Trunk or Treat

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mike
on October 20, 2009
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You may wonder why our church makes such a big deal each year out of Trunk or Treat. It takes hundreds of volunteers and I don’t know how many pounds of candy. We need at least 100 cars with decorated trunks, sweet candy, and smiling faces…and that’s not even including the people who are running the carnival inside the CLC or those who are making sure that we have something to feed our guests besides Reeses Pieces.

Wow! It’s a big deal, I’m telling you!

Now, why do we do that?

Well, at one level it does provide a wholesome alternative to an otherwise rather dark ordeal. It’s no secret that Halloween has its roots in things that are not compatible with Christianity. In fact, there are some who think that Churches should completely ignore it. However, that only creates an absence of light and lets an already dark night be even darker. So, I suppose that if all it did was provide an alternative, then that would be a good thing.

However, we have an even more important objective. We will have over 1500 people on our campus for Trunk or Treat. Many, many of these have no church affiliation at all. And more to the point, many of them have absolutely no clue as to what it means to be saved. Do you understand what that means? Do you understand the ramifications of that? They are lost. They do not know Jesus. They do not have Jesus as Savior. Does that not send shivers down your spine? And yet they will be on our property. That’s why we do it. That’s what Trunk or Treat is all about.

No, we won’t shove the gospel down their throat. But there will be several ways in which the gospel is presented. There will be a juggler who will present the gospel. There will be gospel tracts handed out (along with generous amounts of candy…haha…THAT’S an understatement!) And we will be handing out material about various aspects our ministry. On top of that, we will identify lots and lots of families who will be open to a visit from someone in our church. We will make that visit, and we will invite them to a worship service, another special event, a concert…something at which they will have another chance to make some Christian friends and hear the life-giving gospel of Jesus Christ.

Let me ask you…Is that worth it? If you ask me, I’d say, “You’d better believe it!”

So if you haven’t already signed up, can I count on you to help with Trunk or Treat? You know something? If you help and just one person…just one person comes to know Christ as a result of Trunk or Treat, that translates into eternal fruit for you. Man, that makes giving up a few hours (or a lot of hours) on Saturday night seem like a pretty small thing, doesn’t it?

The Power of Prayer

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mike
on July 22, 2009
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We just completed 168 hours of uninterrupted prayer at our church. For one week 24/7 we had at least one person (usually more) praying around the clock. I have to say that the full impact of this can’t be measured at this point, but let me offer just a few thoughts…

On Sunday, I preached from the book of 1 Kings 19, on Elijah’s long run down to Mt Horeb and his battle with depression. It is no secret that this is a big struggle with many people today. However, there were at least three people who experienced the Lord speaking to them in really remarkable ways. I knew nothing of their circumstances, so it would have been impossible for me to speak with knowledge about what they were going through. And one family “just happened” to be visiting our church, not knowing anything about us or me. Another person arrived late and started to just go for breakfast, but decided to come in any way and got there just as I was starting the message. He shared with me that he knew that the sermon was sent from God to him.

Without divulging details or saying too much, all of them found God speaking to them in ways that were so specific to their lives, that it almost gives me the shivers even thinking about it right now.

These were not things that simply had to do with whether or not the sermon was good or bad. It goes a lot deeper than that. These are things that could only be orchestrated and touched on by the Spirit of God.

Here’s my point…Don’t you think that there was a real connection between the unbroken hours of prayer and these divine appointments? You will never convince me otherwise. And…(you knew I’d get to this, didn’t you?) it makes me wonder what would happen if we had that much prayer all the time?

Attack of the Pesky Mosquito

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on July 8, 2009
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A man shouldn’t have to wear insect repellant during his prayer time. Don’t you agree? No, I wasn’t outside. No, it wasn’t a spiritual attack. But it was a nuisance. Yesterday, I was trying to concentrate on my Bible readings and prayer time, and this mosquito (or possibly an armada of mosquitos coming in at randomly timed intervals) kept attacking me…particularly my feet. That just isn’t fair. I couldn’t reach my feet very well, my bible was in my lap, and my always present cup of coffee had to be attended to because in the past I have drenched our carpet with a full cup of coffee, which didn’t make my wife think too highly of my devotional life, to say the least.

So…the mosquito airborne had a real advantage over me. Every time I would get my mind focused again, they would wait for a more opportune time and then buzz my ears to let me know that the attack was on and then kamikaze my ankles. Can I be honest? It is hard to feel spiritual when you want to kill something so badly.

Mary Beth told me that cow’s breath kills mosquitos. Did you know that? I didn’t either. I wish coffee breath killed them.

My blood cells almost revolted every time they went through my heart chamber and back into the giant artery slide headed for my feet. I could actually hear them screaming, like kids about to go down the water slide at Hurricane Harbor, “No! I’m scared! Dont’ make me!” “Hurry Back!!!”

Eventually I killed him, but not before he did enough damage to wake me up this morning itching like crazy. I hate mosquitos.

The Connection between Love and Life in the Spirit

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mike
on April 1, 2009
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It ought to be obvious to us, but sometimes it’s like looking for something that’s right under your nose. You don’t know why, but you just can’t find it.

Ephesians 4 and 1 John 4, both make the very clear connection between what it means to walk in the Spirit and to walk in love. For example, Ephesians 4:3 tells us to make every effort to keept the unity of the Spirit…” The verses following make it clear that the true Christian life is a Spirit-led life, and that means, among other things, that we will live a life characterized by love for others.

