Life Journal 10-16-2012

Making an Eternal Difference

(S) Scripture
Acts 5:38-39 (NASB77)
³⁸  "And so in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action should be of men, it will be overthrown;
³⁹  but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God."

(O) Observation
The disciples have been arrested again for preaching the gospel of Jesus. The religious leaders want to quiet them by force but Gamaliel advised them to stay away from this. The counsel he gave is in the scripture I chose for the day. "If this plan or action should be of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God." The disciples after being flogged continued to teach and preach. The flogging was considered a sign to rejoice because it meant they were worthy to suffer for Jesus.

(A) Application
In our culture we very rarely consider suffering or punishment a reason to rejoice. Most often my suffering comes from my own selfishness and sin and that should not be confused with the suffering the disciples endured with joy. But what caught my attention today was Gamaliel's advice. "If this plan or action should be of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God." As I look at all that I do in my life I must ask, "Is this from God and will it stand?" If I want to make an eternal difference in the lives of the people I meet then I must be about that which is from God and not just a great program someone has devised. In no way do I ever want to be fighting against God. I am afraid that sometimes we come dangerously close when we use slick "Wall Street" advertizing or allow pop culture to shape how I do ministry. Today I again make a commitment to do my best to be doing what God is blessing and not just asking God to bless what I am doing.

(P) Prayer
Lord my desire is to keep my focus on you and to do what you would have me to do. Amen

Life Journal 10-15-2012

Being Bold in the Face of Opposition

(S) Scripture
Acts 4:29 (NASB77)
²⁹  "And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Thy bond-servants may speak Thy word with all confidence,

(O) Observation
The religious authorities have arrested Peter and John. The authorities cannot find them guilty of a crime so they release Peter and John but commanded them to stop preaching Jesus to the people. The disciples ask for confidence and boldness to speak God's Word in the face of opposition by those in authority. It seems that the religious authorities did not want any preaching of Jesus in the public square.

(A) Application
It seems that there are those in our country that are bent in removing any talk of Jesus and faith in Him from the public discourse. There are threats of lawsuits and boycotts that have been called for. Just a couple of years ago a group entered a church to disrupt the worship service because they didn't like the church's stance on their particular issue. We hear a great deal about the separation of church and state, a concept that I support. I do not think the church or state should have control over the other. When it has happened in history it has corrupted both the church and state. This separation does not mean the separation of faith and state. In the face of this kind of opposition it is important for me to continue to trust God for strength and protection and to preach with boldness and confidence. Those both come only as a result of walking by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit. Today I ask like Peter and John to speak God's Word with confidence.

(P) Prayer
Father, let me know your strength, protection and power in the face of all opposition so that I might preach your word with boldness and confidence. Amen

 

Life Journal 10-12-2012

My Task As A Pastor

(S) Scripture
Nehemiah 8:8 (NASB77)
⁸  And they read from the book, from the law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading.

(O) Observation
Ezra has called all the people together for the reading of the Word. It is interesting that in verse 2 this call went out to men, women and "all who could listen with understanding." This reading captivated the people and one great task for Ezra and the men at his side was to translate the Word in order for understanding to happen.

(A) Application
I remember one of professor in a "ministry formations" class say that part of our call was to translate the gospel into the language people can understand. That is an incredible responsibility to have and the New Testament says that teachers will incur a greater judgment. I am also sure that it is the responsibility of every Christian to square everything they hear with scripture themselves but still the responsibility to translate the Word so that the people can understand is sobering. I take this responsibility seriously and today recommit myself to the study and preparation necessary for good, honest, God honoring explanations of the Word.

(P) Prayer
Lord the task is great and I need your help and guidance as I prepare and deliver the messages each week. Let me be so full of You that the translation is consistent and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Amen

Life Journal 10-11-2012

The Lord's Supper Is More Than We Think

(S) Scripture
Luke 24:35 (NASB77)
³⁵  And they began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.

(O) Observation
The men Jesus met on the road to Emmaus had no clue it was Jesus they were talking to. Their conversation was rich. I sure would like to have a recording of Jesus teaching about Himself from all the Old Testament. Even with all this they did not recognize Jesus until he broke bread with them.

(A) Application
I have often said that some churches and people make too much of the Lord's Supper or communion when it is the focus of their worship every week. But it also needs to be noted that too often some of us make too little of the Lord's Supper when it is just tacked on at the end of a worship service once a month or whenever we feel like it. The scripture says that "as often as you do this…" so that leaves the when up to the local congregation. I am not arguing for or against when we choose to celebrate the Lord's Supper but I am saying that for me as a Baptist it is more than just something we do out of rote. As the bread is broken and the cup is shared we should be recognizing Jesus and all that He has done for us. It is not just a cracker and juice but rather a memorial that points us to again recognize and remember Jesus. I never want the Lord's Supper to become routine. We will continue to celebrate it on the first Sunday of the month but as a pastor I never want to take it for granted or to lose it meaning in its repetition. My desire is for all to recognize Jesus as we share the Lord's Supper together.

