Jude by Seth Dunn

Jude

Do you ever name drop?  Often times, it is easier to get by in life when we are connected with a powerful or influential person.  It has often said, “It’s all who you know.”  Many people consider name-dropping to be bad form, especially in the meritocracy that is the United States.  Still, there is power in the practice of name dropping, and we even see it in the New Testament.

The penultimate book of the New Testament, the Epistle of Jude, which only takes a minute or two to read in its entirely is rarely preached upon.  Perhaps due to its brevity and perhaps do to the controversy that is has followed it all the way from the first century.  Whether or not one finds the content of Jude controversial, it can’t be denied is that this little epistle says a whole lot with very little words (less than 700 of them…in an English translation).

The greeting alone tells a deep story, “Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James.”  Jude identifies himself as a brother of the famous James, known throughout history as “James the Just.” James was the leader of the church in Jerusalem, a close associate of Peter, and is understood to be the author of the Epistle of James.  That’s a pretty big name to drop.

In addition to James, Jude has another famous (half) sibling that he mentions in the greeting of his epistle…Jesus Christ.  Although Jude is the younger brother of Jesus he does not list himself as such.  Instead, he identifies himself as a “bond-servant” of Jesus Christ.  Jude doesn’t drop the name of Jesus as his brother; he drops the name of Jesus as his savior.  In doing so, Jude shows humility and a deep respect for the authority of God.

Jude continues this theme (in verse 9) in recounting a dispute between Michael the archangel and Satan.  In this dispute, Michael does not dare pronounce a judgment against Satan, but instead declares “The Lord rebuke you!”  That’s the biggest name anyone can drop.

Lord, let us boast and take pride in You alone.
Help us to remember that you are a very present help in trouble.
Praise you that there is no other name by which we must be saved.

2 Timothy 4:1-4 by Seth Dunn

2 Timothy 4:1-4

On a recent Sunday night, I received a call from the Youth Pastor of the church at which I serve on Wednesday nights.  He was not going to be able to make the upcoming Wednesday night youth activity. His grandfather had died, his family would be receiving guests that night, and he needed me to teach the coming week’s lesson.  It was not my turn on the teaching schedule.  In fact, I hadn’t taught the lesson in some time.  I wasn’t even aware of what passage of the Bible from which he had planned to teach until I got the call.  It was short notice.

Paul wrote the 2^nd Epistle to Timothy from a Roman prison.  He was out of pocket to say the least.  In his letter he charged Timothy to, “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.”  The meaning of this language can easily be lost upon modern, 1^st world, post-industrial revolution readers.  Paul and Timothy lived in Agrarian society where there were but two times: in season and out of season.  Basically, Paul was telling Timothy to always be ready to preach the gospel.

Perhaps Paul was hearkening back to the words of Jesus that we now have recorded in John 4:35.  In this verse Jesus is quoting an ancient proverb about biding one’s time in until the harvest is ready.  In the context of John 4:35, Jesus was telling his disciples that the harvest time was upon them and that they would soon reap what he had sewn.  “I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored and you have entered into their labor,” Jesus told them. 

Paul’s time on Earth was coming to an end and it was up to his young charge, Timothy, to carry on preaching the gospel.  Paul warned Timothy that his audience would not endure sound doctrine but rather would desire teaching and teachers that “tickled their ears.”  These words are still pertinent today.

There is great temptation in today’s youth ministry climate to tickle the ears of young people to keep them interested in the church.   It takes great patience and great instruction to preach sound doctrine to anyone, especially youths.  In my short-notice situation, I was reminded of Paul’s words to always be ready to preach sound doctrine with great patience.

Lord, give us a harvest of souls to reap in your name.
Lord, give us the patience to endure sound doctrine and the humility to receive it.
Lord, fill us with the power of the ever-ready power of the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 40:27 - 31 by Seth Dunn

Isaiah 40:27-31

In almost any Christian bookstore, one doesn’t have to look very hard to find these words from the prophet Isaiah:

“Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.”

I’ve seen these words imprinted on everything from a bookmark to a bronze statue of an eagle. The language of this passage is clearly figurative, but it is no less encouraging. These words are powerful. We live in a world that is wrought with injustice, befuddled by confusion, and besieged with weariness. The hopeful words from the prophet Isaiah communicate to the children of God that these maladies will ultimately be overcome by those who wait upon the Lord, who is just, understanding, and strong. 

If we are not careful, we can misunderstand and misapply the meaning of this passage. This passage is not axiomatic. This passage is not something to read off of a motivational poster for a pick-up on a day when we haven’t gotten enough sleep. It’s not a passage to pray over when it’s 4^th and goal with 3 seconds left in the game and our running back is playing on an injured leg. This passage is not a proverb.

This passage is a prophecy.

When Dr. Don Hataway, Senior Pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Cartersville, preaches from the book of Proverbs, he often prefaces the reading of a saying from that book with the following sentence, “It’s a proverb, not a promise.”  In other words, the sayings from the book of Proverbs aren’t necessarily guarantees. They are sayings from Wisdom literature…truisms.

