America & Jesus

O.K. I'll admit that I don't have anything inspiring to write about. I have tried really hard this year to keep things fresh. So what do you do when you aren't "inspired?" You simply talk about what's going on around you.

I'm sure most of you have heard about President Obama and his comment overseas that America isn't a "Christian" nation. Folks...this is just the beginning.

Obama was giving an "economic" speech at Georgetown University this week and it came with all the posturing: American flags & presidential seals. However, something was missing - Jesus. That's right folks! The gold "IHS" monogram inscribed on a pediment in the hall where our president was speaking was covered by a piece of black-painted plywood. CNSNews.com made sure to say that the monogram was still visible in 26 other places in the hall but that those places just weren't as prominent.

It seems as though the president is making a big deal about separating Jesus & America. What's next? Are we going to have a proclamation that America is simply a Deist nation, Muslim nation, or an Agnostic nation?

For the president of the United States to claim that most of the founding fathers were Deists rather than Christians is nothing short of a LIE! All but 2 of the signers of our Constitution were members of an Evangelical church. Each of these men had firm beliefs in the Word of God and used biblical principles to frame the laws of this great nation.

I admit that I'm a realist when it comes to politics and faith. I know that many of the politicians in Washington simply use religion to gain political power. How else can we explain so many "Catholics" in Congress who support abortion? Their "faith" simply makes them warm and fuzzy with the voters but there is no reality of it in their lives.

This is why I've considered doing a political blog that is separate from PBC voice that would address many of these issues. The title (should I create it) would be "gods of our making" because that is how many of these in power act and live. Rather than realizing that there was an electorate of voters who believed these people would make a difference for their state, they simply act as though they have risen to this ranking of power to show their greatness.

I'm not saying that America is a "Christian" nation but I will say without any hesitation that the United States of America was founded upon Christian beliefs, principles, and a firm faith in Jesus Christ. The scary part of all this is that it's not just the president and members of congress that we have to watch. You better pay close attention to that history textbook your child carries home. History is being re-written as we speak. That's why it's so important for you to teach your children even though they attend government schools. Actually, if your child attends government school, YOU BETTER TEACH THEM! Stay involved in their studies because there will come a time when we will be the only bearers of truth.

By the way: Didn't the Bible warn us of these things? Be assured that it will come. However, don't sit by and let it happen without your voice being heard.

May God turn America from this willful separation from Him. Amen.

Overwhelmed?

For the past few weeks I have been asking God to birth as song in me. Since I was in high school I have always enjoyed writing poetry but songwriting is totally different for me. It's MUCH, MUCH, HARDER. The one word that continues to flow out of my expression is: Overwhelmed.

I'm not saying that I am overwhelmed with life's difficulties, problems, circumstances, tragedies, or my sin. No - I am overwhelmed by the goodness, love, mercy, and faithfulness of God. When I think of all that God has done for me it's like standing beneath a waterfall trying to get a drink of water. It's overwhelming!

Do you ever stop to think about His matchless grace? Think about how God took the greatest gift He could have given {Himself} and placed that gift on a cross for you. Then, if that's not enough, after we accept His gift of salvation He places His Spirit inside of us. Oh, but it gets better! After His Spirit is placed inside of us He gives us gifts to serve, peace to replace worry, joy to replace sorrow, and guidance into all truth. AND then He uses us to bring others (just like us) into His family.

Overwhelmed?

So I am a part of God's family, being used for His glory, and basking in the forgiveness of sin. But God's not finished. He then provides for my every need, blesses me for being obedient to Him, and showers me with new mercies every day.

Overwhelmed?

Take time today to be reflective of all that God has given. God's Word says, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." James 1:17. Received anything good lately? It was a gift from God!

May you be overwhelmed by God today. Drink deep from the fountain of His goodness. But watch out...you may get wet!

Hook, Peter Pan, & Faith

Have you ever seen the movie "Hook?" One of my all-time favorites!

