Never Ending Worship

It's hard for me to imagine what it must have been like to be the children of Israel during their days of journey to the Promised Land. Just considering the pillar of cloud & fire, the tent of meeting, or the veil over Moses' face after being in the presence of God blows my mind.

This weekend, I was fortunate to be a part of some special worship services. On Saturday evening we joined Jonathan David Helser in Christiansburg for an incredible worship experience. Then...Sunday came...and we were just overwhelmed with the presence of God in our second service. While I did not see a pillar of fire, nor did I have to place a veil over my face; His presence was just as real. What I am learning is what we do with God's visitations prepares us for future manifestations. We can choose to ignore what He is doing in the hearts and lives of those around us by moving through a service. Or we can take the time and allow His Spirit to continue to minister to hearts. We chose the latter and were blessed because of it.

The past few weeks of preaching through the series of messages on praise have been very encouraging to me. I cannot tell you how many believers (young, old, new, and seasoned) who thanked me for giving them insight into the meaning of the Hebrew words for praise. As they walk in what they have learned, they will experience a greater intimacy in worship. This is what God is looking for from His people.

However, we should not contain our worship and praise of God to a structured setting. As people who walk in relationship with God, the whole world is a sanctuary. We should be able to worship God in any setting and praise Him in any circumstance. When we choose to praise and worship God wherever we are, we are simply joining the rest of His creation. As the heavens declare the glory of God, we should declare His praises in our generation.

May we be the ones who continually cover His throne with our praises. May we never relent in pursuing the purity of His presence. May our hearts continue to hunger and thirst for the living God. May our worship never cease. He is worthy of all our praise.

"Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation. And in that day you will say: 'Praise the Lord, call upon His name; declare His deeds among the peoples, make mention that His name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for He has done excellent things; this is known in all the earth.'" {Isaiah 12:3-5}

The Release of Praise

I'm currently working on the final sermon in a series of messages entitled "Let His Praises Ring." We have been looking into the 7 Hebrew words that are often translated as "praise" in the Psalms. My hope in all of this? To be a part of the release of praise from God's people that changes worship from entertainment to intimacy.

Over the past couple of weeks, I have re-visited trying to learn the guitar. This is something that I have wanted to do for a LONG TIME. However, as we all learn, things get in the way or we get frustrated in the process. So...I'm back to establishing the callouses on my finger tips, learning the chords, and practicing finger exercises. Thankfully, I have a friend from church who is helping me through this process. I look forward to a time when I'm playing sound rather than feeling like I'm playing a letter in the alphabet.

Some people may wonder why I would be willing to dedicate myself to this learning process. I mean...I'm not planning on being in a band. I have no intentions of joining the praise team (although if I could fill in - that would be cool!!!). For me it is all about the praise. I long to "zamar". In other words: I want to praise the Lord upon the strings. Singing is something that I have always enjoyed. Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. God has grown me in the area of praise, so I don't have a problem lifting hands, celebrating His goodness, shouting His praises, dancing before Him, or bowing down. But I long to praise Him through the instruments. I look forward to a time when I can just sit and play in His presence.

Worship/Praise to me is all about the passionate pursuit of the purity of His presence. In His presence is fullness of joy. There is a completeness that only comes as I enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. While learning the guitar has been a personal goal (something I have wanted to do since I was a child), I see the importance of worshiping the Lord with all that He gives me. If I can add playing the guitar to my praise of Him then it will only enrich my time of worship.

This is all a part of the passionate pursuit. It's a complete abandonment of all that I am (and have) for His glory. God is worthy of my praise - ALL OF IT!

Think about the ways that you can praise Him. Maybe there is a song that needs to be sung, a poem that needs to be written, a painting that needs to be painted, a dance that needs to be danced, or a testimony that needs to be given. The release of praise from a heart that is centered on worship can affect the atmosphere around you. It will draw you into a more intimate encounter with God. And the good news: He longs to be in your presence. He is looking for those who will worship Him in spirit and truth.

Join me in the passionate pursuit. May we never be satisfied until we are engulfed in the purity of His presence. It's time for the people of God to release their praise!

"Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!" ~ Psalm 150:6

The Beauty of Evangelism

"How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?" {Romans 10:14}

All too often it is easy to read the Word and come away with a limited understanding. Case in point: We can read Romans 10:14 and allow the responsibility of evangelism to fall upon the shoulders of the preachers. This is where we have to move beyond our limited vocabulary and understanding of the Bible. The word translated "preacher" from the Greek literally means "to be a herald, to proclaim after the manner of a herald." It is with this understanding that we can clearly see the work of sharing Jesus ("Him whom they have not believed") belongs to all of us who know Him as Lord and Savior.

