01.11.12
Posted in Uncategorized at 11:57 am by Admin
This week has provided some interesting examples of what a ‘winner’ looks like. In the college BCS national championship game we saw a tough hard hitting defense take over and win. In the New Hampshire primary we saw a successful businessman and former governer win a big victory. In our culture the strong and successful are seen as the winners.
That’s very different from the kingdom of God. God seems to delight in using weak, poor, unimpressive ones to accomplish great things, to win great victories. In 2 Kings 7 is a story of a city in the midst of famine. The famine was due to a siege from an enemy army. Caught in the middle of the city walls and the enemy army was a group of four lepers. These outcasts were not only sick, they were now starving. In their desperation they decided to walk towards the enemy army. The lepers thought that the army woud either feed them or put them out of their misery. Then the story takes an amazing turn. As these outcasts walk towards the enemy’s camp God seemed to amplify the sound of their steps. The enemy army heard the sounds of an approaching hoard. They heard thunderous hoof beats and chariot wheels turning. They heard the rythmic threat of a huge infantry formation marching towards them. In fear the siege forces dropped everything and ran home to safety. By the time the lepers arrived at the camp it was completely deserted. Food, clothes, cash and other treasures were enough to immediately restore the city to normal commerce. God had used the footsteps of four lepers to send a large military force into panic and retreat.
That story, and many other scriptures, remind me that to God a winner is simply someone taking the right steps. As unimpressive, weak people obediently move in Jesus’ name the forces of heaven are released to accomplish great victories. As we feed the hungry, preach the gospel to the poor, visit the sick and the imprisoned, heavenly power is released. As we share our testimony, clothe the naked, pray for the sick and encourage the outcast enemies are put to flight. I’m encouraged today to press on in obedient service to Jesus. He is taking my small steps and accomplishing big things. Join me in loving others, sharing our faith and our stuff. God is using us to chase His enemies. Our little bit with His generous mercy and power will win huge victories!
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01.05.12
Posted in Uncategorized at 10:20 am by Admin
As we move from 2011 to 2012 it’s a great time to stop and reflect on a few things. Sunday we took time to remember many wonderful things from 2011. I loved hearing from the church family the reports of answered prayer, favorite memories and lessons learned from last year. It was also great to look ahead together at this new year. The congregation shared some of their prayer requests, hopes and dreams for 2012.
Today I really want us to stop and consider 3 important things as we face a new year. First, we face the future with the authority and presence of Jesus Christ with us. As we go about our lives this year we are not simply floating on an irresistible current. We have purposes, destinies and abilities given to us by God. We should face life this year with great confidence. Jesus said that all authority in heaven and earth had been given to him therefore we go. He also promised his personal presence always, even to the end. (Matt. 28: 18-20) Let’s explore and apply these truths to our daily lives more this year than ever.
The second thing to consider is that the God who loves us will help us with whatever difficulties lie ahead. I don’t know what 2012 will bring but I know that my savior, provider, comforter, shepherd, friend and king will help me through them. God is good all the time!
The third thing that I’d like us to take time to consider relates to the ways that God uses us for service to others. I believe that God has promised to increase ministry of healing and encouraging words through us for the benefit of others. To be effective in either healing or the speaking of God’s encouragement to others requires us to take seriously our mission of making disciples and to grow in the skills of listening to God, praying for others and delivering His messages to those in need. Let’s determine together that this year we’ll listen more for the voice of God. We’ll obey His promptings to reach out to someone in need and that we will grow in the practice of praying for others.
This time next year I hope that we will be sharing lots of stories of amazing things that God has done through us, as well as for us. May you experience God’s blessings often and happy new year!
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09.04.11
Posted in Uncategorized at 8:49 am by Admin
David said in Psalm 122 “I was glad when they said “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” Today I feel the spirit of those words. For all her warts, potential for causing pain and disappointment and failures, I still love the church. She is, we are, the called out ones; the sent out ones. I find encouragement there. I’ve learned of God’s mercy there. I’ve experienced God’s loving presence as well as his gentle discipline at meetings of the church. I am so thankful that we are not asked to follow Jesus on our own. Thank you God for the fellowship, the love and support of your church. Help us to be the body of Christ in our world today. Give us the strength and the ‘want to’ to change the world as you lead us.
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08.22.11
Posted in Uncategorized at 9:03 pm by Admin
Col. 1:9…we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
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04.11.07
Posted in Uncategorized at 12:35 am by Admin
I’ve set up this blog as a way to discuss issues related to the Kingdom of God. If Jesus is Lord, and I believe he is, what difference does it make? Should my relationships, finances, ambitions and goals be any different if I’m a disciple of Jesus? Has the Kingdom of God come to earth already, or do we wait for some other event?
Feel free to respond to my ramblings with your own thoughts, questions, comments.
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