What is important to you? Can you name them? Starting with the least important, what are they? It probably would take awhile to come up with the list if you had to begin with those that are least important.
What if you had to narrow it down to the top 5? Try it. Count them off on the fingers of one hand. The top 5 most important things in life. I have to say...don't give me the Sunday School answer. Be honest, after all, God knows what they are; you can't fool him.
I'm telling you, this is harder than it sounds. I had a hard time figuring out my top 5! There were several items that didn't make it that should have. I suspect that even my stated top 5 may not really be my top 5. Why do I say that? Because as a friend once stated, our powers of self-delusion are strong. I easily delude myself.
What would it take for me to instantaneously determine what was really important to me? What would happen if suddenly I knew that I only had one hour to live? 60 minutes. 3,600 seconds. Tick-tock. Tick-tock. The seconds are ticking away. 59 minutes left. Then 58. Soon I'm down to 50. In the time it takes to get a shower, get dressed and get out the door...my life is over. I doubt very seriously that I would continue to watch the latest episode of Law and Order SVU or even my favorite football team in the playoffs. The yard work would stop. The internet surfing would be really unimportant (though I could see me hastily typing a goodbye to all my face book friends). I doubt anyone at the end of their lives ever regretted not watching more TV or not arguing with their spouse more.
What would you do in your last few minutes? What ever you would do is probably really important...the unfortunate truth is that you probably don't give those enough focus now. I would guess that most of us would focus on one, our relationship with God, and two, our family and closest friends. The question is, is that where our priority is this minute? I say that God is the most important part of my life, but do my actions bear that out? Would those who know me best, agree with that?
Think about it.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Sunday, October 16, 2011
A Tribute to Karen Brown Ferguson and her son, Cole.
What do you say to someone who has just lost the love of their life? What do you say when a child's life is tragically ended? What words matter when a wife, son, brother, daughter, friend and mother are with us one minute and gone the next? How can you make sense of this? Don't feel bad for struggling to know how to react... we are with you in that! Over the last week, as people responded from literally all over the U.S., we struggled with these very questions ourselves.
Jesus, in John 10:10 says this: The thief comes only to kill and steal and destroy.
I was convinced prior to the events of Monday, October 10, when my sister-in-law, Karen, and my nephew, Cole were taken from us of the truth of this statement. I have seen the effects of the thief in my own family, my friends' families and in lives of people in our church. I have witnessed the destruction of marriages, relationships, and careers. I have seen hopes and dreams disappear like a cold glass of water in the middle of a drought. All at the hand of the thief. I have even preached about it. I am convinced of the truth of this statement even more now.
Some would rather blame God. Everything happens for a reason, they say. God doesn't make mistakes. As if it is preferable that somehow God had some purpose in mind for this tragedy. I still say that God didn't do this. Who did then? The thief did. He is known by other names: Satan, devil, accuser. The trigger-man may have been someone who walked among us, for sure, but the thief was there, nonetheless. He tempts and twists and plants seeds of hurt and blame and condemnation that take years to cultivate and grow. And just like James says, when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death (James 1:15).
By the way, I do think everything happens for a reason. That reason is called free will. The thief knows that. And he uses it against God and against us. I think one day that we will understand the importance of free will to the nature of God. I believe at the very least, it is the only way love as a concept and as a reality can truly exist. God has to allow free will for me to have the opportunity to respond to him in love. Free will has to exist for you to love God in return for the love he has shown you. God wants us to choose to love him because he knows that is the best thing for us! His love is best! David said it this way: your love is better than life!
Here is where we pay tribute to Karen and Cole. They had already chosen to love God back. Years ago. The thief did alot of damage. He hurt them and he hurt our family. He cut us deep. There are scars that will forever be visible. But he didn't destroy us. He may have taken their physical lives, but he couldn't touch their souls. Those belong to God. He may have watched their last physical breath leave their bodies, but Jesus had already guaranteed their eternity. You see, they had free will also. And their exercise of free will was to honor God with their lives. Hope, faith, commitment, and love was the path they chose. Praise God for that! Mourn their passing, but know without a doubt that the thief was limited in what he could do. We will never forget their examples. Examples of hope, faith, commitment and love.
God loves you, too. Do you love him back? He will allow you to choose. He will never force you to choose HIM over the world. He isn't that kind of God. I thank him for the examples they lived out. And I believe we will see them again.
Thank you, Karen for being the mother, wife, sister, daughter and friend that this world needed to see. Thank you, Cole for being such a godly young man, when it must have been so hard to take what life 'dealt' you. You did so, oh so courageously.
We love you and miss you already.
Jesus, in John 10:10 says this: The thief comes only to kill and steal and destroy.
I was convinced prior to the events of Monday, October 10, when my sister-in-law, Karen, and my nephew, Cole were taken from us of the truth of this statement. I have seen the effects of the thief in my own family, my friends' families and in lives of people in our church. I have witnessed the destruction of marriages, relationships, and careers. I have seen hopes and dreams disappear like a cold glass of water in the middle of a drought. All at the hand of the thief. I have even preached about it. I am convinced of the truth of this statement even more now.