The beauty of evangelism is that God uses the ordinary people of the world. It doesn't have to be the professional. We don't have to wait for some divine moment of inspiration. We are simply sharing that which has affected our life the most. To quote a friend of mine: "Jesus is mine...but I'll share Him with you." It really is that simple.

The idea of proclaiming after the manner of a herald paints a beautiful picture. As one who cries out in the streets, we have a message that can change the entire world.
- As a herald we understand the Urgency of the message. Time is short and people need to hear.
- As one who cries out in the streets we understand the Importance of the message. If we do not communicate the love of God to a lost world how will they ever know?
- And as a "preacher" of the Gospel we understand the Value of the message. This is the one message the entire world needs to hear. Wrapped up in the Gospel is the most incredible story ever: God's unfailing love for a people that He created! "How will they hear without a preacher?"

You may wonder why God has chosen this method to win a lost world unto Himself. Romans 10:17 provides the answer: "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." Faith in what God has accomplished through Jesus Christ is the method that God has chosen to redeem a lost world. But the faith comes to us by hearing the Word of God. Think about it - Every time the Word of God is shared then the Holy Spirit has something to work with...something to build our faith upon. The Bible contains the incredible story of God's epic love. When we share it, the world has something to believe in.

Do you know Jesus? If the answer is "YES" then you have something to share. Are you willing to share Him? May you experience "The Beauty of Evangelism" as you become one who cries out in the streets.

Are We Leaving Room for God?

I was awakened to a wonderful devotional reading from Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest. The title of today's entry was "Leave Room for God" and was founded in Galatians 1:15, "When it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by His grace". Paul is referring to the calling He received from God and how it broke through in His life. The question we have to ask is: Are we leaving room for God to break through in our lives?

The following is an excerpt from Oswald Chamber's devotional:
"Would we be surprised if God came into our meeting or into our preaching in a way we had never expected Him to come? Do not look for God to come in a particular way, but do look for Him. The way to make room for Him is to expect Him to come, but not in a certain way. No matter how well we may know God, the great lesson to learn is that He may break in at any minute...Keep your life so constantly in touch with God that His surprising power can break through at any point. Live in a constant state of expectancy, and leave room for God to come in as He decides." (January 25th entry)

What an exciting thought...God breaking in at any moment to perform what He chooses. Don't you find that exciting? Or could it be that you haven't given God any elbow room? This is a struggle for many believers and their churches. We tend to put God on a program. He can break through in certain areas but not over here or over there. He can break through during the preaching but not the singing. He can break through in prayer just not in the testimonies. He can break through at 11:30am just not 11:55am. See where I am going with this? Who are we to tell God when He can or cannot move?

The break through of God is what every believer should long to experience. We have to view these moments as something special rather than something scary. It may sound strange to some of you but there are those who fear a move of God. They fear what it will do to their lives, their schedules, or their list of priorities. What I have discovered is that our fear of God's break through moments is typically rooted in our unwillingness to follow God in certain situations. It amazes me that people actually fear the call of God on their lives. I remember when God called me and I was actually hoping He would! I wanted to serve Him. I wanted to be used by Him. There was a part of me that actually hated the idea of going through the motions or just sitting in the pew. I looked for God to break into my existence as a believer and He did. Although preaching was the furthest thing from my mind, I did not resist His call. I, like Paul, can see the hand of God as He "separated me from my mother's womb, and called my by His grace."

It is during this time of looking for God to move upon our lives that we have to understand the Lordship of Jesus Christ. He is my Savior but He is so much more. He has every right to invade my life. He has every right to call me by His grace. He has every right to break into our church meetings. He has every right to break into my preaching. The thought of God surprising us by His Spirit should be something that brings great anticipation.

What I am sharing with you today is something that has actually happened in my life. I have experienced those surprise moments when God moves and speaks in ways that we did not anticipate. It changed my doctrinal views. It changed my theological stances. It altered my perception of order. And it totally changed how I "do" church. I can no longer be satisfied with 3 points and a poem when it comes to preaching. Just singing the songs during worship has been thrown out the door. I am not moved by just having a time of prayer. In every situation, every circumstance, and in every meeting; I am looking for the unexplainable, and indescribable move of God upon the hearts and lives of people. We have been called for this!!!

May you be surprised by God today!
May you be moved by His presence!
May you be awakened by His Spirit!

All you have to do is give Him room.

Taking Time to Consider

Happy Friday to everyone. Hope your day has been blessed. It's time for PBC's annual Pastor/Deacon Retreat. This is an event that we have been doing for several years now and it's always a blessed time. I can also say (with all honesty) that this time of fellowship has helped unify our church body.

As I was preparing to blog today, I came across 1 Corinthians 4:1, "Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God." What a compelling thought! When you consider all that the Apostle Paul could have stated here, this is an amazing verse. He could have said, "Consider us as Apostles of Jesus Christ." It would have been an accurate statement. Instead...he chose to focus on the mission that God had given them.

