Sunday was a culmination of sorts of what God has done in and through City on a Hill Church for the last 15 months. We celebrated our Grand Opening of our new building with 98 people - by far the largest attendance we've ever had. Friends and families of different backgrounds and cultures came together to celebrate Jesus.
I had planned on kicking off the Wild Goose Chase series, but the Lord led me in a different direction. I preached on the four essential keys to a healthy (ie, growing) church found in Acts 9:31. It's obvious to me that a healthy church is also a church that is growing. I'm proud to say that COAHC is a healthy church.
Our King's Kids ministry was packed with kids learning about God and experiencing the love of Jesus. Our worship team did an incredible job of leading us into the throne room of the Lord. By the time it was all over, several people had responded to the prompting of the Holy Spirit by rededicating their lives to following Christ more closely.
Our visitors were met in the parking lot with smiles. Everyone was welcomed with open arms and delicious refreshments (boy, did we have a lot of food!). As I looked around, it was great to see our COAHC'ers extending a warm welcome to each and every person. I'd say that everyone was touched by the love of Jesus at least two or three times before they left. I was so proud of our folks. I know some of us don't always feel comfortable talking to strangers. But it was the power of the Holy Spirit leading everyone on Sunday!
The other neat thing was that a lot of people stayed for quite a while after the service. That's always a good sign of a healthy church - relationships! Many of our visitors stayed behind to meet and talk with people. They didn't rush to leave. It was neat to simply watch ministry happening right before my eyes everywhere I turned.
I'm so thankful that God called my family and I to Culpeper. I'm so thankful for my church family. What an incredible 15 months it's been. I can't wait to see what He does in the next 15 months!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
T-minus 3 Days
Well, we were delayed by a week getting into our new facility. But this Sunday is the big day. It's our Grand Opening. From several reports, we should have a fantastic crowd of people with us to celebrate God's bountiful blessings!
Last night, we began transitioning into "clean-up" mode. While cables were being connected into this speaker and that video monitor, many were beginning to remove trash bags and boxes from the building.
It's been a long couple of months, but it's finally come together. We have a great service of praise, thanksgiving and encouragement planned. I'm confident that God is going to use everything in mighty ways. I can't wait!!
Last night, we began transitioning into "clean-up" mode. While cables were being connected into this speaker and that video monitor, many were beginning to remove trash bags and boxes from the building.
It's been a long couple of months, but it's finally come together. We have a great service of praise, thanksgiving and encouragement planned. I'm confident that God is going to use everything in mighty ways. I can't wait!!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Doubts and Distractions
In 1 Kings 13, we read about a young prophet who was fulfilling God's instructions. In the midst of fulfilling the call, an older prophet entered the scene. The older prophet distracted the younger and caused him to be disobedient. The result wasn't pretty. The younger prophet ends up getting killed by a lion.
In the last two years, I, as a pastor, and the vision of City on a Hill Church have been rejected and questioned many times. Just a couple of weeks ago, my ability to lead City on a Hill Church was challenged by another pastor via his questions about my formal training as a church planter.
I could easily allow those rejections, challenges and questions to distract me. They could cause me to think, "Well, maybe I shouldn't do this. Maybe I can't do this. Maybe God was wrong in calling me."
In the midst of the doubts and distractions, the Lord's voice becomes clearer than anything in my head. "This is what I have called you to do. I called you for this task."
I'm so thankful that God's voice is the voice that I need to listen to and obey above all others. And I'm so thankful that it's God's power and not mine that has made City on a Hill Church what it is!
In the last two years, I, as a pastor, and the vision of City on a Hill Church have been rejected and questioned many times. Just a couple of weeks ago, my ability to lead City on a Hill Church was challenged by another pastor via his questions about my formal training as a church planter.
I could easily allow those rejections, challenges and questions to distract me. They could cause me to think, "Well, maybe I shouldn't do this. Maybe I can't do this. Maybe God was wrong in calling me."
In the midst of the doubts and distractions, the Lord's voice becomes clearer than anything in my head. "This is what I have called you to do. I called you for this task."
I'm so thankful that God's voice is the voice that I need to listen to and obey above all others. And I'm so thankful that it's God's power and not mine that has made City on a Hill Church what it is!
