Monthly Archives: August 2011

The Israel of God? Huh?

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Last night in my Asbury Small Group Connection (by the way, quick plug, if you’d like to sign up for one of our Small Group Connections, you can click here) we finished up Galatians. Galatians is one of my favorite books of the Bible. It deals with grace, and law, and faith.

And, as Paul ends this letter, he is reminding the people of what he has stressed to them throughout the letter – you are saved by grace.  Not by action. Not be the law, not by anything you can do.

You are saved by the grace of God. That’s it. That’s the list.

As I told my group last night, there’s nothing you can do to make God love you any more.  Nothing.  You can’t make God love you anymore. He simple loves you more than you’ll ever imagine, right now.  You can’t make God love you any more.  You can’t make God love you any less.  He simply loves you.

Remember that.  We aren’t faithful to make God love us. We are faithful because that is the response of a thankful heart.

And Paul ends this letter on grace and love with these words:

For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

It’s that last phrase that I love.  All who walk by grace will be the “Israel of God.”  Notice when you hear those words in scripture, it’s normally the “God of Israel.”  Here is the Israel of God.  Paul spends time throughout Galatians saying that those that live by faith, not the law, are the true children of God, and they can claim the promises of the Old Testament.

Here, Paul calls those of us that believe, the “new” Israel.  And he is saying in that, that we belong to God.  We are His.  He claims us.  He owns us.  We are His.

You, today, are the Israel of God.  Your identity, your worth, your everything, it comes not from anything you can do, it comes from what He has done.

Today, above all else that counts in your life, there is this.  You are a child of God. Remember that.  You are His.  That’s what counts. That’s what matter.  You are His.

Today, remember who you.  Remember whose you are.  You are the Israel of God. Don’t forget.

 

Do Something

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I tell folks that I’m not particularly useful in life. I’m a preacher!  There’s not much I can do in life that’s actually helpful! 🙂

I say that jokingly, but as someone who really does spend a lot of time preaching and counseling and preparing our church for what God has called us to do and to be, one of the things that I really enjoy, when I get the chance, is the opportunity to do mission work. It’s a neat thing to be able to “do” something like fix, or rebuild, or work in some fashion.

I remember once taking a group of youth to build a habitat house in Lauderdale County, MS, and it was a great joy to be able to “do” something, but just as importantly, see these kids learn to “do” something as well. To be the hands and feet of Jesus in this day.

Today, God is going to give you the chance to “do” something for Him.  It may be something in your eyes that is “big,” it may be something in your eyes that is “small.” But, both of these, the big and the small, they are something that you can do for His glory.

Listen to the words of one of my favorite passages, Colossians 3:17:

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Everything you do today, you do it for God. Everything. From the biggest task, to the smallest errand. Everything you do today, you do it to glorify Him and to be an ambassador for Him.

You can influence many with your words, your actions, your heart, your smile, your attitude, your very being.

Everything you do today, everything, is done for God.

Today, you have the chance to “do’ something for God.

Don’t miss that chance. Don’t miss that moment. God has given it to you. Today, may we do what God is calling us to do.

And may we do it for His glory and for His purpose.

Giving Up

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Sometimes giving up seems like the best option.

Sometimes giving up seems like it is the only thing that we can do. Sometimes the road seems too long. Sometimes the trials seem too deep. Sometimes it seems like it is just not worth the work that lays ahead to finish the race.

Sometimes it seems too hard.

Sometimes the road seems to long.

Sometimes we just dont’ think we can do it.

So, why do it? What’s the point? It’s not like we can finish anyway.

On days when we are tempted to think that way, listen to what we read in Hebrews 12 today:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.

Remember.  You are surrounded by a mighty cloud of witnesses. There are people who are there for you. People that support you.  People that love you.  People that are on your side.

I know when you are in the midst of a storm, you feel like you are all alone. I know it feels that way. I know it’s tempting to believe.

You are not.  You are not all alone.  You are surrounded by people who love you.  Even if it doesn’t feel that way.  Even if you can’t see it.  You are not alone.

Don’t lose hope.

And, remember one last thing. Remember what Jesus endured.  Remember what He suffered. Remember what He went through.  Remember.

Jesus kept going. He set the example for us. Remember that. Don’t grow weary.

You can do it. Even if you think that it’s impossible. Even if you think it won’t happen, don’t give up. Remember those that surround you that support and cheer for you.

And remember what our Lord endured. Remember His example. And live in His strength.

Keep running today. Don’t give up.

You can do it!

