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Archive for June, 2011

Learning Together

Posted in Church, Community, Formation on June 10, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Last Sunday, I introduced some things to our church family that I hope and pray take hold and become an integral part of our DNA.  As I talked about our mission as a church, I reminded everyone that we should look at the bigger picture first – the fact that God’s mission has a church.  When we look at that mission, we see that the mandate to us is to make disciples – followers of Jesus – apprentices.

The plan for us in this regard can be stated simply:  Learning, living and loving . . . together.  That is the plan.  That is the strategy.

So this week, we will be looking at what it means to be “learner” and how we can do it together, in community.  It begins with each of us coming face to face with Jesus.  We have to move beyond knowing about Jesus to the point of really knowing Jesus.

I am excited about our services on Sunday.  If you are around Littlefield, Texas this Sunday morning at 10:45, I would love to have you drop by and see what God will do!

Be blessed today!

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Biblical Truths from America’s Got Talent

Posted in Church, Community, Hope on June 8, 2011| Leave a Comment »

 

 

My family sat down last night to watch America’s Got Talent.  It was amusing to watch.  Some of the acts that took the stage really did have some talent – and some . . .  not so much.  But as we watched, I thought about the practical truth that could be gleaned from this show.

Truth 1:  The Bible says, as believers, we are all given gifts and talents that should be used for the building of God’s Kingdom.  Everyone of us has a place in God’s strategy to positively impact our world.

Truth 2:  Not all of us have the same gifts and talents.  That is why it takes us all – working together.

Truth 3:  It is important to come to terms with the gifts we possess and also accept the fact that we just don’t have some gifts.  Not all people have the ability to sing (as was shown on the show last night!).  But that does not mean that they are not gifted in other areas.  In order for us to work together as efficiently as possible, we need to be comfortable with our gifts and talents and be willing to use them for God’s glory.

Truth 4:  I am so glad we don’t have to take a stage on national television to prove our talents.  Just put them to use in your local church!

To read more about what the apostle Paul said regarding gifts, take a look at this.

Be a blessing today!

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Jesus Knows and Jesus Cares

Posted in Grace, Hope on June 7, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Have you ever felt all alone.  Or maybe you have experienced the weight of the world crashing in on you and were overwhelmed by the feeling of helplessness.  Sometimes the pressures of work and home and all the other aspects of life may seem too much to carry.

I think all of us have experienced some of this at different stages in our lives.  Maybe you are there today.

I read a passage this morning in Hebrews that might just be what you need to hear today.  Hebrews 4:15-16 says this:

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Jesus has been there and done that.  He knows everything you are carrying today and he cares for you.  This passage reminds us that we can approach God with confidence because God understands where we are and the load we are under.  This passage says that we can find mercy and grace to help us in our time of need when we approach God and ask.

Regardless of the pressures you feel today, God is with you.  You can find mercy and grace to help you because God loves you and understands.

Approach the throne of grace today.

Be blessed.

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Redemption Partners

Posted in Church, Hope, Missions on June 6, 2011| 2 Comments »

Yesterday, I preached on the fact that when we think about the mission of our church, we need to see the bigger picture.  We really need to think more along the lines of God’s mission having a church rather than our church having a mission.  The reason for the very existence of a church is to fulfill God’s mission.  And that mission is the redemption of humankind.

We live in a messed up world.  I don’t know if you have noticed that lately.  We do a pretty good job of insulating ourselves from it much of the time, but the reality is, the world in which we live has taken what God intended for good and has twisted it into something else – self-serving, corrupt, sinful – messed up.

But regardless of what the world did to Jesus – rejection, torture and execution – God’s plan has not changed.  God still wants all people to be redeemed.  That is God’s mission.  God’s strategy and plan for that mission to be accomplished is the church.

Scary isn’t it?  What a challenge!  What an adventure!  God has called us to join in with the work of redemption!  We are to be redemption partners with God!

As you think about this adventure today – let me leave you with two thoughts.  First, we are not alone.  As believers, we have been given everything we need to carry out God’s call on us.  Jesus said he would never leave us nor forsake us.  We aren’t alone!

The second thought I would leave you is that this work, this adventure, is a call to be faithful – a mandate to be available.  the apostle Paul realized that in some instances, he planted the seeds and others watered them and still others witnessed the results.  We may not see the fruits of our labors on this side of eternity.  Our call is not to see results as much is it is to do all we can to live in such a way that we impact the eternity of others.

Be faithful and available today – and take heart, you aren’t alone!

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Golf + Sons = Great Morning

Posted in Family, Parenting on June 3, 2011| Leave a Comment »

For the last several weeks, my youngest son has been asking me to take him to play golf.  I have been so busy getting started in my new ministry position and trying to get the house ready to sell that there hasn’t been much time – or at least, I have not made the time.

But today is the day!  Here in just a while, we will load up and head to the course.  I love to play but do not get the opportunity very often.  I am looking forward to the game, to the smell of the grass and the sound of the club connecting with the ball.

But most of all, I am looking forward to spending a few hours with two of my boys!  I can’t think of a better way to spend my day off!

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Encountered God Lately?

Posted in Formation, Grace, Hope on June 2, 2011| Leave a Comment »

When was the last time you encountered God?  I mean, actually came face to face with God in such a way that you knew God was with you and speaking to you?

I have to be honest, I have to really think about this sometimes.  It is not that God is not present and with me – I know that is a fact.  But my problem is that I am normally too distracted to notice.  My life is hectic!  There are always emails that need a reply, phone calls to make, sermons to write, kids to tend to – and then after breakfast it really gets crazy!

You get the point.  And I am sure that your life is no different.  Our culture has ingrained in us that more is better and so we try to do more.  Unfortunately, we tend to fill our lives with really good things to the neglect of the best things.

Brother Lawrence figured this out.  You can read more about Brother Lawrence here.  He realized that when we approach our everyday tasks from the standpoint of taking them on in order to please God, our focus changes.  All of the sudden we can sense God more fully in everything we do.

You see, God is at work all around us all the time.  Our missing an encounter with God is not because God is not at work.  The missed encounter is due to the fact that we are not in tune with what God is doing.

Try this today:  with every task you undertake, think to yourself, “I want to do this in order to please God.”

I would love to hear how this turns out!

Be blessed today!

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Can Anyone Tell?

Posted in Formation on June 1, 2011| 1 Comment »

Last night, I read this in Psalm 34:   I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant.

As I thought about this passage, I was overwhelmed with a couple of thoughts.  The first is we are reminded here that when we call out to God, God hears us.  Stop and think about that for a minute . . . no really, stop, close your eyes and meditate on that fact for a minute.  The one and only God, the creator of the universe – yes, that God – cares about you to the point that your cries are actually heard.  When we seek God, God answers us and deliverance is offered.

The second thought that still remains with me is what we read in verse 5:  “Those who look to him are radiant.”  The truth is that when we look to God and we experience God’s deliverance, we will be changed – radiant!  But the question that arose from my meditation – the question that has haunted me for hours is this:  Do I appear to be radiant to anyone?

In other words, is my relationship with God such that people can tell when I have been with Him?  Do I radiate God’s glory?  Or is my countenance less than radiant?

My prayer today is that everyone with whom I come into contact can tell I have been with God.

What about you?

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