The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.
Luke 23:55-56 NIV
Jesus had just died and there was work to be done in order to prepare the body and tomb. Yet, the Sabbath was also a factor. What did the ladies do? They rested.
Was their act of rest inconsiderate at best, heretical at worst?
Many of us face the same difficult decision at times. There's ministry to be done - important ministry, ministry that can make a real difference. Yet the time for rest has also come. Which do we choose? Are we falling short of showing God's love if we choose to rest? Or are we disobedient if we ignore the opportunity to rest and minister to those in need.
He said to them, "If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."
Matthew 12:11-12 NIV
Jesus addressed this very question when the religious leaders accused Him of disobeying the law. Jesus' response indicates clearly that ministry is important regardless of what day it's done. Scripture also clearly indicates the importance of rest and the Sabbath for us.
The reality of this seeming conflict is that it's important we find a balance in ministry and rest. The Sabbath isn't restricted to any particular day of the week for Christians. For many pastors, their Sabbath is on a Monday or on a Wednesday. The rest that God wants us to enjoy is a time when we can refuel our energy needed for the imporant ministry that God wants us to do by His power for His glory.
Find a regular time to rest each and every week, and you'll have more energy to do God's work!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Don't Miss the Opportunity to Make a Difference
Showing the love of Christ can make more of a difference than you realize.
In early August, I met David who lived in one of the neighborhoods that City on a Hill Church has adopted. David was in his 50's. He had spent most of his life living on the street in unthinkable conditions and indulging in all kinds of sin activities, including drugs.
At least one family in Warrenton looked past all of that and decided that they would do everything they could to show the practical love of Christ in David's life. After introducing him to the Bible and who Jesus is, they helped him find an apartment in Culpeper. And that's when I met him.
After inviting David to COAHC, he began to come and worship with us. We helped him with some of the material needs - eg, groceries, kitchen ware, etc. He was living in a bare apartment with no furniture. He was lonely, but he was getting his life pointed in the right direction.
Through this experience, David met friends who were kind to him. He was shown unconditional love and acceptance. And for the first time in his life, he said, "I've found a place to worship God in my own way, and I've found peace, love and joy." On many occassions, David would weep over what God had done for him and the love he was experiencing.
After knowing David for only a short period of time, I was told that he passed away in his apartment last week. He went peacefully. He went home to be with the Lord after receiving the two greatest gifts in his entire life: peace from a relationship with God through Jesus and authentic love offered by the body of Christ.
What a joy it is to know our sovereign God orchestrated the opportunity for David to experience His powerful love, peace and joy in his last days on earth. Now David is spending eternity with our Lord in heaven above. Hallelujah!
I'll be performing David's graveside service on Thursday, October 1 @ 1pm at Forest Grove Baptist Church in Viewtown (near Amissville). If you knew David, please join us to celebrate his life with Christ.
In early August, I met David who lived in one of the neighborhoods that City on a Hill Church has adopted. David was in his 50's. He had spent most of his life living on the street in unthinkable conditions and indulging in all kinds of sin activities, including drugs.
At least one family in Warrenton looked past all of that and decided that they would do everything they could to show the practical love of Christ in David's life. After introducing him to the Bible and who Jesus is, they helped him find an apartment in Culpeper. And that's when I met him.
After inviting David to COAHC, he began to come and worship with us. We helped him with some of the material needs - eg, groceries, kitchen ware, etc. He was living in a bare apartment with no furniture. He was lonely, but he was getting his life pointed in the right direction.
Through this experience, David met friends who were kind to him. He was shown unconditional love and acceptance. And for the first time in his life, he said, "I've found a place to worship God in my own way, and I've found peace, love and joy." On many occassions, David would weep over what God had done for him and the love he was experiencing.
After knowing David for only a short period of time, I was told that he passed away in his apartment last week. He went peacefully. He went home to be with the Lord after receiving the two greatest gifts in his entire life: peace from a relationship with God through Jesus and authentic love offered by the body of Christ.
