Find Us Faithful

Last week, my son got in the car and absolutely fell apart. When I asked him what was wrong, he said he was afraid he was going to have a B in math. Now, I’m not a “check every grade”, “has to make straight A’s” parent. I don’t have regular teacher conferences—as a matter of fact I don’t know that I’ve ever had a teacher conference about grades. I’m probably too “hands off”. I had noticed that he had trouble with some of his papers, so, quite honestly, it didn’t come as a shock to me that he might make a B. But he was devastated.

I think sometimes we get so caught up in perfection. Perfection is something that is impossible to achieve this side of Heaven, yet we still get discouraged when we fall short. For my son, every college scholarship, honors class, and award was fleeting before his eyes. Ridiculous, right? But that was how he felt. For us, it may be as simple as getting behind in our daily readings for The Word of God for the People of God, and giving up because you can’t catch up. Or, maybe you don’t feel like coming to rehearsal, and don’t think anyone will really notice, or that your voice or instrument will really matter if it’s missing. Or, maybe you have fallen at some point in your life, and you feel you can never be useful to God’s Kingdom again. These are ways that satan steps in and discourages us from being faithful in our service to God.

David is one my favorite heroes of the faith. He failed time and time again, but he sought God. He didn’t just seek Him halfway—he sought him full out. He sought God with an uninhibited passion matched by no one else in scripture. David was also skilled. He dedicated his talents to the LORD. He played and wrote psalms of praise to God, using his gifts and skills. And God blessed him. David’s “heartsongs” to God have stood the test of time and exist even now to bless us, to minister to us during times of difficulty and to use as prayers and praises to Him. A perfect life? No. A life that mattered to the Kingdom of God? Absolutely!

So, what is required of us?

Jim Cowan wrote a song, “When It’s All Been Said and Done”. Here’s a portion of the text:

When it's all been said and done
There is just one thing that matters
Did I do my best to live for truth
Did I live my life for You?

My son was really upset last week. I couldn’t do anything to fix his grade…that time had come and gone. But, I asked him one simple question: “Did you do your best?” He could honestly say he had. I hugged him, and told him, “Then, that’s all you can do. It’s going to be okay.”

Only one perfect man walked this earth. Aren’t you glad He did?

Lord, thank You for loving us, imperfect as we are. Thank You for sending the One and Only to live a perfect life, and bear the weight of all of our shortcomings. Thank You for molding us and shaping us into who You desire for us to be, even when we fail You. Encourage us. Find us faithful.

Living Life

Yesterday, in our Staff Meeting, Ricky C delivered our staff devotional. He was talking about our responsibility as Christians to live holy lives—set apart. Here’s what he said, “We are to live lives separate from the world, but not isolated from it.”

That is something that as a follower of Christ and as a Christian parent I am trying to balance. This past weekend, we had a wonderful time of retreat with our Praise Team members. We didn’t talk a lot about music. We didn’t focus on calendaring. We retreated. We spent time in the Word and with the Word. We carved out just a few hours for God to speak to us about living life. It was an incredible time together. I want to share with you all one of the passages that we studied.

2 Chronicles 14:2
Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God.

As I read that, I was amazed. Can you imagine God inspiring someone to write that statement about me or you? What an honor that those words about Asa exist for all time! Here’s what Asa did. He was King of Judah. He removed foreign altars, he commanded Judah to seek the LORD. Here’s what 2 Chronicles 14-15 says about Asa. Azariah came to see Asa, and old him basically the following things:

• Live right & serve God
• You are surrounded by nations crushing nations. You are surrounded by turmoil on every side. Don’t cave into what you see others doing, but lead YOUR nation to seek God.

This is a very contemporary thought! This is something that we encounter every day as Christians. We are surrounded by worldliness. Think about that and how it applies to your families. In your jobs, do you see backstabbing? How about your children’s sports or school activities? What about your neighbors? How many of your children’s friends still live in a home with both their mother and father? We are surrounded by nations crushing nations even today! So here is our challenge, too, from Azariah’s lips:

• Live right & serve God
• Don’t cave into what you see others doing, but lead YOUR household to seek God

Easier said than done, right? But Asa obeyed and did it. Read with me 2 Chronicles 15:12-15, 17

They entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and soul. They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them. So the LORD gave them rest on every side…Asa's heart was fully committed [to the LORD] all his life.

Asa’s heart was FULLY COMMITTED to the Lord all his life. WOW!
How do we follow Asa’s example? It’s a journey. But, God tells us in Colossians 3 how to live:

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

It’s a journey that we’ll be on for the rest of our lives. And, we’re going to have failures along the way. It doesn’t happen overnight. And satan will use every opportunity to discourage you, derail you, demoralize you. Don’t let him. Stay attached. Know that YOU make a difference. You are important to this ministry and to the believers around you. You are a blessed child of God!

My closing prayer for us is this…taken from the last few verses of Colossians 3:

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Glorify Your Name

Paul Baloche wrote a song recently entitled "Your Name". This song has been so meaningful to me as I've read through the Psalms in "The Word of God for the People of God" over the past few months, as so many of the images in this song come from the Psalms. Below is the text:

As morning dawns and evening fades
You inspire songs of praise
That rise from earth to touch Your heart
and glorify Your Name

CHORUS
Your Name is a strong and mighty tower
Your Name is a shelter like no other
Your Name, let the nations sing it louder
'Cause nothing has the power to save but Your Name

Jesus, in Your Name we pray
Come and fill our hearts today
Lord, give us strength to live for You
and glorify Your Name

This Advent, I had more time than ever to meditate, praise and be nourished in the Word. It has been an amazing time for me personally. I want to thank each of you for the blessing that you are to me in my life and ministry here. I wouldn't have had that time had it not been for your hard work, preparation, giftedness, willingness, flexibility, love, service and godliness. From hearing the TMS musical, to seeing the brass play at Mission Arlington (with the guy covered in tattoos leading the sing-along), to the fun of Family Night to the blessing of the Youth Choir singing "Glory in the Highest", I felt the presence of God like no other Advent. I know that the Christmas season can be a hectic time, but for this one person on this journey alongside you, it was truly blessed. Thank you!

As we move into this new year, I want to encourage you in the following things:
1. Stay connected. One great way to stay connected is simply to be here every time you are able.
2. Stay rooted in the Word. If you haven't been reading the daily readings our Pastor has laid out for us in The Word of God for the People of God, start with today's reading. It has already been an amazing journey for my family. I know it will bless you as well.
3. Encourage one another. As you have the opportunity, drop someone an email or call them and check in on them. Or, simply take time to thank someone who has blessed you.
4. Pray for one another and for this church. Pray that people will remain faithful during this difficult economic time. Pray for continued health and unity within the church. Pray that we will grow deeper and glorify God through our daily lives.

Jesus, in Your Name we pray
Come and fill our hearts today
Lord, give us strength to live for You
and glorify Your Name