 

Follow Me – Intro Podcast

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The sermon podcast for Sunday, August 14, 2011 is up on Asbury Church’s website.  This is the first sermon in our series about discipleship and the transformed life entitled “Follow Me.”  It reflects upon many of the passages of scripture where Jesus called folks to lay everything down and follow Him.  You can listen to it by clicking here, or you can listen to it here on this blog by clicking below. And, as always, you can subscribe to my sermon podcasts through iTunes.

Help my Unbelief

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Yesterday I reflected a little on worry.  Worry is something that I deal with A LOT myself. I spent most of yesterday worrying and fretting over a bunch of stuff when the Lord reminded me, hey dude, you need to listen to the things that you tell other folks.

I’m the kind of guy that Lord doesn’t always whisper to. Sometimes He has to smack me on the head.

And today, the Lord maybe continuing His smacking on the head, to me, if to no one else. I was reading today in Mark, and I read this passage:

“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

Worry, to me, is so closely tied to doubt.  I worry when I doubt something will work out ok. I worry when I feel like a situation is out of my control and I doubt that anything can be done about it.

Worry seems to thrive off of doubt. Doubt seems to the oxygen to worry’s fire.  Worry seems to be fed and driven by doubt.

When there is no doubt, through, there would not be as much worry. Without that doubt, worry would become less.

So, what is the opposite of doubt?  Faith.  Faith drives out doubt. Faith drives out worry.

And so, look at this passage today, with a verse that I love. Lord I believe, help my unbelief.  None of us have as much faith as we ought to have. None of us are exactly where we ought to be in our walk.  None of us are perfect.  That’s ok.

Lord we do believe.  Help our unbelief.  Help us have more faith.  More trust.  More confidence in your plan.

Today, we believe.  We have faith. We have trust. Today, may we have MORE faith and trust.

Today, we believe.  Today, may the Lord help our unbelief.

Don’t Worry About It

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Don’t worry about it. That’s one of my favorite phrases.  The other may be “it is what it is.”  Or I guess “Hotty Toddy.”  One of those is definitely my favorite phrase!

I say don’t worry about it to a lot to people. I say it in meetings when we are thinking through a situation. I say it when I’m talking to people about situations they are going through. I say to family when we are a looking towards the future. I say it a lot.

And I mean it too. When I tell people not to worry about it, I mean that, I believe that, and I trust it be true.

I just wish I could do a better job of not worrying about it myself. I’m a worrier.  But, at least I get it honest.  My mama is, and her mama was, and I guess in our family it’s just a family tradition.

That’s why reading verses like this one of our Philippians 4 is always such a good reminder to me:

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

We can’t “will” ourselves to not worry.  Not worrying comes through prayer. By giving everything to God, we experience God’s grace. And in receiving that grace, we find that peace guards our hearts, and we don’t have anything to worry about.

So, the first step shouldn’t be “don’t worry about it.” The first step should be “take to God in prayer.” And when we take it to Him in prayer, we find grace.

And grace brings about peace.

And peace keeps us from worry.

So, today, don’t worry about it. But, before you can do that, take it to God in prayer.  And through that prayer, we will find all that we ever need.

For every last worry.

We Remember. Then Forget

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If you’ve read my thoughts for any time at all, you’ll know that I just love the Psalms. I think they are my favorite parts of scripture.  They are full of worship of God,they are full of emotion, they are full of all the things that we go through and we experience.

They describe our success,they describe our failure.

They describe how we are faithful, the describe how we go wrong.

They, in short, lay out for us the whole of the human experience. Everything we know, everything we can do, we can find there in the Psalms.

Today, listen to the words of Psalm 106.  It’s a little bit longer passage of scripture than I normally reference, but it lays this out for you:

Like our ancestors, we have sinned.
We have done wrong! We have acted wickedly!
Our ancestors in Egypt
were not impressed by the Lord’s miraculous deeds.
They soon forgot his many acts of kindness to them.
Instead, they rebelled against him at the Red Sea.
Even so, he saved them—
to defend the honor of his name
and to demonstrate his mighty power.
He commanded the Red Sea to dry up.
He led Israel across the sea as if it were a desert.
So he rescued them from their enemies
and redeemed them from their foes.
Then the water returned and covered their enemies;
not one of them survived.
Then his people believed his promises.
Then they sang his praise.
Yet how quickly they forgot what he had done!
They wouldn’t wait for his counsel!
In the wilderness their desires ran wild

This describes the history of the people of Israel. The people forget what God has done. They forget His faithfulness. They forget His saving hand.

And, in spite of that, He saves them anyway.  He restores them anyway.  He stands for them anyway.