Some would rather blame God. Everything happens for a reason, they say. God doesn't make mistakes. As if it is preferable that somehow God had some purpose in mind for this tragedy. I still say that God didn't do this. Who did then? The thief did. He is known by other names: Satan, devil, accuser. The trigger-man may have been someone who walked among us, for sure, but the thief was there, nonetheless. He tempts and twists and plants seeds of hurt and blame and condemnation that take years to cultivate and grow. And just like James says, when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death (James 1:15).
By the way, I do think everything happens for a reason. That reason is called free will. The thief knows that. And he uses it against God and against us. I think one day that we will understand the importance of free will to the nature of God. I believe at the very least, it is the only way love as a concept and as a reality can truly exist. God has to allow free will for me to have the opportunity to respond to him in love. Free will has to exist for you to love God in return for the love he has shown you. God wants us to choose to love him because he knows that is the best thing for us! His love is best! David said it this way: your love is better than life!
Here is where we pay tribute to Karen and Cole. They had already chosen to love God back. Years ago. The thief did alot of damage. He hurt them and he hurt our family. He cut us deep. There are scars that will forever be visible. But he didn't destroy us. He may have taken their physical lives, but he couldn't touch their souls. Those belong to God. He may have watched their last physical breath leave their bodies, but Jesus had already guaranteed their eternity. You see, they had free will also. And their exercise of free will was to honor God with their lives. Hope, faith, commitment, and love was the path they chose. Praise God for that! Mourn their passing, but know without a doubt that the thief was limited in what he could do. We will never forget their examples. Examples of hope, faith, commitment and love.
God loves you, too. Do you love him back? He will allow you to choose. He will never force you to choose HIM over the world. He isn't that kind of God. I thank him for the examples they lived out. And I believe we will see them again.
Thank you, Karen for being the mother, wife, sister, daughter and friend that this world needed to see. Thank you, Cole for being such a godly young man, when it must have been so hard to take what life 'dealt' you. You did so, oh so courageously.
We love you and miss you already.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
The Calling
Can you imagine getting a call with an offer for your dream job? It would be such a rush to name your salary, pick out your company car, and otherwise thoroughly enjoy all the perks. Of course, that probably isn't going to happen and even if it did, it wouldn't bring happiness. Some of the most miserable people in the world are the most wealthy. I've seen poor Hondurans and Indians smile just as brightly as the most spoiled American kid on Christmas morning. Money and things do not guarantee happiness. If so, Americans would be deliriously joyful...we are among the top 20% of the wealthiest people on the planet. No, money can't buy happiness.
The wealthiest man that ever lived was named Solomon. Even he complained that chasing wealth (and many other things!) was like chasing the wind. Of course, God has given us many gifts. In Ephesians Paul refers to God's offer as 'a calling' (Ephesians 4:1). What that word means is simply, an invitation.
It's an invitation to a feast or a marriage, according to Jesus' teachings. To Paul it was an offer of adoption.
God planned in advance, before the world was even formed to adopt us into his family, through Christ
(Ephesians 1:4-5). We are called to family! This family has a Father, a brother and comes complete with a promise of God's Spirit to live within us. Read the first three chapters of Ephesians. God's calling is so much greater than any job or career. God calls us to life!
And we get to choose. We must choose. Can you imagine turning that dream job down? Not many would, but sadly, most will not choose to accept God's offer. Remember Jesus' words about the narrow gate and the wide gate? Many will rush down that wide road, looking for happiness in the world and they will instead find destruction. A few will choose the narrow path, looking for happiness in God's calling. And they will find it. An eternity full of it.
We are being called, invited...will you choose life? Family? It isn't too late!
The wealthiest man that ever lived was named Solomon. Even he complained that chasing wealth (and many other things!) was like chasing the wind. Of course, God has given us many gifts. In Ephesians Paul refers to God's offer as 'a calling' (Ephesians 4:1). What that word means is simply, an invitation.
It's an invitation to a feast or a marriage, according to Jesus' teachings. To Paul it was an offer of adoption.
God planned in advance, before the world was even formed to adopt us into his family, through Christ
(Ephesians 1:4-5). We are called to family! This family has a Father, a brother and comes complete with a promise of God's Spirit to live within us. Read the first three chapters of Ephesians. God's calling is so much greater than any job or career. God calls us to life!
And we get to choose. We must choose. Can you imagine turning that dream job down? Not many would, but sadly, most will not choose to accept God's offer. Remember Jesus' words about the narrow gate and the wide gate? Many will rush down that wide road, looking for happiness in the world and they will instead find destruction. A few will choose the narrow path, looking for happiness in God's calling. And they will find it. An eternity full of it.
We are being called, invited...will you choose life? Family? It isn't too late!