What I enjoy about our annual retreat is that it gives us time, as pastors and deacons, to focus upon who we are in the body of Christ. It's a time of encouragement, edification, and strengthening of the ministry that we all perform within the church. It's also a time to simply consider who we are in Him. Through this fellowship we have found a unity that would not otherwise exist. I have heard the horror stories of pastor/deacon relationships and decided that I didn't want to tell them. So several years ago we put this plan into action. Let's take some time to fellowship together, get to know one another, and share in some things that would better equip us in ministering to the people. The result: God has blessed our relationship together and allowed us to work together instead of apart.

This weekend will be full of fellowship, teaching, and sharing. We are able to share some things that will help our deacons better perform their ministry, and they are able to share some things with the pastors that help us as well. What I discovered in other churches is that this type of relationship did not exist. There was never any "down time"...pastors and deacons were always interacting "professionally" in the ministry roles. However, what I discover in the Word is that we are to treat one another like family. It's hard to operate as family if all we ever do is the "business" of the body without ever interacting on a personal level. I have encouraged several pastors to do this type of retreat with their deacons. My encouragement to them is that their churches would benefit from it.

And when you consider us...or anyone else who serves in the ministry of the body...consider us as "servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God." Our positions do not define us. Instead, we are defined by the precious message that we carry - we are defined by the marvelous mysteries of God.

Have a blessed weekend!

Hearing from the Father

The following is an experience that Jonathan David Helser had with his daughter. I heard him share part of this during a worship experience and have since found a note that he shared on facebook. I pray that the Lord will encourage your heart through the reading.

"So I had this amazing experience the other day..... My wife took my little daughter Haven shopping for the first time and let her pick out her own dress. When they returned I was in my room reading in my favorite chair. I heard my little girls feet run up the stairs to her room above me. I could tell by the commotion that she was either wrestling a alligator or that she was changing into her new clothes with the fury of a four year old. Then I heard her little feet come back down the stairs and she burst into my room. Without any words she ran and stopped in front of me wearing the new dress she had picked out. This was one of those moments when time also seemed to stop in front of me. As she stood still and time stood still, I realized it was one of the greatest moments I would ever have as a Father. She was waiting to be defined by my voice. Her little heart was like clay waiting on my thoughts to shape her. So with everything inside me I looked deep inside her and said 'Haven you look more beautiful right now that you have in your whole life.'

"Everyday for the next week Haven would put on her new dress and come find me. No matter what I was doing she would pause before me and wait for my voice to tell her again that she was beautiful. It was like her little heart was saying over and over to me 'do it again daddy.... tell me who I am.'

"Identity is discovered through the voice we listen to. We have all been created to be defined by a Fathers voice. Every girl is made to hear those words, 'You are beautiful' and every boy is designed to hear the words 'well done.' My words over Haven are but a shadow of the radiant thoughts that the Father in heaven has for her. Until we each have an encounter with our Father in heaven like my daughter had with me, we will spend our lives broken in search of our identity.

"The Father is sitting in His favorite chair, just waiting on us to burst into his presence and say 'Daddy, do it again, tell me who I am.'" ~ Jonathan David Helser

Have you ever considered the voice of God to be encouraging and uplifting? OR...do you hear God's voice and interpret it as negative and condemning? Can I give you some insight into discerning the voice of God? God does not deal with His children in a condemning fashion. Romans says that there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. Even in His discipline of us, God is not condemning us. The Bible says that He disciplines those He loves. In 1 Corinthians, Paul deals with the use of prophecy (sharing a word from God with the body). He says that prophecy is for encouragement, exhortation, and edification. God will not ask us to operate outside anything that He is not willing to operate under. God is encouraging, exhorting, and edifying in all that He shares with us.

Why not take some time today to get into the presence of your Heavenly Father. Allow Him to speak encouragement into your life. Allow Him to build you up. And allow Him to teach you about Himself.

Sola Scriptura

"Sola scriptura" (Latin - "by scripture alone") is the doctrine that the Bible contains all knowledge necessary for salvation and holiness. It was a foundational doctrinal principle of the Protestant reformation. Behind this principle is the idea that the Bible should stand alone.

Hebrews 4:12, "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." While most of us would agree with this statement, I'm curious as to how many of us live it out.

If God's word is living, powerful, and sharp then I want you to consider that through our reasoning we have made it dead, powerless, and dull. I'm afraid that we live in an age where our theology often trumps God's Word. Rather than take His Word for what it says, we have created a belief system that explains why God does not operate the way He did in His Word. I say all of this realizing that I'm a part of a denomination that proclaims that we need no creed other than the Word of God. However, is that how we treat what has been revealed in the Bible?

