Have you ever known a NEG? That's short for one who "needs extra grace". You can call them needy, high maintenance, joy stealers, energy suckers.... I call them NEGs. I know it's not very nice, but I'm writing about my journey, and part of that is being honest about the sinful attitudes with which I struggle. Dealing with NEGs is one of those areas.
This week, I have encountered several NEGs. It is really easy when encountering these people, to become prideful, arrogant, judgmental, patronizing.... This week, as I found myself in that circumstance--dealing with NEGs and being quite put out that "they" were sucking so much energy from me (how arrogant), God slapped me in the face with Philippians 2:5-8:
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!
I wonder if, as He hung from that cross, He thought, "That Emily...what a NEG." I am deserving of that name...NEG (and many others as well). But, somehow, I know He didn't think of it in the negative way. He thought about me and how I needed grace to save me from my sin that separated me from Him. He saw me as worthy. He saw me as His child. He saw my potential. He overlooked all of the blemishes and things in my life that suck joy, and He thought I was worth dying for. He thought every one of us was worth dying for.
As I thought about that passage of scripture, it reminded me that I want to be a grace giver--not a judge. I want to be humble, not proud. I want to be like Christ. It was a very firm reminder that I need extra grace every day, and there was One who was perfect and blameless who was willing to give it to me.
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound. Amazing love, now flowing down. His hands and feet, that were nailed to the tree. His grace flows down and covers me.
Lord, I pray for those in my life who need extra grace. I pray that I won't approach them with a haughty spirit, but a humble one. I pray that You will continue to place those individuals in my life. I pray that You will give me the tools I need to minister to them. I pray that I will learn from them and from their walk with You. I pray that You will sharpen me through those experiences. I pray that You will place people in my life who are willing to give me extra grace as needed. I pray that You will continue to unify this body of believers so that we can show Your grace, love and mercy to a world that so desperately needs it. Thank You, Lord for this tough, humbling lesson. Thank You for being willing to teach this sometimes prideful, dense soul. Thank You for using this NEG and not giving up on me. Help me to be more like You each day.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Satisfaction
In Proverbs 30:7-9, Agur cries out to the Lord, "O God, I beg two favors from you; let me have them before I die. First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name."
So often, I come to God and ask Him for such meaningless things. As I read these sayings of Agur, first of all, I was moved by the poetry that he spoke to God throughout the proverb, but I was also moved by the wisdom in his prayer.
Agur first sought to be honest before the Lord and man. He didn't want to pay lip service to God or others. He wanted that honesty that comes from the heart--pure and righteous. How often do we say one thing, when in our hearts, we mean another? Or, how often do we say we'll do something, and not follow through? Agur wanted to have integrity in his word and in his walk. He asked...no, begged the Lord for that kind of integrity that only comes from relationship with Him.
Secondly, he wanted to be satisfied. So often, we seek riches or power or popularity. He wanted enough so that he wouldn't be tempted to steal, but not so much that he might depend on it, and not on God. What a noble prayer.
Sunday night, the youth blessed me in worship. One of the songs they sang was, "My Portion Forever." It says, "Lord, You are all I need, my portion forever, the strength of my heart and my life. You're my sufficiency. In You, I take refuge. You're my all when all is gone."
Agur spoke a sure word. There was no anxiety or worry in what he said or what he asked for. Further in his sayings, he spoke of the things he was sure of. This song, My Portion Forever does the same thing. It reminds us, as it says in Isaiah 40, that "the grass withers and the flowers fade, but Your promises are sure." Our dependency, our hope is in the Lord, not on the things of this earth--money, status, influence, popularity....
When we are seeking God and what He wants for our lives--nothing more, nothing less--the complexities of life seem to fall away, and we are left with pure, simple satisfaction. Thank you, Agur for recording these words for us so that we could be reminded that all we need is to live lives of integrity and be satisfied with our portion.
Who can satisfy my soul like You? Who could ever comfort me, or love me like You do? Who could ever be more faithful, true. I will trust in You, my God. --Dennis Jernigan.
Lord, thank You for being a God who meets our every need. Thank You for the promises that are throughout Your Word about how You will provide for us. Thank You for reminding us of Your love for us. Thank You for people like Agur who walked before us, and taught us how to pray for noble, meaningful things. His prayer was truly not of this earth, but focused on a walk with You. Help me to seek and be passionate about the things of Your Kingdom and to be satisfied with my portion here on earth. You are the only portion I need--the eternal One.
