Thursday Thoughts
My wife and I were talking the other day. We were using the words “common sense” and “common courtesy”. In the end of our conversation, we came to the conclusion that sense and courtesy has become less common these days. It seems like this is getting worse. Paul warned Timothy and he warns us:
2: 1) But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2) For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3) heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4) treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5) having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.
Does this not fit our society to a tee? Of course I know that every generation previously thought that the society they lived in fit into this scripture. The farther we move away from the fall of Adam and Eve, we can see men’s tendency to do that which is evil in His eyes has grown greater and greater. Men have shown almost brazen courage in their rebellion towards God. Mankind laughs in the face of God and dares Him to do something. The scriptures explain why man becomes more and more evil:
Romans 1:28)And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29) They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30)slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31)foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32)Though they know God’s decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
While things get worse in this world, I praise God that there are those who are predestined: to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9And he[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. (Ephesians 1:5-10)
Thank the Holy Spirit who is drawing those who are His by His irresistable grace and mercy! I am thankful that He shows us our totally depravity, but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
I am thankful for the hope these scriptures bring me . How about you?
Kevin
Sunday Recap
It was an incredible Sunday both in church and outside of church!
On a sad note, we had our last Illuminate group meeting. It has been a huge year of personal growth for me. I learned a lot from Pastor Michael and it meant a lot to me that he poured out his leadership wisdom and knowledge to us. I am applying the things he taught and it has really helped me as a leader at Journey Church.
The Word and worship during the Sunday service was incredible! You could feel His prescense so powerfully and God was moving in people’s lives in an incredible way! God is bringing new families into our church and we couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to share the love of Christ with them!
Our source group ramp-up is in full swing! We have had many come and express interest in getting plugged into a source group. Source groups are one of 3 things that we are committed to doing well at Journey Church. We want source groups to be a time of connection with each other and with God. We have seen lives changed through source groups and we can’t wait to see what God does this year!
Later in the day, we had a Superbowl bash at our house. A buddy of mine brought a projector and we watched the Superbowl on a 7 foot by 9 foot screen! It took the already good game to a whole nutha level! It was awesome! We had some serious food and fellowship. It was a really good time!
Thank you God for an incredible day!
Kevin
Looking Back At 2008
2008 was a great year! I would say without a doubt that it has been one of the greatest years of growth for me personally. I have been involved in a leadership class for the past year with Pastor Michael that has rocked my world! I have learned so much and have been able to apply those principles I have learned. There are times in your life where growth is slow and sometimes it doesn’t look like you are going anywhere. This year has been just the opposite! I knew there things I needed to do to grow, but sometimes there is just a little something missing and you can’t quite put your finger on. Well, the class really hit those spots in my life that needed God’s touch in order for me to go to the next level that God had for me!
I have learned a lot from the source group we started this year. It’s been amazing to see how God has moved in the lives of those attending! We have formed relationships that would not have been forged if not for source groups! We have laughed, cried, ate, and had lots of fun together. I wouldn’t trade the experiences I have had and the valuable lessons I have learned for anything! 2009 is going to be interesting as we enter some uncharted waters and do some things different, but as long as we stay focused on Him, and listen when He speaks, we will have a spectacular year!
I need God to move in my life in 2009 more than He did in 2008! I need His strength, wisdom, and discrenment more than ever. God is taking me to new levels but with those new levels come bigger challenges and tests. I am ready to face them. Are you?
Kevin
Studying the Bible
I had a buddy ask me recently about how I study the Bible. As I shared with him, it made me reflect and think of how the way and the why I study has changed tremendously!
I was raised in church, but it wasn’t till I was about 17 years old that I truly made the decision that I was going to follow Christ. Not for my parents, or anyone else but I truly made the decision that I wanted to live my life for God and He revealed to me that He wanted to have a relationship with me.
This began my journey into God’s Word. I wanted to know God so bad I devoured the Bible. I mean I read through the whole thing a few times, I listened to tapes, and I read books out the wazoo. I could quote scripture better than many twice my age. I could tell you where to find almost anything in the Bible. I am not exaggerating.
You might think that is incredible. Looking back it was. I had incredible knowledge beyond my years, but that knowledge didn’t bring the spiritual transformation and maturity I so greatly lacked. The knowledge led to spiritual pride. I thought I knew it all. I thought I knew what I needed. What I really needed was a good, swift kick in my toosh! It took many years of humbling situations to bring me to the point that I am at now. I thought I needed to be fed. What I really needed was someone to say “I can see that God has His hand on you. Let me help show you the path. It won’t be easy. You might not like everything I have to say, but I will do everything I can to help.” and be willing to listen (Something I wouldn’t have been willing to do years ago)
My study used to be what I could learn from the Bible. It has become more of a “what is God saying to me through these scriptures?” My Bible learning has become more of a part of my relationship with Him, rather than another opportunity to gain more knowledge. It has taken time and experiences to get the Word that I had in my brain to get to my heart. I actually took a break from the Bible to work on my relationship with God. (I don’t recommend this for everyone) I knew what the Bible said about Him but I didn’t know Him like I really wanted to. Each new day I understand more and less about Him.
As I have gotten older, I realize the things that I thought were important are not so important anymore. I used to argue doctrine and scripture. I don’t have the time or energy to fight with folks about it. It’s a waste of the precious time we have to minister to the gospel to those who will hear it. If you don’t like what I say or want to argue don’t bother. People are going to hell while Christians waste time fighting about the stupidest crap I have ever heard. You want to argue about the rapture? I could care less. I am here, right now, with a comission to reach those whom He has called me to reach with the gospel. You can take your petty arguments and put em where the sun don’t shine!