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Who Lives in You?
Quite a few years ago I was a Star Trek fan...I know, I don't really fit the profile, do I? Actually I really enjoyed following the NEXT GENERATION series. Some of you might remember a phenomenon in this series of Star Trek called 'trill hosts'. A trill host was someone who prepared for many years to be joined with another species...they willingly became one being, sacrificing their 'autonomy' for the blessing of becoming one with this other species. It was considered quite an honor to be accepted as a 'host' for this process. For those of you who dislike science fiction, this doesn't do much for you...I understand. It doesn't interest me all that much either, these days.
However, there is a 'joining' process that isn't just fantasy, at least according to God's Word. Scripture teaches that God wants to live within us...all of us. It's part of God's revelation to us that is perhaps the most fantastic sounding, but absolutely true. Jesus promised that God would send the Holy Spirit and that he would guide believers, convict the world of sin and be a 'comforter'. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 6:19 that our bodies are 'temples of the Holy Spirit'. You have to think that God must really want to save humanity. Think about the lengths to which he has gone to get our attention and bring us into a relationship with him.
First, to send his prophets to preach for hundreds of years...giving his people many opportunities to repent.
Second, to send his only Son...and have the very people he wanted to save, ridicule and kill this representative of his.
Third, to send his Spirit to live inside of his followers...so that (GET THIS) so that he might, through the sanctifying presence of his Spirit, continue his attempts to save the world.
Don't take the gift lightly. There will not be another Son sent from heaven. There will not be another Spirit sent from God. He has already been more patient than we deserve. He has already been more merciful than we could have expected. Take the gift and be thankful, letting His presence sanctify you and those He would minister to through you. Be aware of this truth this week. God is within you!
However, there is a 'joining' process that isn't just fantasy, at least according to God's Word. Scripture teaches that God wants to live within us...all of us. It's part of God's revelation to us that is perhaps the most fantastic sounding, but absolutely true. Jesus promised that God would send the Holy Spirit and that he would guide believers, convict the world of sin and be a 'comforter'. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 6:19 that our bodies are 'temples of the Holy Spirit'. You have to think that God must really want to save humanity. Think about the lengths to which he has gone to get our attention and bring us into a relationship with him.
First, to send his prophets to preach for hundreds of years...giving his people many opportunities to repent.
Second, to send his only Son...and have the very people he wanted to save, ridicule and kill this representative of his.
Third, to send his Spirit to live inside of his followers...so that (GET THIS) so that he might, through the sanctifying presence of his Spirit, continue his attempts to save the world.
Don't take the gift lightly. There will not be another Son sent from heaven. There will not be another Spirit sent from God. He has already been more patient than we deserve. He has already been more merciful than we could have expected. Take the gift and be thankful, letting His presence sanctify you and those He would minister to through you. Be aware of this truth this week. God is within you!
Monday, August 22, 2011
Be Still and Know
Have you ever wondered what God would say to you, if he suddenly appeared? Do we imagine that somehow God would pass out wishes, like a genie, freed from his bottle? Most of us would be satisfied with one wish, forget about expecting three wishes! The truth is that we all have problems. We all have issues. We all long for God's hand in the resolution of that which bothers us most. IF God did suddenly appear...what would he say or do?
Would he really be concerned about what we fret over most? Not that we don't have some legitimate worries, but hasn't he said, 'Don't worry'? And he said that regarding some pretty important things like food and clothing! What if he said something like this: 'Be still and know that I am God'? What would he mean by that?
Here is what I think he meant when he said those words in Psalm 46:10.
Relax. Rest. Quiet yourself. I am God. Not you. Not your boss.
Not your husband or wife or neighbor. Not the Dow Jones.
I am God.
In verse 11 of that chapter he says: I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth. You see, God is God. I know that sounds like circular logic, but that is the whole point. There is no other like HIM. There is no other being with which to compare him. There is no other.
So, in whose name do we trust? In whose name do we rest? Where does our help come from? The answer is right out of the Psalms. Our help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth!
Rest in that. Be still and rest in that. For me, to learn to rest in that is to constantly remind myself of who I am and WHO HE is. He is God and I am not, to quote the lyrics of a Steven Curtis Chapman song from a few years ago. He is above all things. His power is supreme. And this gives comfort to me. Why? Because I am his child and he loves me. It isn't always easy to 'be still' when the winds of life are howling or the waves of circumstance threaten. But it is the right thing to do.
'Be still and know that I am God', says the LORD.
Would he really be concerned about what we fret over most? Not that we don't have some legitimate worries, but hasn't he said, 'Don't worry'? And he said that regarding some pretty important things like food and clothing! What if he said something like this: 'Be still and know that I am God'? What would he mean by that?
Here is what I think he meant when he said those words in Psalm 46:10.
Relax. Rest. Quiet yourself. I am God. Not you. Not your boss.
Not your husband or wife or neighbor. Not the Dow Jones.
I am God.