Isaiah is not a book of truisms.  Isaiah is a book of prophecy. Isaiah didn’t give us proverbs, he gave us promises. Some of them, like the coming of the Lord Jesus, have already come to pass. Others are yet to come. Those who wait upon the Lord will gain new strength and never grow weary. This is a prophecy and a promise from God. It will happen in the eschaton and we can look forward to and rejoice in that day.

Lord, give us the patience to wait upon you
Thank you for the savior you have given us in Christ
Thank you for the life you will give us in the resurrection.

Colossians 1:15-20 by Seth Dunn

Colossians 1:15-20

A&E’s Duck Dynasty, a reality show, is currently one of the highest rated programs on television (of any type).   On February 27, 2013, its season three premier drew 8.6 million viewers.   This was a record for an A&E show, though the ratings were hardly a surprise.  Despite the show’s formulaic format, Duck Dynasty’s popularity has only risen since its debut in in March of 2012.  Its soaring popularity is due mostly to viewer interest in the show’s colorful “cast” of “characters” from the Robertson Family, owners of the Duck Commander brand and subjects of the show.

One of these characters is family patriarch, Phil Robertson.  Almost every show ends with Phil asking a blessing over a family meal.  In his prayer, Phil usually utters the words, “Thank you Lord for another day on planet Earth.”  People unfamiliar with the New Testament might hear these words and think little if anything about them.  After all, what is so special about another day on planet Earth that God should be specifically thanked for it?  Phil is a millionaire with a large family and he’s thanking God for just another day?!?!  Surely waking up, going about one’s day, and eating one’s dinner isn’t anything special.  It happens every day.  It’s not a miracle, it is?

It is a miracle.  Phil’s prayer exhibits an understanding of a deep theological truth.  All things hold together in Christ.  (Colossians 1:17).  Every second of every day, Christ is sustaining existence itself.  Every day on planet Earth is a gift of God to be appreciated.   All things were created through Christ (John 1:3) and it is He whole perpetuates our existence.  We should thank God every day for that.

Dear God, thank you for Jesus and another day on planet Earth.

Job 1:1-12 by Seth Dunn

Job 1:1-12

“Have you considered My servant Seth?”

I wonder if God will ever ask Satan this question about me. On the one hand, it would be an indicator that I was living a blameless and upright life before the Lord. On the other hand, it would be an indicator that Satan was about to be put me through the wringer.

Long ago, God asked Satan, “Have you considered my servant, Job.” Job, a very wealthy man, lost all his worldly possessions when God removed the hedge of protection He had placed around Job and allowed Satan to affect Job’s life. Job even lost his wife and children to the devices of the devil. Satan took everything from Job but his very life.
The Bible says, “Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.”

People have a tendency, when calamity befalls them, to blame God and even act out in a sinful manner. They also have a tendency to wonder if God is punishing them for some heinous sin they have committed. (John 9:2). But who among us ever affixes the blame for our misfortune to Satan?

As in the days of Job, Satan is roaming the earth seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8). Satan is on a clear mission to steal, kill, and destroy. (John 10:10) Maybe he has already destroyed something in your life. But one thing he cannot destroy or devour, if you have placed your faith in God through his son Jesus Christ, is your life itself. 

It is your life that Jesus came to save, not your possessions. Find your value in serving God and not in the things that Satan can take away.
Praise be to the name of the Lord

Abide by Jessie Holmes

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself,
unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, 
he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” 
– John 15:4-5

What does/should my relationship with Jesus look like? Jesus is not some far off distant being sitting on a throne looking at us. Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died on the cross, who rose again from the dead, and the vine with which we must be connected. We need Him. We can’t do anything without Him. We are empty, lost, confused, and useless without Jesus. Therefore, our relationship with Him should be defined by one word: Abide.

Do you get what Jesus is saying? Jesus is proclaiming that He desires an intimate and personal relationship with us. He wants us to abide in Him! This is more than a quick quiet time or prayer every once and a while. Jesus is describing a relationship where we are dwelling in Him. Why? Because we need Him. We can’t do anything without Him. He is our all in all and in Him we live.

This type of relationship is what we should not only desire, but grow towards. It’s a process. Our time with Jesus should be a time we long for. We are called to abide IN Him. So, dwell in Him. This may look different for you than it does for me, but the results will be the same. Let your personal relationship with the Father always be on the forefront of your mind. Let His word and love be the things that strengthen, motivate, and rule your heart. When we are truly abiding in Christ, the results of that relationship will be knowledge of the Truth, fruit, love, freedom from sin, and conformity to His image.

Matthew 13:1-23 by Seth Dunn

Matthew 13:1-23

I was very blessed today to witness six baptisms.  Five of the people getting baptized were adults.  If you are familiar with salvation statistics, you know how rare it is for a person to come to faith in Christ after age 17.  So seeing God work in the hearts of older people was an extra special blessing.  