So often, I come to God and ask Him for such meaningless things. As I read these sayings of Agur, first of all, I was moved by the poetry that he spoke to God throughout the proverb, but I was also moved by the wisdom in his prayer.
Agur first sought to be honest before the Lord and man. He didn't want to pay lip service to God or others. He wanted that honesty that comes from the heart--pure and righteous. How often do we say one thing, when in our hearts, we mean another? Or, how often do we say we'll do something, and not follow through? Agur wanted to have integrity in his word and in his walk. He asked...no, begged the Lord for that kind of integrity that only comes from relationship with Him.
Secondly, he wanted to be satisfied. So often, we seek riches or power or popularity. He wanted enough so that he wouldn't be tempted to steal, but not so much that he might depend on it, and not on God. What a noble prayer.
Sunday night, the youth blessed me in worship. One of the songs they sang was, "My Portion Forever." It says, "Lord, You are all I need, my portion forever, the strength of my heart and my life. You're my sufficiency. In You, I take refuge. You're my all when all is gone."
Agur spoke a sure word. There was no anxiety or worry in what he said or what he asked for. Further in his sayings, he spoke of the things he was sure of. This song, My Portion Forever does the same thing. It reminds us, as it says in Isaiah 40, that "the grass withers and the flowers fade, but Your promises are sure." Our dependency, our hope is in the Lord, not on the things of this earth--money, status, influence, popularity....
When we are seeking God and what He wants for our lives--nothing more, nothing less--the complexities of life seem to fall away, and we are left with pure, simple satisfaction. Thank you, Agur for recording these words for us so that we could be reminded that all we need is to live lives of integrity and be satisfied with our portion.
Who can satisfy my soul like You? Who could ever comfort me, or love me like You do? Who could ever be more faithful, true. I will trust in You, my God. --Dennis Jernigan.
Lord, thank You for being a God who meets our every need. Thank You for the promises that are throughout Your Word about how You will provide for us. Thank You for reminding us of Your love for us. Thank You for people like Agur who walked before us, and taught us how to pray for noble, meaningful things. His prayer was truly not of this earth, but focused on a walk with You. Help me to seek and be passionate about the things of Your Kingdom and to be satisfied with my portion here on earth. You are the only portion I need--the eternal One.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Encouragement and Investment
Hebrews 3:13 says, "But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."
This week, I've experienced encouragement after encouragement from the people around me--people I wouldn't have expected to influence my life. Let me tell you about a few of them:
1. My students performed in a contest. The purpose of this contest was not to win any grand awards. It was simply an opportunity to play for "judges" who listened to the students' playing and then gave them a few words of encouragement. I had 3 students who participated. All 3 made Superior ratings. But the rating wasn't what was great about it. The meaningful part, to me as a teacher, was that each judge took time with each kid to give them an encouraging word. Part of that encouragement was to commend them on what they had already done, and part of it was to spur them on to set new goals. One judge told my student: "You command the instrument. Your intonation is good. You were very well prepared. Now, I want to see you be more confident. I want to see some showmanship." What a great word! It acknowledged the hard work that had been done, but also let her know that music isn't about the perfection and it's never a finished product. It's about the connection you make with an audience--and having fun with that connection. It's an art. She encouraged that student to break out of her shell and begin contributing pieces of herself to the music instead of simply playing what was on the page.
2. I had to go to the pharmacist to pick up a new prescription for one of my children. The pharmacist placed a note that he wanted to talk to me. He spent 20 minutes talking to me not only about the prescription, but telling me stories about his kids, etc. He was so encouraging to me as a parent. Simply spending that time with me--when he had plenty of other customers--was such an encouragement to me. It showed that this was a person that cared. I called my mother and told her I felt like I was living in the 50's, where I had a pharmacist who knew my name, knew my children, and just had time. It made such a difference in my day.
3. Saturday morning, my neighbor down the street rang the doorbell. I have maybe said 2 words to her since I moved in. She and her granddaughter were standing at the door with a plate of cinnamon rolls. They had been to an early breakfast and had made way too many cinnamon rolls, so they were walking door-to-door around our cul de sac offering the extra cinnamon rolls. She thought my kids might like them. It was just a simple act of kindness and again, that personal contact.