What a joy it is to know our sovereign God orchestrated the opportunity for David to experience His powerful love, peace and joy in his last days on earth. Now David is spending eternity with our Lord in heaven above. Hallelujah!
I'll be performing David's graveside service on Thursday, October 1 @ 1pm at Forest Grove Baptist Church in Viewtown (near Amissville). If you knew David, please join us to celebrate his life with Christ.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Maturity
Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.
James 1:2-8 The Message
Last weekend, we wrapped up a series on suffering at City on a Hill Church. The passage above reminds me of the goal we should be focused on the midst of our trials: maturity. The Greek word is teleios. Imagine a full grown tree that is producing fruit in the right season. It has reached maturity and its full potential. That's the kind of maturity that God wants us working towards.
But we can't ever really get there, can we?
We're not really talking about perfection (ie, sinlessness). We're simply talking about getting to where God wants us to be with regard to fulfilling His purposes and plans for our lives. As followers of Christ, we always seem to be in some stage of this process. The trials and difficult circumstances we experience in life have a way of speeding up this process. We can also experience seasons when the process seems to go very slowly.
To God, our journey is just as important as the destination. Wisdom is what we should be asking for in our grief and suffering. God is our source of wisdom in the midst of the uncertainties. He's our lifeline when we find ourselves tossed around in the seas of turmoil. Our hearts need to turn to Him, and Him alone, in these difficult times so we can find refuge.
If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.
James 1:2-8 The Message
Last weekend, we wrapped up a series on suffering at City on a Hill Church. The passage above reminds me of the goal we should be focused on the midst of our trials: maturity. The Greek word is teleios. Imagine a full grown tree that is producing fruit in the right season. It has reached maturity and its full potential. That's the kind of maturity that God wants us working towards.
But we can't ever really get there, can we?
We're not really talking about perfection (ie, sinlessness). We're simply talking about getting to where God wants us to be with regard to fulfilling His purposes and plans for our lives. As followers of Christ, we always seem to be in some stage of this process. The trials and difficult circumstances we experience in life have a way of speeding up this process. We can also experience seasons when the process seems to go very slowly.
To God, our journey is just as important as the destination. Wisdom is what we should be asking for in our grief and suffering. God is our source of wisdom in the midst of the uncertainties. He's our lifeline when we find ourselves tossed around in the seas of turmoil. Our hearts need to turn to Him, and Him alone, in these difficult times so we can find refuge.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Twitter Updates
Had to remove the gadget that displays my Twitter updates. Apparently the gadget got hacked and was displaying someone else's updates that were a little on the vulgar side.
Will reinstall when the problem is fixed.
Will reinstall when the problem is fixed.
Family Ties
Yesterday, there was an article in the paper about a Culpeper family who recently competed in a tennis tournament together. The family has become well-known around our community as lovers of the game of tennis. When you see them in the grocery store or in the post office, it's natural to think of tennis.
Growing up, my family enjoyed something similar with the sport of long-distance running. Both my parents ran, my sister ran and I ran. During my Jr high, high school and college years, there were numerous newspaper articles that featured my family and the success we experienced in our sport. When you saw one of the Dameron's, it was natural for you to think of the sport of running.
In chapter 8 of the Gospel of John, Jesus has a conversation with the religious leaders about family ties. The Jews claimed their salvation based on their ancestry to Abraham. But Jesus took it a step further.
"Abraham is our father," they answered.
"If you were Abraham's children," said Jesus, "then you would do the things Abraham did. As it is, you are determined to kill me, a man who told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. You are doing the things your own father does."
"We are not illegitimate children,
they protested. "The only Father we have is God himself."
John 8:39-41 NIV
Jesus emphasizes the connection between our ancestry and our behavior which reveals it. He's telling them that people should recognize them based on their actions and attitudes reflecting their parents' values. Jesus goes on to tell them that they are the children of the devil because they want to carry out their father's desire.