Let’s all start our Bible study with “Love the Lord with all your heart, mind, and strength” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” . When we have that down, maybe we are ready to learn the “deeper” things of God. I don’t know about you but I am still working on those those two.
Kevin
If You Don’t Have a Heart for People Don’t Click on the Link Below
If you get past the title, you may not be as religious as you once thought:
Great post.
Next part of my series coming in a little while.
Kevin
You Never Know
1 Corinthians 3:6 (New American Standard Bible) 6)I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.
I want to encourage everyone that has been sharing their faith with loved ones, friends, coworkers, to continue to do so. You may not be the person to lead them to Christ, but you may be the one to plant the seed.
If you live it, they will come
I am so excited about what is happening at Church for all Nations and what is happening in the lives of the people in the church! I can see God moving in people’s lives and provoking questions in the people around me. “What is my purpose in life?”"What are my gifts and how can I use them for God ?” “How can I make a difference in my world/community?”
These questions have been asked long before I was born and are still being asked today. For many years, many churches answer to that question has been”sit down and shut up, and give us your money, we will do the rest.” This is the reason the church (as an institution, in many cases) has not grown. Since the 90′s and even up to today, we are seeing the decline of the “mega minister”. The pastors and evangelists that folks have been sending their money to are no longer the ones reaching the world for Christ. They are fattening up the pew warmers, the passive, and the apathetic. They are tickling ears rather than stirring hearts. God never meant for Evangelists and Pastors to be the only ones “doing the work of the ministry”. God has placed gifts and abilities inside you and people all around you in your daily life that He wants you to minister to. The world won’t be won by a guy on Christian T.V. (who rarely any unbeliever watches). It will be won by you and me, reaching one person at a time. Showing Christ’s love. Being an example to others, not of how to be perfect or religious, but how to show and walk in grace.
You don’t have to stand on a street corner and preach. Start with your friends, family, coworkers. These are the people He has placed in your life. They are there for a purpose. Change the way you see them. God loved them so much that He put you in their lives that they might know Him too! You might be their only hope! You don’t have to preach to them either. Let them see God in what you do and He will draw them to you! I have been amazed and thankful to see the people that God has brought in our lives! I am excited to see what He is going to do in their lives! Don’t lose out on your opportunity to show Christ’s love today. If you live it, they will come!
Remember
I know most everyone is getting ready for Christmas day. I just wanted to remind folks out there that just because it may be a time of celebration for many, doesn’t mean that it is a time of celebration for everyone. There are those around us who are spending their first holiday away from their spouses that they are separated from. There are those who are spending their first Christmas without a loved one they may have lost to death. There are those who have no family around, or could not afford to go see family.
This is a perfect time and season, to invite these people into your homes, into your celebration, to show them the love of Christ. I know personally how hard it is to be alone on Christmas. It was one of the worst times of my life! Remember that there are those who are alone this Christmas season. Don’t be too busy to remember the Great Commission and be the Jesus that people so desperately need this time of the year.
Challenges of a “Blended Family”
I am married to the most awesome woman in the world! When we got married, I had 3 girls from a previous marriage. My wife had a son from a previous relationship. When it is my time to have my girls, it is the most challenging times of my wife and I’s lives. The dynamic of bringing 2 families together is just unreal. It is really bipolar. One minute everyone is getting along, the next minute one kid is screaming, one is crying, another is slamming a door,and another one is wondering where everybody went! It is enough to drive the saintliest person to do some rather unchristianlike things! You are bringing new people into a situation that they didn’t really ask for, but life is like that. It’s not always what would seem perfect, but it is what it is and you work on establishing relationships and making the best of situations. Not always easier said than done huh? All you folks that have blended families know exactly what I am talking about.
In my reflections, it kinda reminds me of the church. You come into a place that you are not sure about. You are not sure if you will be accepted by others. You may not know anyone. You don’t know how your personality will gel with anyone, but we are expected to come together, shake hands, hug our neighbor and even meet with them and others we may not know in some stranger’s home! I can see from the outsider’s point of view where this would seem like pure insanity! But if we look through the eyes of a Savior who paid the greatest price that we might have a relationship with Him, it begins to make a lot more sense.
God, from the moment He created us, had one purpose for us: to have relationship with Him. He created us to be creatures who have the desire to have relationships. First with Him, and then others. Man drove a wedge in that relationship when we sinned against Him in the garden of Eden. From that moment, our divine, God given desire for relationship was tainted and even destroyed in some folks.This is why we have people who don’t know how to have, or be a friend. We would rather keep to ourselves than to reach out or expose ourselves to the possible ridicule of others. In many instances, people that we never meant to hurt have been scarred because we have yet to understand why we need others and relationship with others and pushed those people away. Creating more broken hearts and making it harder for folks to open up. The church in general has been greatly to blame for this. We say we have relationship with Him yet we gossip about our brothers and sisters when they are having a hard time and need our love and not our judgment. How can we say that we have relationship with the One who created love and showed the ultimate act of love and not be able to reflect that love?
Do I love everyone the way I should? That answer would no. No I most certainly do not, but daily I ask Him to reveal His love for me and He gives me another chance to show His love to someone else. I challenge you to ask Him to reveal His love for you. He will bring the hurting and the lost to you. Will you reach out? Will you be the conduit of His love? This is my prayer every day, that He gives me another opportunity. How about you?
