Time and Money

You just don't seem to have enough time or enough money. Is that the story of your life?

If it is, let me suggest something to you today. Maybe God is trying to get your attention. Time and money are resources in this life - resources that are meant to be used for the glory of God. Yes, that's right. Used for Him - not you, me or anyone else.

So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31

When we use our time for our purposes with our desires being the primary motivating factor, we'll spend our entire lives never having enough time.

"I can't (enter here what God wants you to do) because (enter here what you're choosing to do instead)."

This is a statement we make way too often. And what's the result? We stay exhausted. We wake up in the morning and by the time we go to bed, we are further behind than when we woke up that morning. It never seems we have enough time to get everything done. And we spend our lives in "catch-up" mode.

The same is true with our money. We spend our money on what we want instead of being good stewards of the resources with which God has blessed us.

"I can't (enter here how God wants you to spend your money) because (enter here how you're choosing to spend your money instead)."

What's the result? We are consumed with debt or stress and worry as we scrape and struggle to cover all our bills each month.

Maybe God is trying to get your attention. Maybe it's time to start using your resources (time and money) for God instead of yourself. Maybe it's time to stop using excuses to rationalize your behavior.

A Letter to City on a Hill-Tuesday, May 10

Here are seven things I want to share with you this morning...

1 - YOU are an amazing church! I'm so privileged to be your pastor. I had a few conversations yesterday that just reminded me how overwhelming it is to consider that God has chosen ME to be your shepherd. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your life!

2 - Sunday's service was absolutely awesome! It all started in our pre-service prayer time. Walls are being broken down in lives all over our church. Real connections are being made between people where real ministry is happening. It begins with prayer, though. Don't ever forget that! How incredible would it be to have double or triple the people we have now praying before each and every service? I'm extending an invitation to every one of you to join us upstairs for a time of consecration and preparation. Please join us from 10 to 10:45 on Sunday mornings - even for just a few minutes!

3 - I loved watching our people worship at Jesus' feet at the end of our service on Sunday. I want our church to have a culture that's not embarrassed to come to the altar on our knees and bow before our King. For many, this kind of thing is foreign. I get it. It was strange for me the first few times I did it, too. From personal experience, though, I can tell you that humbling yourself before the Lord at His altar can bring breakthroughs like nothing else. Let's push that fear and "uncomfortable-ness" aside and present ourselves to God as living sacrifices.

4 - Have I made it clear I want you plugged in with a Life Group? In case I haven't, I want you plugged in with a Life Group! We have four to choose from right now, and we need to be multiplying that number in the next few weeks. If you would like to host a Life Group in your home or feel the prompting to lead a Life Group, please contact me as soon as possible. We need more hosts and leaders!

5 - Have I made it clear I want you serving? In case I haven't, I want you serving in ministry! I shared this past Sunday from James 2 which clearly teaches faith without works is dead. Works is synonymous with ministry. COAHC needs more servants and leaders in its various ministries. We have ministries ready to launch that are merely waiting for the right people. Contact a ministry leader this week to get plugged in or contact me and I'll get you started in the right direction.

6 - You may be thinking right now that I want a lot from you. Let me say this: I don't want anymore for you than what God wants for you. Yes, God wants you involved with Life Groups if COAHC is your home church. Why? Because Church was never meant to be a building or an event. Church is a group of people who share their lives TOGETHER! Life Groups facilitate this. Yes, God wants you serving. He has given you gifts and wants to be glorified through those gifts. Read Ephesians 2:10. Read the Parable of the Talents. This principle is found throughout Scripture.

7 - Get ready for something big. I mean something BIG... God's preparing and situating things at City on a Hill for something big. We can't experience something big as a church without you experiencing something big in your own, personal life. So, are you preparing your fields for rain?

For Those Struggling to Respond to God's Call

Last night at our prayer gathering, the Lord laid on my heart those who are struggling with responding to God's call to serve where He has called you. For those who don't see themselves as valuable as God does, for those whose past still haunts them and for those who are in bondage to their fear, God speaks Isaiah 54 to you...

"Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth... The Lord will call you back as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit - a wife who married young, only to be rejected, says your God... with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you, says the Lord your Redeemer... my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord who has compassion on you... In righteousness you will be established... no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me," declares the Lord.

Osama Bin Laden's Death

I woke up early this morning to the reports that Osama Bin Laden is dead. On Facebook and Twitter, there are several posts and tweets about the celebrations that went on around the world. It's even the top story on espn.com!

I have mixed emotions about it. I'm thrilled that the man who brought terror to its pinnacle in my lifetime can no longer threaten the lives of the innocent. At the same time, I'm also saddened by the response of exhilaration by our nation. My emotions honestly confused me for a moment.

"Why am I not as excited about this as everyone else?" I asked myself. Then I saw a post on Facebook from one of my friends.

Ezekiel 18 tells us, "Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked," declares the Lord God, "rather than that he should turn from his ways and live?"

Proverbs 24:17 instructs us, "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your hear be glad when he stumbles."

I think these two verses help me better understand the wrestling match in my heart. My flesh cries out with victory. The fear for so many is over! My spirit soars at good conquering evil. My soul weeps over another soul damned to hell.

I don't believe God's plan for Osama Bin Laden life was to spend his last years being hunted and killed like an animal. If I know anything about God at all, it's that His love and sovereignty desires an abundant life of love, peace and joy for every man, woman and child. Of course, we know that many reject His plan, so justice prevails.

This morning, I'll continue to wrestle with my feelings. I'll continue to have a sense of relief for those families who endured loss on 9-11. And I'll continue to look in wonder at the lust for blood and vengeance by so many in our world today.

May the Lord God Almighty's presence and power sustain and lead our nation!