4. I sat next to someone this week in a meeting from Brown Blvd. We were there to be trained on a new program, but instead, we used the "free time" during the meeting to chat about the church. She spoke to me for a long time about the changes that have gone on. Sometimes, there were tears in her eyes, and sometimes we were laughing. It was a time that we haven't had before just to sit and talk and be thankful for what God is doing in that place. Just in case you don't know, God has His church right there on Brown Blvd. It is growing--from the inside out. It is exciting! For me, it was so meaninful to hear from a long time Brown Blvd. member their perspective on how things had changed. It was an encouragement to me that what we are doing is making a difference. But even more so, it was an encouragement to me that God is always faithful when we are committed to His service. He is at work. He is present. He's not wasting a moment of our time that we commit to Him!
Life happens in the details. These small moments out of my week were so meaningful. It was example after example of people with busy lives who chose not to live in the midst of their stress or busy-ness. They chose to live in relationship with each other--this week, in relationship with me. I hope to never be too busy to take time to live in relationship with others. How else will they know God if they don't see Him in our lives or hear about Him from our lips?
Lord, help me this week to look at the little ways that I can encourage another person. Help me to spend meaningful time with the people around me. Help me not to get caught up in the meaningless details and the busy-ness, but instead remind me to take the time and energy to make an investment in someone else's life--whether it's an investment that lasts 20 minutes, or it's something that You use to last a lifetime. Lord, I am Your servant. Use me.
This week, I've experienced encouragement after encouragement from the people around me--people I wouldn't have expected to influence my life. Let me tell you about a few of them:
1. My students performed in a contest. The purpose of this contest was not to win any grand awards. It was simply an opportunity to play for "judges" who listened to the students' playing and then gave them a few words of encouragement. I had 3 students who participated. All 3 made Superior ratings. But the rating wasn't what was great about it. The meaningful part, to me as a teacher, was that each judge took time with each kid to give them an encouraging word. Part of that encouragement was to commend them on what they had already done, and part of it was to spur them on to set new goals. One judge told my student: "You command the instrument. Your intonation is good. You were very well prepared. Now, I want to see you be more confident. I want to see some showmanship." What a great word! It acknowledged the hard work that had been done, but also let her know that music isn't about the perfection and it's never a finished product. It's about the connection you make with an audience--and having fun with that connection. It's an art. She encouraged that student to break out of her shell and begin contributing pieces of herself to the music instead of simply playing what was on the page.
2. I had to go to the pharmacist to pick up a new prescription for one of my children. The pharmacist placed a note that he wanted to talk to me. He spent 20 minutes talking to me not only about the prescription, but telling me stories about his kids, etc. He was so encouraging to me as a parent. Simply spending that time with me--when he had plenty of other customers--was such an encouragement to me. It showed that this was a person that cared. I called my mother and told her I felt like I was living in the 50's, where I had a pharmacist who knew my name, knew my children, and just had time. It made such a difference in my day.
3. Saturday morning, my neighbor down the street rang the doorbell. I have maybe said 2 words to her since I moved in. She and her granddaughter were standing at the door with a plate of cinnamon rolls. They had been to an early breakfast and had made way too many cinnamon rolls, so they were walking door-to-door around our cul de sac offering the extra cinnamon rolls. She thought my kids might like them. It was just a simple act of kindness and again, that personal contact.
4. I sat next to someone this week in a meeting from Brown Blvd. We were there to be trained on a new program, but instead, we used the "free time" during the meeting to chat about the church. She spoke to me for a long time about the changes that have gone on. Sometimes, there were tears in her eyes, and sometimes we were laughing. It was a time that we haven't had before just to sit and talk and be thankful for what God is doing in that place. Just in case you don't know, God has His church right there on Brown Blvd. It is growing--from the inside out. It is exciting! For me, it was so meaninful to hear from a long time Brown Blvd. member their perspective on how things had changed. It was an encouragement to me that what we are doing is making a difference. But even more so, it was an encouragement to me that God is always faithful when we are committed to His service. He is at work. He is present. He's not wasting a moment of our time that we commit to Him!
Life happens in the details. These small moments out of my week were so meaningful. It was example after example of people with busy lives who chose not to live in the midst of their stress or busy-ness. They chose to live in relationship with each other--this week, in relationship with me. I hope to never be too busy to take time to live in relationship with others. How else will they know God if they don't see Him in our lives or hear about Him from our lips?
Lord, help me this week to look at the little ways that I can encourage another person. Help me to spend meaningful time with the people around me. Help me not to get caught up in the meaningless details and the busy-ness, but instead remind me to take the time and energy to make an investment in someone else's life--whether it's an investment that lasts 20 minutes, or it's something that You use to last a lifetime. Lord, I am Your servant. Use me.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
The Vine
John 15:5 says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing."