When we read this story, we need to consider whose children we are. We're not just children of our earthly parents, but we're also children of our Father in heaven.
Does my daily routine reflect my Father's transformational power?
Does my attitude reflect my Father's love and grace?
Do my behavior and words reflect my Father's righteousness and holiness?
We need to make sure that when people see us in the grocery store, the post office and everywhere we go, they know we're connected to God. May all the glory be to our eternal Father in heaven!
Growing up, my family enjoyed something similar with the sport of long-distance running. Both my parents ran, my sister ran and I ran. During my Jr high, high school and college years, there were numerous newspaper articles that featured my family and the success we experienced in our sport. When you saw one of the Dameron's, it was natural for you to think of the sport of running.
In chapter 8 of the Gospel of John, Jesus has a conversation with the religious leaders about family ties. The Jews claimed their salvation based on their ancestry to Abraham. But Jesus took it a step further.
"Abraham is our father," they answered.
"If you were Abraham's children," said Jesus, "then you would do the things Abraham did. As it is, you are determined to kill me, a man who told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. You are doing the things your own father does."
"We are not illegitimate children,
they protested. "The only Father we have is God himself."
John 8:39-41 NIV
Jesus emphasizes the connection between our ancestry and our behavior which reveals it. He's telling them that people should recognize them based on their actions and attitudes reflecting their parents' values. Jesus goes on to tell them that they are the children of the devil because they want to carry out their father's desire.
When we read this story, we need to consider whose children we are. We're not just children of our earthly parents, but we're also children of our Father in heaven.
Does my daily routine reflect my Father's transformational power?
Does my attitude reflect my Father's love and grace?
Do my behavior and words reflect my Father's righteousness and holiness?
We need to make sure that when people see us in the grocery store, the post office and everywhere we go, they know we're connected to God. May all the glory be to our eternal Father in heaven!
Monday, September 21, 2009
My Prayer
Lord, may I always pastor City on a Hill Church with a shepherd's heart. Please help me to understand the needs of my flock and care for them well. May I feed them with the spiritual nourishment they need each and every week. I pray that each person would be discipled well so that your plans and purposes come to fruition in our lives. Help me to comfort my flock, protect them and lead them to greener pasteurs.
Lord, may I always pastor City on a Hill Church with boldness. May I never rely on gimmicks, programs or anyone else to accomplish your will in the life of our Church. May your will be revealed to me and may I lead in accordance regardless of what I think may happen. Help me to never be afraid of man's reaction. I pray that every service, every ministry and every outreach to the community will stretch our Church Body and grow us to be not only followers of Christ, but also more like Christ.
Lord, may City on a Hill Church be all that you want us to be. May we be a light to our community. May we be an example of Your love to our community. Help us to be where we are needed most. Help us to reach those who need to know You. Equip us, Lord, with every gift that is needed to accomplish Your will. May You be glorified through each and every life that is a part of City on a Hill Church.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Lord, may I always pastor City on a Hill Church with boldness. May I never rely on gimmicks, programs or anyone else to accomplish your will in the life of our Church. May your will be revealed to me and may I lead in accordance regardless of what I think may happen. Help me to never be afraid of man's reaction. I pray that every service, every ministry and every outreach to the community will stretch our Church Body and grow us to be not only followers of Christ, but also more like Christ.
Lord, may City on a Hill Church be all that you want us to be. May we be a light to our community. May we be an example of Your love to our community. Help us to be where we are needed most. Help us to reach those who need to know You. Equip us, Lord, with every gift that is needed to accomplish Your will. May You be glorified through each and every life that is a part of City on a Hill Church.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Neighborhood Appreciation Celebration
Saturday evening will be a first for City on a Hill Church. We're hosting an outdoor service in honor of one of the neighborhood's we've adopted. It happens to be the neighborhood right behind our church.
Last weekend, we placed a flyer advertising the event on every door of the approximately 100 homes located in this neighborhood. We've gone around to local businesses in our community asking for donations, and our merchants have stepped up to the plate in a great way!
