Psalm 92:12-15 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; 13 planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, 15 proclaiming, "The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him."
When reading this passage I was reminded that so many people are just wandering around from church to church. I believe that God has a place for every one of us and that he wants us to be planted in a home church.
Look what happens when you are firmly planted in the church that God has for you:
There is growth in your life.
You will flourish. (In other words your gifts will come out and be put to use. God doesn’t intend for you just to sit on the pew.)
Blessing will come upon your life.
You continue to bear fruit all the days of your life.
So if you haven’t found a home church yet, I would encourage you to find the place that God has for you. Plant yourself there and then begin to expect the blessings of God on your life.
I was reading this account of when Jesus walks on water, preparing for a sermon and I had this thought. Here was the disciples trying to get to the other side, but was having all kinds of troubles and difficulty. Even though they were in God’s will they were struggling, but in verse 51 as soon as Jesus gets in the boat the wind ceased.
I am sure that we have all been there at one time or another. We know that we are in the will of God, yet the storms of life are raging around us. Sometimes we lose our focus and allow ourselves to become troubled with the trials and situations going on around us. We begin to look at our storm, focus on the things being scattered on the winds, and lose sight of what we need the most.
It is not until we invite Jesus into our situation that the wind or trouble will cease. In this account Jesus was going to pass them by, and that almost happens because they are so focused on their problems, but they cry out and Jesus gets in the boat. Could it be that we could be in the middle of God’s will for our lives, but experiencing difficulty in doing God’s will because we haven’t allowed Jesus to get into the boat with us?
Life is a whole lot easier when Jesus is in the boat.
John 4:24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.
God is looking for worshippers. And not just those who just worship God at church; we can worship God any where, at any time. As I heard it said a few days ago, you don’t have to have music to worship God because true worship is from the heart. I myself think that having music is so much better, plus it really sets the atmosphere for God to move in, yet we can worship without music or even songs.
2Kings 3:15-19 "But now bring me a harpist." While the harpist was playing, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha 16 and he said, "This is what the LORD says: Make this valley full of ditches. 17 For this is what the LORD says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink. 18 This is an easy thing in the eyes of the LORD; he will also hand Moab over to you. 19 You will overthrow every fortified city and every major town. You will cut down every good tree, stop up all the springs, and ruin every good field with stones."
Every time I am around anointed music it seems like the Lord begins to speak. That is where He is allowed to speak. I have been in services the last two weeks and God has definitely been speaking not only to individuals but also corporately to the church.
God is looking for those who will worship Him in spirit and truth. He also wants us to have ears to hear what He is saying. As I said, true worship is from the heart and you don’t need any music for that, but anointed music seems like it charges the atmosphere for God to work in.
1Sam 23:16 And Saul's son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.
As I was reading this, I was reminded of how thankful I am for the friends I have. In this particular account Saul was pursuing David to try to kill him, but it was Jonathan, Saul’s own son who came out to help his friend David find strength in God. The question is how did Jonathan help David find strength in God? He just simply encouraged him and told David what he already knew.
1Sam. 23:17-18 "Don't be afraid," he said. "My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this." 18 The two of them made a covenant before the LORD. Then Jonathan went home, but David remained at Horesh.
This is what we are to do for our friends as well: Pro.17:17 NLT A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.
We have all probably found ourselves on both sides of this situation. We were either the friend that helped bring strength, or we were the one who needed strength and I am so thankful to all those who have helped bring strength to me when I needed it. I am grateful I have had the opportunity to help bring strength to those who needed it.
I would also like to thank all those who have prayed for us, called us or who have come by to visit while we are preaching at New Freedom Fellowship. They have asked us if we could stay for the month of July as well. If you are not attending anywhere or would just like to stop in and visit, I would love to see you. The address is 3819 S Lewis Ave in Tulsa. Starts at 10:30am!
Ps. 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Lindsey with the "heroes" of the park.
I thought of this verse once again when we were on vacation this past week. We spent a couple of days at Morgan’s Wonderland, which is a park dedicated totally to those with special needs.
You see, our daughter has cerebral palsy, which limits some of the things she is able to do, but at Morgan’s Wonderland she is able to ride all the rides and play with all the exciting things they have there. She said this was the best day ever for her. It was a joy to watch her enjoy so many things, as it was a joy to watch the other kids that were there as well.
My daughter has questioned us about why she has disabilities and why she is not like other kids. I don’t know if you have ever had to answer those questions, but they are tough to answer. I told her that God made her special just for us and that He has a perfect plan for her life.