In verse 11 of that chapter he says: I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth. You see, God is God. I know that sounds like circular logic, but that is the whole point. There is no other like HIM. There is no other being with which to compare him. There is no other.
So, in whose name do we trust? In whose name do we rest? Where does our help come from? The answer is right out of the Psalms. Our help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth!
Rest in that. Be still and rest in that. For me, to learn to rest in that is to constantly remind myself of who I am and WHO HE is. He is God and I am not, to quote the lyrics of a Steven Curtis Chapman song from a few years ago. He is above all things. His power is supreme. And this gives comfort to me. Why? Because I am his child and he loves me. It isn't always easy to 'be still' when the winds of life are howling or the waves of circumstance threaten. But it is the right thing to do.
'Be still and know that I am God', says the LORD.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Loving God
2011 has been quite a year for us. A year of growth. A year of being sustained by God. A year of watching one son become mr. married guy and two other sons become seniors and yep, the little miss graduated from L.E. (lower elementary) to M.E. (middle elementary). Quite a year it was. There is a thought that has stayed close for the last few months. Those of you who worship with me have heard it a few times already.
Here it is: do I really love God more than anything else? I know that I am supposed to. I know that Jesus said that to love God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength is the greatest commandment. My honest answer to that question keeps coming up short. No matter what spin I try to put on it...there is no way I can say that HE is my NUMBER ONE. Maybe number 3, or 4 or occasionally even 2. I'm not proud of it. But I am trying to be honest about it. What about you? Do you proudly take HIM into every situation and let HIS values and principles guide you? Do you lie awake at night, craving HIS presence? Do you spend time with HIM every day? Is HIS Word your favorite read?
My goal for what is left of 2011 is to make more of God. The funny thing is that is completely up to me. I don't have to go get more training or pass another exam. It isn't dependent upon any earthly measure of success. If God is my heart's desire, I can have it, or rather, HIM. Can I challenge you to join me in this prayer?
Father in heaven,
I know that I am supposed to love you more than anything else.
I want to love you more... Would you please grant me the strength
to pursue you ? I want the desire for more of you to well up inside of me.
Help me to surrender all of me so that I could have all of you.
In the name of Jesus,
Amen
That doesn't have to be your prayer...but pray nonetheless. Pray for more of God in your life. More of Christ. More of His Spirit.
Here it is: do I really love God more than anything else? I know that I am supposed to. I know that Jesus said that to love God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength is the greatest commandment. My honest answer to that question keeps coming up short. No matter what spin I try to put on it...there is no way I can say that HE is my NUMBER ONE. Maybe number 3, or 4 or occasionally even 2. I'm not proud of it. But I am trying to be honest about it. What about you? Do you proudly take HIM into every situation and let HIS values and principles guide you? Do you lie awake at night, craving HIS presence? Do you spend time with HIM every day? Is HIS Word your favorite read?
My goal for what is left of 2011 is to make more of God. The funny thing is that is completely up to me. I don't have to go get more training or pass another exam. It isn't dependent upon any earthly measure of success. If God is my heart's desire, I can have it, or rather, HIM. Can I challenge you to join me in this prayer?
Father in heaven,
I know that I am supposed to love you more than anything else.
I want to love you more... Would you please grant me the strength
to pursue you ? I want the desire for more of you to well up inside of me.
Help me to surrender all of me so that I could have all of you.
In the name of Jesus,
Amen
That doesn't have to be your prayer...but pray nonetheless. Pray for more of God in your life. More of Christ. More of His Spirit.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Make an Impact
What kind of church are we? We recently talked about four kinds of churches.
1. A church that is in the city.
2. A church that is against the city.
3. A church that is with the city.
4. A church that is for the city.
The first is a church that simply exists in the city.
The second is a church that pits itself against the city, as in, we are good, they are bad.
The third is a church that is unable to influence...because they care more about fitting in with the city.
The fourth is a church that wants to influence the city for Christ and seeks to love and serve it.
Without a doubt, we want to be a church that is for our city. How do we do it? It has been suggested that we seek it's welfare, as God told Israel to seek the welfare of Babylon when deported there. Could it be that we are too focused on ourselves? Maybe. How many of our programs and ministries are aimed at building up church members and how many are aimed at reaching those outside our building? We need to love on one another, but we need to remember the mission focus that Christ passed on to us. Read Matthew 28:18-20 for yourselves and answer this question: has the American church in general been faithful to that charge? I don't think so. One way to demonstrate this is to take a look at where the resources for most churches are spent. This is a sobering reality.
Could we rethink this? How can we seek the welfare of our city? Our community? Our country? Our world?
One way is by churches deciding that they will make an impact through greater investment in missions. Would you pray for our Missions Sunday, scheduled for March 6? Would you pray for your sacrificial gift on that day? The Columbus church wants to make an impact in the spread of the gospel. This is an opportunity to touch the lives of people we will never meet face to face.