The baptisms were done in river at the Lake Alatoona day use area here in Cartersville.  As the final baptism was performed, an alarm sounded.  The dam up river was opening to let more water pass through.  The pace of the current was quickening and the water was level was rising.  The erstwhile catechumen and the pastor hurried out of the river away from danger.

What a picture of what may come in this life.  As Jesus illustrates in the Parable of the Sower, persecution and worry don’t necessarily end when we finally grasp the gospel, thereby subverting the devious machinations of Satan.  I pray that these new Christians will abide firmly within the Father’s hand, bearing fruit one hundred fold. 

Let’s all take time to consider that the great commission doesn't end with baptism but includes discipleship and accountability within Christian community. Praise Jesus for the increase to his kingdom today.

1 John 5:10-13 by Brandi Peters

"I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life." -1 John 5:10-13 ESV

There are a lot of speculations and opinions circulating in the world today regarding who is going to heaven. Many people are prone to question the salvation of others or even themselves. I know self-proclaimed Christians who, when asked about whether they're going to heaven, will say "I hope so." I know pastors who make a habit of preaching from Matthew 7 to spark fear about making sure you're in the kingdom.

There are many reasons to question salvation, some legitimate, but general fear and anxiety are not amongst them. Romans 10:9-10 tell us, "if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." This truth does not leave a lot of room for doubt.

As a believer, your faith should be as sure as the hands you've placed it in. It's not yours to doubt because you did nothing to earn it. It is your responsibility to believe and confess Jesus Christ as Lord. It is God's promise to grant eternal life. If you have believed and confessed, the rest is up to Him.

Yes, there are works involved. Yes, there is change to be expected in your life. These aspects are not to be ignored. They are however a byproduct of your salvation, not a way to achieve it.

Keep in mind, if you have true and lingering doubts about whether or not you are saved, consult a leader to ensure you have a full understanding of the gospel. This should not be a continual concern in the life of a Christian. If however, the enemy attempts on occasion to throw you off your confidence or keep you in a false place of humility where you can't speak what the Lord has done in your life, take heart. You can be sure!

Lord, thank You that my hope and my future are in You. I never have to question Your ability to bring all you've promised to fruition. Comfort and assure Your children in our struggles, in our human tendency to doubt. The depths of our heart trust You supremely. Thank You for that privilege. Amen.

Mark 4:35-41 by Seth Dunn

On that day, when evening came, He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.”Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” 

Mark 4:35 - 41

In the month of February 2013, tornadoes devastated Adairsville, GA, just north of my home in Cartersville.  Unfortunately, this is not all unusual in the part of the country in which I live.  Later that same month, a tornado destroyed significant parts of Hattiesburg, MS.  A friend of mine captured that foreboding storm on video and it was broadcast nationally on the Weather Channel.  In both locations, people watched helplessly as the forces of nature destroyed life and property.  After the storms had passed, the best people could do was to gather together to clean-up and rebuild.  This pattern has repeated itself down through the centuries.  Despite mankind’s great technical and societal progress, there is little it can do to stand against the powerful forms of nature.  Storms, earthquakes, tidal waves, hurricanes, and tornadoes continue to wreak havoc upon mankind.  Sometimes these events bring out the best in human nature; sometimes they bring out the worst.

The gospels recount a story of bad weather bringing out the worst in Jesus’ disciples, exposing their crippling lack of faith.  Even in the presence of God incarnate, they still feared the weather.  Jesus, the divine ruler of the universe, calmed the weather simply by telling the wind and Sea, “Hush, be still.”  After doing so he reprimanded his disciples saying, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

This led the disciples to ask one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”  This question is still pertinent today.  As we are tossed about by the storms of life, both tangible and metaphorical, we must consider Jesus.  Who is Jesus that even the wind and sea obey Him?  He is the Lord of the universe, so much greater than we.

When the storms of life are raging
Stand by me
When the storms of life are raging
Stand by me
When the world is tossing me
Like a ship out on the sea
Thou who rulest wind and water
Stand by me

Matthew 6:24 by Jessie Holmes

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

-Matthew 6:24

Who is your master? Everyone is serving a master. Jesus in this verse mentions two of them: God and money (possessions). Servant and master are in no way the same as an employer and employee.  A slave or a servant was the property of only one Master. This slave or servant was in total submission to that master and committed their life to servitude under his authority. The servant who makes money and possessions their master is committing to a life of greed, discontentment, emptiness, and selfishness. We can look at the world and see how fleeting money and possessions can be. The things of the world are not constant, reliable, or provide joy. This master runs his servant until the only thing left is brokenness. This is the master that we see so many serving.

There is however another Master who is worthy of the title. He created the heavens and the earth. He sustains all things and controls all things. He is just, righteous, and faithful. A life committed to Him may not be easy, but that servant will find joy, purpose, fulfillment, and hope. God is the master I am describing and He selfishly wants the whole heart. He will not share. In reality it is impossible to seek the things of God and the things of the world. Both are going in two opposite directions. Much like Highlander, there can only be one.