So I just want to let you know, that you to are fearfully and wonderfully made and that God has a plan for your life. So, no matter what you feel like your limitations are remember God made you just the way you are.
If you would like to know more about Morgan’s Wonderland you look them up at their website www.morganswonderland.com or you can check out the upcoming People Magazine as they told us they will be featured in the magazine that week. You can also check out their Facebook page.
Lindsey with the train conductor. He is one of the many wonderful employees and volunteers at Morgan's Wonderland.
Mark 6:31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."
This is a quote from one of Perry Noble’s blogs. “Every pastor/church leader needs a vacation, and going to a conference and/or attending a denominational meeting does not count!” Lindsey at Morgan's Wonderland
I have to say I agree, because for years, in fact nine if you are counting, I never really took a vacation. Oh, we went away, but it was always ministry related like a conference or to go preach somewhere else. But this year we decided to tacke a vacation. Actually my wife decided for me that we were taking a vacation whether I liked it or not. I must say it was a great idea and I had no idea what I was missing. We spent the week in San Antonio, Texas and had a wonderful time.
At the time we left, we had a lot of things going on, having many decisions that needed to be made. But it was so refreshing and amazing that while we were gone, none of those things mattered; we just had time for each other and spent everyday-doing things together. We built many memories and came back home refreshed and ready for our next vacation.
I am reminded of a saying I once heard. “Jesus told His disciples to come apart, before you come apart”
Mark 6:31 KJV And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
So I strongly urge you to take some time off and get away from everything. You won’t regret it.
John 19:30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
"It is finished." When Jesus said these words everything with redemption was finished. The redemptive work of Jesus was complete and He had been made sin for people. I am so glad that Jesus said "it is finished" and not that He was finished. We know that He isn't finished, because He is still working today.
I also thought of those words: “It is finished” because we have finished. We have come to the end of the journey of blogging for 31 days. We have learned so much during this process. We have read many different blogs, received great feedback, encouragement and good constructive criticism and great ideas. I had no idea of the work that was involved in doing this project, but I can say it has been a valuable experience and look forward to doing it again. We will probably revert back to our old schedule of blogging 3 days a week.
And I am thankful that Jesus Christ finished everything at the cross. For salvation is found only in one name Jesus!!!
Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
2 Kings 7:3-4 Now there were four men with leprosy at the entrance of the city gate. They said to each other, "Why stay here until we die? 4 If we say, 'We'll go into the city'-the famine is there, and we will die. And if we stay here, we will die. So let's go over to the camp of the Arameans and surrender. If they spare us, we live; if they kill us, then we die.
You have heard it said that desperate people do desperate things. I was thinking about that phrase and acertain situation that needs the soverign hand of God involved. Sometimes we need to have the attitude of these four lepers. Either we can stay here and die or we can get up and do something. Perhaps something good will happen to us, maybe God will have favor on us.
There are times in our lives when we need to learn to wait on God and then there are times we need to get up and do something. We have to have the spiritual sensitivity to know when and what to do. In this case when these four lepers got up and did something, (2 Kings 7: 5-19) God supernaturally moved in thier behalf and in behalf of the nation.
Is God telling you to get up and do something? If so go for it. I believe He will move supernaturally in your situation.
We were asked to write a review blog today, so I am writing about a book I am reading called “Radical” by David Platt.
I have been concerned about what some call "easy believism" and the need for entertainment in the church. Or just the overall apathay of the American church. The gospel is not an American “thing” it is God’s message to the world.
In his book “Radical”, Platt takes you to home churches where people fear for their lives, so they study the Bible for hours with lookouts watching and under the cover of night and secrecy. They have no music or entertainment - just God’s Word. They have a desperate hunger to learn about God. In one case they left their farm work for a whole week to study God’s word.
What a contrast between what the world calls the "underground church" and church as we know it in the USA. Platt brings up some important issues we in the USA need to seriously think about. He does it with love and a passion for Jesus that is undeniable.
Isa 40:29-31 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
The Eagle…Perpetual regeneration… Do you need a 7-year makeover? We are told that the Eagle must renew itself every seven years. Its mighty wings become laden with oil and dirt, cracked and worn with use. Its beak and talons become calcified and brittle. Then it is that the Eagle retires to a cave or hiding place high beyond the reach of predators. There he begins an arduous process of renewal. With his great beak, he pulls out his mighty wing feathers one by one, and then each talon, claw by claw. Until at last, having neither talons nor feathers, he is defenseless except for his great beak, which he then begins to bash against the rocks, until it too is broken off, piece by piece. There he trusts and waits until beak, talons, and feathers have regrown. Eagles embrace times of vulnerability and change and see within them the seeds of new opportunities. What others see as risk, the Eagle sees as opportunity.