Yesterday I shared with you some building blocks of faith. I told you to hang on to the precious promises of the Word of God and to trust in His goodness. But if we have allowed our theology, religious background, or a teaching to override what God has said in His Word then we are not standing on the promises. The Scriptures must be the foundation that we build our lives upon. It is through the written Word that the Spirit of God leads us into truth. As we gain knowledge of the truth then we are able to live in freedom.

I believe that we are seeing a generation of believers in the church who are reclaiming the Word of God. We have grown weary in the wilderness of unbelief and have come to understand that we cannot do this in our own ability. We have seen the programs at work in the church and have found them tiring. We have witnessed what many people call ministry and struggle to see the lasting impact. Only when we begin to operate according to the Word of God will we begin to reap eternal rewards.

We must preach His Word instead our opinions.
We must trust His Word rather than our plans.
We must honor His Word above our traditions.
Then, and only then, can we join with the early reformers and say "by scripture alone"!

The Building of Faith

Has God ever promised you something? This isn't a trick question and I'm not dealing with generalities. I know the Bible is full of promises but have you ever experienced a time when the Spirit of God spoke confidence into your heart about a particular thing? If your answer is "yes" then I want to encourage you to keep believing.

One of the most discouraging things for me to see is someone receive a promise from God, confess it in faith, and then give up before the promise is fulfilled. Too often we can get frustrated in the process before we see the harvest. What I hope to share with you today is something that will cause you to "dig in". Just because you have confessed something does not mean you are operating in faith. Some people think that if they confess it then God will move. But the whole idea behind confession is getting us to agree with God. James Richards says, "Confession is not something we do to move God, it is something we do to persuade our hearts of what Jesus has already accomplished." (Supernatural Ministry, p.78)

Pay careful attention to the verse that I'm going to share with you. Allow it to provide some building blocks for your faith. "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." {Hebrews 10:23} Here's what I have come to understand about receiving the promises that God has given. May they be a help to you in this journey of faith.

Building Blocks of Faith:

#1 Be Committed to the Promises of God
The writer to the Hebrews encouraged them to "hold fast" to their confession of hope. There is a warning here to losing the boldness and confidence that you once possessed. This is where you must continually persuade your heart in the area of faith. Remember that faith is the "substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." You may not have the answer yet but you must continue to believe. Continue to confess what God has spoken to you.

#2 Be Confident in the Person of God
Once again, we go back to the Bible for understanding. The reason we are to "hold fast" is because the One who has promised is "faithful". Sad to say, but this is where we often miss out. If our perception of God is anything other than what He has revealed, then we will give up before our answers come.
God is faithful
He is faithful in His love
He is faithful in His goodness
He is faithful in His promises
Whatever God has promised, He will perform. If you are weak in this area then I would encourage you to read back through the Word and confess all that God says about Himself. He is the great "I AM". He is a God who "Changes Not". He is "Faithful". With confidence in the nature of God you can continue to confess the promises of God.

#3 Be Prepared to Shut Out All Negative Influences
The verse we have been focused on today teaches us to do all of these things "without wavering." One would think that if I'm holding fast to the promises and trusting in the faithfulness of God that I would not waver. However, this is a good point for us to examine. Why would we ever waver? We waver when unbelief gains our attention. If you find yourself operating in unbelief then you have to recognize where it is coming from. God's wants you to be fully persuaded in Him. Therefore, any influence that causes unbelief in my life comes from the enemy. I don't care how well packaged it may be, what theological argument can be brought against it, or who speaks this unbelief over me. I must be ready to shut the door, throw it away, or even keep my belief to myself. There are plenty of well meaning people who can be used the wrong way in my life. The only way that I can keep from wavering is to never allow unbelief to be a part of the equation.

In Hebrews 11 we find men and women who were considered faithful. This chapter has been referred to as the "Hall of Faith." Not one person was placed in that chapter because of what they thought. Their names were penned there because of what they did by faith. It was by faith that they believed, and it was by faith that they acted. Their hearts were fully convinced in the faithfulness of God and they did not back down. What about you? How will your life be different from the countless others who have claimed to have a promise? Will you continue to build yourself up on your most holy faith? I trust you will. I pray that you will continue to confess the promises of God in your life and that you will be confident in the God who does not fail.

Never Losing Your Center

Some BIG NEWS for the world today: Apparently the earth has shifted on its axis. A report out of Texas says that one runway was shutdown. Some people are very troubled wondering if their "sign" is going to change because of the earth's place under the stars. Some are even questioning which way is North? Really!!??!!

Reports like this don't bother me because I am not centered on the signs or the earth. I discovered long ago that I have to put my faith in the Creator and not the creation. Colossians 1:16-17, "For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth...and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist." These verses speak about the Lordship of Jesus Christ. If the earth has truly shifted on its axis then it's because He allowed it.