Monday, November 9, 2009
The Next Step
As I walked into the church building yesterday morning, it was unusually cold. I immediately went to the thermostats to begin getting the rooms warmed for our service. I turned the dial on one, and nothing happened. Hmmm... Flip the switch to Off and then back to Heat. Nothing. Okay, then.
We were blessed with a warm day yesterday, so the building warmed up nicely by the time everyone arrived for the service. It didn't help that we were wall-to-wall people. Nothing like body heat to warm a small room up in no time.
Yesterday was our last church service at 405 Sperryville Pike. It's been great hosting our services at that location. Being right next to Yowell Meadow Park and along a heavily-traveled Rte 522 didn't hurt our outreach events and marketing to the community.
Now it's the next step God has for us. We host our first service in our new location this Sunday, and our Grand Opening Celebration is slated for the 22nd. There is so much excitement, but yet still so much to get done. Besides the carpet going in, there's nothing but details at this point.
Gonna be another busy week fine-tuning this fine, new building. Can't wait!
We were blessed with a warm day yesterday, so the building warmed up nicely by the time everyone arrived for the service. It didn't help that we were wall-to-wall people. Nothing like body heat to warm a small room up in no time.
Yesterday was our last church service at 405 Sperryville Pike. It's been great hosting our services at that location. Being right next to Yowell Meadow Park and along a heavily-traveled Rte 522 didn't hurt our outreach events and marketing to the community.
Now it's the next step God has for us. We host our first service in our new location this Sunday, and our Grand Opening Celebration is slated for the 22nd. There is so much excitement, but yet still so much to get done. Besides the carpet going in, there's nothing but details at this point.
Gonna be another busy week fine-tuning this fine, new building. Can't wait!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Influence
Have you ever considered who or what the biggest influences on your life are? Influence is important not just for every leader, but for every believer. Having good influences in your life can help you establish a firmer stand on the Rock or help you get pushed this way and that depending on your circumstances.
Firstly, consider the people with whom you surround yourself - your friends and family. Are they the kind of people that influence you towards a deeper, richer relationship with Jesus Christ? Or are they the kind of people who constantly challenge your relationship with the Lord?
Secondly, consider the influential things in your life. These include the kind of job you have, the kind of material possessions you own, the kind of radio station you listen to in your car, the kind of TV shows you watch at home and the kind of books and magazines you read. The media influences every single person in greater ways than you may expect. Are you being influenced by a worldview or a Christianview?
Lastly, consider what kind of influence you are to others. Are you influencing those with whom you come into contact towards an authentic relationship with God or are you influencing them towards... nothing. Jesus said, "You're either for me or against me." In other words, if you aren't an influence for the Kingdom of God, you're an influence for the enemy. You can't be Switzerland in this scenario. There's no such thing as neutral ground.
Influence is important and needs our attention.
Firstly, consider the people with whom you surround yourself - your friends and family. Are they the kind of people that influence you towards a deeper, richer relationship with Jesus Christ? Or are they the kind of people who constantly challenge your relationship with the Lord?
Secondly, consider the influential things in your life. These include the kind of job you have, the kind of material possessions you own, the kind of radio station you listen to in your car, the kind of TV shows you watch at home and the kind of books and magazines you read. The media influences every single person in greater ways than you may expect. Are you being influenced by a worldview or a Christianview?
Lastly, consider what kind of influence you are to others. Are you influencing those with whom you come into contact towards an authentic relationship with God or are you influencing them towards... nothing. Jesus said, "You're either for me or against me." In other words, if you aren't an influence for the Kingdom of God, you're an influence for the enemy. You can't be Switzerland in this scenario. There's no such thing as neutral ground.
Influence is important and needs our attention.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
15 Signs That A Church Is In Trouble
Perry Noble, pastor of New Spring Church in South Carolina posted this on his blog this morning. This is just too good not to share...
http://www.perrynoble.com/2009/11/04/15-signs-that-a-church-is-in-trouble/
http://www.perrynoble.com/2009/11/04/15-signs-that-a-church-is-in-trouble/
#1 – When excuses are made about the way things are instead of embracing a willingness to roll up the sleeves and fix the problem.