So here’s the punch line: Our lives reflect whom we are serving. People around us will see, because both masters produce fruit in our lives. The question is, which master is worthy of our time, attention, devotion, and commitment. Take some time today and look at your week. Look at how you have spent each of your days and ask yourself this question: Who am I serving?   

Are You Narrow-Minded? by Patrick Fuller

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matt. 7:13-14

            Are you narrow-minded?  The title is actually more of a comical way to say “Have you set off on the narrow way of following Jesus?”  The truth is I am not talking solely about being called closed minded.  I am talking about the status of your relationship with Jesus Christ.  Perhaps you’ve been going to church all of your life, perhaps you are neither here nor there, or perhaps you are totally against the idea of having a life changing relationship with Jesus.  Jesus is making a divide here and now though.  He wants us to see that the Christian life is a different life from non-Christians.  He is saying that those who want to follow him are going to have to be dedicated and wholly divided unto him and his teaching.  The broad way has many followers, many options, many gods, and many ways of living that ALL lead to self-destruction.  Jesus commands us to live one way and that way is only found in his true teaching of the Bible.  He is patient and awaits your choice.

Holy Spirit, please guide us down the narrow path of Jesus and invite others to join us on the way.

In The Fight by Katie Kilgore

Ephesians 6:10

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

Matthew 5:11-12

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Over the course of the past several weeks Satan has been very busy in and around my life.  He continues to attach through those I love, those I worship with, those I don’t even know, even my job.  He is a good schemer. 

I read Ephesians 6 about putting on the full armor of God in the midst of one day recently that was particularly difficult.  I had been persecuted by, none other, than those with whom I worship with on a weekly basis.  I was pretty down in the dumps about it.  Then, I read about putting on God’s full armor of protection.  As I considered God’s armor, I realized that I am a part of His army, fighting this battle of life, on His behalf.  I also realized the importance of Him allowing me to wear His armor.  Not only does His armor protect physically, but it also provides a spiritual and emotional shield as well.  Even after my “battle” had ended, and I felt bruised and tired, I was not defeated, but only because of His shield and sword.

As I consider persecution, I should think of it as a privilege rather than a battle.  If others are insulting me or saying evil things against me, could it mean that I am living a life of obedience to Christ?  He never promises a life of ease, however, he does promise a life of persecution.  And, then in Matthew 5:12, He tells us to “rejoice and be glad” in the midst of our persecution.  Jesus was not exempt from persecution, so why should we expect to be?  We shouldn’t, we just don’t want to deal with it because it is painful.  But, in the pain, comes the beauty of growth and strength that can only come from walking with Christ.

So, as persecution finds you, as it will continue to do, remember to rejoice in the Lord and be especially thankful that He gives us the protection and the armor that we need to fight the battle!  I am staying In The Fight, what about you?

Lord, I want to fight this battle of life, but only with you guiding and your armor protecting me.  Help me to see that persecution is a good thing, even when it hurts and leaves a bruise!  Help me to rejoice and be glad when persecution comes my way.

Amen

The Prodigal Son or The Perfect Father? by Brandi Peters

"And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him." -Luke 15:20 ESV

I'm not a runner. I don't enjoy running or desire to become better at it. I often joke with people that if I'm ever seen running, the police need to be contacted, because someone is chasing me. Then again, that's not entirely true. I am a runner. An excellent runner. I am good at running from God. I'm not alone in this talent.

Who doesn't love the story of the prodigal son? Who, in his own way, hasn't at some point in his life been the prodigal son? I am intrigued by the story because I relate to it. I can see the futility of the young son's actions, squandering his life and reaping what he's sown. I am aware he's getting exactly what he deserves, but still I am sympathetic because I know I have acted similarly. As easy as it would be to condemn him and leave him starving in the slop, I am secretly hoping there is some sort of out, not particularly because I have come to like him, but because I recognize his fate could be my own. I want to see him rise above this circumstance so that I can have hope in mine.

He hits rock bottom and finally comes to his senses. At this point, I've been wondering why it took him so long. He could've always gone home with his tail between his legs, right? I want to feel like this would've occurred to me before I got to the point of starvation, but that's probably an oversell.

He comes up with a plan, one that seems like a bit of a scheme to me. There's no justifying what he's done. He knows this. I picture him repeating the spiel to himself over and over all the way home until he's almost convinced it will work. That's where we pick up in verse 20, with a major shift occurring and it becoming evident that the story of the prodigal son isn't really about the son at all. It's about the father, who is a picture of God.

This focus is not on the knucklehead behavior of the son. It's on the perfect forgiveness of the father. The people listening to Jesus would've understood this, if for no other reason than this: the father ran. Respectable Jewish men did not run. It was considered unbecoming. This father would've been owed the graveling the son was about to give, that and much more. He asked for no payment though. He accepted the son's repentance and showed grace.