We'll have a Moon Bounce and a Cotton Candy machine for the kids, worship and the Gospel message offering hope for these folks. We'll top it all off with free giveaways of gift cards and coupons that were collected from our community's businesses.
The objective of the evening primarily rests in bringing souls into the Kingdom of Heaven. We want to let our neighborhood know that we love them, and more importantly, that God loves them. I'm so excited to see what God does!
Last weekend, we placed a flyer advertising the event on every door of the approximately 100 homes located in this neighborhood. We've gone around to local businesses in our community asking for donations, and our merchants have stepped up to the plate in a great way!
We'll have a Moon Bounce and a Cotton Candy machine for the kids, worship and the Gospel message offering hope for these folks. We'll top it all off with free giveaways of gift cards and coupons that were collected from our community's businesses.
The objective of the evening primarily rests in bringing souls into the Kingdom of Heaven. We want to let our neighborhood know that we love them, and more importantly, that God loves them. I'm so excited to see what God does!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
The Importance of Looking Foolish
Did you know that God wants you to look foolish sometimes?
It's through these foolish appearances, that God is doing something great in and through us. Think about how foolish Noah looked building that ark in front of his neighbors and family. Can you imagine how much of a joke he became?
What about the young David? A shepherd tweener with a sling shot taking on not just a professional soldier, but a giant one at that! How many wise cracks did he overhear from his brothers and the other Jewish soldiers? Even Goliath taunted him to his face - right before David's stone killed him.
When we find ourselves in the midst of a difficult situation, God sometimes calls us to look foolish. It's at that precise moment, that we're faced with the question "Am I more concerned about what I want than with what God wants?" When we step forward with courage and understand the importance of looking foolish to the big picture of our lives, we find a whole new perspective on life.
Mark Batterson wrote a book a few years ago called "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day." The book focuses on a couple of verses found in 2 Samuel about a guy named Benaiah who jumped into a pit on a snowy day to kill a lion. Benaiah succeeded in killing the lion and became the commander in chief for Kings David and Solomon.
Imagine the courage it took for Benaiah to jump into that pit. Imagine how foolish he looked at first to anyone who may have been watching. We can't deny that there are fine lines separating courage, risk and looking foolish.
This weekend at City on a Hill Church, we're wrapping up a series on suffering. We're going to talk about "Attitudes in the Midst of Anguish." In this message, I'll share three important attitudes that we should have in the midst of our trials and tribulations. Courage is at the top of the list.
We'd love to see you there!
It's through these foolish appearances, that God is doing something great in and through us. Think about how foolish Noah looked building that ark in front of his neighbors and family. Can you imagine how much of a joke he became?
What about the young David? A shepherd tweener with a sling shot taking on not just a professional soldier, but a giant one at that! How many wise cracks did he overhear from his brothers and the other Jewish soldiers? Even Goliath taunted him to his face - right before David's stone killed him.
When we find ourselves in the midst of a difficult situation, God sometimes calls us to look foolish. It's at that precise moment, that we're faced with the question "Am I more concerned about what I want than with what God wants?" When we step forward with courage and understand the importance of looking foolish to the big picture of our lives, we find a whole new perspective on life.
Mark Batterson wrote a book a few years ago called "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day." The book focuses on a couple of verses found in 2 Samuel about a guy named Benaiah who jumped into a pit on a snowy day to kill a lion. Benaiah succeeded in killing the lion and became the commander in chief for Kings David and Solomon.
Imagine the courage it took for Benaiah to jump into that pit. Imagine how foolish he looked at first to anyone who may have been watching. We can't deny that there are fine lines separating courage, risk and looking foolish.
This weekend at City on a Hill Church, we're wrapping up a series on suffering. We're going to talk about "Attitudes in the Midst of Anguish." In this message, I'll share three important attitudes that we should have in the midst of our trials and tribulations. Courage is at the top of the list.
