The Church is Bigger Than Me

Posted on September 30, 2014 by Andy Stoddard

The Church is bigger than me. It is bigger than my church. It is bigger than the denomination that I’m a part of. It’s bigger than the churches that I’m in partnership with here locally.

The Church is bigger than me.

It’s made of people (and churches) that are different than me. It’s made of up of people (and churches) that are like me. They may worship like we do; they may worship differently than we do. They may have disagreements on lots of things.

And that’s ok. Because the church is bigger than me. It’s bigger than my church. It’s made up of all of those that profess the name of Jesus Christ.

Listen to what happens today in Luke 9: 49-50:

John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.”

Jesus said; it’s bigger than just us. While they may not be “part”
of us, they are part of us.

So, today, if we are working for the same God, have the same purpose, the same salvation, the same calling, the same reason, we are on the same team.

We are. In spite of differences, in spite of preferences, in spite of all these things we are part of the same team.

And we as Christians, we’ve got to live like that. Seriously. We’ve got to live with that truth in our lives. We’ve got to live with that purpose.

The church is bigger than me. It’s bigger than my church. It’s bigger than my style of worship. It’s bigger than my theology.

It’s bigger that all of these. It’s about Jesus. And His will and His purpose.

Let’s live like that today. Me and you. We can do it.

And I know if we all do, each of us together. We can change the world.

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, and you thought our app, you can now watch our worship services from Asbury too!

Who We Are

Posted on September 29, 2014 by Andy Stoddard

God made everything. All that is, both seen and unseen. He made it all. Every last bit. The whole shooting match.

And when you look at all the universe, you know what you see? When you read the first books of the Bible, Genesis 1-2, we see that all of the universe is pointing directly at the earth.

I love the story in Genesis 1 where when it says God made the stars and the moon to give light to the earth at night. Think about that. God made all the stars in the sky, simply so we would have a night-light. How amazing is that!

And so when we see all of creation we see this fact as well. Of all that God made, of all the amazing things He has created, we as humans, we are the highest of all them. We are the pinnacle of creation. Listen to what it says in Psalm 8: 3-5:

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.

We see all that God has done and think, what is it that you, Oh God, are mindful of us. You are so big, and we are so small. Why are you concerned with us? Of what value are we?

And we see what the Word teaches us. We matter. We are crowned with glory.

So we see the beautiful contrast here. We are small and insignificant when compared to God and His universe. And yet we are the height of God’s creation.

So, we stay humble, nothing that we are small. Remember, that this world is not about us. It is about God.

And we are mindful knowing that we are the height of creation, we are sacred, special, and amazing.

That’s who we are. We are small. And we are amazing. We are a speck of dust. And we are the most brilliant thing God has ever made. That’s who we are.

Today, rejoice in who you are. And know that God is with us, each step of the way.

Who Do We Live For?

Posted on September 25, 2014 by Andy Stoddard

I wanted to share something with this morning that we talked about last night at Bible Study at Asbury. I love our Wednesday nights here; we have lots of adult small groups that meet across campus, youth worship, and children’s activities. It’s a really good time.

But last night we are in the process of working through Romans and started talking about the law, keeping the law, doing right, grace and all kind of things.

And I began to talk about our lives, and the thing that should really matter the most in our lives is God, and then from that, other people. I don’t live for myself, I live for God.

And I want my life for God to influence others for Him. So, on one aspect, I really don’t care what others think about me. Really, I don’t. I don’t live for the approval of other people. I live for the approval of God.

But, I also don’t want my life, the things I do, I don’t want these things to harm others or harm their faith. I want my life to be a blessing to others. Not a harm.

Listen to 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

Our faith is not about actions. By what we eat, or by what we drink, these things don’t save or condemn us. What Paul is talking about is food sacrificed to idols. Here is a pretty good explanation of what that is.

But what Paul winds up saying is this. What you eat or what you drink, those aren’t big deals. They don’t save or condemn you. But, you want to make sure that by what you do, you don’t harm others.

Your life is a witness about God to others. We live for God’s purpose and His plan. He is our concern. But we never want to harm others.

In short, we don’t just live for ourselves. We live for others. We live for God. We live to make a difference.

And today, you do. You can make a difference. Let your light shine, let your life make a difference. You can. You can make a difference. You can make an impact. You were placed here to do it.

Live for God’s glory. Live to impact others. Live to take His word with you.

You can do it.

This Time Matters

Posted on September 24, 2014 by Andy Stoddard

One of the things that I think we can do as Christians to really change our lives is to look at Jesus. He is the visible image of the invisible God. So, in other words, to know God, we have to know Jesus.

How do we know Jesus?

We look at the Word and see what it teaches. What does it say about Him, His life, His ministry, who He is?

