There are some weeks that just stay with you forever because of significant events that occur. This week will be one of those.
In the midst of tragedy I saw Jesus operating in and through so many people. Jesus said in John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." [NIV] We often think this verse means we must die for someone to fulfill it's true meaning. That may be I suppose, but I see the laying down of a life in a more practical daily way. Things such as two young ladies praying with their friend in the midst of tragedy, making sure they were there for her. It's in the Mom's of those girls, who not only got their girls there, but were totally available to serve in anyway. Finally, I saw Jesus in the act of a group of individuals as they moved, served and mourned as one body. I have never in my life seen such service and dedication towards a family that suffered loss as I saw in these men. They truly laid down their lives so they could serve others.
That is what Jesus was talking about. Be in prayer for a family that is hurting and suffering at the loss of a loved one. We are called to lay down our lives for those we love. Sometimes laying our lives down in prayer as we beseech God for his comfort and blessing to be poured out is all we can do. So I say PRAY and BE Jesus to someone today.
"Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." selah Psalm 46:10-11 NIV
My slightly off-centered take on life, love, the Scriptures and the pursuit of Jesus the Messiah. All from the comfortable confines of the home mission field we call Northern New England.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
A heart divided
Continuing on through Judges...
A sad book in scripture it is. Throughout this book there are the glimpses of the Glory that God promised a people who were faithful to him. Yet they are speckled throughout with the sad reality that one "did as they saw fit". Why?
They lost God's vision and call for them as his people. They became engrossed with the culture around them and did what they wanted. They had hearts that were divided. When things got very bad they would cry unto GOD, and he would hear them. This would bring about change for a season, but when their need was met they soon forgot GOD.
How true for us. When we sacrifice our calling for the ways that the world has to offer, our hearts become divided, and a heart divided cannot succeed in either place. When we give ourselves over to Gods will it must be complete. We cannot have one foot in the Glory and one foot in the swamp. God came to Israel's rescue every time they cried to him with a pure heart. Every time! He is a gracious God who desires that we give all to him. Jesus said we cannot serve two masters.
Lay hold of God's vision for you. Students, when God calls you to something, be radically sold out to that call. Never compromise what God has called you to. He knows what is the best for you, and desires to give it to you. The moment you compromise, your heart is divided and the enemy had a door to walk through.
While Judges is a sad book because each man did as he saw fit, it is also a book of God's absolute grace. We see throughout that each time his people humbled themselves, he heard them and answered them. That is the awesomeness of our God. No matter how far we go the wrong way, Jesus is just one prayer, one humbled heart away from putting you back on track toward his vision for you.
A sad book in scripture it is. Throughout this book there are the glimpses of the Glory that God promised a people who were faithful to him. Yet they are speckled throughout with the sad reality that one "did as they saw fit". Why?
They lost God's vision and call for them as his people. They became engrossed with the culture around them and did what they wanted. They had hearts that were divided. When things got very bad they would cry unto GOD, and he would hear them. This would bring about change for a season, but when their need was met they soon forgot GOD.
How true for us. When we sacrifice our calling for the ways that the world has to offer, our hearts become divided, and a heart divided cannot succeed in either place. When we give ourselves over to Gods will it must be complete. We cannot have one foot in the Glory and one foot in the swamp. God came to Israel's rescue every time they cried to him with a pure heart. Every time! He is a gracious God who desires that we give all to him. Jesus said we cannot serve two masters.
Lay hold of God's vision for you. Students, when God calls you to something, be radically sold out to that call. Never compromise what God has called you to. He knows what is the best for you, and desires to give it to you. The moment you compromise, your heart is divided and the enemy had a door to walk through.
While Judges is a sad book because each man did as he saw fit, it is also a book of God's absolute grace. We see throughout that each time his people humbled themselves, he heard them and answered them. That is the awesomeness of our God. No matter how far we go the wrong way, Jesus is just one prayer, one humbled heart away from putting you back on track toward his vision for you.
Monday, July 26, 2010
The next generation
I have just finished reading the book of Joshua and verse 31 states: "Israel served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had experienced everything the LORD had done for Israel." NIV
That is a very profound verse when starting the next book of scripture: Judges. Israel over the next years had glimpses of the glory scattered through times of apostasy. Why?
