Monthly Archives: July 2012

The One Thing We Have to Agree On

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I am convinced of lots of things in my life. Some important. Some, not so much.

One of the things that I am convinced of is that while we all may be part of different churches we are all part of the same “church.” The body of Christ. The body of Christ is made up all believers in Jesus Christ, no matter what local congregation or denomination we may be part of.

The body of Christ is made of all those that call upon His name and wish to see Him glorified and lifted up, no matter what tradition or tribe they may be part of. That tribe may be Baptist, or Methodist, or Pentecostal, or Catholic, or any dozens of other groups that we are part of.

Through Jesus Christ, we are all one.

That’s how He sees us.

And, I’m convinced that’s how the world sees us too. The world doesn’t seen us in all of our different traditions and denominations, it see us all as “Christian.” We are all a mass of “Christians” no matter what group we are part of.

So, when we as Christians nuke each other and throw bombs at each other, what does it say to a dying world? If we can’t get along and work together and be the church, then what hope is there?

Listen to what Paul says today in Romans 16 17-18:

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

Watch out for divisions today. Watch out for those things that separate us today. This is not to say that we all agree on everything. We don’t. We all have real differences. Real things that separate us.

And you know that’s ok. We don’t have to agree on everything. In fact, there’s only one thing that we do have to agree on.

Jesus.

As one of my heroes said – if your heart has been warmed as my heart has, then brother give me your hard.

We are all on the same team. We have much more in common than that separates us! We serve the same God. Let’s work for the same purpose. God is good. He is worthy of our praise.

May we all as Christians work together for His purpose!

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones

Victory

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Sometimes in our lives, we spend a lot of time focusing on our defeats, the things we do wrong, the mistakes we have made.

We understand our shortcomings, our failures, our defeats.

Sometimes we can feel like we are defeated and we need encouragement and strength, we need hope and forgiveness.

But, sometimes we have done amazing things. I mean, just awesome things. Sometimes, sometimes, sometimes, we have amazing, earth shattering, awesome victories.

I mean sometimes we accomplish something that we just have to stand back and say – wow! Can you believe that happened? Can you believe that we did that? You can you believe that we accomplished this task?

Wow. That’s awesome.

And in those times, at these moments of awesome and amazing victory, we need to remember the words of Psalm 44: 1-3:

O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us, what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old: you with your own hand drove out the nations, but them you planted; you afflicted the peoples, but them you set free; for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them.

The people of God had done amazing things. They had conquered a new land. They had been victorious. They had won amazing astounding victories.

They wanted to just stand back and say wow! Look what we’ve done.

And so they wrote Psalm 44. And they were reminded. It wasn’t them. It was God, through them. The victory was because of the Lord. He was the force. He was the strength. He was the power.

It was Him. It was because of Him and through Him.

And so is it for each of us today. Our victories are His. Through Him and for Him and His glory.

Today, let’s thank Him for the victories in our lives. Let’s be thankful. Let’s live boldly. Let’s try big things. Let’s do big things. Let’s live out loud.

Let’s, as a I like to say – charge hell with a water pistol.

And when we put out the fire, let’s give God the glory.

Today, He is the author, the perfector, and the giver of all our victories. Let’s do our part, put let’s know that the battle is His!

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones

Chik-Fil-A and Society – Respect, Culture, and Response?

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Been thinking about the whole Chik Fil A controversy this week. One of the things that the church and Christians are having to come to terms with is the change in our society. We are quickly becoming a “post Christian” society. Now, I know we can argue about the levels of morality of the past, i.e. was a society that had forced segregation by race as “moral” as we make it out to be, but every measurement shows that by and by the strength, clout, and effectiveness of the organized church is on the decline.

Even in a town like Petal, MS where we joke that there are churches on every corner, we are at least 50% unchurched, and Walmart is probably the busiest place in Petal on a Sunday.

So, what does all this controversy tell us about the state of things? A few thoughts from my caffeine infused brain.

1. Decline of organized church – this goes to the “post Christian” nature of our society.  In the past, the church, or a preacher, or a Christian could say “The Bible says this” and the discussion was over.  Now, we say that, and the response from the world is “so?”