So, if you really want to change your life, read a Gospel. Read Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. Read it and see what you learn about Jesus. And when learn something about Jesus, you will learn something about God.

Today, we take a look at something that happens in Luke 4: 42-44. Listen to what it says:

And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.” And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea

What do we learn here? Well, lots of things. Jesus had a mission. He obeyed it, even when it was a challenge and misunderstood. He was always moving and faithful.

But what I took away was this. He was alone. He went to a place where it was just Him and God. He went alone and prayed.

He is the very Son of God. He is God Himself. He is part of the Trinity. And He knew the importance of prayer. He knew the importance of study. He knew the importance of being alone with God.

It mattered to Jesus.

And so it should matter to us. This time matters. No matter where you are right now. At home. In the office. On the bus. In the car. Wherever. This time matters.

In this moment, turn your heart towards God. Listen to Him. Seek Him. Know Him. This right here is the most important time of your day.

Jesus knew the importance of His time with God. So should we.

Potential

Posted on September 23, 2014 by Andy Stoddard

God will send folks into our lives to make us better. God will bring people into our path that will make us even more faithful, more obedient, more effective for the Gospel.

They will help us to become better husbands and wives, better parents, better Christians, better friends.

God wants to do great things through us. And He will send people into our lives to help make that happen.

Listen to what happens today in Acts 18: 24, 26-27:

Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. . . He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed

Apollos is doing a great job speaking. He is smart, he is eloquent, he is really being used by God.

But Priscilla and Aquila knew that there was more than he could learn, more that he could know, more that he could understand.

He could be even better. He could. He could be even more faithful.

He could accomplish even more.

To learn more, or to be taught more is about our potential. It means that we can do even more for God. It means that we can be even more faithful. It means that we can accomplish even more.

So today, be faithful. And if the chance to learn something new comes, seize it. If the chance to learn from someone that’s been doing it longer than we have come, take it.

God is going to do amazing things through you. And when He sends someone into your path to make you better, thank Him for it!

Good Bible Study Tools

Posted on September 22, 2014 by Andy Stoddard

Monday – Thursday (with the occasional Friday) I share some thoughts here about the Bible. What I’d like to do today is a little bit different. I’d like to share some of the online tools that I use for bible study. I hope that my devotional can be a help to you each day; hopefully be something that can help you grow closer to God and to your neighbor.

But let me tell you what I really want for you. I hope I can always be a help to you, but I hope you don’t need me. I hope that you can do dig into the Word, that you really don’t need me. After all, you’ve as much access to the Holy Spirit as I do. You’ve got as much access to God as me.

I hope I can help you faith. But I also hope that I can equip you to truly dig into the Word yourself.

So, with that, here are some of the online Bible tools that I use.

Lumina Bible – This has become my favorite online Bible these last few months. It has a great tool called the NET Bible, which give you some of the best commentary on the bible around, as well as some of the best Greek and Hebrews tools I know. Very highly recommended.

Biblegateway.com – This the bible site that I use each day for this daily devotional. This site literally has every bible in nearly every language out there. Very good tool.

Wesley’s Notes on the Bible – This is an online collection of John Wesley’s notes that he wrote on the Old and New Testament. If you want to know what John Wesley thought about a Biblical passage, this is a great place to start!

World Wide Study Bible – Much like Biblegateway, you can find lots of online bibles here, but what I really like about this site is the access to different commentaries. You can learn a TON about a biblical passage through this website.

ESV Bible Online – This is the online version of the ESV Bible. It has some pretty neat tools there.

Bible.com – This is the webpage for the YouVersion app that many of us have on our phones. It syncs over quite well from your phone. Really useful.

Daily Bible Readings – Looking for a great place to get some suggested Bible reading for each day for a devotional? This site does a great job of giving you readings for each day throughout the year.

The Daily Office – This is the actual online version of The Daily Office, the morning prayer ritual that I do every morning. These daily readings and suggested prayers have been an anchor for my soul for nearly 15 years.

Here are the online versions of The Upper Room and Our Daily Bread daily devotionals that so many of us have used throughout the years. Through these sites you can also have them sent to your email address.

CS Lewis Daily – Here is a link for daily Tweets from CS Lewis. While not technically Bible study, it’s still awesome.

Tim Keller Daily – And here is a link for daily tweets from Tim Keller, the pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church and in my opinion the best preacher out there today.

I hope these are helpful. Thanks for entrusting part of your day to me!

Don’t Give Up

Posted on September 18, 2014 by Andy Stoddard

Sometimes in life, we really just want to quit. We want to lay down, just stop, and give up. We want to give in. There’s no point in going on, no point in trying, no point in worrying.

Why try?

Why worry?

What’s the point? There’s no point in it all.

