil’s strongholds!

This excerpt is adapted from Sermon 28 from The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield. Published by E. and C. Dilly, 1771-1772, London. George Whitefield (1714-1770) was a British Methodist evangelist whose powerful sermons fanned the flames of the First Great Awakening in the American colonies.

The Kingdom

Reflect on Matthew 13:44-46...

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.
"Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!

Now ask yourself these questions...

What is valuable to me?

What are my priorities?

Do I understand what Jesus is asking me to do here?

Do I even understand the value of Christ and His Kingdom?

Am I intently searching for the Kingdom?

Is the Kingdom all I want?

Am I willing to give up everything for the Kingdom?

What is my faith costing me?

What does "selling all" look like for me?

Is this one of the teachings of Jesus that made some walk away or even want to kill Him?

Do I really desire Christ and His Kingdom?

Do I really want to know God's will for my life?

Do I love Christ and His Kingdom? Or do I love this world more?

Finally, reflect on Matthew 6:33...

Seek the Kingdom of God...and he will give you everything you need.

8 Things To Do When You Want To Quit

Let me share some of my notes that I took at our regional leadership conference for the Full Gospel Fellowship this past year. Mark T. Barclay shared “8 Things To Do When You Want To Quit.”

1. Refuse to quit.

2. Encourage yourself in the Lord. Talk to yourself if you have to. If no one

is there to do it, do it yourself.

3. Rehearse who you are in Christ. Meditate on these verses. 1 John 4:4. Romans 8:11. 1 John 4:17. 2 Corinthians 5:17. Philippians 4:13. Galatians 3:26

4. Remember what you have been called to do. Our lives are to be lived in

service of the Lord bringing Him glory. Begin with 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

5. Reminisce about past victories. Think about your testimonies. Remember the good and not the failure.

6. Go through the motions anyway. “Fake it until you make it.” Take one step at a time. Open your Bible. Kneel to pray. Go to church. You may not feel like it. May not want to do it. Just do it anyway.

7. Practice the presence of God. Don't run away from God, there is power in His presence.

8. Hang around motivated spirit-filled people. You may not feel like it but it will definitely have a positive impact on your life!

Discipleship

When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to myself.

Jesus, John 12:32 (NIV)

We are celebrating a successful Harvest Crusade with Greg Laurie at the Allstate Arena. We believe God’s Spirit is being poured out on our city with tremendous fruit to follow. Let’s continue to pray for God to send revival to our city!

Our church has been entrusted to reach out and disciple some of the new converts from this past weekend. In a letter that was sent to those who responded to the Gospel message we gave four action steps for them to take after their conversion. It’s good advice for all of us. Allow me to share them with you.

• Read your Bible daily. His Word is our source of spiritual food and provides direction for us in all matters of life.
• Pray. Let your prayers be a two-way communication wherein you bring your requests to Him, and more importantly, where He can speak to you.
• Get connected and committed to a good Bible teaching church family where the Bible is taught faithfully. Where you fellowship will have a tremendous impact on your spiritual growth, maturity, and your fulfillment as a Christian.
• Lastly... be sure to share your faith with others, for in doing so you will be strengthened as a believer, and others will hear the “good news” of Jesus Christ.

Continue to pray for those who surrendered their hearts and lives to Christ this weekend! And may we as a church always embrace our sacred mission of evangelism and discipleship!

My Book Shelf – You Were Born For This

My Book Shelf – You Were Born For This by Bruce Wilkinson

Every now and then in my blog to our church I like to share with you the books that I’m reading that really help, challenge, and inspire me. My hope is that these books do the same for you.

Here is an excerpt from Bruce Wilkinson’s (The Prayer of Jabez) newest book You Were Born For This.

What if I told you that you missed a miracle yesterday?

I would understand if you were doubtful.

Yet most of us can identify an event in our lives that seemed impossible to explain without saying, “That was a miracle!” We call these experiences divine coincidences, miracle moments, supernatural provisions. It’s as if God Himself stepped through the curtain that separates seen from unseen to make something amazing happen, something only He could do.

Not that we can expect such a thing to happen again any time soon.

Or can we?

I wrote this book to help you see that the land of personal, everyday miracles is your rightful home turf. Instead of focusing on the nature-defying acts that God could do, this book invites you to encounter the miracles that God does do on a regular basis, and to embrace your exciting part in making them happen.

The truth is, you were born to live a supernatural life doing God’s work by God’s power. You were born to walk out your door each morning believing that God will use you to deliver a necessary miracle to someone in need.

You were born for this.

"One Another" Commands

The New Testament reinforces the importance of our life together as the church by giving us more than 60 verses that illustrate how to practice Christian encouragement.

• Be at peace with one another (Mark 9:50)
• Love one another (John 13:34)
• Be joined to one another (Rom. 12:5)
• Be devoted to one another (Rom. 12:10)
• Honor one another (Rom. 12:10)
• Rejoice with one another (Rom. 12:15)
• Weep with one another (Rom. 12:15)
• Live in harmony with one another (Rom. 12:16)
• Accept one another (Rom. 15:7)
• Instruct one another (Rom. 15-14)
• Greet one another (Rom. 16:16)
• Agree with one another (1 Cor. 1:10)
• Wait for one another (1 Cor. 11:33)
• Show concern for one another (1 Cor. 12:25)
• Serve one another (Gal. 5:13)
• Carry one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2)
• Be kind to one another (Eph. 4:32)
• Forgive one another (Eph. 4:32)
• Submit to one another (Eph. 5:21)
• Bear with one another (Col. 3:13)
• Teach and admonish one another (Col. 3:16)
• Encourage one another (1 Thess. 5:11)
• Build one another up (1 Thess. 5:11)
• Spur one another on (Heb. 10:24)
• Offer hospitality to one another (1 Pet. 4:9)
• Minister gifts to one another (1 Pet. 4:10)
• Be humble toward one another (1 Pet. 5:5)
• Confess your sins to one another (James 5:16)
• Pray for one another (James 5:16)
• Fellowship with one another (1 John 1:7)

It's Good To Be Back (Part 2)

Last week I began to share some things I learned about attending church as a family while I was on sabbatical. Allow me to share a few more thoughts with you that will help you and your family make the most of your weekend church experience.