"Hook" is the story of Peter Pan all grown up, living in the "real" world, working a job and raising a family. The problem: He doesn't know he's Peter Pan. It's not until Hook kidnaps his kids and Tinkerbell comes to find him that he even realizes who he was and what he is capable of doing.

I absolutely love this twist on a much beloved fairy tale. Actually, I enjoy all the Peter Pan stuff. Must be the little lost boy running around inside of me that gets a kick out of flying, sword-fighting with pirates, and living out of pure imagination. There have been several movies throughout the years about Pan's character. Another favorite is "Finding Neverland" which stars Johnny Depp as the playwright who actually conceives the story. But that's for another blog.

What is so intriguing about "Hook" is that I see so many things in the story that can be applied to our lives as followers of Christ. Men and women who are not living up to their ability in Christ. Those who have lost their joy, passion, and child-likeness because of the responsibilities of the "real" world. DO YOU BELIEVE IN FAIRIES?

Even down to one of the last scenes we are able to make this same application. Peter, played by Robin Williams, is fighting Hook. Hook has Peter pinned down and begins to tell him that he really isn't Peter Pan and that it's all a dream. He goes on to say that when he wakes up he will be just an accountant who drinks too much and hides from his family. My friends - if that doesn't sound like the enemy of our souls I don't know what does. How often have you been told that you couldn't believe God for ____________? Or God would never use you because you were a ____________? Whatever it is: DON'T BELIEVE IT! My God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all the we could ask or think.

CLAP YOUR HANDS REALLY LOUD if believe that God heals, that God can use you to reach the nations, that God is able to equip you for any task, or that God still answers prayers. Do you believe? What happens in the movie? Well...you just need to take some time to watch for yourself. Who knows, maybe you will find that little "lost boy" inside of you again. Oh, how the church needs to find what it has lost. Maybe we are too educated...too provided for...too dignified...too established. I don't know what "IT" is but we have to recapture the joy, passion, and child-likeness that still says "I can fly."

This whole Hook, Peter Pan, & Faith thing hit me this morning after I considered everything I experienced this weekend.

Friday Night - After watching the "Passion of the Christ" with our church family and taking the Lord's Supper with my family I was blessed with the revelation that my daughter Haley had when she was too emotional to drink the juice from the cup. She said, "I can't do it daddy. It's too precious!"

Saturday - Working at the Crossroads Shelter here in Wytheville. God just giving us an opportunity to reach into our community and try to make a difference.

Sunday - Seeing 275 people pour into Pioneer Baptist Church to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! (That's a record by the way). We baptized 9 people who were professing their faith in Jesus - they were so excited. We also had a time of prayer for an individual before I preached (one of our members "stood" in for a friend and we prayed over him) and I found out on Monday that his test results came back clear (he had heart issues and there were NO blockages).

I went home this past Sunday afternoon and began writing some things down. 275 people came!?! Why? What has Pioneer Baptist done to reach so many? When I went down the list I realized that there wasn't a list! We don't have an outreach/visitation program to point to. There's no bus ministry that can lay claim to bringing in all these people. We are simply worshipping God, preaching His Word, sharing the Gospel and inviting friends, ministering to people as God gives us opportunity, and doing what we can to help believers grow in their faith. What could I point to as the "thing" that God is using? I think I have an answer!

I had lunch with a friend last week who basically asked me this same question. He said, "Do you think that God is blessing you all the way He is because you are open to... (he pause looking for the right words to say). I broke in: "Yes! That's exactly it. We are open to...God, His Word, His Gifts, His Spirit." In other words: WE BELIEVE!

It's Friday...

As we draw a close to this all important week of the Christian faith I cannot help but remember the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Tonight we will remember His suffering and death. We will honor His sacrifice and love. We will celebrate the payment for sin and redemption.

I was thinking about some of the various hymns that have been written over the centuries about the cross of Jesus. It's at this time I want us to be reflective of God's love for His creation. And may we ever be thankful that Jesus was willing to say, "Not My will but Yours be done."

