NEW!

I have to admit that I greatly enjoy new things. One of my Christmas gifts this year was a new pair of jeans. I loved wearing them... mostly because they are new.

If you have ever had a new car, a new house or even a new shirt, then you understand the love of new. Some might argue that this is bad, but I really believe our love of new comes from the God who made us. Below are some verses that speak of God’s view of the new.

• Isaiah 43:18-19 Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!
• Lamentations 3:22-23 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
• Psalm 33:3 Sing to him a new song… (9x in Scripture we are told to sing a “new song.”)
• Revelation 21:5 He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"
• 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

In my devotions today, I was thinking about these verses and the fact that God is the creator of new mercies every day. He is making a new creation out of me and I am to ‘forget what is behind and strain toward what is before’ (Philippians 3:13).

This is a new day, a new year, a new decade. I can’t undo what was done yesterday. But, I can trust the God who is making all things new. The things I have goofed up, he can fix… better than new. The sins I have committed, he can forgive… cleaner than new. The good things I have, he can improve… “new and improved.”

This is the hope we have in Christ! Yesterday doesn’t control our tomorrows! I want Jesus to make my life and my world NEW!!!

Commitment to Core Values

Occasionally, I read a quote that makes me think. The following quote is from an article on Jim Collins book, “How The Mighty Church Falls.”

“Collins admits that when he started to study organizational decline, he expected to find complacency at the root of most trouble. But he found that he was wrong. Overreaching (in some ways the opposite of complacency) was the real issue.
Overreaching is the undisciplined pursuit of growth accompanied by the neglect of those core principles upon which an organization was originally built. It is about getting larger and larger, more and more expansive, even if it costs the organization its soul. (http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/communitylife/visiondirection/howamightychurchfalls.html?start=3 )

Today, my heart was broken by a friend’s “fall.” I had watched him struggle for years. There is one thing I never want to happen again, to get another phone call like that ever again.

I think that the organizational issue above is basically the same issue we have personally. We get enough of God’s blessing (a wife, a job, a ministry, etc…) and then we think we need more (a more passionate love, a bigger ministry, a better paying job, etc…). So, we walk away from the core values that God placed in our hearts to begin with…

We are called by God, given everything we need from God, burdened by the Spirit of God, passionate to please Him. In time, we walk away from what our core values were to pursue one more pretty trinket of this world. To quote Solomon (who pursued quite a few himself), “meaningless, it is all meaningless.”

Like a boat cutting through the water; when we die, we will leave a wake behind us. Will that wake be remembered as that of commitment to our true calling and core values, or will it be the damage done by selfish actions.

I still love my friend, but I want to make sure that no one ever gets that call about me. I want to be committed to my core values. To be fully sold out to following Jesus with all my heart.

Jonah - Confirmed

Ok, so the last post I did was about Jonah, and the message God has been giving me from that story. So, today, I am at lunch with a fellow pastor and begin telling him what God has been speaking to me. He then informed me that he has been preaching a 4 week series on Jonah... and then told me the very word God has been speaking to me.

Why is that so odd? It shouldn't be.

You see, God is really speaking to this culture that we are consumed with our personal comfort instead of caring for those who are not in realtionship with Jesus. It is my prayer that the "church" would wake up and begin focusing on the needs of others instead of our comfort.

God, hear my prayer of repentance! I am sorry I am so much like Jonah.

“God provided a vine…”

The story of Jonah is not about a “whale” but a “vine.” Most people have never actually read Jonah… it only takes about 10 minutes, give it a try.

In our nightly “devotions”, Robin and I have been reading Jonah, and this time it was like I read the story for the first time. Here is a short synopsis of the story:

• God calls a prophet to prophesy to Nineveh (a people that Jonah hates).
• The prophet says no (realizing that the people will repent, and he doesn’t want them to repent, he wants them to be punished by God).
• God makes him go anyway (the “big fish”), and when he preaches… sure enough, they repent.
• Jonah goes outside the city and waits for God to destroy Nineveh. While he is there, God grows a vine for him to give him shade.
• The next day, God destroys the vine and Jonah complains because he is uncomfortable.

Jonah says that he is so miserable that he wants to die. So God responds “You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people… should I not be concerned about that great city?” (4:10-11).