Why? He loved his son and desired a relationship with him, just as God desires a relationship with each of his children. God made a way for that when he sent Christ to bear the punishment for our sins. We can be encouraged by this as we approach the father. He's done all the work. We just need to turn toward Him in humility. Wherever we are, He will come running!

God, thank You that You are the perfect Father. Though we fall and fail, You are always patient and loving with Your children. Keep us close. Show us more of who You are and help us to honor You daily. Amen.

Tradition or Tradition, You Choose… by Katie Kilgore

You shall have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:3 (ESV)

I am currently reading a text called Who Stole My Church.  The author, Gordon MacDonald, speaks about a church being so filled with tradition and thoughts of the way we have always done this or that that our vision and need for reaching the lost gets lost.  MacDonald discusses the essential need for change in order to reach non-believers and how we get stuck in the same ol’ same ol’.

MacDonald says, “Tradition is a stage of shelf life where people do things over and over again but have no idea why.  They’ve lost their memory of the original need and vision.  You could say they’ve become addicted to institutional life and keep doing things over and over again without really asking why.  And to stop doing those things would be like going through withdrawal.  Church wise, it’s the moment when the insiders – the folks who have always been there – see themselves as more important than the people outside the church whom we were supposed to be reaching.”

So, I must ask, does this tradition become like a god set before us as our idol, our “only way,” our tainted vision?  I contend that this tradition, in fact, takes on a life form of its own, a monster, a force of great strength, the tradition becomes our god.  I would even say that we become so fixated on serving this god of tradition that we lose sight of anything beyond the walls of our church, we concentrate on ourselves.  We are now focused inward, which is exactly where Satan wants us to be.

Does any of this sound familiar to your current church situation?  It is sad, but true, our god of tradition takes on more conversation, more energy, and many more efforts than the God whom we are supposed to be worshiping.  We must choose to put aside our traditional mind-set, our opinions of “this is the way it should or shouldn't be done,” and choose to worship God, the one true living God.

Dear Lord,

Please help me to see when tradition is becoming a god and is idolized before you.  Help me to see your guidance for when and where change is needed in order for your vision and your needs to be met in our congregation, but even further, beyond the four walls of our church building.  Help us Father not to allow this god of tradition or any other god to be put before You.

Amen

What’s On Your Mind? by Patrick Fuller

“For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace” Romans 8:6

            Brother Lawrence, famous for his 17th century writings and simple faith once wrote about his relationship with God saying, “I worshiped him as often as I could, keeping my mind in his holy presence and recalling it back to God as often as I found it had wandered from him.”  This was the daily habit of his thought life in which he was able to encounter God in an intimate way even amongst mundane tasks.  His ability to recover wandering thoughts whenever possible and keep his mental focus on God and his good attributes helped him experience the spiritual exercise now known as practicing “the presence of God”.  This brought him great joy and peace over time even though he was a simple man in humble circumstances for most of his life.  How much more so will it help us in our fast paced lives to slow down and remove our thoughts from Facebook statuses, Twitter feeds, and our ever present worries?  Remember that Paul wrote that if we live by the flesh in our mindset we will experience death, but if we are set on the Spirit of God we will experience life and peace.  Just think about that for a while.  It will undoubtedly change your mind.

Lord God, let us always be aware of You and walk in step with your Spirit alone.  Amen.

Brother Lawrence.  The Practice of the Presence of God.  Translated by John J. Delaney.  New York: Doubleday, 1977.

Matthew 11:28-30 by Seth Dunn

28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Rush hour traffic in Atlanta is heavy and wearying to say the least.  Every weekday morning and afternoon scores of drivers get behind the wheels of their cars, alone, and clog the Atlanta interstates in an effort to get to and from work. As they slowly make their ways towards their destinations drivers find different ways to pass the time: some listen to the radio, some smoke, some put on make-up. All of them wait. On the days when it rains or a wreck occurs, they wait even longer.

There is a respite for some. In certain parts of Atlanta, HOV (High Occupancy Vehicles) lanes are relatively traffic-free, even during rush hour. Traffic in these lanes moves at a much faster and less frustrating pace.  There is a price to pay for this convenience, however.  Only vehicles with two or more riders are allowed in the HOV lanes.  Thus, to use the HOV lane, one must give up his autonomy.  A passenger in a car riding in the HOV lane cannot choose when to speed up and when to slow down, what programming to listen to on the radio, or when he can light up a cigarette.  He must defer to the driver. However, the burden of the driver in the HOV is light compared to the alternative.

When we let Jesus lead us to our destination, we are unburdened by the heavy yoke of the world and given rest in Him.

Lord give us rest in you from the weariness of the world.

The Forecast for the Future by Katie Kilgore

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

I don’t know about you, but I sure love to know the places, the forecast, the people for which I am headed, for the near future and especially the distant future.  However, we don’t always have the insight to know exactly where we are headed.

