1 Peter 5:3 Give all your worries & cares to God, for He cares about what happens to you.
I used to be a world-class worrier.
I used to worry if I didn't have something to worry about.
Then, at the beginning of 2008, Aaron Barth came to Friday morning staff prayer. He said he'd been reading in Matthew 6 that section that Jesus talks about the lilies of the field, how they don't weave, & how the birds of the air don't sow crops.
And then he said something that changed my life. He said, "you don't have to read all that. read just the 1st part - 'don't worry about your life' "
All during 2008, as God led me to move downtown with HOG & a Christ Chapel, whenever I would fret & try to figure out things, God would quietly whisper, "don't worr about your life."
And as 2008, & then 2009, rolled along, I realized my worrying had seeped away.
Somewhere along the way, I started letting God take care of things.
Worry is all about trust.
We think we have to make things happen, when all we have to do is let God make things happen. He's got our backs. He's gonna take care of us.
We just don't believe it.
So, we worry.
Take it from me, as I walked thru my season downtown, & as we head into our season in Blairsville...
don't worry about your life
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
loving and sharing
1 Peter 4:8 ...continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.
9 cheerfully share your home w/ those who need a meal or a place to stay.
How many of us share a meal with someone, or share our home with someone?
Up until a few years ago, I can say we didn't do that very much. We were too "busy" in our lives. We were busy with our jobs, ministries, raising Hannah, & keep life running.
That all changed when John Michael came to live with us. He introduced us to a whole raft of people. Our lives haven't been the same since.
Has it been easy? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. But that's the chance we take.
Somewhere early in 2001, I started taking people to lunch.
Has it been expensive? Yes
Has a lot been done for people, & the kingdom of God? Yes
Has it been easy? Yes, & no
Have extraordinary things happened at these lunches? You bet!
What's this all about - this eating together, & living together?
Caring for others more than ourselves.
I discovered about 10 years ago that the world is dying for someone to listen to them, & care about them.
They will tell us extraordinary things, & they will respond to our caring.
And the ripple effect of our loving goes on for eternity.
Just a thought...
9 cheerfully share your home w/ those who need a meal or a place to stay.
How many of us share a meal with someone, or share our home with someone?
Up until a few years ago, I can say we didn't do that very much. We were too "busy" in our lives. We were busy with our jobs, ministries, raising Hannah, & keep life running.
That all changed when John Michael came to live with us. He introduced us to a whole raft of people. Our lives haven't been the same since.
Has it been easy? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. But that's the chance we take.
Somewhere early in 2001, I started taking people to lunch.
Has it been expensive? Yes
Has a lot been done for people, & the kingdom of God? Yes
Has it been easy? Yes, & no
Have extraordinary things happened at these lunches? You bet!
What's this all about - this eating together, & living together?
Caring for others more than ourselves.
I discovered about 10 years ago that the world is dying for someone to listen to them, & care about them.
They will tell us extraordinary things, & they will respond to our caring.
And the ripple effect of our loving goes on for eternity.
Just a thought...
Sunday, August 29, 2010
responding not in kind
1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind.
Sympathize with each other.
Love each other as brothers and sisters.
Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.
9 Don't repay evil for evil.
Don't retaliate with insults when people insult you.
Instead, pay them back with a blessing.
That is what God has called you to do,
and He will bless you for it.
Anybody have a hard time doing this besides me?
Sympathize with each other.
Love each other as brothers and sisters.
Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.
9 Don't repay evil for evil.
Don't retaliate with insults when people insult you.
Instead, pay them back with a blessing.
That is what God has called you to do,
and He will bless you for it.
Anybody have a hard time doing this besides me?
Saturday, August 28, 2010
the fishbowl
1 Peter 2:12 Be careful how you live among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when He judges the world.
We are so much like the unbelieving people around us. If something happens we don't like, we react, strongly. We don't often don't act in a Christ-like manner.
Well, let's just say I don't act in a Christ-like manner.
It's so easy to "vindicate yourself" or "slam dunk the offender" or "set them straight".
That may not be the way God wants me to react to people.
It's just that we don't want people to "get away with something".
It's a fine line between not being a doormat & reacting in a Christ-like manner.
One thing I've sensed especially in the last couple of years especially - a LOT of people are watching me, all the time. (no, I'm not psychotic & paranoid! ;-)
But people do watch me. I sense the ripple effect of my life more & more - both in the positive, & in the negative.
So, we must live in such a way that our actions & reactions glorify Him.
What would have happened to us if the people we were watching as we decided to follow Jesus had been people who like us in the way they live?
Hmmmmmmm.... not a pretty thought, is it?
"Be careful how you live among your unbelieving neighbors."
We are so much like the unbelieving people around us. If something happens we don't like, we react, strongly. We don't often don't act in a Christ-like manner.
Well, let's just say I don't act in a Christ-like manner.
It's so easy to "vindicate yourself" or "slam dunk the offender" or "set them straight".