#2 – When the church becomes content with merely receiving people that come rather than actually going out and finding them…in other words, they lose their passion for evangelism!
#3 – The focus of the church is to build a great church (complete with the pastors picture…and his wife’s…on everything) and not the Kingdom of God.
#4 – The leadership begins to settle for the natural rather than rely on the supernatural.
#5 – The church begins to view success/failure in regards to how they are viewed in the church world rather than whether or not they are actually fulfilling the Great Commission!
#6 – The leaders within the church cease to be coachable.
#7 – There is a loss of a sense of urgency! (Hell is no longer hot, sin is no longer wrong and the cross is no longer important!)
#8 – Scripture isn’t central in every decision that is made!
#9 – The church is reactive rather than proactive.
#10 – The people in the church lose sight of the next generation and refuse to fund ministry simply because they don’t understand “those young people.”
#11 – The goal of the church is to simply maintain the way things are…to NOT rock the boat and/or upset anyone…especially the big givers!
#12 – The church is no longer willing to take steps of faith because “there is just to must to lose.”
#13 – The church simply does not care about the obvious and immediate needs that exist in the community.
#14 – The people learn how to depend on one man to minister to everyone rather than everyone embracing their role in the body, thus allowing the body to care for itself.
#15 – When the leaders/staff refuse to go the extra mile in leading and serving because of how “inconvenient” doing so would be.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Come Out of the Desert
The Lord gave me a powerful Word on Sunday morning to share with our church. It has resonated so deeply in my soul for the last two days that I simply must share it again.
The Lord led me to Joshua 1 where Joshua and the Israelites were coming out of spending the last 40 years in the desert. God was leading them into the promised land. But there was hesitancy. There was fear. Why?
When we become familiar with something and it's manageable, we get comfortable - even if it's misery. That's what was going on with the Israelites. They were miserable, but they come to a place where their misery was manageable.
God had something so much more for them - a land of milk and honey and the fulfillment of a promise. Yet, they were afraid because it was unknown territory.
We are the same way. We stay in sin even though we're miserable because it's familiar and manageable.
What promised land is God leading you to today? In what desert experience have you been wandering? It's time to cross the Jordan River into the land of milk and honey and experience all that God wants for you.
The Lord led me to Joshua 1 where Joshua and the Israelites were coming out of spending the last 40 years in the desert. God was leading them into the promised land. But there was hesitancy. There was fear. Why?
When we become familiar with something and it's manageable, we get comfortable - even if it's misery. That's what was going on with the Israelites. They were miserable, but they come to a place where their misery was manageable.
God had something so much more for them - a land of milk and honey and the fulfillment of a promise. Yet, they were afraid because it was unknown territory.
We are the same way. We stay in sin even though we're miserable because it's familiar and manageable.
What promised land is God leading you to today? In what desert experience have you been wandering? It's time to cross the Jordan River into the land of milk and honey and experience all that God wants for you.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Old Yeller
Anyone who has spent a considerable amount of time in ministry has experienced an "Old Yeller" moment. Here's what I'm talking about...God gives you or someone else in your ministry an incredible idea. It gets implemented and is fruitful. Time goes by, though, and the fruit begins to disappear. After awhile, the idea is just stale and there either isn't any fruit at all or it becomes counter productive.
"But the Lord gave me this idea," you say. "I know the Lord led me in this."
It may very well be so. God may have given you that idea and really blessed it - for a season. Now, it's time to take that idea/ministry/life group/whatever out behind the shed and kill it.
Don't be afraid to experience an "Old Yeller" moment. Yes, that idea may have been great. Yes, it may have been from the Lord. But, if it's unfruitful (or especially if it's counterproductive), then it's time to kill it. Appreciate it. Cherish the memories. Share the testimonies. But kill it and move on to the next one. There will be others!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Warming Shelter Ministry
Culpeper churches and ministries are working together again this year to provide a warm place to sleep and some hot meals for those without this winter season. The shelter ministry begins on November 1 and extends through the month of April.
We currently have approximately fifteen different churches representing Episcopals, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Baptists, Methodists and Non-Denominational backgrounds. This is a fantastic demonstration of unity within the Body of Christ.