I began a new journey about 4 ½ years ago working in a law office.  First, I am not the “sit on my duff” type of worker.  Second, I had never worked in an office other than working for myself as a Realtor.  Third, my grandmother kept referring to me as a “secretary,” which I despised!  I find nothing wrong with secretarial types, it was just not what I preferred to be called.  However, my family needed to eat, my husband had just lost his job and we had to close my dream business in a down-spiraling economy.  We had a 2 ½ year old son and we had to provide for him somehow.  So, a job offer came my way, and I snatched it up, secretary or not, whatever hat I needed to wear.  God knew exactly what He was doing.

I still wonder at times why I am where I am.  But, it’s the little affirmations that the Lord gives to me that allow me a small understanding of His plans for my life.  Just last week, I had the opportunity to speak with an old friend.  I did not know where life had taken her over the past few years, not really anyway, I only knew the good things that she posted on Facebook.  She overheard a conversation that I was having about my job and took that as a chance to open-up with me about the path she had been traveling.  She had to file bankruptcy, the dreaded “B” word and also found herself without a home from foreclosure.  She heard me discussing that I am a legal assistant who works bankruptcy cases and that I find joy in being able to encourage those walking down this dark and lonely path.  I was given the opportunity to listen, cry, hug, and encourage my dear friend at a moment that I was least expecting.  Wow!  The Lord sure did know the plans He had in store for me as a “secretary” and I am so thankful the He does.

Now, I am embarking on another new journey, parenthood for the 2^nd time.  What plan does the Lord have in store for this part of my life?  If only I knew….but, I am trusting that His plans will prove to be “a hope and a future” for my family that only He can ordain.  I can’t wait experience the forecast.

Lord, help me to rest in the fact that YOU know the plans that you have in store for my future.  Whether I know them fully or not, you are in control.  I am thankful for your provisions and your affirmations.

Amen

John 14:13-14 by Brandi Peters

Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. -John 14:13-14 

“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” -Matthew 21:21-22 

I’m tired of the “Name it and claim it” gospel. This label is used loosely as it is really no gospel at all. The first time I heard “You would be healed if you had enough faith” was one time too many. The truth is one’s state of health or wealth is not a measure of his devotion to Christ. If it were, every celebrity in Hollywood would be a Christian superstar. 

We misconstrue Jesus’ intent when we read these as blanket promises. He didn’t mean anything we ask at all. He meant anything we ask in His name that aligns with His will, not anything we ask even in His name for our own sake. 

Now, why does it please Him to heal some and not others? I wish I could answer that. I wrestle with it in my own life and the lives of those closest to me. We have asked something good with right motive. We have sought Him with pure heart. Still, the healing does not come. The condition persists. Sometimes, it worsens. 

This is the point where this “gospel” falls short. If we were truly healed from all infirmity because of Christ and our power as Christians, we would not suffer the ultimate infirmity in death. But Christ never promised physical healing in this life. In fact, He makes perfectly clear that the Father “sends rain on the just and on the unjust (Matthew 5:45).” He is sovereign and has the big picture in mind. He does not delight in our suffering or wish it upon us, but He will continue to use us if we draw near to Him. He will weave a tapestry from the tangled and broken strands of our lives. We have to trust, even in the darkest of nights, that He is good, just, and still in control. 

Lord, we need You. Every day. You tell us Your power is made perfect in weakness. Well, weakness we have. Shine in the midst of us and give us strength to remember who You are, the God that will dry all tears and right all wrongs when it is time. Thank you that as Your children we have that promise to look forward to. Comfort us in our struggles. Allow us to feel Your presence that we may persevere for Your namesake. Amen.

No Man is an Island by Patrick Fuller

And the Reubenites and the Gadites gave the altar this name: A Witness Between Us—that the Lord is God. -Joshua 22:34

Every person is built for community.  This reality is even deeper in Christianity.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote that the goal of all Christian community is that “they meet one another as bringers of the message of salvation.”  A situation for bringing that message can be seen in Joshua chapter 22.  The Eastern tribes of Israel built an altar to the Lord God as a memorial, but the Western tribes suspecting idolatry went up to war against them.  They accused the Eastern tribes of rebellion in a “how could you” sort of way, but were met with a good reason for building the altar.  In the end they agreed that all was well, and no one was punished.  But we can see that in our day of age this kind of rebuke is often not taken as seriously as the Israelites did.  If your brother in Christ was slipping into some sort of sin would you be willing to “make war” against him?  Would you be willing though to call them out gently and with all respectfulness?  For that is what we are called to do in Christian community.  We are to help each other follow and remind each other of Christ and his glorious salvation.