We as Christians are living in a culture and place where the norms are quickly changing.  And, I think that this has serious implications for the church.

The “institutional, they know what time we start” church is over.  In the past, we as Christians expected folks to look to us as Christians, as the church, for answers.  They know longer do it.  We expected them to stream into our churches. They aren’t. We are expected them to look to as the moral compass of our nation.  They don’t.

I don’t like it.  It hurts.  It’s painful.  It’s scary. But as my Asbury folks here me say a lot – it is what it is.

2. Opposition from society – This leads to our second observation – In our society we are more likely to be mocked than respected.  But, didn’t Jesus say as much?

John 15:18

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.

Matthew 10:22

“and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”

We are used to being respected. But, our Lord didn’t promise us respect from the world and society.  Never.

In fact, He promised us the exact opposite.  What makes us think that we will fare better than our Lord?

So, if we are part of a society where we will be mocked, what are we do to? What is the response of a Christian to this new age we are living in?

3. The greater need to radically love – I know this is hard.  I know it’s hard when we are mocked, made fun of, everything else. But listen.  Listen to what our Lord said in Luke 6:27-36:

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

I know, know, know the response we want to have is to punch back.  I know.  But as our Lord said, what does it gain us to love only those that are good to us?  Nothing.

We don’t want to.  I get it. But, what does our Lord say?  Love.  Love them. Even those that mock us.  Even those that despise us. He promised us that they would.  He promised.

And the only, only way that we can hope to change anyone is love.  Only God’s love changes folks, and only God’s love through us changes people.

I know it’s hard.  But it’s the only way.

And that leads to our last point

4. Growth of kingdom based church – if we as the church can do this

1.  Admit our sin and our need for Jesus

2.  Take the attention off ourselves and point to the one that died for our sins and rose for our victory – Jesus Christ.  Radically, totally, and only point to Him as the source of our redemption and life

3.  Proclaim Him through our word AND our actions by radically loving the least of these in our midst, and radically loving EVERYONE we meet

We can change the word. Through the power of the Holy Spirit living in us, we can.  We can love folks to Jesus.  And change the world for His glory.

Now these are not namby pamby ideals.  We as the church need to stand for what is right. we need to teach our children what is right. As a husband and father, I want to love my children, protect my family and keep them safe at all times. That’s my duty as a husband and as a father.

And I will do so.

But, hear me on this.  Folks will not like it. First, we shouldn’t be shocked. Second, we should stand strong on our beliefs, no matter the response of culture.  And third – we should follow the advice of our Lord. Love them any way. And when they wonder why we love- say this one word.

Jesus

These are just a few of my thoughts. Hope they are helpful.

Temptation

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I think sometimes the worst part about being a Christian is temptation. What do Imean by that?

Well before you were a Christian, temptation was a reality, and we may give into things, but in many ways, we probably lived our lives seeing what we can get away with. If no one knows, then it’s ok. What’s it matter if it is wrong?

Now, as a Christian, I know there are things that are wrong. And I know that I, and you, are tempted every day to do things that we know are wrong. And I know that we tend to give into temptation.

And, we don’t like it. I don’t like the way that I feel when I fall. I don’t like the way that I feel when I choose wrong. I don’t like the way that I feel when I give into temptation.

We long for a day when we don’t face temptation. We love for a day when don’t have deal with this struggle. We wish we didn’t have to face it.

But know this. When we do face temptation, we serve a God that understands. We serve a God, that through His son, understands what we are going through. That has been where we are. And knows.

Listen to what the Word says in Hebrews 4:15-16:

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Today, the Lord knows your temptations, knows your weaknesses, and knows your struggles. He has been there. He has walked it. He knows.

So, when we turn to Him in our moment of temptation and weakness, He will be there. He will give us strength and courage. He will give us what we need to fight it, to stand up against it, and to overcome it.

And when we fall, He will pick us up again. He will love us. He will forgive us.

Temptation is a constant struggle. And I am thankful to serve a God that understands it. And that walks with us, even in the midst of it.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones

God is Bigger

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Have you considered the awesomeness of God?

We know that God is personal. We know that He loves us. We know that He counts every hair upon our head. He knows our fears. He knows our hearts. As a loving father longs to embrace his children in his arms, so does God long to embrace His children in His arms. He is a deeply personal God that loves you more than your finite human mind can understand.