If all that we are is fixed upon our horoscope then we never have a sure foundation. Especially NOW! If our future is truly determined by global warming then we are TOAST. However, when our faith is built upon the one true God that created the heavens and earth then we have a sure foundation.

My wife was telling me about a conversation that she had recently with a professing atheist. The lady said: "It intrigues me that you have built your entire life around your faith and that it sustains you." What truly intrigues me is how people continually build their lives upon shifting sands, are never satisfied with life, and can't understand how we have full confidence in something we cannot see.

The beauty of faith is that I don't have to see it to believe it. I don't have to trust in scientific evidence for my understanding. When you experience the power and ability of faith in the Word of God, you cannot be moved. The earth may shift, difficulties may arise, and other "catastrophic" events may happen; but "my faith is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness"!

The center of who you are in Christ will never change. Hallelujah!!!

Being Filled with the Fullness of God

It is often in the pursuit of God that we can miss some of the keys to unlocking the fullness of God in our lives. "Doing" can become more important than "being". So in an attempt to help us all be filled with all the fullness of God, I offer some encouraging words.

Ephesians 3:46-21 records the prayer of the Apostle Paul for the church at Ephesus. It is in this prayer that we find the key to unlocking the fullness of God in our lives. After asking that they be strengthened with might by the Spirit, he also asks that Christ would dwell in their hearts by faith. Then we read these words: "...that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height - to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God" {Eph. 3:17-19}. Here's the key to having the fullness of God: knowing the love of God.

I realize that most of us did not grow up with this understanding. In fact, there's quite a few of us who have struggled to separate ourselves from "works righteousness." However, when we read God's Word, we cannot dismiss the fact that it is through our "being rooted and grounded in love" that we are able to experience the fullness of God. You see...without this knowledge in our lives we can never really rest in who we are in Christ. Our identity will always be associated with our struggles, our accomplishments, and our failures. Who we are must be rooted in all that Jesus died to give us.

The question many of you may be asking is: "How do I get this knowledge?" My answer should not surprise you; we get this knowledge through the Word of God. James Richards says it this way: "When we get saved, we must read the Word, and through it, embark on the process of changing and renewing our minds in every area. We must continually seek the mind of Christ in His Word, and transform our thinking to mirror the written Word." {Supernatural Ministry, pp 71-72}

Did you know that there were more than 130 scriptures in the New Testament that tell us who we are in Jesus?
We are the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21)
We are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37)
We have victory over the world (1 John 5:5)
The problem isn't what the Word of God says about us. The problem is whether or not we will believe what the Word says about us! God's opinion of who you are in Christ doesn't change based upon your belief system. He will believe these things about you even if you don't. But when you and I become rooted and grounded in the love of God, we will begin to see ourselves as God does AND that my friend changes everything.

Don't you long to be filled with all the fullness of God? That journey begins with your knowledge of the love of God.
1) You have to experience it personally (you must be saved)
2) You have to educate yourself (read the Bible)
3) You have to embrace the love God has for you (in faith confess who you are in Christ)
4) You have to enjoy it (living loved)

Using the words of the Apostle Paul, I pray that you "being rooted and grounded in love...may be filled with all the fullness of God."

A Heart that is Fixed

"He (Rehoboam) did evil because he did not set his heart on seeking the Lord." {2 Chronicles 12:14}

There is no other way to say this: Following the Lord is not an accident!

I'm sure that many of us have experienced God in a way that was totally surprising. God blessed us in spite of ourselves or we found ourselves exactly where God wanted us at a particular time. However, the reason we ended up in the place of blessing is because we made a conscience decision to follow the Lord with all of our heart.

The blessings of God may seem coincidental but our obedience to God is a choice. The Bible tells us about Solomon's son Rehoboam and how he did evil because he did not set his heart on seeking the Lord. I know this isn't a HUGE revelation BUT you and I need to understand that if we do not set our hearts on seeking God then we will not seek God.

Setting our hearts upon God is a part of the disciplined life. I have to make a choice. I must choose to follow Him. I must decide to place my heart upon God's will and desire for my life. If I don't...then my heart leads the way - and I cannot trust my heart.

The heart is considered by many to be the seat of our emotions. As long as our heart is fixed upon God then we can allow ourselves to follow our heart. However, if we are just letting our hearts lead us every day, without setting it upon the things of God, then we can easily go astray. God's Word tells us that David was a man after His own heart but it's easy to see the times that David didn't act upon a heart that was steadfast in his relationship with God.