I have written before that my biggest fear is that of failure. Probably a VERY CLOSE second is the fear of heights. I'm not talking about being afraid of sky diving or cliffs. I'm talking about step ladders. I can't stand to not be on the ground. Don't ask me to climb a ladder or ride the parachutes at Six Flags or anything that means my feet will be leaving the ground! I've decided it is really a control issue. I'm more afraid of not being in control than I am the actual heights, because being on top of a mountain doesn't bother me. It's simply my feet leaving the earth that scares me silly!
There have been several things lately that have just stirred up fear in me. I won't go into detail, but I have found myself concerned about many things that are out of my control. I have had trouble sleeping, and I have even had a couple of nightmares. Some of these are righteous things that I worry about, and some are not. They are simply fears that come from me trying to work out of my own strength and not drawing from God's strength.
Last weekend I went on the 5th grade retreat, and I spent some time with the Lord, and decided I need to relinquish this sense of always having to be in control--a "control freak" as Jane used to call me (I smile and think of her everytime I struggle with this--she always knew and always held me accountable).
I am a pretty capable person. I don't generally complain about something unless I have a solution for it already in mind. I generally don't say I can't do something, and I certainly don't respond well to others telling me I can't do something...hearing someone tell me that is a guarantee that I CAN and I WILL! So, on this retreat last week, I decided to face this fear of heights head on. I decided that if I could conquer it (at least temporarily), then I could begin to conquer the other fears that were needling me and disturbing my sleep. That's where the zip line came in.
Now, some of you are probably saying, "A zip line? You're scared of a zip line?" No. I'm not scared. I was terrified. But, ultimately relinquishing control of something means having to trust in something else. After questioning the people monitoring the zip line over and over again, I finally decided to trust. I put on my gear, took my hook and climbed up the several stories of stairs to the top of the platform. Once I made the climb, I was bound and determined to jump off. Of course, I asked the poor man monitoring the equipment about 4 times to prove to me that it was really going to hold me, and that I really was attached firmly. I don't know about you, but I was looking at how far down it was, and was a little skeptical about hooking on to a cable and jumping off. But, I finally sat down, scooted to the edge, blocked everything else out and leaned forward. Within moments, I was flying through the air. It was the most exhilerating and freeing experience of my life. I actually enjoyed it, and David B has the video to prove it. I was smiling from ear to ear all the way down!
Sometimes, I feel like our Christian walk is similar to that zip line. We are attached to the lifeline of God, but we also know the comfort of our own shoes and the safe ground that we walk every day. Sometimes it's hard to lean forward and trust enough to let go. Sometimes we are resistant to change. Sometimes we fear being bold about the Gospel. Sometimes we are guilty of keeping our mouths shut when we should stand up and speak for Truth. Sometimes we are simply guilty of trying to be self-sufficient and don't take time to be nourished by our Creator. Ultimately, we have to trust God's prompting. We have to trust that He stands there--not wanting to shove us off into a foreign land, but rather, reminding us to attach our lives to His vine of life, thus securing our path all the way to Him. Aren't we grateful that we don't have to put our eternal trust in the things of this earth--the manmade zip lines and parachutes--but rather in the eternal God?
I had to face a major fear in ministry following that zip line experience. I knew it was coming. And, remarkably, it was painless. Why? Not because I jumped off a 5 story platform, but because I tangibly forced myself back into a right, clear perspective. I realized that God is not going to ask me to do something unless He is going to equip me every step of the way. I may not know how or when, but I know He will--and He'll do it in His perfect timing.
The best part of the zip line was the friendly faces (jaws dropped) at the end of the line. My Christian brothers and sisters were cheering me on--encouraging me. It was a reminder that with us spurring each other on, Jesus as the Vine and God's nourishment and supervision, we can accomplish anything He has in mind for us to do.
Psalm 9:10 says, " Those who know Your name will trust in You,
for You, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek You."
Let us keep encouraging each other to push forward, out of our comfort zones, into service and spread this Gospel throughout the world. Let us be faithful in our community, and faithful in our places week by week. There are people in the Metroplex who don't know the transforming power of the Gospel. People are eager to hear. They just need people who are not afraid to step out and tell!
Lord, thank You for helping me to put my fears into perspective. Thank You for challenging me daily to step out and live for You. Thank You for the reminder that You are trustworthy, right and pure. Thank You for being unfailing. Help me to live daily apart from sinful fear, and rather in righteous fear and reverence to You. When I stray, Lord, remind me that the one secure line is Your lifeline. Help me to stay attached to Your vine and remain in You.