So, here is the point. As I was reading this, I realized that I spend a lot of time worried about my “vines” (the things that make me comfortable). And, I don’t care enough for the people around me. I guess I am a lot like Jonah. Sometimes I even need a big fish (problem) to make me willing to go God's direction.

What about you? Honestly, do you care that thousands of people around you are not in relationship with God? Are your “vines” more important? So, when God sends a worm to chew your vine, learn the lesson quick!!!

One final thought, Jonah said, "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs." So, the people who don't follow Jesus are clinging to worthless idols; they should let go and follow Christ. But, even more disturbing, many Christians are clinging to worthless vines...

"Just Like Us"

I'm gearing up for a new sermon series. A few days ago, I spoke to an educator from a Christian college that was bemoaning the biblical ignorance of the young people coming to his school. They don't know the Old Testament stories that are so inspiring.

So, in this sermon series, I really want to embrace some very interesting stories from the Old Testament that teach us lessons about prayer.

James 5:17 says that "Elijah was a man, just like us." But, he prayed and things changed.

What does God want to change through my prayers? What isn't changing because I don't pray? If the scriptures are correct, then "our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against... spiritual forces" (Ephesians 6:12). Most issues will only be changed through prayer.

There is an older generation of believers who are prayer warriors. Unfortunatley, they are getting older and many are going to their reward. So, where are the prayer warriors to step into their vacant battle spot and begin the fight to win the "spiritual" battles? I encourage you to begin to "step up" your fight against the powers of darkness by praying. And, if you are a younger person, I want to encourage you right now to embrace the mantle of prayer and intercession.... we need you!

"One More"

Last night, I heard a great message on reach "one more." My goal as a follower of Jesus is to introduce one more person to the life-giving freedom that is only found in Christ. That was the point of the sermon... I heartily agree.

So, while I am standing at the altar praying for God to enable me to reach "one more", I believe God brought a rather unique verse to my mind. In Matthew 23:15, Jesus told the Pharisees that "You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are."

I realized that if I want to win people, I don't want to win them to be "sons of hell." I want them to have freedom, life, blessing, hope, etc...

So, my answer was a prayer: God, please take the the "hell" out of me, so I won't destroy the "one more." Jesus, please cleanse my heart, my mind, my life... so when I reach the "one more" they can have LIFE!

"Light of the World"

I was listening to a podcast today that was describing a "black hole." A "black hole" is when a star explodes and the gravitational pull is so strong that it sucks all matter, even light, into it.

Jesus told us that we are the "light of the world." Paul said that as children of God we should "shine like stars in the universe." (Philippians 2:15). So, we are called to be stars, lights if you will.

But, what happens when our world explodes? When we get so consumed with sin that our faith explodes, that our lives become dark? We become black holes of faith. We suck everything to us, and rob the world of the light.

Unfortunately, I have known a few "spiritual black holes" in my life. You don't get there by having troubles. I have known MANY believers who have a stronger light because of troubles. You become a black hole by rejecting faith and becoming totally selfish.

The world needs our light... no more "spiritual black holes."

"Believing Agnostic?"

Before I make my point, I want to define the words "Believing Agnostic." First of all, a believer in the context I am using the word is one who has faith in the resurrected Jesus. The term agnostic comes from two Greek words "a" meaning to negate and "gnosis" which means knowledge. So, agnostic means "to not know."

Now, there is a really famous person in the Bible named Thomas. Because of one statement, he is forever known as "Doubting Thomas." Yet, he is the same man who fell to his knees and cried out "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28).

I was reading an article the other day by a Christian professor that acknowledged that sometimes he has moments of doubts. It isn't that he doesn't believe, it is just that sometimes situations cause doubts and questions to enter his mind. His point is that everyone who really believes has those moments. And, it isn't wrong to have them or to ask God to help you through them.

So, I have a confession to make. I am a "Believing Agnostic." I don't know everything about God, I don't know all the answers, I have doubts and questions, but still I believe. To quote the disciples who had a moment of doubt, and Jesus asked them if they wanted to leave him... "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God" (John 6:68-69).

I won't go into the logical, factual reasons that I believe (that's for another time). Today, I want simply to pray the words of a man in Scripture, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24)

Church on Vacation

I just attended a great church service at Seacoast Vineyard while in Myrtle Beach. The church reminds me of our years in the warehouse at the corner of Jaycox & Center Ridge. It was incredibly personable, relaxed and the Holy Spirit's presence was tangible.