A second way is by realizing that while we are the church, corporately, as a group, we are also the church individually. I am not just a part of a whole. I am the face of the body of Christ when I walk into our community, whether at the grocery store, work, school or a ballgame. I am a representative of the whole every time I am given an opportunity to interact with anyone in our city. Jesus has given us the ability and authority to make an impact, in his name.
The point is, that we need to seek the welfare of our city programmatically as a church and individually, as representatives of the church. In fact, we are not just representatives of the church, we are the church, both individually and corporately.
It seems to me that we need to think differently about this. If we want to make an impact on our city and the world, in ways we have not previously, we must think of intentional ways to accomplish it, both personally and corporately. What do you think? How would you propose that both the whole church (corporately and programmatically) and the church individually could do a better job in seeking the welfare of our city? Let's dream and pray!
1. A church that is in the city.
2. A church that is against the city.
3. A church that is with the city.
4. A church that is for the city.
The first is a church that simply exists in the city.
The second is a church that pits itself against the city, as in, we are good, they are bad.
The third is a church that is unable to influence...because they care more about fitting in with the city.
The fourth is a church that wants to influence the city for Christ and seeks to love and serve it.
Without a doubt, we want to be a church that is for our city. How do we do it? It has been suggested that we seek it's welfare, as God told Israel to seek the welfare of Babylon when deported there. Could it be that we are too focused on ourselves? Maybe. How many of our programs and ministries are aimed at building up church members and how many are aimed at reaching those outside our building? We need to love on one another, but we need to remember the mission focus that Christ passed on to us. Read Matthew 28:18-20 for yourselves and answer this question: has the American church in general been faithful to that charge? I don't think so. One way to demonstrate this is to take a look at where the resources for most churches are spent. This is a sobering reality.
Could we rethink this? How can we seek the welfare of our city? Our community? Our country? Our world?
One way is by churches deciding that they will make an impact through greater investment in missions. Would you pray for our Missions Sunday, scheduled for March 6? Would you pray for your sacrificial gift on that day? The Columbus church wants to make an impact in the spread of the gospel. This is an opportunity to touch the lives of people we will never meet face to face.
A second way is by realizing that while we are the church, corporately, as a group, we are also the church individually. I am not just a part of a whole. I am the face of the body of Christ when I walk into our community, whether at the grocery store, work, school or a ballgame. I am a representative of the whole every time I am given an opportunity to interact with anyone in our city. Jesus has given us the ability and authority to make an impact, in his name.
The point is, that we need to seek the welfare of our city programmatically as a church and individually, as representatives of the church. In fact, we are not just representatives of the church, we are the church, both individually and corporately.
It seems to me that we need to think differently about this. If we want to make an impact on our city and the world, in ways we have not previously, we must think of intentional ways to accomplish it, both personally and corporately. What do you think? How would you propose that both the whole church (corporately and programmatically) and the church individually could do a better job in seeking the welfare of our city? Let's dream and pray!
Friday, November 19, 2010
What is the Big Deal?
What is the big deal in your life? Or should I say big deals? What are the things that really keep you up at night? What do you spend most of your time, energy and money involved with? In other words, what are the problems and pursuits in your life? These two p's tend to encapsulate the lion's share of our days, do they not?
My question is simple. Where will your problems and pursuits be 10, 20, or 30 years from now? Will they be of concern? Or will they have disappeared into the place where old news tends to go? Have you ever gone to the library and looked up a newspaper article on microfiche? You can find reels and reels of newspaper articles about people, places and events that were once important to someone, somewhere. Unfortunately, microfiche is the only place where they live on. The people are gone, the events are forgotten and the places are filled with new people with new problems and new pursuits.
Here is the truth: most of us spend our lives on problems and pursuits that won't matter just a few years from now. Don't you think that is true? The trick is to figure out what is really important. My guess is that if it won't matter 50 years from now, it may not matter so much today. Where will you be 30, 40 or 50 years from now? Unless you are a youngster, you will have gone on to your reward by then.
I hope my life matters. Don't you? Won't it be great to hear, 'well done, faithful servant'? Someone said this once (or something similar): how you live your days is how you live your life. That is true. What you do and say and think today is how you are living your life. Is it making a difference spiritually in your life or the lives of others? Will it matter years from now or will it be just 'old news'?
My question is simple. Where will your problems and pursuits be 10, 20, or 30 years from now? Will they be of concern? Or will they have disappeared into the place where old news tends to go? Have you ever gone to the library and looked up a newspaper article on microfiche? You can find reels and reels of newspaper articles about people, places and events that were once important to someone, somewhere. Unfortunately, microfiche is the only place where they live on. The people are gone, the events are forgotten and the places are filled with new people with new problems and new pursuits.
Here is the truth: most of us spend our lives on problems and pursuits that won't matter just a few years from now. Don't you think that is true? The trick is to figure out what is really important. My guess is that if it won't matter 50 years from now, it may not matter so much today. Where will you be 30, 40 or 50 years from now? Unless you are a youngster, you will have gone on to your reward by then.
