Isaiah 55:6 says, "Seek the LORD while He may be found..." James 4:8 says, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you..."
When we lose our keys or something of value, we usually start looking for it immediately and don't stop until we have found it. And thanks to a comedian, do we ever keep looking once we find it? No!
Just like the parables of the lost sheep, coin, and son, we usually don't let something of value stay lost. So, the questions that need to be asked are: Is your relationship with the Lord the most valuable relationship in your life? If it isn't, why not? If it is the most valuable relationship, are you seeking after Him like a deer pants for water?
The great reality is that the Lord desires for us to seek after Him. He promises that if we seek Him we will find Him. He also promises that as we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. He will not leave us out there in limbo. He is like a parent who is cheering on their child who is learning to walk. The parent has their hands out in anticipating of supporting that child. I believe that God is the same. He has His arms out anticipating our walking into them for strength, support, encouragement, and love.
Are you seeking after Him? If not, what is getting in the way? It may be sin! James 4:8 continues by saying: "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
If we take this verse to heart, we have to admit that sin is what we need cleansed of and if we are not seeking after Him, it may be because we have more than Him (double-minded) in our thoughts.
The challenge for us then is this: Do I have more than Him on my mind? Is there any sin in my life that is keeping me from Him? Am I seeking after Him with all my heart?
Friday, September 18, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
No "I" in TEAM!
As a big college football fan, I must admit that I love this time of year. Now that college football has begun, there is always a reporter talking about some key player(s) for a team and how those players are the "impact" players for their team. And yet, I have never watched a game when only those 2-3 players were the only ones on the field. To be a great college football team requires all 11 players on the field being committed to their role and doing their best each and every play. We all know that many games are won, not because of 10-15 great plays but because of 1-2 plays where either someone DID their job tremendously or 1-2 players did NOT do their job.
The same is true in the church. In many churches there are a few people who are constantly being seen. However, 1 Corinthians 12 is extremely clear about the importance of the whole "body." As you read these words, do not be focused on whether or not you are the "impact" player. Be more concerned that you are a "PLAYER!"
1 Corinthians 12:14-20 "Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. [15] If the foot should say, 'Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,' it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. [16] And if the ear should say, 'Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,' it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. [17] If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? [18] But in fact GOD has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as HE wanted them to be. [19] If they were all one part, where would the body be? [20] As it is, there are many parts, but one body." (Bold mine)
A great football team is successful not because everybody is the quarterback or the middle linebacker. A successful church will be such because everybody knows their role AND fulfills their role! So the question is: Do you know your role? Do you know your spiritual gift? If not, find out. If you do, then use it! And remember these words: "Only one life twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last!"
The same is true in the church. In many churches there are a few people who are constantly being seen. However, 1 Corinthians 12 is extremely clear about the importance of the whole "body." As you read these words, do not be focused on whether or not you are the "impact" player. Be more concerned that you are a "PLAYER!"
1 Corinthians 12:14-20 "Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. [15] If the foot should say, 'Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,' it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. [16] And if the ear should say, 'Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,' it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. [17] If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? [18] But in fact GOD has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as HE wanted them to be. [19] If they were all one part, where would the body be? [20] As it is, there are many parts, but one body." (Bold mine)
A great football team is successful not because everybody is the quarterback or the middle linebacker. A successful church will be such because everybody knows their role AND fulfills their role! So the question is: Do you know your role? Do you know your spiritual gift? If not, find out. If you do, then use it! And remember these words: "Only one life twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last!"
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
What about your legacy?
"May all who come behind us find us faithful!" Those words ring in my ears today as Senator Ted Kennedy is remembered. I am reminded that despite one's popularity, fame, and even fortune, it is what we leave behind, that speaks the loudest.
Despite what many will say, Senator Ted Kennedy did not leave a positive legacy as it relates to the values and beliefs of a large majority of society. When he entered politics it was as a pro-lifer, however, he was pulled to the other side by fame and fortune.
I am not here to debate about the life of someone. However, it has caused me to reflect on what I am doing now, understanding that this is what will be remembered. There is an album entitled something to the effect of "The line between the two." The meaning is that what really counts is not the day you were born or the day you enter eternity. What really matters is the time that you were alive, (i.e., the line between the two).
May this be an opportunity for you to reflect on the legacy that you will leave behind should Christ tarry. Is what you do each day, impacting the kingdom of God or the kingdom of self? "May all who come behind us find us faithful!"
Despite what many will say, Senator Ted Kennedy did not leave a positive legacy as it relates to the values and beliefs of a large majority of society. When he entered politics it was as a pro-lifer, however, he was pulled to the other side by fame and fortune.
I am not here to debate about the life of someone. However, it has caused me to reflect on what I am doing now, understanding that this is what will be remembered. There is an album entitled something to the effect of "The line between the two." The meaning is that what really counts is not the day you were born or the day you enter eternity. What really matters is the time that you were alive, (i.e., the line between the two).