But, with all that said, have you considered the awesomeness of God?

I love the book of Psalms; they bring that awesomeness back to our minds. They remind us what a great, might, amazing, sovereign, omnipotent God we serve.

Read part of what is said in Psalm 50:2-5:

“Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth. Our God comes; he does not keep silent; before him is a devouring fire, around him a mighty tempest. He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that he may judge his people: ‘Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!’ The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge.”

God is an awesome God. Really. He is the God of all of creation. He is the God of all that is, both seen and unseen. He is a God that literally spoke creation into being.

And He is bigger. He is bigger than all.

Today, He is bigger than your fears.

He is bigger than your worries.

He is bigger than your failures.

He is bigger than you defeats.

But, also know that He is bigger than your dreams.

He is bigger than your victories. He is bigger than your successes.

He is the God of Heaven. He is the Lord of the universe. He is King.

Do you live with that awareness? What are your problems when compared to the God of Hosts? He is bigger. He is bigger than whatever you face. He is bigger than whatever your fear.

This is not to diminish your fears and worries. They are real. They exist.

But trust me. Listen to me. Hear me. No matter what they are.

God is bigger.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones

Living for Ourselves?

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Yesterday we talked about how sometimes in life we want judgment for “them” and grace for us. Paul talks in Romans about this concept and we are reminded not to judge.

I mean, who are we to judge? God is the only judge, not us.

So then, does that mean I am free to live as I want and do as I want, and who are you to say anything to me about anything that I’m doing? I am free to do as I want in this life. Only God can judge me.

Well, maybe. But let’s not take this freedom thing too far. Let’s seriously consider what our actions do and how they affect others. Read what Paul says in Romans 14: 13-15:

“Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.”

As Christians, we don’t just live for ourselves. This life is not just about us. It’s not just about what we want to do. It’s also about our families, our workplaces, our churches, our communities, and how we affect other people.

Your life today will make an impact on someone else; the way that we live, work, play, laugh – who we are – will affect others.

May we never be a stumbling block to someone else. May we never live in a way that dishonors God, that harms a neighbor, or that keeps someone from knowing Christ.

May I never live in such a way that that my life is a stumbling block to someone else.

So, yes, today we have freedom. We can do as we want. We can live as we want. I am not to judge you and you are not to judge me. God is the only the judge.

But our lives affect each other. Our lives shape each other. Our lives have an impact on each other. And on the world.

May we live in a way that brings glory to God. And may we never be a stumbling block to someone else.

May we never live just for ourselves.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones

Judgement and Grace

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I really want the Lord to judge “them” for their sin.

Whoever “they” are, and whatever “they” are doing, I want Him to get them. After all, they deserve judgment. I mean, look at what they are doing! God, go get ’em!

Now, for me and I my sins, I want grace. I want forgiveness. I want God’s mercy for the mistakes that I make every day.

For “them” and their sins, I want the holiness of God to come and smite them for the mistakes that they make. For me and my sins, I want the grace of God to smooth over the rough edges of my life and remind me that I’m His beloved child, no matter what.

So, to recap, I want judgment for them, and grace for me.

All of us as Christians are tempted to live that way. To think that we are the righteous and they are the sinners. We as Christians are sometimes (most times) tempted to live a life of judgment.

Listen to what Paul writes in Romans 14:10-12:

“Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.’ So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.”

Paul says who are you to pass judgment on another? And in our society, we like that verse because it lets us off the hook. We can say, “Don’t judge me!”

But Paul is really saying this: we are not to judge each other, because ultimately, we will all stand before a truly righteous judge one day. One day, we will all give account to God for our lives and what we do.

This passage isn’t a “get out of jail free card” but a reality check card. We don’t judge because we are not worthy of being a judge. Only God is.

Because of that, I want to live that graceful life that is given mercy for my sin, as well as your sin. Only God can judge.

None of us are good enough to judge.

But, God is.

And how does He respond to our sin? Grace.

May we respond the same way to others and their sin.