Here are some tips to helping you maintain a heart after God:
1) Spend time in God's Word
- This is one of the greatest ways we can establish our hearts. When we read God's Word, apply it to our lives, and allow it to become the foundation for what we believe then our hearts are not easily led astray.
2) Spend time in Prayer
- This is a sure-fire way of bringing my heart in line with God's heart. Prayer involves humility. It is in this place of humility where I can actually gain God's perspective upon a situation, a person, or His direction. As God's heart moves my heart, I am able to be equipped by His grace.
3) Praise & Worship are Essential
- As I told you yesterday, praise and worship change our perspective. This time is all about setting our affections upon God. As you pour out your heart out to God then you will experience the filling of His presence. His presence in your life will help you to maintain a heart that says "I want to abandon everything to Him."
4) Share His Love with Others
- It's truly amazing what happens when we share God's love with other people. Although I struggle in putting this experience into words, you will be moved as you watch God move the hearts of others. This is evangelism. When our hearts are set upon sharing God's heart with others, it changes the way that we live. We find ourselves conscience of every decision/action because we want to reflect His heart to a lost and dying world.
5) Walk in His Grace
- I know we are making a decision here but I don't want you to get caught up in works righteousness. You can establish your heart but don't think that you establish your righteousness. Rest fully in the grace of God. Allow His ability to be your ability. All of your sharing, all of your righteousness, and all of your work is established in the finished work of Christ.

Rehoboam's life and legacy could have been very different if he would have set his heart upon seeking after the Lord. The same can be said for you. You may not always get it right...you may have times of missing it...but wouldn't it be an awesome testimony to hear "they set their heart upon seeking after God"?

Imagine every believer setting their hearts upon seeking after the Lord.
Imagine every church body setting their hearts upon seeking after the Lord.
What a difference we could make!!!
What a force we would be in the kingdom of God!!!

Let's do it!

The Beneficiary of Praise

"I will call upon the Lord who is worthy to be praise..." {Psalm 18:3}

I am currently preparing a series of messages on praise. One of the thoughts that occurred to me today (while listening to the PBC Praise Team practice) came as a question: Who is the beneficiary of praise?

Ultimately, our praise should bring glory to God. The psalmist makes it clear that God is worthy to be praised. It is because of His worth that I lift my hands, shout, sing, etc. Our God is an awesome God who is worthy of praise.

Our praise of God should lead us to call upon Him.
Our praise to God should lead us to live for His glory.
Our praise to God will lead us to walk humbly before Him.
Everything we do as believers in Jesus Christ should be done to draw attention to the God who is worthy of praise.

However, I am also the beneficiary of praise. There is a release through praise that cannot come any other way. Just as there are things that can only be dealt with through prayer; there are some things that can only be dealt with through praise. When I am willing to humble myself in the presence of God, I can release pain through praise and receive peace. I can lift my hands in surrender - God gets the glory and I enjoy the blessing. I can shout unto God with a voice of triumph - God gets the glory and I get the victory. In all of these things, God and I both benefit from true acts of praise and worship.

I don't know what you may be going through this week but I want to encourage you. I want to encourage you to find some time to praise God in the midst of it all. The Bible teaches us that in His presence is fullness of joy. Get into the presence of God and watch these things fall away. Your problems may still be there when you get done but you don't have to drudge through them. Praising God brings about a whole new perspective in life. It's all about getting to a place where you are no longer magnifying your problems but you are magnifying God.

I just had this conversation with someone the other day. Sometimes we need a perspective change. Praise to God changes perspective. All of a sudden our problems are minimized. They may not leave but the definitely look different. If I am going through a difficult season then I must have time set aside to praise God by myself. This isn't about getting together with the whole church. This is all about getting into a solitary place with God. I praise Him for all the good things He's given. I praise Him for my family and friends. I praise Him for all His benefits. It is in that process of praise that I actually feel the heaviness come off of me. I'm elevated because I am elevating Him who is worthy.

Here's your challenge: Take the rest of the day to do as the psalmist: Call upon the Lord who is worthy to be praised."

If We Can Get This...

It was only a three letter statement. However, in those three words the entire world was changed: "IT IS FINISHED!" Jesus had done all that He came to do. He had accomplished all that the Father had asked of Him. And before He would take His last breath, He shouted out the words that would shake the very foundations of the world.

If "it is finished" then why do we default to legalism?
If "it is finished" then why do we try to change people before they come to Jesus?
If "it is finished" then why don't people enjoy their salvation?
If "it is finished" then why don't we smile more?
If "it is finished" then why don't we share the Gospel?
If "it is finished"...

Is it possible that we don't really believe that "it is finished"? Maybe there is something inside of us that tells us that we have to work a little harder, do a little more, or meet a certain standard. When will we believe that Jesus Christ did it all?

If we can get this...
~ It will change the way we live
~ It will change the way we do church
~ It will change how we treat one another
~ It will change how we pray
~ It will change how we praise & worship
~ It will change how we read the Bible

Think about it:
You don't have to read the Bible to find a list of "do's and don'ts". You can read the Bible to have a personal encounter with God. When you spend time in His Word it's shouldn't be about learning a legal system but getting to know the God who authored it.
When you pray...you don't have to spend a lot of time getting yourself to a place to be heard. God's Word says that you can come boldly before Him.
When you go to God in worship...it's not about trying to do something to please God but rather a time to pour your affections upon Him. You can lavish Him with your praises.
Everything changes because "it is finished."