I hope my life matters. Don't you? Won't it be great to hear, 'well done, faithful servant'? Someone said this once (or something similar): how you live your days is how you live your life. That is true. What you do and say and think today is how you are living your life. Is it making a difference spiritually in your life or the lives of others? Will it matter years from now or will it be just 'old news'?
Saturday, November 6, 2010
God-Pleasers
Do you live to please God? If you think about the shortness of life, isn't it kind of silly that we live our lives to please anyone but God? Think about it. Who am I and what can I do? Who are you and what can you do? If I please you, how will that help me? Neither of us have more than a few years to live. And neither of us have more than a little bit of ability, strength and opportunity. We are just finite beings...a vapor that lasts just a short time. And if I live to please me, how will I enjoy anything for long...I don't even know that I will live to see another birthday.
This is true for every human on the planet. We are a clock ticking. Tick-tocking toward the day when we tick-tock no longer. Heb 9:27 says...And just as it is destined that each person dies only once and after that comes judgment...(NLT). God gives us just one life and we have no one to fear but him. Ultimately, we shouldn't fear men. Jesus said, "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more." Luke 12:4-5 (NIV)
Think about the worst mistake you ever made. Who were you trying to please? Chances are, it wasn't God. It was yourself, or someone whose opinion you thought was important. I'm not suggesting that you become callous to the needs of others, just that you put God first always.
You see, we humans have a natural tendency towards self-promotion. Call it survival instinct. Call it ambition. Dress it up anyway you can to take the edge off the truth: we promote self. And self feels better when self has the approval of others.
Yet, God has placed a blessing on us, stating through Paul...there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Isn't that blessing enough? Isn't it enough that the God of the universe has said, 'today, you are my son (or daughter)!'?
Do we really have to please anyone else? Not really. I wonder why we try so hard. Who are you living to please? Is it satisfying? Are you feeling rewarded and fulfilled? My prayer is that we would all become God-pleasers. After all, He is the only One who really matters.
This is true for every human on the planet. We are a clock ticking. Tick-tocking toward the day when we tick-tock no longer. Heb 9:27 says...And just as it is destined that each person dies only once and after that comes judgment...(NLT). God gives us just one life and we have no one to fear but him. Ultimately, we shouldn't fear men. Jesus said, "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more." Luke 12:4-5 (NIV)
Think about the worst mistake you ever made. Who were you trying to please? Chances are, it wasn't God. It was yourself, or someone whose opinion you thought was important. I'm not suggesting that you become callous to the needs of others, just that you put God first always.
You see, we humans have a natural tendency towards self-promotion. Call it survival instinct. Call it ambition. Dress it up anyway you can to take the edge off the truth: we promote self. And self feels better when self has the approval of others.
Yet, God has placed a blessing on us, stating through Paul...there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Isn't that blessing enough? Isn't it enough that the God of the universe has said, 'today, you are my son (or daughter)!'?
Do we really have to please anyone else? Not really. I wonder why we try so hard. Who are you living to please? Is it satisfying? Are you feeling rewarded and fulfilled? My prayer is that we would all become God-pleasers. After all, He is the only One who really matters.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Imitate this!
I gotta tell you, this scripture was recently placed in stark relief for me.
Hebrews 13:7
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. (NIV)
What would you do if you met a guy who was hungry? What would you do if you ran into a family that had a serious need for shelter, clothing or food? What you do if you came face to face with a lady who needed medicine and couldn't afford to pay for it? Some of us would ignore the need. Some of us would rather believe that the need was somehow going to be taken care of by 'others'. Some of us would as soon convince ourselves that the situation was deserved by past sins and mistakes. Unfortunately, many would do nothing.
I believe a leader is a person of action. Recently, I got a front row seat to witness this. There was a hungry guy. He needed shelter, clothing and food. I don't know if he needed medicine, but if he had, tough luck, because he had no money with which to purchase it. One of Christ's people put him up for a couple of weeks, fed him, saw that he had a place to live, food to eat and the opportunity for a fresh start. It was a modern day twist to a familiar story that Jesus told. In this story, though, quite a few of God's people joined in with this leader and helped effect this rescue.
None of them are after any cudos...so no names here! No, the cudos go to the ONE who deserves them. He gets all the glory. But, because I'm grateful...I will say thanks. Thanks for the great example. Thanks for leading God's people to do what they were created to do.
Who are you imitating? Find someone who is living the life that Christ calls us to and imitate them.
Hebrews 13:7
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. (NIV)
What would you do if you met a guy who was hungry? What would you do if you ran into a family that had a serious need for shelter, clothing or food? What you do if you came face to face with a lady who needed medicine and couldn't afford to pay for it? Some of us would ignore the need. Some of us would rather believe that the need was somehow going to be taken care of by 'others'. Some of us would as soon convince ourselves that the situation was deserved by past sins and mistakes. Unfortunately, many would do nothing.