And may we all seek to live our God’s grace and life in our lives.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones

When Words Fail Us

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This past weekend at Camp Wesley Pines, all the families were sitting around eating ice cream and the camp director asked me if I liked to hunt.

I told him I have no problem at all with eating deer, or squirrel, or rabbit, or whatever. I just can’t think of a more miserable activity (for me) than hunting.

Because in my limited experience hunting involved a whole lot of sitting still and being quiet. And those are two thing that I do very, very poorly. The idea of being still and quiet for hours on end sounds like pure torture to me.

But, as much as I hate being still and quiet, there are times, times of prayer, times of reflection, times of awe, times of hurt, times of mystery when we just come before God, and we are quiet.

Our words fail us. We don’t know what to say. And you know what? That’s ok. Listen to what Paul says in Romans 8:26-27:

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

God knows your needs. God knows your hurts. God knows your pains. God knows your fears.

God knows.

When you are at a loss for words, God knows. When you don’t know what you need, God knows. When you aren’t even sure what to pray for, what do, what to say or how to say it, God knows.

Today, you don’t have to worry about what you have to say to God. Just come before Him. Sit before Him. Come into His presence.

And even be quiet, if you want. You don’t have to say anything at all.

Sometimes the most important prayers have the fewest words said. God knows what we need. May come before Him today with joy, hope, and peace.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

Be Different

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We were talking yesterday at our Asbury staff day apart about what we are things we are to do as a church. What are we trying to accomplish and how are we trying to accomplish it?

Well, that made us talk about what God’s goals are for us? What does God want for us? What is God’s desire for us?

I had a friend ask me once, what is the “goal” of salvation.

For many of us, when we were younger, the goal of salvation was fire insurance. We want to avoid hell and gain heaven.

But we find when we look at the Bible that God doesn’t just have intentions for our eternity, He has goals and intentions for today, as well as our tomorrow.

Well, what are they?

Listen to what Paul tells us in Romans 12:1-2 today:

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

God’s goal for us is to be different. To be “holy.” To not be like the world. To not model ourselves and our lives after the way that the world is living, but to model ourselves and our lives based off the way that God wants us to live.

Today, we are told renew your mind. Where is your head at? Do you think of the things of God, or the things of the world. Where does your mind linger. Where do your thoughts remain? Where do you spend your mental energies?

Today, let’s submit all we are to God. Our hearts. Our minds. Our lives. Our dreams. Our all.

That is how we are different. That is how we are holy. That’s how we are totally His. s

By giving it all to Him.

Today, be different. Be you unique. Be the person that He has made you to be. Give it all to Him.

And in giving it to Him, you will find all you need.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

Loving Other Folks is Hard

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There are things that other people do that drive me crazy. It’s one of my running jokes at Asbury that I just don’t have patience for being stuck behind traffic on Hwy 42.

I’m not saying that if I had a laser mounted on the hood of my car that I would blow everyone up. I’m not saying that.

But I would be tempted! 🙂

We all in our lives have something about someone who drives us crazy. Each of us. That something may be something a spouse does. It may be something a coworker does. it may be something that a family member does.

But there’s something that someone does that just drives us up the wall.

Listen to what Paul says here in Romans 15:1-3:

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”

Now your thinking, Andy, what does this have to do with those people who annoy you?

Good question. Paul says those that are strong have an obligation to bear the failings (weaknesses) of others. Please your neighbor. Build them up.

In other words, we don’t just live for ourselves. We live for the gospel and for the kingdom, we live to help others know God and experience His life.

And the more that you stir and stew about the thing that drive you crazy about that other person, the more angry and crazy you are going to be.

Look at what Paul says in verse 3 – Jesus did not please Himself. He didn’t live for Himself. He lived for us and so that we could be drawn closer to Him.

Why should I love folks that drive me crazy? Why should I look past their faults and weakness?

Loving other folks is hard! I’m not sure that I want to do it! Why should I care about them, when frankly they probably don’t deserve it?

Because Jesus did that exact same thing for me. He loved me when I was unloveable. He cared for me when I wasn’t worth caring for.

And He wants me (and you) to do the same thing for “them” no matter who they are and what they “do.”

He lived for others. We find only find our life when we stop living for ourselves, and live for Him.

Today, may we live for something bigger than ourselves.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.