We'd love to see you there!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Missed Opportunities
Fear is powerful. It can keep us from responding to God's call on our lives. Just as importantly, fear, coupled with pride, can keep us from taking advantage of opportunities from which we can benefit.
This morning I met with a representative at Piedmont United Way to get educated about all the programs in Culpeper to help those who need a hand. I was truly amazed at all of the programs that are in place through government agencies, churches, ministries and other non-profit groups that are in place simply to help people. There is no justifiable reason for sincere people in our community to remain in need with all of these opportunities for assistance in place.
Of course, fear keeps people where they are... hungry, lonely and in need. It's fear of the unknown, fear of rejection that keeps them down and out. It's fear and pride together that can shackle a person to poverty with no hope of freedom.
The same is true in our lives as Christians. We see where God is calling us to, but we remain still out of fear and pride. What if I fail? What will other people think?
Honestly, there are too many "what ifs" in life to consider. We need to stop being afraid of the unknowns and walk by faith, not by sight. We need to stop worrying about what other people think because all of us need help from time to time. God wants us to use every available resource that we have to enjoy an abundant life, including assistance programs. We need to stop fearing failure in our lives because failure is inevitable. It's what we do with that failure - how we respond and learn from it - that's important.
Let's open our eyes and recognize the resources around us. Let's recognize them for what they are: opportunities for us to become who God wants us to be.
This morning I met with a representative at Piedmont United Way to get educated about all the programs in Culpeper to help those who need a hand. I was truly amazed at all of the programs that are in place through government agencies, churches, ministries and other non-profit groups that are in place simply to help people. There is no justifiable reason for sincere people in our community to remain in need with all of these opportunities for assistance in place.
Of course, fear keeps people where they are... hungry, lonely and in need. It's fear of the unknown, fear of rejection that keeps them down and out. It's fear and pride together that can shackle a person to poverty with no hope of freedom.
The same is true in our lives as Christians. We see where God is calling us to, but we remain still out of fear and pride. What if I fail? What will other people think?
Honestly, there are too many "what ifs" in life to consider. We need to stop being afraid of the unknowns and walk by faith, not by sight. We need to stop worrying about what other people think because all of us need help from time to time. God wants us to use every available resource that we have to enjoy an abundant life, including assistance programs. We need to stop fearing failure in our lives because failure is inevitable. It's what we do with that failure - how we respond and learn from it - that's important.
Let's open our eyes and recognize the resources around us. Let's recognize them for what they are: opportunities for us to become who God wants us to be.
Friday, September 11, 2009
No Miracles Without Messes
If you find yourself in a mess, just remember... there are no miracles without messes. You can't be healed without first being sick. You can't overcome without first being challenged.
King Jehoshaphat and the Jews faced an insurmountable enemy in 2 Chronicles 20. Jehoshaphat was a good king who loved the Lord and who led his people in righteousness. Yet, God was allowing enemies to threaten the lives and freedom of His people.
It was through this mess that God worked a miracle to give the Jews victory and extended peace with the surrounding nations. It was through suffering that God prepared Jehoshaphat and the Jews for the miraculous. That's what God does in our lives, too.
When we find ourselves in a mess, God is preparing our hearts and minds for what He wants to do in our lives. Jehoshaphat responded with praise and worship. We get the contemporary worship song "His Love Endures Forever" from King Jehoshaphat's worshipful response.
This weekend at City on a Hill Church, we're continuing a series on Suffering with a message on how we're changed through our messes. Join us at 11am!
King Jehoshaphat and the Jews faced an insurmountable enemy in 2 Chronicles 20. Jehoshaphat was a good king who loved the Lord and who led his people in righteousness. Yet, God was allowing enemies to threaten the lives and freedom of His people.
It was through this mess that God worked a miracle to give the Jews victory and extended peace with the surrounding nations. It was through suffering that God prepared Jehoshaphat and the Jews for the miraculous. That's what God does in our lives, too.