That may not be the way God wants me to react to people.
It's just that we don't want people to "get away with something".
It's a fine line between not being a doormat & reacting in a Christ-like manner.
One thing I've sensed especially in the last couple of years especially - a LOT of people are watching me, all the time. (no, I'm not psychotic & paranoid! ;-)
But people do watch me. I sense the ripple effect of my life more & more - both in the positive, & in the negative.
So, we must live in such a way that our actions & reactions glorify Him.
What would have happened to us if the people we were watching as we decided to follow Jesus had been people who like us in the way they live?
Hmmmmmmm.... not a pretty thought, is it?
"Be careful how you live among your unbelieving neighbors."
Friday, August 27, 2010
a call to holy living
Sometimes, all I think I need to do is just share with you miraculous sections like this one & let them speak for themselves...
1 Peter 1:13 So think clearly and exercise self-control.
Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.
14 So you must live as God's obedient children. Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn't know any better then.
15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.16 For the Scriptures say, "You must be holy because I am holy."
17 And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time as "foreigners in the land."
18 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver.19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.20 God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but he has now revealed him to you in these last days.
21 Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.
22 You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.
23 For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.
24 As the Scriptures say,
"People are like grass;
their beauty is like a flower in the field.
The grass withers and the flower fades.
25 But the word of the Lord remains forever."
And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.
1 Peter 1:13 So think clearly and exercise self-control.
Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.
14 So you must live as God's obedient children. Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn't know any better then.
15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.16 For the Scriptures say, "You must be holy because I am holy."
17 And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time as "foreigners in the land."
18 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver.19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.20 God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but he has now revealed him to you in these last days.
21 Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.
22 You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.
23 For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.
24 As the Scriptures say,
"People are like grass;
their beauty is like a flower in the field.
The grass withers and the flower fades.
25 But the word of the Lord remains forever."
And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
to the glory of Him
Psalm 8:1 O LORD, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
Your glory is higher than the heavens.
2 You have taught children and infants
to tell of your strength,
silencing your enemies
and all who oppose you.
3 When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—
the moon and the stars you set in place—
4 what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
human beings that you should care for them?*
5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God*
and crowned them* with glory and honor.
6 You gave them charge of everything you made,
putting all things under their authority—
7 the flocks and the herds
and all the wild animals,
8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,
and everything that swims the ocean currents.
9 O LORD, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
You may or may not know that for 27 yrs I was a minister of music in the United Methodist Church.
Every time I read Psalm 8, I think of this incredible choir anthem - The Majesty & Glory of Your Name, by Tom Fettke.
I can't imagine how many times I've directed - hundreds of times.
Yes, I know it's old school. Yes, I know the preacher talks too long - advance it about 3:30 in & catch just the choir.
Listen to it ALL the way through. It will be worth it.
When I hear this anthem, I miss directing choirs. ;-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bcUhe0qM1k
Your glory is higher than the heavens.
2 You have taught children and infants
to tell of your strength,
silencing your enemies
and all who oppose you.
3 When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—
the moon and the stars you set in place—
4 what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
human beings that you should care for them?*
5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God*
and crowned them* with glory and honor.
6 You gave them charge of everything you made,
putting all things under their authority—
7 the flocks and the herds
and all the wild animals,
8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,
and everything that swims the ocean currents.
9 O LORD, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
You may or may not know that for 27 yrs I was a minister of music in the United Methodist Church.
Every time I read Psalm 8, I think of this incredible choir anthem - The Majesty & Glory of Your Name, by Tom Fettke.
I can't imagine how many times I've directed - hundreds of times.
Yes, I know it's old school. Yes, I know the preacher talks too long - advance it about 3:30 in & catch just the choir.
Listen to it ALL the way through. It will be worth it.
When I hear this anthem, I miss directing choirs. ;-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bcUhe0qM1k
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
strengths & weaknesses
2 Corinthians 12:7b to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.
8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.
9 Each time he said, "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in weakness."
So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
"My gracious favor is all your need."
I don't need to be clever, brilliant, deep, wise, or a set-your-hair-on-fire leader. All I need is to see Him & His favor. All I need it His favor.
"My power works best in weakness."
He can work in me when I acknowledge my overarching incapability to be who I should & make happen what needs to happen. His power works through my weakness because my weakness allows His power to flow & work unimpeded.
Someone remind me of this after we get to Blairsville.
There's so much in this verse that's SO on target for our "next" in Blairsville.
8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.
9 Each time he said, "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in weakness."
So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
"My gracious favor is all your need."
I don't need to be clever, brilliant, deep, wise, or a set-your-hair-on-fire leader. All I need is to see Him & His favor. All I need it His favor.
"My power works best in weakness."
He can work in me when I acknowledge my overarching incapability to be who I should & make happen what needs to happen. His power works through my weakness because my weakness allows His power to flow & work unimpeded.
Someone remind me of this after we get to Blairsville.
There's so much in this verse that's SO on target for our "next" in Blairsville.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)