Why pray? God doesn’t care, surely not. God isn’t worried about it. Why pray. Just quit.

I’m sure you’ve thought that way before. I know I have. I’m sure you’ve just wanted to lay down and quit before. I know have.

But you know what? Don’t give up. Listen to what happened in Luke 18: 35-43:

As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

This guy was blind. Just getting as far as he did in life was a real accomplishment. But he hears Jesus is coming. This is his chance. This is the moment that he can be healed.

After all, Jesus has been going around everywhere healing folks all over the place. This is the moment. This is when it can happen.

So, he goes to find Jesus. He goes to be healed. And folks tell him. No. Be quiet. Jesus doesn’t have time for this. He has others to attend to. He has other things that He had to do.

Go.

Leave.

So, he could. He could quit. He could leave. He could lay down and continue as it is. Or, he could say no! I will not quit! I will not lay down! I will keep going! I will keep doing! I will keep yelling louder, and louder, and louder for Jesus until He does something.

And Jesus does. He heals him. Because he wouldn’t quit. He wouldn’t give up. He keeps pushing; he kept the faith. He didn’t quit.

And neither should you. Keep fighting. Keep working. Keep striving. Keep going. Keep doing it.

You can. Keep at it. Don’t quit. No matter what. Keeping going.

You can do it. Keep at it. Good things will come. Even if you tire, or scared, or worried, or whatever.

Keep going. No matter what.

You can do it.

Dont’ give up.

Trusting

Posted on September 17, 2014 by Andy Stoddard

It is easy sometimes in life to think that things are spinning out of control. It’s easy to feel that the world is spinning out of control.

It’s easy to feel that our lives are out of control. That our families are out of control. That things are spinning too fast, that things are coming unglued.

What are we going to do! Ah!!!!! Oh!!!!!!

Seriously. Ever feel that way? I know I do sometimes. I know I am not sure of how things are going, worried about things in my life, my church, my family, the world.

As a worrier, it’s kind of what I do. So, it’s good for me to hear the words of Job 42: 1-3 this morning:

Then Job replied to the Lord: “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.

What purpose (or plan) of God can be thwarted. What plan of God can be ended? What plan of God can be stopped?

By who? Me? You? The world?

Nope. God knows what He is doing. He’s got a plan. He’s got a purpose. He knows what He is in the midst of accomplishing.

And it will be accomplished.

It will.

So today, trust in Him. No matter what. No matter what is going on. No matter how crazy it may seem. No matter how bad it mean seem. No matter how uncertain it may seem.

Trust. Trust in Him. He’s got it. He knows what He is doing.

Trust. No purpose of God can be stopped. It’s going to be ok. He’s got it. When you don’t know what He’s doing, trust in who He is. You can trust Him, in all things.

The Fields are Ready

Posted on September 16, 2014 by Andy Stoddard

Yesterday we talked about how part of what we are called to do it to join into what God is doing. There are opportunities; there are so many things that God is doing!

He is at work in ways that we can’t even think about or realize. He is doing things that our brains can’t fathom. He is at work in different ways and places that are literally too much for us to handle.

And, to restate. He wants to us me and you to accomplish His goal and purpose. Listen today to what it says in Matthew 9: 35-38:

And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

The harvest is plentiful. As a Christian, everywhere you look, you will see someone.

Someone broken.

Someone in need.

In need of Jesus. In need of hope. In need of someone to care. In need of just a chance today.

They are there. They are. They are waiting. They are. They are needful. They are.

And God will bring them into your path today. He will. God will bring someone into your path today that only you can influence. Only you can speak to. Only you can effect.

Only you.

God will bring them to you today.

The fields are ready. There are needs all around us. What will we do? We will meet them; we will see them.

What will we do. Today, may we work in the fields that God has placed us in.

Join In

Posted on September 15, 2014 by Andy Stoddard

One of my favorite Bible Studies that I’ve ever taught and that I’ve ever been a part of is Experiencing God. This is one of those classic studies; it was nearly 20 years ago when I taught it for the first time.

There are so many classic, true things that we learn there in this study, but this is one of my favorites. See what God is already doing and then join in.

There is a great notion there. God is already at work. God is already doing something. Our job is to see what He is doing, and then join in. God is doing amazing things. Where can we plug in? Listen to what it says in today in John 5: 15-17:

The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”

Jesus tells us this. His Father is working. He is working.

So, here is your homework for today. Where is God working? Where do you see God working?

In your life?

In the lives of others?

In your neighbors? Co-workers? Friends? Enemies?

God is at work. God is always working.

Today take time. Look. Notice. See.

And take a note of it. See what He is doing. And see where you can join in! That’s our job. God is doing amazing things all around us. Let’s see where we can join in and be part!

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Monthly Archives: September 2014