In spite of what they’ve done wrong. In spite of their sin. In spite of their failing. God loves them. And He acts out of His great love for His people.

And all is right, for a little while. The people obey. The people listen. The people follow. For a little.

Then, they forget.  They forget what God has done, and then they fall back into sin.

And it happens again, and again, and again.

They remember, and then they forget.

And in spite of it, God loves.

Today, don’t forget what God has done for you. Don’t forget what God is doing for you. Don’t forget how God has saved you, loved you, forgiven you.

Don’t forget.

Because when we forget, we get ourselves in trouble. We fall into sin. We make the mistake. We are wrong. We make that wrong step.

Remember. Remember what God has done, remember how God loves, remember who is His.  Never forget.

And cling to His love for you, even in the tough times. Don’t forget.

He loves you.  Don’t take it for granted. Don’t forget.

On Starting a New School Year

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This morning when I couldn’t sleep (yeah, probably too much coffee in meetings yesterday!) I began to think and pray for the students of Asbury as they get ready to start back to school today.  High School and Middle start, and then the lower grades (including my Sarah) start back in a staggered way through the week.

And, let’s not forget our teachers and staff that started last week, but welcome their classes today.

And, for many of you that read this, you started back last week, or are getting ready to start in the coming days/week.

So, as I began to think about the start of a new year and what that means for each of us, the Lord laid a verse upon my heart.  It’s 1 Corinthians 10:31.  Listen to what it says:

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Simple, right?  But powerful.

Students, do everything thing you do this year to glory of God. That involves the way that you treat each other. That involves the way that you treat the new and the unpopular. That involves the way you do your work, make your friends, spend your time.

You aren’t just marking time to graduation. You are living for God. And my prayer is that everything you do, you do it to God’s glory.

Teachers, this is the first day of a long year.  Lots of kids, lots of regulations, lots of work and worry.

You don’t do this for yourself.  You do it for God’s glory.  Every moment is a chance to impact a child. Every moment is a chance to make a difference. Every moment of this year is a sacred moment.

Do it the glory of God. Even when you are tired, worn out, and stressed out.

Remember your high calling.

And parents, we have a responsibility as well. Parents, we need to be praying. For our students and our teachers. We need to be supporting, our students and our teachers. We need to be living out this notion – do it all to God’s glory.  We as parents need to realize that our parenting is an means to glorify God and give Him honor.

So, all of us. Students, teachers, and parents, as we start this new school year, let’s make sure that we do it all to glorify God.  He made us, He loves us, and He is with us.

May we honor Him with all we do in this day, in this year, and in all our lives.

The Puzzle – Love Podcast

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The sermon podcast for Sunday, July 31, 2011 is up on Asbury Church’s website.  This is the last sermon in our series about Spiritual Gifts – “The Puzzle.” This series talks about spiritual gifts and this one deals with the gift of that is the one that all Christians should have, and is the greatest of all the gifts.  Love. The text for this sermon is 1 Corinthians 12:29-13:13.  You can listen to it by clicking here, or you can listen to it here on this blog by clicking below. And, as always, you can subscribe to my sermon podcasts through iTunes.

The Simple Things

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There are some books in the bible <cough Revelation cough> that are really confusing. Some books that are really tough to understand. Some that make us scratch our head, close our eyes, and just wonder, what was that?

Now, just a word, even those hard to understand books can very important and fruitful for our walk with God. Do I understand every part of Revelation?  No. But I do understand that it teaches that in the end, God wins. And those who have their hope in Christ have nothing to fear in this life.

And that’s good. So, even the hard stuff is important.

But there are days when I really look forward to reading out of Proverbs. This book is full of simple Godly wisdom, the kind of things that if we do, we will find our lives in a place where we need to be.

In the New Testament, the books of 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy are much like that. Good, simple, easy to understand wisdom. Listen to what Paul writes in 1 Timothy 4 today:

Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.

Just good stuff.  Live a Godly life in front of others. Do what’s right.  Focus on reading the scriptures.  Encourage.  Teach. Preach. Live.

Not rocket science.  Not overly complicated. Simple.

The simple things matter. The simple things are important. The simple things are most often where life is found.

I had a friend that used to always encourage me – Pray, read your Bible, and go to church.  In doing these things you will put yourself in a position to be used by God.

In the simple things.

Today, don’t worry about the complicated things. Don’t worry about the things you can’t understand. Worry about the simple things. Are you doing them?  Are you praying?

Are you reading your Bible?

Are you going to church?

In the simple things, we find life. In the simple things we find that wisdom.  In the simple things we find our way.

Today, are doing the things we should be doing?