When we find ourselves in a mess, God is preparing our hearts and minds for what He wants to do in our lives. Jehoshaphat responded with praise and worship. We get the contemporary worship song "His Love Endures Forever" from King Jehoshaphat's worshipful response.
This weekend at City on a Hill Church, we're continuing a series on Suffering with a message on how we're changed through our messes. Join us at 11am!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Church Rejects
If you think about it, many of those who followed Jesus during His ministry on earth were people who were the "unwantables." They were those who society rejected in some way or another. Yet Jesus accepted them just as they were.
There are many churches throughout our country that avoid those kind of people. You know who I'm talking about. The people who don't look like us, dress like us or talk like us. So who's reaching out to them if the Church isn't? That's easy. Satan is.
People want to be accepted, and they typically want to belong. If given the chance to join a group of people who will love them and invest them, most everyone will not hesitate. Why not simply do what Jesus did and begin to minister to everyone who needs Jesus - not just those with which we're comfortable.
Would you dare pray for your church to be filled with people rejected by most other churches?
There are many churches throughout our country that avoid those kind of people. You know who I'm talking about. The people who don't look like us, dress like us or talk like us. So who's reaching out to them if the Church isn't? That's easy. Satan is.
People want to be accepted, and they typically want to belong. If given the chance to join a group of people who will love them and invest them, most everyone will not hesitate. Why not simply do what Jesus did and begin to minister to everyone who needs Jesus - not just those with which we're comfortable.
Would you dare pray for your church to be filled with people rejected by most other churches?
Friday, September 4, 2009
Next Step
God has been gracious to City on a Hill Church in allowing us to take one step at a time in our growth. My wife and I launched the church in our home basement using our empty dining room as children's ministry space.
The next step... By October of last year, we had moved into our current building with a sanctuary that seats 60 people and two children's ministry classrooms.
The next step... A few months ago, we took over yet another office in our rented building to add a multi-purpose room for children's ministry and office space.
The next step... I received word last night from the building owners that we're allowed to proceed with plans for renovations to increase the size of our sanctuary and occupy more space in the building for children's ministry.
The next step... Only God knows...
The next step... By October of last year, we had moved into our current building with a sanctuary that seats 60 people and two children's ministry classrooms.
The next step... A few months ago, we took over yet another office in our rented building to add a multi-purpose room for children's ministry and office space.
The next step... I received word last night from the building owners that we're allowed to proceed with plans for renovations to increase the size of our sanctuary and occupy more space in the building for children's ministry.
The next step... Only God knows...
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Extra Baggage
Those of us who have ever been on a diet know what it's like to need to lose something that just doesn't want to disappear. But when it does, it's like we've emptied ourselves of extra baggage we've been lugging around.
In Philippians 2:3-11, the Apostle Paul tells us that Jesus emptied Himself of something, too.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 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! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
In this case, Jesus emptied Himself of something that He deserved. In order to accomplish, God's sovereign plan of redemption for the human race, Jesus had to come to earth, make himself nothing, be a servant and walk in obedience to die a cruel, humiliating death by crucifixion.
According to God's Word, we're to have an attitude similar to that of Christ. We're to empty ourselves of what we think we deserve in order to be other-centered and accomplish God's will in and through our lives.
As a result of Jesus' obedience, God has been glorified, Jesus' name has been exalted and every knee will bow before the Lord Jesus Christ. As a result of our faith in Christ and obedience, God will be glorified, Jesus' name will be exalted and we will be seated with Christ in the heavenly realms for eternity.
Let's get rid of the extra baggage of pride and desire of recognition. Let's get rid of the attitude that says, "I deserve more." Christ emptied Himself of what He deserved for the sake of others. We certainly don't deserve more than He. Let's get our eyes off of ourselves and on others.
In Philippians 2:3-11, the Apostle Paul tells us that Jesus emptied Himself of something, too.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 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! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
In this case, Jesus emptied Himself of something that He deserved. In order to accomplish, God's sovereign plan of redemption for the human race, Jesus had to come to earth, make himself nothing, be a servant and walk in obedience to die a cruel, humiliating death by crucifixion.
