So Routine...

Over the past two weeks, our Singles' Sunday School class has been working through the Chase the Goose study book by Mark Batterson. For more information, you can click here. This Sunday, we were talking about routines in our lives and whether or not they were just keeping us in a rut, or actually growing us as we seek to follow the Holy Spirit.

One of the passages in the Bible that deals directly with how to deal with breaks in "our plans" is found in Mark 10:46-52. In this passage, Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho as they continued in their ministry when their trip was interrupted by blind Bartimaeus.

Here's the passage..."And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimæus, the son of Timæus, sat by the highway side begging. (47) And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. (48) And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. (49) And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. (50) And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. (51) And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. (52) And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way."

This is a perfect example of how we should respond to changes in our daily routine, right? I know that's a bit of a stretch, but what happens when you get stopped by someone in need of help jump-starting their car in a parking lot when you're rushing to a get-together??? What about the accident that slows you on your way to work in the morning??? Do we deal with such setbacks gracefully or does it immediately infuriate us???

I fail in this miserably on most occasions...my lack of patience gets the best of me most times. When I think about those "delays" we run into, I am reminded of the story of those who were slowed on their way to work at the World Trade Center on 9-11-01. I am sure when those interruptions occurred, many of them were frustrated and impatient, like I would have been. But, looking back, I am sure they realize that God's timing was perfect...there was a reason!

Now, I am not saying that every single thing that breaks our routine will be a life-changing experience, but I am simply asking are we able to be used if the opportunity presents itself...or has our fallen nature gotten the best of us already?

Let's try something together...is there something you are doing in "routine" that could be adapted differently? Sometimes when we are stuck in the routines, we miss out on true leading because we are more worried about the whens and wheres than we are the Who, right? Sometimes a slight change can produce new results as we come out of our comfort zone and open up and allow the Holy Spirit to deal with us afresh and anew.

I pray that you have a blessed day...and please let me know if you have a special prayer request I can word on your behalf today!!!

What are you determined to know???

As I look forward to the New Year, I was looking up the mentions of the word "resolve" in the Bible on YouVersion. When looking, I realized I was searching under the Amplified Bible, which pulled up 1 Corinthians 2:2. I would like us to take a look at the passage, 1 Corinthians verses 1-5 (this is the KJV)..."And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. (2) For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. (3) And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. (4) And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: (5) That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."

Looking to 2009, my prayer is that I am not drawing others to myself, but to Jesus!!! I must daily deny self and the sinful habits that can come so easy when walking in my own power. I like the way verse 2 was brought out in the Amplified version, shown here..."For I resolved to know nothing (to be acquainted with nothing, to make a display of the knowledge of nothing, and to be conscious of nothing) among you except Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and Him crucified." This just makes it jump out that much more...I need to worry not of the things that are of this world! My mind needs to be on Christ crucified...and realize that because of that crucifixion and resurrection, no matter what happens, therein lies my Hope!

Look at this passage and leave a note about what else jumps out at you...let's truly discuss the subject!!! More to come...

Please let me know if there is a special prayer request I can word on your behalf!!!

Mighty to Save...

This morning, I have been thinking and singing the words from "Mighty to Save". Many have heard the Hillsong version, however I am putting up the video from Laura Story. I found the images a bit better than those of the Hillsong version. As you watch the video, there are 3 verses that fit perfectly with the song:

1. John 3:16..."For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

2. Zephaniah 3:17..."The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing."

3. 2 Corinthians 5:15..."And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again."

I pray that you are touched once again by the words and message of this song...



Repeat the words over to yourself today...
"Savior, He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save, mighty to save
Forever, Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave"

Please let me know if there is a special prayer I can word on your behalf today...