City on a Hill Church will be hosting the shelter at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church Fellowship Hall in January and March this season. This ministry is such a blessing!
For more information on volunteering, contact me at 540-727-9587 (leave a message if no one picks up).
We currently have approximately fifteen different churches representing Episcopals, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Baptists, Methodists and Non-Denominational backgrounds. This is a fantastic demonstration of unity within the Body of Christ.
City on a Hill Church will be hosting the shelter at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church Fellowship Hall in January and March this season. This ministry is such a blessing!
For more information on volunteering, contact me at 540-727-9587 (leave a message if no one picks up).
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Don't Stop Learnin'
The 80's rock band Journey had a great song entitled Don't Stop Believin'. I love that song. Whenever I hear that song, I can't help but think of one of my mantras as a leader which is Don't Stop Learnin'.
I truly believe that we should never stop learning. When we stop learning, we may as well not get out of bed in the morning. It doesn't matter if we've been a Pastor for 50 years. Still, there is always something else to learn.
One of the most important ways to learn is through someone else's experiences. Today, I'm participating in the IMPART conference at Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC. Elevation Church was listed as one of the top ten fastest growing churches in the USA last year. In less than three years, this church has grown to over 5000 people. The Sr Pastor of this church, Steven Furtick, wants to impart the valuable lessons he's learned to others. What a great idea!
I spent my own money to come to this event because I believe the experiences this church has had in the last few years can be valuable to me as a pastor and valuable to City on a Hill Church. This is an investment for me and for COAHC. I'm excited to soak in every detail that's shared in order to glean the transferable concepts.
I truly believe that we should never stop learning. When we stop learning, we may as well not get out of bed in the morning. It doesn't matter if we've been a Pastor for 50 years. Still, there is always something else to learn.
One of the most important ways to learn is through someone else's experiences. Today, I'm participating in the IMPART conference at Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC. Elevation Church was listed as one of the top ten fastest growing churches in the USA last year. In less than three years, this church has grown to over 5000 people. The Sr Pastor of this church, Steven Furtick, wants to impart the valuable lessons he's learned to others. What a great idea!
I spent my own money to come to this event because I believe the experiences this church has had in the last few years can be valuable to me as a pastor and valuable to City on a Hill Church. This is an investment for me and for COAHC. I'm excited to soak in every detail that's shared in order to glean the transferable concepts.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Keys to a Successful Church
So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.
Acts 9:31 NASB
Before coming to Culpeper, the Lord led me to this specific verse. The Lord showed me that this verse holds some important keys to successfully leading a church.
Peace - A successful church can't be wrapped up in dispute with itself or others.
Being Built Up - A successful church encourages with words and deeds of love and kindness.
Going on in the fear of the Lord - A successful church lives in obedience. Obedience reflects love and reverence for our Lord.
And in the comfort of the Holy Spirit - A successful church turns not to the world, but to the Holy Spirit for comfort in times of trouble.
Acts 9:31 NASB
Before coming to Culpeper, the Lord led me to this specific verse. The Lord showed me that this verse holds some important keys to successfully leading a church.
Peace - A successful church can't be wrapped up in dispute with itself or others.
Being Built Up - A successful church encourages with words and deeds of love and kindness.
Going on in the fear of the Lord - A successful church lives in obedience. Obedience reflects love and reverence for our Lord.
And in the comfort of the Holy Spirit - A successful church turns not to the world, but to the Holy Spirit for comfort in times of trouble.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Gettin' Excited
I did an interview this morning with the local newspaper. The interviewer was asking me questions about City on a Hill Church. She asked if our church was excited about moving into our new building next month. Of course, everyone is excited about the new facility.
I went on to say that it's not necessarily the new facility and our growth that is exciting everyone. It's the transformed lives that is the root cause of our excitement. Anytime you have a church where lives are being transformed by the power of God, excitement and momentum are sure to follow. That's what is exciting people at COAHC!