(P) Prayer
Lord, help me to see you in new and meaningful ways each time I share in the Lord's Supper. Help me to never take you for granted or to minimize your sacrifice on my behalf. Help me to help others to see you clearly. Amen

Life Journal 10-10-2012

Making the Tough Decision

(S) Scripture
Luke 23:13-24 (NASB77)
¹³  And Pilate summoned the chief priests and the rulers and the people,
¹⁴  and said to them, "You brought this man to me as one who incites the people to rebellion, and behold, having examined Him before you, I have found no guilt in this man regarding the charges which you make against Him.
¹⁵  "No, nor has Herod, for he sent Him back to us; and behold, nothing deserving death has been done by Him.
¹⁶  "I will therefore punish Him and release Him."
¹⁷  [Now he was obliged to release to them at the feast one prisoner.]
¹⁸  But they cried out all together, saying, "Away with this man, and release for us Barabbas!"
¹⁹  (He was one who had been thrown into prison for a certain insurrection made in the city, and for murder.)
²⁰  And Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again,
²¹  but they kept on calling out, saying, "Crucify, crucify Him!"
²²  And he said to them the third time, "Why, what evil has this man done? I have found in Him no guilt demanding death; I will therefore punish Him and release Him."
²³  But they were insistent, with loud voices asking that He be crucified. And their voices began to prevail.
²⁴  And Pilate pronounced sentence that their demand should be granted.

(O) Observation
In the face of opposition from the people Pilate caved in and released Barabbas, a guilty man, and gave Jesus (who he and Herod had declared innocent) over to the Jews to be crucified. Pilate was more interested in keeping the people happy than in doing what was unpopular but right.

(A) Application
Sometimes I am called on to make a tough and unpopular decision. To be faithful and obedient to my call I must do what is right regardless of the circumstances. Like most people I want to be liked but sometimes I must make a decision that some will not like. It is much more important to please God than to please man. Today I again affirm my commitment to do the right thing regardless of the consequences to me rather than the expedient thing that might make me popular for a while.

(P) Prayer
Lord Jesus, in every decision I make I want to do what is right and pleasing to you. Grant me the discernment I need to know what is right and give me strength to resist the expedient. Amen.

Life Journal 10-09-2012

Hungering for the Presence of God

(S) Scripture
Luke 22:61-62 (NASB77)
⁶¹  And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, "Before a cock crows today, you will deny Me three times."
⁶²  And he went out and wept bitterly.    

(O) Observation
When Peter was made conscious of his sin by both a sound and then the Look of Jesus he wept and repented.

(A) Application
In the last couple of weeks I have been confronted with my failure to nurture my personal relationship with the Lord. In his book, "The Irresistible Church," Wayne Corderio says the first trait is that of a "hunger for God's presence." This past Friday I spent the day with Dr. Anthony Headley a professor at Asbury Seminary. Two of his books have impacted my life, "Achieving Balance in Ministry" and "Reframing Your Ministry." In both he emphasizes the need for the pastor to never neglect their personal devotional life. The trap is to study for messages for the church but to neglect that personal time with the Lord. It was some years ago that I began using the "Life Journal" as a means to foster and order my devotional life because the emphasis is on "How will I be different today because of what I have just read?" I had gotten away from that discipline and it shows at least to me. It was the voice of these two men that got my attention and then isn't it ironic that the reading this morning was about Nehemiah first confessing his sin and then about Peter's denial and repentance. Today I begin again hungering for the presence of God and seeking Him in His Word.

(P) Prayer

Lord you know me and my heart. Forgive me for neglecting my time with you alone. I know that apart from your presence I can do nothing of significance in your kingdom. It is my prayer that you use me to make a difference in people's lives so that they too might experience your presence. Let that hungering be infectious in our church. Amen

Thinking About Mom

Mother's Day is a great and fun day for our church. As I prepare the message I think about my mom. I smile when I think about the first handmade card I made for my mom on Mother's day. I must have been in first grade, it was a heart drawn on construction paper that said, "I love you." It was addressed to Mother and Bob. Bob was my dad and yes they were married. My dad and my mom still is a great inspiration in my life. They lived and modeled living life to the full. They modeled faithful commitment to the Lord and for that I am so thankful. Their lives were rooted in God's Word and that continues to be an inspiration to me. Every Mother's and Father's day message I have ever delivered has that foundation as a background. This week is the same. As I prepare I am reminded of what I was taught as their son.

It is Wednesday and tomorrow I will be travelling to see my mom. She has been a widow for 28 years and still lives in the house she shared with my dad and that my sister and I grew up in. She is not as steady on her feet as she once was (she did handsprings on her fortieth birthday just to prove she could) but her commitment to the Lord is as steady as ever. She continues to inspire and challenge my personal walk with the Lord. Nearly each week as we talk she asks if Sunday's message is prepared and she reminds me that people come to hear a word from God and not me, so I had better be sure about the source of the message. She still keeps my feet to the fire. I look forward to seeing her tomorrow.

Becky and I will also be visiting her mom and dad. They, too, live lives of faith and encourage us to be all we can be in the Lord.

I am fortunate to have these two mothers in my life. I am richer for their presence.

These are some quick thoughts of mine. I hope you will take time to remember and be thankful for your mother. If she is still living, don't miss the opportunity to see her and tell her you love her.

Let me ask you to share your thoughts in the comments.