As a "New Covenant" believer, the only thing from the Old Covenant that belongs to you are the promises. You are qualified to receive them because you are in Jesus. There's isn't a law to satisfy, a standard to meet, or a penalty to avoid. Jesus has fulfilled all that the law required and allows you to live in it by faith. Your life will reflect what the law says because this is the life that God has designed. If we will walk in the revelation of the New Covenant, we will find that God's commandments are not burdensome. Our lives will become a symphony of praise.

We are still early enough in this New Year that I can encourage you in a new process. When you wake up in the morning, go ahead and begin praising God for the New Covenant you have in Jesus Christ. Thank Him for the grace that is available to live out your faith. Sing praises unto Him and you will find that in His presence is fullness of joy. Not only will it change your day but it will change your countenance.

May the Lord bless you.

Somebody's Praying

I was riding in the truck with my daughter this morning when (out of of nowhere) I began singing "Somebody's Praying" by Ricky Skaggs. Just singing those words stirred a humility inside of me that is often easy to forget. Where would we be if someone had not been praying for us?

Read the lyrics:
Somebody's praying
I can feel it
Somebody's praying for me
Mighty hands are guiding me
To protect me from what I can't see
Lord I believe
Lord I believe
Somebody's praying for me

Angels are watching
I can feel them
Angels are watching over me
There's many miles ahead 'till I get home
Still I'm safely kept before Your throne
Lord I believe
Lord I believe
Angels are watching over me

Well I've walked barren wilderness
Where my pillow was a stone
And I've been through the darkest caverns
Where no light had ever shone
Still I went on 'cause there was someone
Who was down on their knees
And Lord I thank you for those people
Praying all this time for me

I don't know about you, but I immediately began to think of my grandparents. All those years of laboring in prayer over the grandchildren. When I look at where my life is now, I have to stop and thank God for praying grandparents.

The privilege, opportunity, and power of prayer is amazing. It is through prayer that we can see eyes that are blinded to truth opened. It is through prayer that we are able to keep ourselves from worry and anxiety. It is through prayer that Jesus taught how we are to bring everything before the throne of God and believe that He will answer us. When we pray...great things happen.

Tonight PBC will gather for prayer. This is one of the most important things we do all week. Prayer has guided us, comforted us, protected us, and equipped us for use in the kingdom of God. As much as I love gathering for the larger worship service, this time on Wednesday evening has become a much anticipated event. I'm always amazed at how God moves upon the hearts of His people during this time. I'm also thankful for how He has answered this group of warriors who are willing to battle through with prayer.

I encourage you to find a place of prayer today. If you can't get away from the desk - pray. If you have to spend a lot of time in the vehicle - pray. If you are at home - pray. Enter into the presence of God and watch Him change your atmosphere. And while you are there...give thanks for those who have prayed for you.

Somebody's praying for you.

So Where Do We Go From Here?

So where do we go from here? It's a simple question really. One that is normally asked when we have reached a particular destination and need direction. It's also a question that I have asked several times while following after the will of God. "Lord, I know you have led me to this point, so where do I go from here?"

This question has been a dominating theme in my personal and church life. What do you do when you begin to experience things that are not a part of the "norm" of the church? How do you handle God revealing things about Himself and His Word that is contrary to what you have believed? How will we respond? Well...I don't know about you, but I'm going to abandon myself to the will of God. It may seem reckless to others but I have always tried to follow after the heart of God. This "abandonment" in my life has meant that I have had to change my thinking, my theology, and even go against some training...but it's an amazing journey.

I have also seen this thought process in others. It's especially true when they are challenged with ideas about their faith. Sometimes it reveals itself as a crisis of belief (did God really lead me here?) while other times it is just a question of "are you ready to move forward?"

Think about Israel coming out of Egypt. God has brought about a miraculous deliverance from slavery. Not only were they able to leave Egypt but they were able to come out with spoils. They witnessed the mighty hand of God come against the Egyptian idols. They watched first hand as locusts devoured the land, water turned into blood, destructive hail fall out of the sky, and the death of all the firstborn in the land. If that were not enough, they even watched as God parted the Red Sea so that they could escape the enemy on dry land. Then they came to the place of promise. God had said that He would give them a land flowing with milk and honey. However, they stood on the other side of the river in unbelief. This is the part of the story where I scratch my head. God could do all of those other things yet they did not believe that God could deliver the giants of the land into their hands. But before we raise up in condemnation of Israel, we have to ask ourselves this question: What is it that I fail to believe God can do in my life? Where do I go from here?