Do you feel like you are vulnerable? Do you see your waiting as a new opportunity? If we are not vulnerable and willing to wait on God we may miss out on the new opportunities that God has in store for us. We have to be willing for a change and that means making ourselves vulnerable, but if we are willing to wait on God there will come a day when all of a sudden, out of nowhere there comes a new anointing of strength and power. We are able to face new challenges and new opportunities with the strength and anointing that comes from God.
How Eagles Fly… An eagles wings are long and broad, making them effective for soaring. To help reduce turbulence as air passes over the end of the wing, the tips of the feathers at the end of the wings are tapered so that when the eagle fully extends its wings, the tips are widely separated. To help them soar, eagles use thermals, which are rising currents of warm air and updrafts generated by terrain, such as valley edges or mountain slopes. Soaring is accomplished with very little wing flapping, enabling then to conserve energy. Long distance migration flights are accomplished by climbing high in a thermal, and then gliding downward to catch the next thermal, where the process is repeated.
You will be able to catch one thermal after another and continue to soar higher and higher in the things of God over all kinds of terrain. It doesn’t matter if it is a mountaintop or a valley. You will be able to soar like an eagle.
1Sam 22:1-2 David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father's household heard about it, they went down to him there. All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.
I have always found it interesting that this group of men started following David. Probably not the crowd you would pick if you could choose. I think about this because it probably describes some of the people in the church you pastor or that you are a part of. People who are in distress, in debt, or discontented. But the encouraging thing is some of the men mentioned here are referred to as “David’s Mighty Men”. (2 Sam.23)
One of the greatest joys of a leader is seeing God take someone who followed your leadership and become a great leader themselves. The goal should be that they do greater things than we did. I want to encourage you if you are a leader of a church or businesses develop those around you. You may not see it yet, but you may be surrounded by “Mighty Men and Women” that God is going to use for a mighty purpose.
Phil 2:14-15 Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.
Is God really in control of our lives and situations we find ourselves in? If so, why do we complain and argue every time something happens to us that we don’t like or understand?
I am reminded of the Israelites who after being led out of Egypt by the hand of God. They soon began to complain to Moses because they didn’t have any food or water, but God provided that for them. They then complained that they didn’t like the food they were eating, so God provided meat for them. It seemed like they were not happy about anything, and wanted to go back to Egypt where they were slaves. God was in control and yet all they did was complain about everything.
Then there is Joseph. He had a dream from God, but his brothers didn’t like him They wanted to kill him, but instead sold him into slavery. God had other plans and uses him in Potiphar’s house. Then Potiphar’s wife accuses him of rape and he is thrown into prison. While there, God uses him to interpret dreams for the butler and baker of Pharaoh. The butler and baker get out of prison, their dreams come to pass just like Joseph said. The butler soon forgets about Joseph, until Pharaoh has a dream that can’t be interpreted. The butler then remembers Joseph and they bring him from prison. Joseph interprets the dream for Pharaoh and he places Joseph as second in command.
It is never recorded that Joseph ever complained even one time. I don’t know about you, but I have to repent when I think about that. God help me to be like Joseph even when things don’t go like I think they should. Help me to see that God is really in control and I need to behave Joseph did.
Also, I will be ministering at New Freedom Fellowship each Sunday in June. NFF is located at 3819 S Lewis in Tulsa, Oklahoma. If you are in the area and don't already have a church home, I would like to invite you to come. Service time is 10:30am.
1Sam 18:23 They repeated these words to David. But David said, "Do you think it is a small matter to become the king's son-in-law? I'm only a poor man and little known." Those words “I’m only a poor man and little known.” struck me as I was reading them. I thought to myself, how many people have probably said that? How many pastors of small churches have said that? They think that they are to small and that they are not really impacting their community.
The average church size in the USA is 75 to 80 people. That makes up about 60% of the churches in the USA. I know a lot of pastors and the majority of them would fall into this category. But just because you may be small in your eyes, don’t discount what you are doing for the Kingdom of God.
I know of some small fellowships that if you were to look at them you would think they are not making a difference. But in reality they are sending thousands of dollars around the world to missions. Some are affecting the youth of their community, which in turn affects the whole family. The world is won, one person at a time.