I believe a leader is a person of action. Recently, I got a front row seat to witness this. There was a hungry guy. He needed shelter, clothing and food. I don't know if he needed medicine, but if he had, tough luck, because he had no money with which to purchase it. One of Christ's people put him up for a couple of weeks, fed him, saw that he had a place to live, food to eat and the opportunity for a fresh start. It was a modern day twist to a familiar story that Jesus told. In this story, though, quite a few of God's people joined in with this leader and helped effect this rescue.
None of them are after any cudos...so no names here! No, the cudos go to the ONE who deserves them. He gets all the glory. But, because I'm grateful...I will say thanks. Thanks for the great example. Thanks for leading God's people to do what they were created to do.
Who are you imitating? Find someone who is living the life that Christ calls us to and imitate them.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Purpose
This past Sunday I preached on the subject of ‘stewardship’. I realize that this is not most people’s favorite subject…by a long shot. The conclusion that I have come to is that it really is a matter of understanding purpose. Do you know what your purpose is? Have you ever really thought, ‘I am here on this earth for _______________’? A further conclusion that I have come to is that we all have the same basic purpose. If you were listening on Sunday, you surely remember, right?
Our purpose is to glorify God. That is the simple truth. Just like the creation we marvel at, we are a living, breathing sign on the road of life. A sign that says, ‘this is what I value.’ Unfortunately, we often point away from God instead of towards HIM. When I remember the mistakes of the past, it is with shame that I realize I had become a personal tour guide leading whoever happened to be watching away from God instead of towards.
The sad truth about my ‘humanity’ is that I have the ability to cross over from glorifying God to glorifying self in a New York minute (which I understand is pretty doggone quick). That’s why it is so important that I be reminded often of my purpose in life. Paul told Timothy in 1 Tim 4:16: “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”(NIV) I believe a good interpretation of that scripture is simply this: make sure your life and your teaching match up! Be careful that you practice what you preach.
When our words and claims say one thing and our life says another… we are confusing those watching us and we won’t be effective at fulfilling our purpose: that of pointing people towards God. If that really is our purpose, stewardship is really about faithfully using ALL of our resources to accomplish that goal. Where in your life are there resources that aren’t supporting your purpose? How can you use your resources to better ‘point’ others to God?
Peace,
Billy
Thursday, October 7, 2010
New Beginnings...
There are a couple of verses in the Old Testament book of Lamentations that are really cool. Here they are:
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lam 3:22-23 (NIV)
I don't know about you, but I seem to screw up fairly regularly. On a daily basis, I think, say and do things that I am not real proud of. Sometimes I shake them off and find it pretty easy not to go there again...for a while. But occasionally, Satan seems to really get his hooks in me and it seems like I am drawn back again and again to the same issues. Like a dog returning to it's vomit as scripture says. I know that's a gross thought, but really...that is how God views it when I keep returning to my old ways. I can just imagine him saying... 'Billy, you know I love you. Why are you feeding on that which is never going to satisfy you? I am ALL you need.'
And intellectually, I know that. And you do too. But over and over, throughout life, our personal demons (sin issues) keep coming back again and again. We try so many ways to rid our lives of the garbage and seem to fail so often. Here is a truth that I believe...and am trying to live out, however, imperfectly.
Our relationship with God is THE ANSWER for our struggle with sin. If you are not seeking God, you will not overcome your issues. You can hang it up. And showing up for church on Sunday simply won't cut it. It's a start, but you are gonna have to do better than that. What God wants is you. If you are reading this, then you have the exact same thing I have and that is 24 hours every day to decide what to do with. Your personal relationship with God is the single most important thing in life. This is true for alot of reasons...but consider this one.
God is the most powerful, loving, just, merciful, forgiving, holy being in the universe. When you are walking in his will, you are aligning yourself with the only being who really has your best interests at heart. And He doesn't make mistakes. Most of us only give him a little slice of our life...so we only get a little power to resist those personal demons that keep haunting us. When you really begin to seek HIM...your mind actually changes. This is why mere rulekeeping will not produce righteous, holy behavior. Only being in the presence of God can do that. Seriously...grab your Bible and read Colossians 2:20-3:3.
Your life will never be what it's supposed to be if God isn't everything to you. So don't wait. Say to God: TODAY I will begin seeking you. I'm not going to wait for you to show up on Sunday. Pick a scripture of praise (try Psalm 86:1-4) and imagine that you are sitting before this holy God and simply pray this Psalm and ask God to hear you.
Here is the amazing thing that will happen. As we allow God to fill up our spirit more and more with his WORD and time spent before Him...our mind will change and the vomit that we've been feeding on will no longer be so appealing. I believe this is why David was 'a man after God's own heart'. He actively sought God! Consistently. He had lots of issues, but desperately sought God.