The Heart of Our Worship

Okay, bear with me for a few moments...the last couple months, there has been something bothering me. Now, please don't think I am coming down on worship leaders everywhere, or even questioning their motives. I just personally think we need to watch how we portray what we are doing in our worship services and how it comes across to others. One of my favorite blogs has a thing every week called Sunday Setlists...Like I said, I am not taking aim at them. It is a great way of seeing how other ministers are arranging services and worshipping corporately. My beef is that it "sounds" more like a performance of man than a worship of God. I don't want my worship to be a "setlist" of music to entertain. I guess the whole "setlist" problem mainly comes from my DJ days. My prayer is that we will come back to the heart of true worship...where it's not about us at all! There, I got that off my chest, whew! Now, I feel better...

Okay, so for today's passage, we look to Psalm 5:7-9..."But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple. (8) Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. (9) For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue."

Here, David is asking for God's overall guidance in his life. We should look at verse 7 when we come to His house to worship Him. We should come in lowness of spirit...humbly...praising His great mercy upon us!!! Let's corporately ask the Lord to lead our steps today. I am challenging you to come with me on this journey...

Lord, lead us in your righteousness, because our enemies in this world are looking to trip us daily. Light our paths before us...show us where you want us to go...Let us see the folly of the words they speak that don't ring true...Let us see the heart of them, that we may not be fooled by their smooth talk...Keep us strong, even though they tell us what our flesh longs to hear...Thank you, Lord for your faithfulness and mercy...We deserve none of it!!!

Thank you for letting me share my heart with you today. I pray that we can all think about what worship is meant to be. Like I've quoted "The Heart of Worship" before..."It's all about you...Jesus"...

Please let me know if there is a special prayer I can word on your behalf today...

Don't grow weary...

Hebrews 12:1-3..."Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us , and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (3) For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds."

I believe this passage can be a refuge for a weary, worn-out Christian who is at their wit's end...We can be comforted by knowing there are others around us who are withstanding the same temptations and trials we face daily. Christian love also means to have compassion one for another...a part of that is reaching out and being there to help. If we've been there, that is a part of our testimony to share.

We also need to get away from the sins that are our personal weaknesses...whatever it may be, get as far from as possible. I have learned that to be recovered from our sins, we must avoid the opportunity to fall back into them.

Looking to Jesus gives us hope in the "down-and-out" times we struggle through. So many times, we are looking at others who aren't struggling when we throw our greatest pity parties...but if our eyes are focused on the cross, our troubles will pale in comparison. Consider what He went through for you!!! And it was because of you and me that He suffered and died on the cross...so a little strife here below starts to lose its sting a bit doesn't it?

Realize you're not in this alone...others face trials...we all have sins we struggle with...avoid them...keep your eyes on Jesus...and you will avoid weariness of mind and body!

Please let me know if there is a special prayer I can word on your behalf today...

Preach not yourself...

Again this Sunday, I will share with you from a passage in scripture that was used in Sunday morning worship. Preacher was speaking about great deliverance from numerous strongholds in our lives. He started with 1 Chronicles 11:14. Then over to 2 Corinthians 4:4-6.

I won't be following the same lesson plan as he did. I will be using verses 3-7..."But if your gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: (4) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (5) For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. (6) For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (7) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."

One of the biggest keys in this passage is that if we show not the gospel outwardly, it is hidden to the lost. The saved already have it, so it's not hidden to them. When we stay silent, it is the lost that we put in jeopardy. Makes me think, how about you?

The god of this world (satan) tries to keep their eyes hidden from the truth. Like the song says..."You're the only Jesus some will ever see"...Let that soak in for a minute...If you don't spread the love of Christ in word and deed, who will? Are you expecting someone to do follow-up work in your daily walk?

We don't preach ourselves...who does your conversation magnify? This points right back at me, too! When the focus is on us, people get misled. The end of verse 5 says we are servants' for Jesus' sake. That means we are doing it FOR HIM!!! I know it's a daily struggle to give up yourself and let God lead, but that's what we're called to do.

The light of God should shine in our hearts, not anything for us to boast or brag about, but as verse 7 states..."we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God"...

May your words and deeds reflect your Father in heaven. If you are reading this and looking for the answers to your problems and need to know Him, please let me know. There is no time like right now... Have a blessed day!

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