I have written before that my biggest fear is that of failure. Probably a VERY CLOSE second is the fear of heights. I'm not talking about being afraid of sky diving or cliffs. I'm talking about step ladders. I can't stand to not be on the ground. Don't ask me to climb a ladder or ride the parachutes at Six Flags or anything that means my feet will be leaving the ground! I've decided it is really a control issue. I'm more afraid of not being in control than I am the actual heights, because being on top of a mountain doesn't bother me. It's simply my feet leaving the earth that scares me silly!
There have been several things lately that have just stirred up fear in me. I won't go into detail, but I have found myself concerned about many things that are out of my control. I have had trouble sleeping, and I have even had a couple of nightmares. Some of these are righteous things that I worry about, and some are not. They are simply fears that come from me trying to work out of my own strength and not drawing from God's strength.
Last weekend I went on the 5th grade retreat, and I spent some time with the Lord, and decided I need to relinquish this sense of always having to be in control--a "control freak" as Jane used to call me (I smile and think of her everytime I struggle with this--she always knew and always held me accountable).
I am a pretty capable person. I don't generally complain about something unless I have a solution for it already in mind. I generally don't say I can't do something, and I certainly don't respond well to others telling me I can't do something...hearing someone tell me that is a guarantee that I CAN and I WILL! So, on this retreat last week, I decided to face this fear of heights head on. I decided that if I could conquer it (at least temporarily), then I could begin to conquer the other fears that were needling me and disturbing my sleep. That's where the zip line came in.
Now, some of you are probably saying, "A zip line? You're scared of a zip line?" No. I'm not scared. I was terrified. But, ultimately relinquishing control of something means having to trust in something else. After questioning the people monitoring the zip line over and over again, I finally decided to trust. I put on my gear, took my hook and climbed up the several stories of stairs to the top of the platform. Once I made the climb, I was bound and determined to jump off. Of course, I asked the poor man monitoring the equipment about 4 times to prove to me that it was really going to hold me, and that I really was attached firmly. I don't know about you, but I was looking at how far down it was, and was a little skeptical about hooking on to a cable and jumping off. But, I finally sat down, scooted to the edge, blocked everything else out and leaned forward. Within moments, I was flying through the air. It was the most exhilerating and freeing experience of my life. I actually enjoyed it, and David B has the video to prove it. I was smiling from ear to ear all the way down!
Sometimes, I feel like our Christian walk is similar to that zip line. We are attached to the lifeline of God, but we also know the comfort of our own shoes and the safe ground that we walk every day. Sometimes it's hard to lean forward and trust enough to let go. Sometimes we are resistant to change. Sometimes we fear being bold about the Gospel. Sometimes we are guilty of keeping our mouths shut when we should stand up and speak for Truth. Sometimes we are simply guilty of trying to be self-sufficient and don't take time to be nourished by our Creator. Ultimately, we have to trust God's prompting. We have to trust that He stands there--not wanting to shove us off into a foreign land, but rather, reminding us to attach our lives to His vine of life, thus securing our path all the way to Him. Aren't we grateful that we don't have to put our eternal trust in the things of this earth--the manmade zip lines and parachutes--but rather in the eternal God?
I had to face a major fear in ministry following that zip line experience. I knew it was coming. And, remarkably, it was painless. Why? Not because I jumped off a 5 story platform, but because I tangibly forced myself back into a right, clear perspective. I realized that God is not going to ask me to do something unless He is going to equip me every step of the way. I may not know how or when, but I know He will--and He'll do it in His perfect timing.
The best part of the zip line was the friendly faces (jaws dropped) at the end of the line. My Christian brothers and sisters were cheering me on--encouraging me. It was a reminder that with us spurring each other on, Jesus as the Vine and God's nourishment and supervision, we can accomplish anything He has in mind for us to do.
Psalm 9:10 says, " Those who know Your name will trust in You,
for You, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek You."
Let us keep encouraging each other to push forward, out of our comfort zones, into service and spread this Gospel throughout the world. Let us be faithful in our community, and faithful in our places week by week. There are people in the Metroplex who don't know the transforming power of the Gospel. People are eager to hear. They just need people who are not afraid to step out and tell!