I believe that over time, we can become so enthralled with God, that we crave spending time with him and realize our weakness when we aren't in constant communion with him. We feel disconnected. And that's when Satan moves in... Can't you see the cycle? So break it. Today. Break the cycle of despair, desperation, and disconnection! Prevent that cycle by choosing to walk with Him in prayer and through His WORD. Be consistent. Be humble. Be blessed. And remember, his compassions are new every morning.
Peace,
Billy
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lam 3:22-23 (NIV)
I don't know about you, but I seem to screw up fairly regularly. On a daily basis, I think, say and do things that I am not real proud of. Sometimes I shake them off and find it pretty easy not to go there again...for a while. But occasionally, Satan seems to really get his hooks in me and it seems like I am drawn back again and again to the same issues. Like a dog returning to it's vomit as scripture says. I know that's a gross thought, but really...that is how God views it when I keep returning to my old ways. I can just imagine him saying... 'Billy, you know I love you. Why are you feeding on that which is never going to satisfy you? I am ALL you need.'
And intellectually, I know that. And you do too. But over and over, throughout life, our personal demons (sin issues) keep coming back again and again. We try so many ways to rid our lives of the garbage and seem to fail so often. Here is a truth that I believe...and am trying to live out, however, imperfectly.
Our relationship with God is THE ANSWER for our struggle with sin. If you are not seeking God, you will not overcome your issues. You can hang it up. And showing up for church on Sunday simply won't cut it. It's a start, but you are gonna have to do better than that. What God wants is you. If you are reading this, then you have the exact same thing I have and that is 24 hours every day to decide what to do with. Your personal relationship with God is the single most important thing in life. This is true for alot of reasons...but consider this one.
God is the most powerful, loving, just, merciful, forgiving, holy being in the universe. When you are walking in his will, you are aligning yourself with the only being who really has your best interests at heart. And He doesn't make mistakes. Most of us only give him a little slice of our life...so we only get a little power to resist those personal demons that keep haunting us. When you really begin to seek HIM...your mind actually changes. This is why mere rulekeeping will not produce righteous, holy behavior. Only being in the presence of God can do that. Seriously...grab your Bible and read Colossians 2:20-3:3.
Your life will never be what it's supposed to be if God isn't everything to you. So don't wait. Say to God: TODAY I will begin seeking you. I'm not going to wait for you to show up on Sunday. Pick a scripture of praise (try Psalm 86:1-4) and imagine that you are sitting before this holy God and simply pray this Psalm and ask God to hear you.
Here is the amazing thing that will happen. As we allow God to fill up our spirit more and more with his WORD and time spent before Him...our mind will change and the vomit that we've been feeding on will no longer be so appealing. I believe this is why David was 'a man after God's own heart'. He actively sought God! Consistently. He had lots of issues, but desperately sought God.
I believe that over time, we can become so enthralled with God, that we crave spending time with him and realize our weakness when we aren't in constant communion with him. We feel disconnected. And that's when Satan moves in... Can't you see the cycle? So break it. Today. Break the cycle of despair, desperation, and disconnection! Prevent that cycle by choosing to walk with Him in prayer and through His WORD. Be consistent. Be humble. Be blessed. And remember, his compassions are new every morning.
Peace,
Billy
Monday, September 20, 2010
STOP
Right now. Stop. Don't take another step, complete another task, make another call, text another person, or tell the world what your next ten minutes will entail via facebook. Not until you answer this question. Have you spent any time with God today? Seriously. Have you? Have you thanked him for a blessing, confessed a sin, or pleaded with him to show himself to you in some way? Have you taken five minutes to let a few words from his WORD wash over you? The most important thing you can do today is to give yourself to him in some way. Begin small. That's fine. But be consistent and you will discover that five minutes will soon grow to ten. Your short prayer will soon lengthen and be preceded by anticipation. Your attitude in prayer will become one of gratitude as you begin to realize just how much this amazing God has blessed you.
God is everything. His patience is so great...he's been waiting on you to realize that for yourself. What happens to all the things we get so frustrated about and over which we agonize endlessly, if God is really everything? Maybe they take their proper place. Maybe some of them become downright insignificant. Maybe we become actually able to let God handle them for a change.
One thing is for sure. God cannot be everything to us if we don't really seek him. And we can't seek him if we aren't in prayer and communion with him through his WORD. And we will never really get there if we aren't willing to spend five minutes... So stop. Put God first. He's waiting. Patiently. But He is waiting.
Peace,
Billy
God is everything. His patience is so great...he's been waiting on you to realize that for yourself. What happens to all the things we get so frustrated about and over which we agonize endlessly, if God is really everything? Maybe they take their proper place. Maybe some of them become downright insignificant. Maybe we become actually able to let God handle them for a change.
One thing is for sure. God cannot be everything to us if we don't really seek him. And we can't seek him if we aren't in prayer and communion with him through his WORD. And we will never really get there if we aren't willing to spend five minutes... So stop. Put God first. He's waiting. Patiently. But He is waiting.
Peace,
Billy
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