May this be an opportunity for you to reflect on the legacy that you will leave behind should Christ tarry. Is what you do each day, impacting the kingdom of God or the kingdom of self? "May all who come behind us find us faithful!"
Thursday, July 16, 2009
A Beautiful Creation
As I sit and attempt to update this blog, I find myself staring through a window in my study at home admiring God's handiwork. As the breeze blows and the sun shines, I can't help but praise the Lord that of all that He created, He chose to give me life and was willing to give His Son for my redemption.
Let me challenge you that if you have not praised the Lord lately for all that He has done for you and blessed you with, that you do so immediately. Take a few moments and reflect on all that His hands have done. He is amazing!
May the following words from Psalm 150 be the catalyst for you to praise the Lord: "Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!"
May today be a day of praise to the One who is All-powerful, loving and gentle. Praise God for what He has done, who He is, and just because He is!
Let me challenge you that if you have not praised the Lord lately for all that He has done for you and blessed you with, that you do so immediately. Take a few moments and reflect on all that His hands have done. He is amazing!
May the following words from Psalm 150 be the catalyst for you to praise the Lord: "Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!"
May today be a day of praise to the One who is All-powerful, loving and gentle. Praise God for what He has done, who He is, and just because He is!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Sorry, been so long
Greetings from India. Sorry that it has been so long. Things have been really moving since we arrived. I have now taught the 7 Laws of the Teacher twice and preached twice using an interpreter. Today, Thursday, June 25th, we had 5 saved in VBS. PTL!!
The weather is hot, humid and right now it is raining. Hopefully the electricity will come back on before bedtime. That way the fans will keep the air moving.
Thank you for all your prayers. God is clearly working through us and in us while we are here. The group is really working well together. We have two more days of VBS (Friday and Saturday). I will be teaching on Friday and then preaching one time on Sunday.
We are headed toward home on Monday. We will spend a couple of days in Bangkok before we head home. It will be good to see my family and church. Not enough time to share here, but will at a later date. Have a great day!
The weather is hot, humid and right now it is raining. Hopefully the electricity will come back on before bedtime. That way the fans will keep the air moving.
Thank you for all your prayers. God is clearly working through us and in us while we are here. The group is really working well together. We have two more days of VBS (Friday and Saturday). I will be teaching on Friday and then preaching one time on Sunday.
We are headed toward home on Monday. We will spend a couple of days in Bangkok before we head home. It will be good to see my family and church. Not enough time to share here, but will at a later date. Have a great day!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Wow! I'm on my way!
Well, I'm on my way. I am presently in Bangkok, Thailand getting ready tonight to fly to Kolkata,India. The rest of the group is doing well, and we are excited about this opportunity. It is going to be hot, but that is tolerable. Our prayer is that no one gets sick!
It seemed like it would never get here and now, here it is. Thank you to all are praying. Your more of a blessing than you know.
I will do my best to update this blog as often as possible. Will probably not be everyday. Have a great day and God bless!
It seemed like it would never get here and now, here it is. Thank you to all are praying. Your more of a blessing than you know.
I will do my best to update this blog as often as possible. Will probably not be everyday. Have a great day and God bless!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
400 and Counting
As I prepare to go to India I was informed that there are presently at least 400 children signed up for the Vacation Bible School that we will be holding while in India. That's right, 400 children. I am overwhelmed by that number. It will definitely be amazing to see so many children ready to hear the Word of God. A lot of planning has gone into this trip and I believe with all my heart that we will see many of these children come to realize their need of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
I covet your prayers not only for the group as we travel and minister but also for those of our families that will remain at home. Being gone for almost 3 weeks may not seem like a big deal. However, we all know that it is not necessarily the time but the distance.
To my wife I say thank you for your encouragement and support as I participate in this trip. You will constantly be in my thoughts and prayers. To my son, be a great boy for mommy and have a great time in all that you will be doing while I'm gone.
To my church family, pursue Christlikeness and be visionary. I love you all and am honored to be your pastor.
I will update my blog as often as is possible while I'm gone. Please return frequently to read updates. I will also do what I can to post pictures taken on my facebook page. Have a great day and remember: the greatest gift we can give to the Lord is ourselves!
I covet your prayers not only for the group as we travel and minister but also for those of our families that will remain at home. Being gone for almost 3 weeks may not seem like a big deal. However, we all know that it is not necessarily the time but the distance.
To my wife I say thank you for your encouragement and support as I participate in this trip. You will constantly be in my thoughts and prayers. To my son, be a great boy for mommy and have a great time in all that you will be doing while I'm gone.
To my church family, pursue Christlikeness and be visionary. I love you all and am honored to be your pastor.
I will update my blog as often as is possible while I'm gone. Please return frequently to read updates. I will also do what I can to post pictures taken on my facebook page. Have a great day and remember: the greatest gift we can give to the Lord is ourselves!
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