Lord, thank You for helping me to put my fears into perspective. Thank You for challenging me daily to step out and live for You. Thank You for the reminder that You are trustworthy, right and pure. Thank You for being unfailing. Help me to live daily apart from sinful fear, and rather in righteous fear and reverence to You. When I stray, Lord, remind me that the one secure line is Your lifeline. Help me to stay attached to Your vine and remain in You.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
How Beautiful are the Feet
First, an update. I wrote several weeks ago about Scripture Cards and how I was reading those with my children in the mornings, and what a difference it made. Well, over Spring Break, my Mom invited the 3 middle cousins over to her house for a sleepover. Abby is mine, and she is 7. Grant and Claire are Jack's, and they are 5 and 3. Mom was trying to get them calmed down for bed, so she put them all back on her big bed to watch a movie. A little while later, she heard Abby adamantly quoting scripture to them. She walked back into the room, and saw that the movie was paused and poor Claire was sitting in the bed with tears rolling down her cheeks and Abby standing over her saying, "Listen...listen to me...Blessed are the poor in spirit...." Abby had the box of scripture cards that she had taken over to Kaykay's to "share" with her cousins and was bound and determined that they were going to listen...whether they liked it or not!
Obviously, we don't exist to shove Scripture down people's throats. But, it reminded me that when we are enthusiastic about something, we are anxious to share with others. Easter is over. We geared up to invite people to our campuses for Easter Sunday morning, and it was exciting. But we don't exist just for Easter Sunday. There is so much more going on week by week that is exciting--and it's not about numbers, but rather about changed lives.
Who do we need to tell? Who do we need to personally invite? Who do we need to follow up on?
I find personally that it is so much easier to invite someone to a soccer game than it is to invite them to church. But, statistics show...actually, forget statistics....real life shows that a large number of people who receive a personal invitation WILL ACTUALLY COME!
When my grandfather was a young man, he was not a Christian. My grandmother got up and took my Dad and his brother to church by herself. A couple from that church followed up on that visit, and showed up at my Grandfather's door with a steak and invited him to church. He didn't go. But he appreciated (and remembered) the steak and the invitation. My grandmother continued to go to church every Sunday faithfully, until one day, she was tired of getting up and getting two boys ready by herself. She rolled over that Sunday morning to go back to bed. Their church life could have ended there. But God had been wrestling with my Grandfather's heart. Quietly, my Grandfather got up and helped get the boys ready. They all went to church that morning. My Grandfather accepted Christ shortly thereafter. That invitation from that family who took the time to visit him and invite him, combined with the faithfulness of my grandmother, changed his life forever.
This past Sunday, a lady who came to Brown Blvd Campus on Easter with her 2 sons and daughter came back, and brought 3 more children. They were excited about what they experienced on Easter, and wanted to come back and bring others.
Isaiah 52:7: "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"
This week, I'm asking God to light a fire in me to be bold in inviting people. I want to share what I am enthusiastic about. I want to share with others the excitement that this church brings--that BOTH campuses bring. God is doing AMAZING things. It's up to us to share that with others in our community and personally invite them into this place.
Unlike Abby, you have to be prepared to take "no" for an answer, but I'll bet most will say "yes" or at least "I'll think about it".
Lord, help me to proclaim the Good News. Lord, I know that you have not gifted me with evangelism, that I can't quote large sections of Your Scripture from memory. But I know that You have given me the simple task of inviting others to come and share in this Good News, to be fed by the message You give our Pastor each week and to share in the fellowship of Your people. Help me to be faithful in proclaiming that which I am excited about. Help me to be bold, but gracious. Prepare the hearts of the people I will tell, that they might be ready to embrace the Gospel and not reject it. Prepare my heart for rejection, that I might not be discouraged, but rather strengthened. Help me to grow in my expectation of the difference that one person can make by simply extending an invitation. Lord, there are so many people here that have never heard of your Love and sacrifice. Help us not to keep it hidden...as if it is something that is just for us. Help us to share it with this world, boldly and faithfully. Amen.
Obviously, we don't exist to shove Scripture down people's throats. But, it reminded me that when we are enthusiastic about something, we are anxious to share with others. Easter is over. We geared up to invite people to our campuses for Easter Sunday morning, and it was exciting. But we don't exist just for Easter Sunday. There is so much more going on week by week that is exciting--and it's not about numbers, but rather about changed lives.
Who do we need to tell? Who do we need to personally invite? Who do we need to follow up on?
I find personally that it is so much easier to invite someone to a soccer game than it is to invite them to church. But, statistics show...actually, forget statistics....real life shows that a large number of people who receive a personal invitation WILL ACTUALLY COME!