I went on to say that it's not necessarily the new facility and our growth that is exciting everyone. It's the transformed lives that is the root cause of our excitement. Anytime you have a church where lives are being transformed by the power of God, excitement and momentum are sure to follow. That's what is exciting people at COAHC!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Lessons From Chuck
Chuck Swindoll has been a hero and mentor of mine from the beginning of my Christian walk. In fact, Insight for Living was the very first Christian radio broadcast I began listening to on a regular basis.
Chuck has been ministering for years from the pulpit, on the radio and through several books he's authored. I had the pleasure of going to Israel with him in May 2008. The experiences he's garnered through the years have been summarized in a recent speaking engagement at the Catalyst Conference. Take a few minutes and read the 10 Ministry Lessons (He's) Learned.
Chuck has been ministering for years from the pulpit, on the radio and through several books he's authored. I had the pleasure of going to Israel with him in May 2008. The experiences he's garnered through the years have been summarized in a recent speaking engagement at the Catalyst Conference. Take a few minutes and read the 10 Ministry Lessons (He's) Learned.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Enjoying Some Goodies
Last night, we opened our home to those in our church who wanted to spend time getting to know my family and I better and ask questions about City on a Hill Church. We had ice cream, apple pie, Rice Krispy treats, Cinnamon Apple Butter, cookies and hot tea. Boy! It was a smorgasbord of delectable goodies!
The company was even better! We had some fine folks come over and spend time with us in fellowship. We discussed everything from COAHC's vision to our position on spiritual gifts to how Carrie (my wife who was born and raised in California) likes the weather in Culpeper.
It's these kinds of opportunities that are important to me as pastor of COAHC. We need to create opportunities to get connected with one another. I see God doing such a marvelous work in our church body: growing people, stretching them outside comfort zones and raising up a united family that believes in seeking and saving the lost.
The company was even better! We had some fine folks come over and spend time with us in fellowship. We discussed everything from COAHC's vision to our position on spiritual gifts to how Carrie (my wife who was born and raised in California) likes the weather in Culpeper.
It's these kinds of opportunities that are important to me as pastor of COAHC. We need to create opportunities to get connected with one another. I see God doing such a marvelous work in our church body: growing people, stretching them outside comfort zones and raising up a united family that believes in seeking and saving the lost.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Busy, Busy, Busy
Lots of details are going on with our new building. It's just about cleaned up and ready for our renovations to begin. We have three Church Workdays planned next week:
Tuesday evening, 5-9pm
Wednesday evening, 5-9pm
Saturday, 9am-5pm (lunch will be provided)
It's amazing how God is providing in miraculous ways. We're getting incredible deals on a variety of different things that are needed to get the bldg ready. Thank you, Lord!
We're shooting for our first service to be early November and a Grand Opening event on November 15. That's the plan, so we'll see if things continue to go as planned.
Tuesday evening, 5-9pm
Wednesday evening, 5-9pm
Saturday, 9am-5pm (lunch will be provided)
It's amazing how God is providing in miraculous ways. We're getting incredible deals on a variety of different things that are needed to get the bldg ready. Thank you, Lord!
We're shooting for our first service to be early November and a Grand Opening event on November 15. That's the plan, so we'll see if things continue to go as planned.
Friday, October 9, 2009
New Building
Today, we're signing a lease for a new facility for City on a Hill Church. Our current space has been wonderful, but God has grown us too large for it. Our new building will give us triple the space we have now! We're hoping to host our first service in mid-November.Lots to do to get things ready! We're so thankful we have a God who loves and cares about every detail of our church. All the glory to our Father in heaven!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Games People Play
This weekend, we're kicking off a series entitled "Games People Play". This is a series that will confront the ways we “play with God” in order to live according to our ways instead of God’s ways. Luke 19:45-20:47 will be our primary text if you'd like to get a jump start on the message. As always, we'll post the audio file, PowerPoint presentation and outline notes on our website afterwards.Please join us this Sunday @ 11am at City on a Hill Church, 405 Sperryville Pike. We'd love to see you there!
Understanding Leads to Love
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,
Philippians 1:9-10 NIV
As I was spending time in the Word this morning, this Scripture really jumped out at me. As I read it, I realized an important relationship between an understanding of Scripture and love. It's clearly evident that our ability to love is directly proportional to our knowledge and understanding of Scripture.