Moses was called of God to speak for and lead Israel from Egypt to the promised land. Aaron and Miriam had their assignments as well on the journey. Moses, as he grew as a leader, realized that the next generation needed someone to take his place. He needed to find someone the Lord would use to fulfill the roll that he faithfully filled. That person was Joshua son of Nun. He was the next generation, the leader who learned everything from Moses that he could in order to be a Godly leader for the people of Israel. Joshua lead well, as did the elders who survived him.
But what of the next generation? Who did Joshua and the elders mentor? Who did they pour their lives into and teach to lead in a Godly way so the precepts of the LORD would not be forgotten when they were gone? Where was the open transition of power to the next God called leader? These are important questions for me as I read through Joshua and Judges. I need to understand that in order for the church to grow, leaders need to be developed and released into ministry. My senior pastor is not just my senior, but he is my friend and mentor. Everything that he has learned over the last thirty years of ministry, he is teaching me and helping me develop as a pastor. Why? because for him, I am the next generation. His wisdom is critical and valuable for my success.
I, even now am looking to those in my youth group who have been called into ministry so that I can give what I have learned so far as they start their journey. If we are not willing to impart the knowledge that God has given us to those who will come after us, how will the Church look in the future? My feeling is that somewhere along the way Joshua and the Elders as good as they were at leading never raised up the next generation. As a result, Israel lost her identity. They followed whatever gods were being served up around them. Lets not make that mistake. Let's be looking to raise up the next generation of Godly leaders who will boldly take the name of Jesus before nations and kings.
That is a very profound verse when starting the next book of scripture: Judges. Israel over the next years had glimpses of the glory scattered through times of apostasy. Why?
Moses was called of God to speak for and lead Israel from Egypt to the promised land. Aaron and Miriam had their assignments as well on the journey. Moses, as he grew as a leader, realized that the next generation needed someone to take his place. He needed to find someone the Lord would use to fulfill the roll that he faithfully filled. That person was Joshua son of Nun. He was the next generation, the leader who learned everything from Moses that he could in order to be a Godly leader for the people of Israel. Joshua lead well, as did the elders who survived him.
But what of the next generation? Who did Joshua and the elders mentor? Who did they pour their lives into and teach to lead in a Godly way so the precepts of the LORD would not be forgotten when they were gone? Where was the open transition of power to the next God called leader? These are important questions for me as I read through Joshua and Judges. I need to understand that in order for the church to grow, leaders need to be developed and released into ministry. My senior pastor is not just my senior, but he is my friend and mentor. Everything that he has learned over the last thirty years of ministry, he is teaching me and helping me develop as a pastor. Why? because for him, I am the next generation. His wisdom is critical and valuable for my success.
I, even now am looking to those in my youth group who have been called into ministry so that I can give what I have learned so far as they start their journey. If we are not willing to impart the knowledge that God has given us to those who will come after us, how will the Church look in the future? My feeling is that somewhere along the way Joshua and the Elders as good as they were at leading never raised up the next generation. As a result, Israel lost her identity. They followed whatever gods were being served up around them. Lets not make that mistake. Let's be looking to raise up the next generation of Godly leaders who will boldly take the name of Jesus before nations and kings.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
NNED youth camp
I have just returned from a week at camp with some of the most awesome students! NNED is a great place to serve in ministry. The LORD moved among our students in a powerful way. Pneuma from VFCC brough some awesome worship that opened the hearts of our students and Tony Cruz brought annointed messages straight from the word of God, pulling no punches on how we should never abandon our posts!
Thanks to Matt, Nate and Erik for overseeing and putting together an awesome week. The games were awesome and Matt's messages were right on. My students had a great time and cannot wait until next year.
I was especially blessed to see God work among my students. Each of them received from God and went home on fire. The youth of St. Albans VT are an awesome group of people and I pray that they continue to seek God with reckless abandon!
Talk to you again tomorrow
PM
Thanks to Matt, Nate and Erik for overseeing and putting together an awesome week. The games were awesome and Matt's messages were right on. My students had a great time and cannot wait until next year.
I was especially blessed to see God work among my students. Each of them received from God and went home on fire. The youth of St. Albans VT are an awesome group of people and I pray that they continue to seek God with reckless abandon!
Talk to you again tomorrow
PM
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