The message caused me to think about some of the good and bad points of the Church (with a capital "C" for the universal body of Christ). Unfortunatley, it seems that the "Church" has drifted towards instituational construction instead of being relational.

The early church met in homes... they had to be relational. In fact, books like Ephesians are all about keeping relationships strong. It seems that it is easier to become rule driven and organizational than to keep genuine, loving relationships.

It is my desire for Harvest Ridge (since that is the one area where I have some authority) to keep relationships at the core of our existence. Of course, that brings some problems, because every person in every relationship has sinful tendencies.

So, we have to help one another when we fall. We have to love one another through our faults. We have to remain committed, even when we want to reject. And, most importantly, we have to stay subjected to our Lord Jesus Christ.

I pray that God would help me be the man, husband, father, leader and friend that I should be, so as far as it goes with me, the church (little c) and Church (big C) are stronger because I am a part. By the way, that is my prayer for you as well.

Signed with a few of my titles:
kevin, Kevin, dad, sweetheart, Pastor

Picking A Fight

I've really only ever "picked" one fight. I have been in a few, but only once was I stupid enough to say, "meet me after school..." It was the 5th Grade and a kid named Aaron was a jerk to me on the playground. So, instead of settling it right there, I used those infamous words.

So, after school, Aaron kicked my butt. Why? Because I lost heart for the fight. In the passion of the moment, I wanted to tell him to back off, but when the passion was gone hours later, I just wasn't willing to fully commit.

That day I learned a great lesson about warfare. Let no one lead you astray, if you are a follower of Jesus, you are in a war. The bible even goes so far as to say that we are in a war, struggling against spiritual forces (2 Cor. 10:3-5, Eph. 6:12)

Last week, I stopped by a state park for a few moments of prayer. As I walked along the lake, I was praying the Lord's prayer... "Deliver us from the evil one." I began to pray quite strongly for God to bring victory over the attacks of the "evil one." It was a great, powerful, passionate moment.

Then, I went back to my home and my life, and got my butt kicked by the devil for the next 3 days.

So, here is the conclusion of the matter. If you are going to fight against "principalities and powers," you better be committed to STAND. If you are going to make a declaration, you better commit to finish the fight. Somebody has to stand against the devil... with Jesus on my side, and with his armor, I'm committed fully to this fight! I'll stand! Will you?

Fasting

In January, I challenged the Harvest Ridge family to join me in fasting and prayer every Monday. The purpose of this fast is to ask God to redeem and restore people to new life in Him.

On Monday, May 18, I was fasting and asking God to bring new people to faith in Him. As a part of my morning devotions, I was reading a few pages from Prayer by Richard Foster.

"When we fast, we are intentionally relinquishing the right given to the human family in the Garden--the right to eat. We say no to food because we are intent upon others receiving a far greater nourishment. Our fasting is a sign that nothing will stop us in our struggle on behalf of the broken and oppressed... Our fasting is part of our wrestling with God. It is part of the birth pangs we endure in order to see new life come forth." (226)

That is my heart... to see new life! If doing without a meal or two can assist a person to come to faith in Christ. I gladly go hungry.

What about you? Will you join me? Would you fast one meal a week to help set the oppressed free?

I'm learning some new ways to approach God in prayer. One of those ways is through something called a Collect. A Collect is a form of prayer that is used in many churches, and is often prayed "collectively."
Today I was reading a book called UnChurched, which led me to pray for God to reveal his power to those who do not know Him. I am firmly convinced that people need to experience the power of God.
Jesus said the following words as a statement of our weakness of faith, but I believe it is also a recognition of the state of our hearts. "Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders, you will never believe." (John 4:48)

So, with all of this said, let me share with you the Collect I prayed today...
"Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us: and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and merc speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

My Aroma

2 Corinthians 2:15-16 For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?

This Sunday is Mother's Day. I will be challenging moms to become the aroma of life in their world.

This morning, I stepped outside to get catch the aroma of rain... not downpour rain, but rain that just started to fall on a spring morning. I love that smell. It is fresh, relaxing, pleasant.

The passage above says that we have an aroma. It is either of life or of death. I wonder, what is the smell that others get when they come close to me. I pray that today, I would be the aroma of Christ to my world.