Has God been revealing some things that you have yet to enter into? Is there a promised land of equipping, blessing, or provision that you have failed to believe that He could actually give? Most of us wouldn't say that would we? We normally say that we believe God can do anything He chooses to do. He is Almighty and All-powerful. What we normally don't believe is that He will actually do it for us.

Psalm 78:41, "Yes, again and again they tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel." The word translated "tempted" here means to put God on trial. Instead of believing His promises and testing His Word to see if it would work, they put Him on trial as if in a court of law. They did not believe God was able to perform His promises. They tried Him and found Him guilty of lying. Since they did not believe God's promises, they did not obey His Word. As a result, they found themselves wandering in the wilderness.

One of the unfortunate things about this whole story is that we have created a belief system that says it is God's will that we wander around in the wilderness as a way to build up our character. WRONG!!! God's will was for the children of Israel to enter into the rest of the Promised Land. It was their unbelief that sent them wandering around in the wilderness. This is where you have to ask yourself if you are willing to wander around in a wilderness of unbelief ready to accept something that is almost as good as what God wants to give.

Where are going to go from here? Are you ready to move forward with what God is revealing? Are you tired of wandering around in the wilderness of unbelief? Are you ready to have God's best? Be careful of anything that would try to distract you. There are plenty of people on this journey who did not experience what they thought they should experience and created a whole belief system on why God doesn't work a certain way. Abandon yourself to God - Walk in full confidence and faith in Him - Watch God perform His Word to you. He never fails!!! There is a promised land of abundant life waiting for you.

What Is My Passion?

I just finished watching Francis Chan preach at the Passion 2011 conference in Atlanta. It was one of the most challenging messages that I have heard in a long time. The question I came away with: What is my passion?

Chan shared some of his experiences of travelling overseas to meet with persecuted believers. What was most interesting about his experience is that when he would ask the church about their experiences, they would look at him confused. Many of them simply figured that every believer in the world experienced persecution because Jesus said that it would happen. The question that he asked that I found most interesting came while he was talking to a pastor from one of these countries. He said, "Don't you have people here who call themselves Christians?" The pastor replied, "Why would anyone do that? To call yourself a Christian means that you could die!"

The consumer mentality that has hit the American church is devastating. Persecuted believers around the world don't understand how people get to "choose" the church they attend and can "change" churches whenever they feel their needs are not being met. It's literally a laughable concept to them because they don't get to choose, they don't get to change, and they aren't looking for their "needs" to be met. Let me ask you a question: Do you think Christianity in America would be drastically different if we didn't have so many choices?

I'm not bemoaning the fact that we are a free country. I love our freedom! I'm not criticizing America for having many churches. What I am trying to point out is that because we are like this we have lost the understanding of what the body of Christ is all about. The early church wasn't trying to find the place that met all of their expectations. The early church was looking for a group of believers that would allow them to fellowship, worship, grow, and become the force in the earth that is the kingdom of God.

The consumer mentality that I mentioned about gives us the idea that we can shop around. We can look for a place that has the music we are looking for, the type of preaching/teaching that we like, or style of service that best suits us. This mentality has also caused a lot of conflict in the body. When things begin to change within a particular church, some of the members will stand against it. The concept is often built around a conviction but the attitude is often "this isn't what I paid for!".

Ask yourself this question: Does my life reflect what I say I believe?
Think about it...
I'm not trying to bring conviction or condemnation to you. I simply want you to look at your own attitude and thought life as it pertains to the body of Christ. Am I willing to hear from the other members of the body? Am I able to worship with the different styles of music? Does what I believe about Jesus change the way I treat the people around me? Do I share the Gospel with the lost? We can go on and on but I think you get the point. What we believe should make a difference in how we live. This isn't legalism - it's truth manifested in our lives!

Can an eye say to the hand "because you are not an eye then you don't belong to the body?" According to Scripture...NO! In the same way, ears would not lift themselves up above the mouth, etc., etc. This is the beauty of God's design in the church. Different offices, different talents, different giftings all coming together with one purpose: Edifying the body of Christ for the purpose of sending people out into the fields that are white with harvest.

Will we be the generation of believers that do more than sing the songs and attend the services? Will we be the generation that makes it all about Jesus? If (and when) we do, it will change everything. Our lives become a symphony of God's goodness in the world. Our churches become the force that the gates of hell will not be able to withstand. Our marriages will become sanctuaries where the God who created us will be honored. Every part of life will be affected...everything will change.

Take some time today to thank God for the fellowship of believers that surrounds you. Give glory to God that you can even call yourself a believer. Begin to ask the questions that I asked about and then allow the grace of God to align you with His Word. And while we are at it, let's stop looking at what the church can do for us and see what we can be doing with the church. It's time for a change. Let's make it happen!