Paul's prayer for the Philippians is that their love increases. He describes the means by which that love increases: through knowledge and depth of insight. Of what, though? God's truth found in His Word is the answer. How do I know? I know that God's Truth found in His Word is the object of our knowledge and insight we need because of the consequence Paul mentions in verse 10. The consequence of an increasing knowledge and depth of insight is an increasing ability to discern what is best, purity and blamelessness. The only possible way to achieve these is through a deeper understanding of Scripture.
So there are many subsequent things that happen in our lives as a result of knowledge and deeper insight into the Bible: discernment, purity, blamelessness and an increased ability to love. That's the power of God's Word in our lives! Take time to read and study the Bible today.
Philippians 1:9-10 NIV
As I was spending time in the Word this morning, this Scripture really jumped out at me. As I read it, I realized an important relationship between an understanding of Scripture and love. It's clearly evident that our ability to love is directly proportional to our knowledge and understanding of Scripture.
Paul's prayer for the Philippians is that their love increases. He describes the means by which that love increases: through knowledge and depth of insight. Of what, though? God's truth found in His Word is the answer. How do I know? I know that God's Truth found in His Word is the object of our knowledge and insight we need because of the consequence Paul mentions in verse 10. The consequence of an increasing knowledge and depth of insight is an increasing ability to discern what is best, purity and blamelessness. The only possible way to achieve these is through a deeper understanding of Scripture.
So there are many subsequent things that happen in our lives as a result of knowledge and deeper insight into the Bible: discernment, purity, blamelessness and an increased ability to love. That's the power of God's Word in our lives! Take time to read and study the Bible today.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Witness or Participant
Last night I sent an email out to our church. In it, I mentioned Jesus' first miracle: turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana. There's something in this story that's very subtle, yet very important.
In this story, there are three groups of people: those who are encouraging Jesus to perform the miracle (his mother), those who are witnessing the miracle, and then there are those who get to participate in the miracle.
Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet."
They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew.
John 2:8-9 NIV
The servants were probably tired and bored from their mundane work of waiting on the guests of the wedding. Jesus gives them a thrill of a lifetime. He chooses the lowly servants as the instruments by which His first miracle comes to pass. Jesus could have very easily done this miracle differently. Instead, he choose to allow the bored, hard-working servants to participate in this important story that would later be captured in Scripture. Jesus tells the servants to fill the jars with water and then draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.
I'm sure the servants knew the water had been changed. Wine looks different from water and it smells differently. As soon as the servants drew the wine from the jars to take it to the master, they knew something miraculous had happened. And they had been chosen to help out with this miracle behind the scenes. They were rewarded with the insight into the miracle prior to their master. What a privilege!t
When we're given the opportunity to serve in ministry either in an ongoing position or with a special opportunity, it's a special privilege that the Lord is giving to us to be a part of a miracle. So, the next time a ministry opportunity comes along, prayerfully consider being a participant of a miracle instead of just being a witness.
In this story, there are three groups of people: those who are encouraging Jesus to perform the miracle (his mother), those who are witnessing the miracle, and then there are those who get to participate in the miracle.
Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet."
They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew.
John 2:8-9 NIV
The servants were probably tired and bored from their mundane work of waiting on the guests of the wedding. Jesus gives them a thrill of a lifetime. He chooses the lowly servants as the instruments by which His first miracle comes to pass. Jesus could have very easily done this miracle differently. Instead, he choose to allow the bored, hard-working servants to participate in this important story that would later be captured in Scripture. Jesus tells the servants to fill the jars with water and then draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.
I'm sure the servants knew the water had been changed. Wine looks different from water and it smells differently. As soon as the servants drew the wine from the jars to take it to the master, they knew something miraculous had happened. And they had been chosen to help out with this miracle behind the scenes. They were rewarded with the insight into the miracle prior to their master. What a privilege!t
When we're given the opportunity to serve in ministry either in an ongoing position or with a special opportunity, it's a special privilege that the Lord is giving to us to be a part of a miracle. So, the next time a ministry opportunity comes along, prayerfully consider being a participant of a miracle instead of just being a witness.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Knowing When to Rest
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!
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!
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