When my grandfather was a young man, he was not a Christian. My grandmother got up and took my Dad and his brother to church by herself. A couple from that church followed up on that visit, and showed up at my Grandfather's door with a steak and invited him to church. He didn't go. But he appreciated (and remembered) the steak and the invitation. My grandmother continued to go to church every Sunday faithfully, until one day, she was tired of getting up and getting two boys ready by herself. She rolled over that Sunday morning to go back to bed. Their church life could have ended there. But God had been wrestling with my Grandfather's heart. Quietly, my Grandfather got up and helped get the boys ready. They all went to church that morning. My Grandfather accepted Christ shortly thereafter. That invitation from that family who took the time to visit him and invite him, combined with the faithfulness of my grandmother, changed his life forever.
This past Sunday, a lady who came to Brown Blvd Campus on Easter with her 2 sons and daughter came back, and brought 3 more children. They were excited about what they experienced on Easter, and wanted to come back and bring others.
Isaiah 52:7: "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"
This week, I'm asking God to light a fire in me to be bold in inviting people. I want to share what I am enthusiastic about. I want to share with others the excitement that this church brings--that BOTH campuses bring. God is doing AMAZING things. It's up to us to share that with others in our community and personally invite them into this place.
Unlike Abby, you have to be prepared to take "no" for an answer, but I'll bet most will say "yes" or at least "I'll think about it".
Lord, help me to proclaim the Good News. Lord, I know that you have not gifted me with evangelism, that I can't quote large sections of Your Scripture from memory. But I know that You have given me the simple task of inviting others to come and share in this Good News, to be fed by the message You give our Pastor each week and to share in the fellowship of Your people. Help me to be faithful in proclaiming that which I am excited about. Help me to be bold, but gracious. Prepare the hearts of the people I will tell, that they might be ready to embrace the Gospel and not reject it. Prepare my heart for rejection, that I might not be discouraged, but rather strengthened. Help me to grow in my expectation of the difference that one person can make by simply extending an invitation. Lord, there are so many people here that have never heard of your Love and sacrifice. Help us not to keep it hidden...as if it is something that is just for us. Help us to share it with this world, boldly and faithfully. Amen.
Monday, April 7, 2008
The Power of Prayer
I know that many of us experience the incredible, mysterious power of prayer each day. But there are times when God impresses upon us specific things to pray for. Today, I just want to share a few testimonies that prayer is REAL and TANGIBLE and relevant today. God hears His people, and responds boldly.
Let me preface this by saying that Cuban Christians are in the midst of 50 days of prayer. The prayer guide is located at http://www.50dias.com/ if you would like to commit to pray. Here is the blog entry from several days ago:
Day Eleven
Last summer Ivette, a Christian violinist for a Havana symphony orchestra, and some other Cuban Christian musicians used music to share the Gospel with rural Cubans. In one week, 450 people accepted Christ. Ivette returned burdened to win fellow musicians to Christ. Pray for her and another orchestra member as they share their faith with their peers.
Did you read that? In ONE WEEK, God changed 450 lives FOREVER through the actions and obedience of just a few. This entry particularly caught my eye because I know Ivette. Ivette is a violinist that our church has prayed for and helped.
I met Ivette on my first trip to Cuba. She has such a powerful faith and zeal for the Lord. She has a burden for sharing her faith, even amidst the threat of persecution, and a joy that just exudes the moment you meet her. Ivette's violin was in very bad shape. She asked me to pray with her, that God would somehow help her to get a better violin. This was a bold prayer in a place where you can't even get strings, let alone a violin. She didn't ask God for a violin because she wanted a material item. She asked for it because she wanted to use it to God's glory...to witness to others in the symphony. That first trip, she invited many from the symphony to our classes. 60 lives were won to Christ through God's presence in those classes that week. I agreed to pray with Ivette. I shared that prayer with several groups in our church. A year and a half later, on my second trip to Cuba, I was able to return with a nice violin for Ivette. Not only were her prayers answered, but look at how God is using her life and her testimony of His love and His provision!
Today, a friend told me that her husband sometimes feels very specific burdens to share the Gospel with people. He felt such a burden recently with his neighbor and boldly went to his neighbor's house and shared with him the plan of salvation. He asked the neighbor if it was something he had ever heard. The neighbor told him that he had NEVER heard it before. Can you imagine, right here in Arlington, TX, perhaps even next door to you, that there is someone who hasn't heard the Gospel? We should NEVER take that blessed story of Love and Truth for granted. That neighbor died yesterday. I'm so thankful for a burdened heart that didn't let fear, busy-ness or any other excuse keep him from sharing that life-saving Gospel of hope that we know in Jesus Christ.