• When coming to church, focus on what God wants to do in and through you by the power of the Holy Spirit. Each weekend God is looking to do something supernatural in your life. Are you open to Holy Spirit’s work today? Prepare your heart and the hearts of your family to receive.

• Connect with the people around you at church. For me, it was difficult to come into a new church and not know anybody. A kind greeting or helpful directions made the experience more comfortable and enjoyable. Be friendly at church. Share God’s love with others.

• Enjoy the experience of worship. Make church a good experience for you and your family. Remember you are getting the opportunity to connect with God and His family.

• Talk about church on the way home in the car or at lunch. Speak positively about what God did during the service. Rehearse for one another what you received from worship, prayer, and/or the Word.

• Invite someone to church with you. Pick them up. Sit together. Take them to lunch. Share your faith with a friend.

• Remember, you have influence. Your attendance and church experience will impact your spouse, children, friends, etc. Make your influence on those around you positive as we seek to connect with God at Christian Life.

It’s good to be back!

It’s good to be back! While l enjoyed my sabbatical, I missed our church family. There really is no place like home! I’m sure that throughout the weeks to come I will be sharing a variety of insights gained during my sabbatical. Today let me share with you one of the joys I experienced during my time away. It was one of those surprise blessings I hadn’t counted on.

For the first time we were able to travel and attend church together as a family. I didn’t have to be early and help get things ready. I didn’t have to run the service or preach. I didn’t have to look after a bunch of details. I didn’t have to stay late. We could come, enjoy, and leave church together and I have to admit I really enjoyed that time together. Maybe you get to do it all the time? If so, realize you are blessed and make sure you make the time special.

Here are some ideas that I believe will help make the church experience special for the family.

• Prepare yourself and your family to experience the presence of God. Take time to focus on Him in the morning as you get ready and ride to church. Remember it’s the Lord’s day, make that time sacred in your life.

• Be on time to church. Leave home early if you have to. You don’t want to miss out on a moment. It takes time to get your kids to the right class, to talk with a friend or meet someone new, to grab that cup of coffee, or just to meditate and prepare your heart before the service begins.

• Enjoy your time at church. Get filled up. Don’t miss out on what God wants to do in your life. You need this time!

I will share some more thoughts like these in next week’s Bible Blog.

Sabbatical - Part 2

The Old Testament makes it quite clear that sabbath rest is important to God. The Torah contains a variety of God’s commands concerning rest and sabbaticals. Whether a person, an animal, or even the earth there is an appointed time for rest. After a Monday morning meeting with the eldership of our church I will be leaving on sabbatical for the summer and returning when school starts in the fall.

Let me share with you some of the goals I have for my sabbatical this summer.

New Perspective. Spending time away from the daily grind of ministry will allow me to reconnect with the world around me and better equip me to reach the world in which I live and minister.

Spiritual Renewal. When one is constantly teaching and preaching for others it can be easy neglect your personal spiritual growth. I look forward to renewing the spiritual disciplines that sometimes get lost in the busy-ness of life.

Rest. It will be nice for a short season to step away from the stress of the care of the church.

Education. While not pursuing a formal degree at this time I’m looking forward to returning to Oxford University to study in their Summer Programme in Theology. I always find my time in the classroom refreshing. It definitely fills my tank for preaching and teaching.

Time with Family. Ministry hours can become invasive to family time. I am looking forward to being available and connecting with Leslie and the boys this summer.

Renewed Passion and Vision. With this time of rest and refreshment I hope to return with a clear sense of mission and renewed energy for the task of Lead Pastor at Christian Life Church.

Thank you for praying for me while I am gone. You can count on my prayers your way. I will miss you but will see you again soon.

Grace and peace, Pastor Daryl

Sabbatical - Part 1

For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”

Isaiah 30:15 (NKJV)

Beginning on June 14 I will be leaving on a two month Sabbatical, a time of purposed rest, reflection, and growth. For the past several years I have been hearing and reading about the necessity of sabbaticals within pastoral ministry. I sometimes joke, it’s great to have a job that you only work one day a week, but to be honest, if served faithfully, the role of pastor can be one of the most demanding jobs in the world. It demands a wide variety of skills, it is physically, emotionally, and spiritually taxing, and it is both so regular (weekly services and meetings) and so variable (crisis management) all at the same time.

During a sabbatical the pastor is relieved of all of the routine and emergency duties so that there can be rest and refreshment with God. This is more than just an extended vacation. A sabbatical is specifically aimed at reinvigorating and renewing the mind and heart of the pastor through research, reading, purposeful travel, writing, etc. Along with connecting with God I will plan to connect with family as well as spend time studying in England at the University of Oxford Summer Programme in Theology.

We have an awesome staff and church family that will carry on the work of ministry while I’m gone. I have been planning this time away since last year and the summer months into the fall season have been planned with great services and events that will connect people to God, connect people to people, and connect people to their calling.

I will miss you while I’m gone. I have to admit, in a way I’m scared to be gone for so long. I love our church! I know that every time we gather together in His name He is there in a supernatural way. I can’t wait to come back and share with you what God taught me during my sabbatical.