At the Cross
"Thus might I hide my blushing face
While Calv'ry's cross appears
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness
And melt mine eyes to tears"

At Calvary
"Oh, the love that drew salvation's plan!
Oh, the grace that bro't it down to man!
Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span
At Calvary"

The Old Rugged Cross
"In the old rugged cross
Stained with blood so divine
Such a wonderful beauty I see;
For 'twas on that old cross
Jesus suffered and died
To pardon and sanctify me."

All that Jesus did on the cross bought salvation for you and me. If it were not for His blood being shed we would never be set free. Praise His glorious name!
As I close out today's blog I want to share with you the words of Charles Wesley as he thought about what Jesus' sacrifice meant in his life.

And Can It Be
"Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature's night;
Thine eye diffused a quick'ning ray
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.

Amazing love!
How can it be
That thou, My God, should die for me!

Is It Really His?

According to Psalm 24:1 & 1 Corinthians 10:26, "The Earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof." However, if you read the Psalm is also says, "...the world, and they that dwell therein." (I used the King James Version because I like the language for these verses.) This is an awesome statement. Basically it says that everything belongs to God. The earth along with everything He created belongs to Him. Everything. Every person. Selah [Think about it]

I saw that our Worship Pastor blogged on this subject I'm getting ready to share with you but I'm so excited about what God is doing that I cannot resist. Last night, our church experienced something new. How many of you believe that God is still doing new things? Isaiah 43:19, "Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

We normally have prayer meeting on Wednesday night. Yes, prayer meetings. We meet for an hour to seek the face of God for the church body. Well, yesterday I had this insane idea that we needed to do a "soaking session." I had never led one of these and to be quite honest wasn't sure how to do it. I did a little research into the matter and decided that in my ignorance we would obey God in this matter. For those of you who don't know, a soaking session is a time where we corporately become still before God. We set ourselves aside to focus and meditate upon Him for renewal of strength, peace, and to be reminded of His goodness. Everyone came in and I shared with the group my intentions for the evening. We put on some intimate worship music by Alberto & Kimberly Rivera and we were still before the Lord.

I must say that I was amazed at how God worked during this time. Words of encouragement were given to individuals, prayer was made with a great sense of the presence of God among us, and people worshipped God in a new way. We literally placed ourselves in areas around the sanctuary. We sat, knelt, and even stretched ourselves out before the Lord. We focused on the worship that was being offered through the music and it became ours. If you have never done this as an individual then I suggest that you be still and know that He is God!

At the end of our time together I saw people wiping the tears from their eyes. I witnessed the joy and peace of the Lord on their faces. I was also amazed at how the Lord was speaking to individuals as they shared with me. One such person was my lovely wife who at the end of our time came and said, "Can you bring the kids home with you? I have to go talk to Sherry." Sherry is a lady in our neighborhood and we had bringing her kids to church with us on Wednesday nights. I said, "Of course." And I took my time gathering the kids so that I wouldn't interrupt what God may be doing at the home. We pulled into the driveway and I asked her kids to go into the house quietly just in case Jenn wasn't done sharing. Little did I know that Sherry had already accepted Christ before we got there!

This morning I was reminded of the verses that I shared with you earlier: "The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein." God had spoken to my wife in our time of stillness before Him because on of His created ones was in need of salvation. Jennifer obeyed and Sherry was born into the kingdom of God.

Have you ever stopped to consider that you are the Lord's? Are you full? I am so full of His joy right now that I can hardly contain myself. I am so full of His peace, His strength, His Spirit, His goodness. And not only are we His but every person in this world belongs to the Lord in the sense that He is their Creator. But if we want to see them move from being someone created by God to someone REDEEMED by God then we have to share what He has done to save them.

Be still before the Lord today and allow Him to place someone upon your heart. Then go forward with the assurance that everything and everyone is His. Who knows? You may be able to step into the delivery room today and see someone born into the kingdom.

May God bless you today with His overwhelming presence and love.