Our prayers make a difference. Whether it be to bring healing to the body or healing to the spirit, whether it be to start a church or to grow one that already exists, God hears our prayers. And, He is faithful to answer them.
2 Chronicles 7:14-16 says, "...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there."
Matthew 18:19-20 says, "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Let us pray with boldness and humility like the Cuban Christians, who today ask that God win 1,000,000 Cubans to Christ by 2010 and start 100,000 new churches in the next 5 years. Let us obey without fear or hesitation like Ivette and my friend's husband who shared with his neighbor. Let us continue to gather together and strengthen one another through prayer.
Romans 1:16 says, "I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes."
Lord, I pray that my actions will bring glory to You today. I pray that You will remove any fears I have in sharing the Gospel. Lord, remind me daily that so long as I act in Your power, You will do amazing and mighty things through me. All I need to do is to seek Your face, humble myself and act in obedience in accordance to Your direction. Help me live a life of worship--unashamed, unquenchable and abandoned to Your will. I love You, Lord.
Let me preface this by saying that Cuban Christians are in the midst of 50 days of prayer. The prayer guide is located at http://www.50dias.com/ if you would like to commit to pray. Here is the blog entry from several days ago:
Day Eleven
Last summer Ivette, a Christian violinist for a Havana symphony orchestra, and some other Cuban Christian musicians used music to share the Gospel with rural Cubans. In one week, 450 people accepted Christ. Ivette returned burdened to win fellow musicians to Christ. Pray for her and another orchestra member as they share their faith with their peers.
Did you read that? In ONE WEEK, God changed 450 lives FOREVER through the actions and obedience of just a few. This entry particularly caught my eye because I know Ivette. Ivette is a violinist that our church has prayed for and helped.
I met Ivette on my first trip to Cuba. She has such a powerful faith and zeal for the Lord. She has a burden for sharing her faith, even amidst the threat of persecution, and a joy that just exudes the moment you meet her. Ivette's violin was in very bad shape. She asked me to pray with her, that God would somehow help her to get a better violin. This was a bold prayer in a place where you can't even get strings, let alone a violin. She didn't ask God for a violin because she wanted a material item. She asked for it because she wanted to use it to God's glory...to witness to others in the symphony. That first trip, she invited many from the symphony to our classes. 60 lives were won to Christ through God's presence in those classes that week. I agreed to pray with Ivette. I shared that prayer with several groups in our church. A year and a half later, on my second trip to Cuba, I was able to return with a nice violin for Ivette. Not only were her prayers answered, but look at how God is using her life and her testimony of His love and His provision!
Today, a friend told me that her husband sometimes feels very specific burdens to share the Gospel with people. He felt such a burden recently with his neighbor and boldly went to his neighbor's house and shared with him the plan of salvation. He asked the neighbor if it was something he had ever heard. The neighbor told him that he had NEVER heard it before. Can you imagine, right here in Arlington, TX, perhaps even next door to you, that there is someone who hasn't heard the Gospel? We should NEVER take that blessed story of Love and Truth for granted. That neighbor died yesterday. I'm so thankful for a burdened heart that didn't let fear, busy-ness or any other excuse keep him from sharing that life-saving Gospel of hope that we know in Jesus Christ.
Our prayers make a difference. Whether it be to bring healing to the body or healing to the spirit, whether it be to start a church or to grow one that already exists, God hears our prayers. And, He is faithful to answer them.
2 Chronicles 7:14-16 says, "...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there."
Matthew 18:19-20 says, "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Let us pray with boldness and humility like the Cuban Christians, who today ask that God win 1,000,000 Cubans to Christ by 2010 and start 100,000 new churches in the next 5 years. Let us obey without fear or hesitation like Ivette and my friend's husband who shared with his neighbor. Let us continue to gather together and strengthen one another through prayer.
Romans 1:16 says, "I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes."
Lord, I pray that my actions will bring glory to You today. I pray that You will remove any fears I have in sharing the Gospel. Lord, remind me daily that so long as I act in Your power, You will do amazing and mighty things through me. All I need to do is to seek Your face, humble myself and act in obedience in accordance to Your direction. Help me live a life of worship--unashamed, unquenchable and abandoned to Your will. I love You, Lord.
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On Top of Pecos Baldy
...what a memory!