According to God's Word, we're to have an attitude similar to that of Christ. We're to empty ourselves of what we think we deserve in order to be other-centered and accomplish God's will in and through our lives.
As a result of Jesus' obedience, God has been glorified, Jesus' name has been exalted and every knee will bow before the Lord Jesus Christ. As a result of our faith in Christ and obedience, God will be glorified, Jesus' name will be exalted and we will be seated with Christ in the heavenly realms for eternity.
Let's get rid of the extra baggage of pride and desire of recognition. Let's get rid of the attitude that says, "I deserve more." Christ emptied Himself of what He deserved for the sake of others. We certainly don't deserve more than He. Let's get our eyes off of ourselves and on others.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Wins
To be a successful sports franchise, you must win. At City on a Hill Church, we celebrate wins, too!
We all understand that Christianity isn't a game, but the analogy helps us understand what our goals are and how important it is to celebrate along the way. Here are just a few wins we've celebrated recently:
-The "adoption" of two neighborhoods in our community by meeting their needs in practical ways
-The lives impacted because they were reminded that God loves them and hasn't forgotten about them
-Our first year anniversary as a church
-Our first annual Leadership Retreat
-The significant growth we've experienced during the summer season when most churches decline or plateau
-The addition of people using their gifts to serve in ministry
-The addition of two new Life Groups starting up this month
-Several people giving their lives to Christ for the first time or rededicating their lives to Him
May all the glory be to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
I'm looking forward to many more wins for the Kingdom of God!!
We all understand that Christianity isn't a game, but the analogy helps us understand what our goals are and how important it is to celebrate along the way. Here are just a few wins we've celebrated recently:
-The "adoption" of two neighborhoods in our community by meeting their needs in practical ways
-The lives impacted because they were reminded that God loves them and hasn't forgotten about them
-Our first year anniversary as a church
-Our first annual Leadership Retreat
-The significant growth we've experienced during the summer season when most churches decline or plateau
-The addition of people using their gifts to serve in ministry
-The addition of two new Life Groups starting up this month
-Several people giving their lives to Christ for the first time or rededicating their lives to Him
May all the glory be to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
I'm looking forward to many more wins for the Kingdom of God!!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Adoption
So often we see commercials or ads asking us to adopt children in Third World countries to feed them and provide school supplies. These are children who have been abandoned. Their society doesn't want them, so some NPO has taken them in and overseeing their welfare.
In Culpeper, there are neighborhoods filled with people who have been abandoned. Even local churches have turned their back on these neighborhoods. Perhaps the local churches believe they are too hard to reach. Perhaps the local churches would prefer to reach more affluent people who could make a difference in their budgets.
At City on a Hill Church, we're adopting neighborhoods. That's right. We're actually going to the neighborhoods that the other local churches are ignoring. The people in these neighborhoods have been crying out to God in their own way, and now God is sending us because we're simply saying to God, "Here I am."
As a result, people are turning to the Lord for answers. People are giving their lives to Christ. People are finding value in themselves and are being reminded that God loves them.
I love the fact that God is using us in these special ways. I hope it never stops.
In Culpeper, there are neighborhoods filled with people who have been abandoned. Even local churches have turned their back on these neighborhoods. Perhaps the local churches believe they are too hard to reach. Perhaps the local churches would prefer to reach more affluent people who could make a difference in their budgets.
At City on a Hill Church, we're adopting neighborhoods. That's right. We're actually going to the neighborhoods that the other local churches are ignoring. The people in these neighborhoods have been crying out to God in their own way, and now God is sending us because we're simply saying to God, "Here I am."
As a result, people are turning to the Lord for answers. People are giving their lives to Christ. People are finding value in themselves and are being reminded that God loves them.
I love the fact that God is using us in these special ways. I hope it never stops.
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