We have seen this Internet ministry have contact in 15 foreign countries to date and almost every state in the union. We have had the privilege of participating in the porn event with LifeChurch.tv and XXXChurch.com last month. We have also had opportunities to guest blog for Christian Web Trends Blog, most recently on the topic of Internet Evangelism. God does do abundantly above all that you can ask or think.
So I just want to be an encouragement to any of you who may you think you are just some small insignificant ministry. Or if you are asking yourself am I making a difference? The answer is yes. So stay after it, and there may be a day when you are placed on a much bigger stage just as David was.
Is your church finding ways to make a difference in the lives of others?
I met who would become my best friend at 6am the day after we moved into our new home. She introduced herself by banging on my bedroom window until I would look out and see who was there. Quite frankly, she scared me to death! Up until this point, I had lived in the country, and no one came around banging on your windows unless there was a fire. And I have learned over the years that no one in the city does it either, but if you met my friend, you would understand, that is just how she is.
I started fourth grade the year we met and we graduated high school together. We were pretty much always together, and it was understood that all of our parents had the authority to keep us in line. So, her mom was my mom, and mine was hers. It didn't matter whose house we were at, we were always in trouble for whatever mischief we were causing that day.
We both had the usual "disagreements" with our parents. Especially in our teenage years. But my friend lost her brother during our early teen years that caused even more tension between her and her mother. They were both suffering from a tremendous loss and took it out on one another. They had a difficult relationship for many years. Sure, her mom could give us a hard time, but she loved us.
My friend called me on Sunday to let me know that mom had passed. Sure, she is sad, but she is at peace. Because even though they had a rocky relationship for years, they had made amends. The past 5 or 6 years, they had began to pray together and read the bible together. Things that they had never done in the past. They had always had spiritual lives of their own, but they had made it a practice to do this together. They discussed the past, prayed together, and never brought up their differences again. They experienced true forgiveness and walked in love until the day her mother passed.
The funeral is today and her dad has asked me to take part and sing "Amazing Grace". I am honored to do this for my next door Mom. I will cry tears of sadness for my friend and her family as they say goodbye to their Mom, Wife, Sister, Aunt, Grandmother, and Friend. I will also cry tears of joy for a relationship restored and for my next door Mom being in the presence of Jesus and being reunited with her sons, parents, and others that have gone on before her. Most of all, what I have learned from my friend and my next door Mom is that it is never too late to change your relationship with another. That forgiveness can be given and received. That "I love you" should be spoken, hugs should be given. You don't know when those words are spoken and hugs are given that it may be your last.
The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
Slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
Nor will he harbor his anger for ever;
He does not treat us as our sins deserve
Or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
So great is his love for those who fear him;
As far as the east is from the west,
So far has he removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
So the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
For he knows how we are formed,
He remembers that we are dust.
As for man, his days are like grass,
He flourishes like a flower of the field;
The wind blows over it and it is gone,
And its place remembers it not more.
But from everlasting to everlasting
The Lord's love is with those who fear him.
Psalm 103: 8-17
As I was doing my Bible reading I found myself in 1Samuel 17, the account of David vs Goliath. We all know the account and have probably heard many sermons from this account in the Bible. But let me just throw out a couple of thoughts you probably have or have not heard or thought of.
V23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it.
We all have giants in our lives at various times and it seems like they shout their usual defiance. It is not until we finally get tired of hearing them will we do something about them. David heard and was determined to do something about it.
V32 David said to Saul, "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him."
Don’t allow yourself to lose heart; don’t shrink back from a challenge. Have confidence in yourself and God that you can overcome. V33 Saul replied, "You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth."
Others will see you how they want to see you and may doubt your ability, but you know yourself. Others may say you can’t but God says you can.
V36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God.
A lot of times know one is aware of the other battles you have fought. All those battles were just preparation time for the main event of your life.
V38-39 Sauls armor didn’t fit David. Everyone has his or her own strategy to fight a battle. You have to find what fits you even if its unconventional to others thinking.
V45 David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
We always come against the enemy with the name of the LORD. He is on our side.
V47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands."
The battle is really the LORD’s. He is just using us to show His strength and glory for the world to see.
V57 As soon as David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with David still holding the Philistine's head.
In some battles as in this one with David, people will sit up and take notice that the hand of God is upon you. Some battles that David had fought know one knew about, they were preparing him for a much larger battle. What about you? Do you find yourself in the midst of a battle that people know about? Run towards that giant and defeat the enemy and people will see that God’s hand is upon you and that God’s glory will be seen!!