Father you are majestic in holiness.  Thank you for teaching us to live together in peace through your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Act of Love by Katie Kilgore

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. I Corinthians 13:1-3

  

I had the chance to sit down with a seasoned Minister of Music, Rev. Mark Barnes, this week and “interview” him on his ministry, etc.  It was a joyful time of encouragement, excitement, and enthusiasm as he gave me practical suggestions for ministry as well as sharing some of his vision with me.  One interesting point he made was a nugget of information that he received from a previous Pastor / Mentor with whom he had the chance to serve with several years ago.  He asked the Pastor for one piece of advice for ministry as the Pastor was entering his retirement years.  The Pastor responded with, “I would have loved people more.”  Wow!  This sounds so simple and a direct commandment for each of us a believer’s, so why would a Pastor feel the need to make such a statement?  As Rev. Barnes and I continued our conversation regarding life and ministry, it became clear to me the reason for such a statement.  The Pastor was so focused on “doing” ministry, preparing for next week’s sermon, and administration of the church, that he neglected what the scripture in I Corinthians 13 tells us…”but do not have love, I gain nothing.”  What did this Pastor gain by spending so much of his time in preparation rather than spending his time loving the people of his church and loving his neighbors? 

As I think about my ministry as a worship leader, I must honestly evaluate my actions.  I wonder if sometimes I focus so much on the choir hitting the correct note, or pausing for the rest, that I neglect to simply love the folks in the choir.  Am I so concerned with the necessary administrative tasks at hand that I forget to give someone in our congregation a much needed hug?  Am I acting as a “resounding gong or clanging cymbal?”  Love is imperative to each of our ministry efforts, for without it, what have we truly gained?

Lord,

I pray for YOUR love to resonate through me as I plan, lead, and serve in your church.  I pray that others will see and know that You guide my every step in ministry and, above all, they will know Your love and I love them.

Amen

Love is Obedience/Obedience is Love by Patrick Fuller

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands.  As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. 2 John 1:6  

I once was asked to preach a sermon at a wedding in the remote mountains of Peru.  It was a great honor to be asked to do that for the 3 couples who had been married earlier that evening.  It was also a great challenge since I was asked to preach in my second language of Spanish.  I preached on love because the topic of love seemed fitting for the ministry that needed to be done in the area.  As the church listened on I explained that love can be shown through obedience to Christ's commands.  These two things go together so well if you follow Christ's teachings.  Love and obedience are intertwined.  This is not out of obligation but rather out of a passionate desire to respond to and follow Christ.  I encouraged the young couples to love each other, to love their neighbors, and to love God by following his teachings.  Although the message was for them specifically, it is also for you today.  Listen to what Jesus has to say, and follow it out of love instead of cold-hearted obligation.

Lord Jesus, allow us to follow you and in thus show our love for you.  Help us to love others and in that show our love for you as well.  Amen.

Matthew 13:24-30, Matthew 13:36-43 by Seth Dunn

²⁴ Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. ²⁵ But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went away. ²⁶ But when the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the tares became evident also. ²⁷ The slaves of the landowner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ ²⁸ And he said to them, ‘An enemy has done this!’ The slaves said to him, ‘Do you want us, then, to go and gather them up?’ ²⁹ But he said, ‘No; for while you are gathering up the tares, you may uproot the wheat with them. ³⁰ Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn."" 

Matthew 13:24-30

³⁶ Then He left the crowds and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.” ³⁷ And He said, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, ³⁸ and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one;³⁹ and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels.⁴⁰ So just as the tares are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age. ⁴¹ The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, ⁴² and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.⁴³ Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. 

Matthew 13:36-43

Wrigley's Skittles are one of my favorite confections, for the most part. There are five flavors of Skittles that come together in a bag, but I only like four of them. I do not like lemon-flavored yellow Skittles. I do not like lime-flavored green Skittles either, but in 2013 the Wrigley's changed the flavor of green Skittle's from lime to green apple (which I like). Wrigley's experimented with this flavor change in 2001, but much to my chagrin it didn't stick. I have to say that I'm happy that they are trying this experiment again...but I really have no control of what kind of Skittles Wrigley's puts in the bag. I have to take what I get whenever I get a bag of Skittles and what I get is all five flavors.

The first thing I do when I get a bag of Skittles is pick out all the yellows and throw them in the garbage. After that, I enjoy what candy is left in the bag. I don't throw away an entire bag of Skittles just because the lemon-flavored Skittles are mixed in with the flavors I want.

In the parable of the sower, Jesus teaches that God is very selective. There are both wheat and tares in the field. When harvest time comes, he will separate the good from the bad. At harvest time, don't be the yellow Skittles in God's bag of candy.

Lord make us ripe for the Harvest and give us a home in your barn.

Psalm 46:1 by Brandi Peters

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

There are many world views of God that either discount His existence or at the very least His level of involvement in the earth He created. He is painted as a distant observer, a non-caring deity. This is a far cry from the God of the Psalms, the personal God who King David cries out to in times of prosperity and trouble.

This is my God. My God is present. He is here, near at all times. That doesn’t mean that He is an all-powerful genie sent to fulfill our every desire. On the contrary, He is Lord of all, ready to meet the deepest needs of His children as He uses us for His glory.

Lord, thank you for being near in times of growth as well as despair. You are the only true refuge. Trouble threatens to overtake us in this world, but we have strength in You. Help us rest in this truth. Amen

Fear The One Who Cares by Patrick Fuller

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

Fear is a raw emotion and something that all humans experience from their very first breath on into old age.  The existence of fear is not something we take into question often, but what to do with fear is a more common question that the Christian should be prepared to answer rightly.  In the letter of 1st Peter we find the early Christians facing severe persecution and even death for their faithful allegiance to Christ.  These serious situations and fearful events still carry on to this day in other countries around the world to Christians just like you and me.  In America we do not usually face death or physical pain for our faith, but we do face hard times or trials in our daily lives.  Whatever the case may be we know that Scripture can apply to many situations and guide how we respond to life’s circumstances in troubled or anxious times.  In the Bible we can see that God wants you to cast your fears, your anxieties, your troubles and worries on Him through a trusting relationship in Jesus Christ instead of dwelling on them forever.  God is a fortress for those who believe in Him; a safe place to turn when life gets tough.

May we stay close to Him and pray openly to Him in those most important times of need.

Matthew 6:7-8 by Jessie Holmes

And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” – Matthew 6:7-8

As Jesus continues to teach about the Kingdom of God, He now addresses prayer. For those of us who live in the Kingdom of God, we don’t pray for the attention of others or using empty phrases trying to be heard. Jesus shares why with one statement: “YOUR Father KNOWS what you need before you ask Him.” In this statement, Jesus proclaims two truths.

First, the God that we are praying to is also OUR Father.  The focus of our prayers isn’t someone far off and unknown to us. We pray to our Father.  This understanding of our relationship with God implies that we aren’t just talking to some mystical being. When we pray, we communicate and commune with the creator of the universe who has an intimate relationship with us. He loves and cares about us, because we are His children and He is our Father.

Second, God already knows what is going on. When we pray, we are not informing our Father of anything He is not already aware of. This means that God, our Father, knows each of us intimately. He sees our pains, our needs, our brokenness, and makes Himself available for us to talk to. What an awesome Father!  

He knows us personally, loves us immensely, and has made Himself available to talk.

Have you talked to our Father today?Father, thank you for hearing and knowing the concerns of our hearts.

Humility through His Voice by Katie Kilgore

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians

2:3-4 (NIV)

I am currently reading a text for one of my worship classes called “The Voice of Our Congregation.”  The author speaks of how each of our congregations has an collective voice in which they worship, speak, learn, and generally function.  As a choir director, I have often struggled with pushing the choir beyond their “comfort zone” and allowing them to remain in the mundane of what I consider to be the “same ol, same ol.”  There is such a fine line of leadership to this dilemma.  However, I have learned through this text that hearing the voice of the congregation and specifically the choir is vital to my leadership.  As a leader, I must first learn to hear from the One True Voice, the Holy Spirit. Without His divine leading in me, I am worthless.  So, here’s where humility is key.  Rather than choosing anthems and special music that I like, I must submit to the Holy Spirit’s leading while also remembering the voice with which our choir sings.  This is really difficult for me.  However, just last week as I was reading through this text, I had the opportunity to listen to some possible new music for the choir.  Honestly, had I not been in the midst of reading I would have shunned the opportunity for the sake of “that’s not MY choice of music.”  Instead, I popped the CD into my car and began listening.  I was pleasantly surprised in what I heard and even more aware of how the Lord is using this text to mold me as a worship and choir leader, bringing me back to humility once again.

Lord,

I pray for humility as I lead.  Help me to be confident, but only in your leading and your Voice.  Help me to be sensitive to the voice that has led our congregation for years before my arrival and will continue to lead for years after my departure.  I submit to your leadership Holy Spirit.

Amen

The Best Man is a Man at Best by Patrick Fuller

“But He gives a greater grace.  Therefore it says, ‘God is opposed to the proud, but give grace to the humble.’” James 4:6

The perspective of a groomsman gives him a front row seat to the promises that a married couple makes on their wedding day.  I have seen people in the closest of relationships falter and divorce tragically after many years.  I have also seen people live long, fruitful, committed, and loving lives together.  So what makes all the difference in those two types of marriages?  Foundations.  The marriages that truly hold together and bear the most benefit to others around them are those that operate together based on a foundation of humility.  The truth is that only in Jesus Christ can real and viable humility be found.  Remember that Christ set the example of humility by considering himself the same as a regular man even though he was still fully the Almighty God.  If a husband can consider his wife to be of greater importance than his own self how much more will she love him in return for his servanthood?  And vice-versa?  How much more grace will God give us in our relationships if we are humbled enough to follow His example in serving our loved ones or even our own enemies daily out of love and not obligation?

Lord Jesus, please allow us to be obedient disciples to your standards for marriage and humble people in our relationships of all types every day.  Amen.