Just note how many commands in Ephesians 4, relate to love. In fact, the very first verse “…I urge you to live a live worthy of the calling you have received” hints at the fact that if I am not showing love for others, then that right there, gives me a failing grade on the entire “worthy of the calling” idea.

But it is even more clear in other places. Verse 15 indicates that the more I mature, the more I will speak the truth in love…Verse 30 tells me not to grieve the Holy Spirit…and verse 32 reminds me that I am to be kind, compassionate, and forgiving. These are truly expressions of love, don’t you agree?

I John 4 is even more explicit about this connection between the Spirit and love. Verse 12 says we know that he is in us because he has given us his spirit….and that leads us to verse 16 that tells us “…whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.”

I’ve been preaching a series on the Holy Spirit and how He transforms our lives. Perhaps the most important way to know whether or not we are really being led by the Spirit is simply: Am I walking in love toward others? Is the love of God for others what is dominating my mind, my relationships, my day?

It’s easy for us to just get so task oriented and so focused on what we have to accomplish, and what our problems and worries are and…blah blah blah…And you know what? When I get like that, I can’t even stand to be around myself!

But when I stop thinking about me, me, me, and I start looking to see who I can show love to…it’s amazing how the Spirit of God transforms my “sorrow into dancing.” And, let’s face it…watching a Baptist pastor dance is enough to make anyone smile.

Galatians 5-Life in the Spirit

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mike
on March 30, 2009
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This chapter is a great reminder that being filled with the Spirit is not about emotional outbursts in the worship service, nor is it about mystical experiences that seem completely disconnected from every day life.

Don’t get me wrong…There’s nothing wrong with emotion in a worship service. Our founding fathers as Southern Baptists were foot-stomping, hand-clapping, enthusiastic singers. But emotion merely for the sake of emotion…or emotion as a “sign” of the Spirit is more than slightly off target.

Galatians 5 tells us that the ongoing result of walking in the Spirit is that our lives will be marked with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control…and “such things.”

O, Lord, that’s what I want you to fill my life with, and I’m so saddened when I look back at a day or a season and see that these things have been way to scarce in me. I think that this chapter ties in very well with Ephesians 5 where Paul says that being filled with the Spirit has a positive impact upon our relationships with each other. And, of course, it’s not hard to see that bearing the fruit of the Spirit would certainly enhance the quality and closeness of our personal relationships.

On the other hand, Verses 19-21 speak about the works of the sinful nature, and they read like a synopsis of what’s being shown on any television station and every movie theatre across the nation. It’s no surprise, since most of the entertainment media has rejected the Bible and Jesus as the Son of God. Because of that decision, it only stands to reason that their products will be filled with the deeds of the sinful nature.

That’s bad enough, but when those things start creeping into the church, it’s even worse. And, sadder still is when those things start showing up in my life! When those things are in our lives, it is a sure sign that we are NOT walking in the Spirit.

So how do I get the bad things out and the good things in?

Verse 16-”…Walk in the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Said another way: Obey the Spirit Promptly!

What do you do if you see these things in your life? Ask God to forgive you and to fill you anew with the Holy Spirit. And then as you obey the Spirit promptly and persistently, you will discover over time that He produces in you these beautiful traits that are listed in verses 22-23.

Judges 14

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mike
on March 9, 2009
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Judges 14

The ESV study Bible (a very helpful tool) notes that there are 10 feats of Samson’s Strength. In the first 5…3 times the “Spirit of the Lord” is mentioned. In the last 5 there is no mention of the Spirit of the Lord.

C-Is there a COMMAND to obey?

Two things jump out at me. The first is that while verse 3 is not a command, but a question, it seems that listening to one’s parents should have held a much higher place in his life than it did. Instead, he totally dismisses the question that his parents raise.

A second is that his contact with the dead lion violated his vow as a Nazarite (Judges 13:5). It is too easy to forget the commands that are given to us as well as the commitments we make early in life. Many people sadly dismiss their wedding vows, supposing that because they, themselves, have forgotten them, that God has, also. Nothing could be farther from the truth, however. This is sometimes justified by saying, “Well, I married the wrong person.” Without meaning to sound calloused, the reality is that he/she may have been the wrong person, BUT when you said, “I do,” he/she became the right person.

In short, the command to obey: is obey the commands and keep your commitments.

A-is there an ATTITUDE to adopt?

Just the opposite…Samson’s cavalier attitude toward sin would be his demise.

S-is there a SIN to avoid?

Samson says, “She looks good to me” about his wife to be…evidently exalting his opinion over the Lord’s. In other words, she may not fit the Lord’s criteria, but she fits mine! That foreshadows the poor decision making that will eventually destroy him.

He attempts to marry someone he shouldn’t.
He “forgets” or ignores his vow as a Nazarite to not touch dead things.
He foolishly misjudges his wife’s loyalty, not realizing that she was more loyal to her family, life-long friends, and country than she was to him.

E-is there an EXAMPLE to follow?

Hmmmm…Samson does allow the Spirit of the Lord to use him. That’s a stretch, but it’s about as close to an example to follow in this chapter that we can see.

Colossians 1: The Prayer

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mike
on March 9, 2009
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Colossians 1

The prayer that is recorded in this chapter has been one of my favorites for a long time. I strongly recommend that you memorize verses 9-14 of chapter 1, so that at any moment, no matter where you are…you will always have quick and easy recall in knowing what to pray for the people you love.

I’m not advocating merely reciting it as if it were a magical charm or incantation. But, as you say those words that Paul wrote (under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit), then it is not difficult to think of many ways that these petitions relate to people’s lives.

This connects with what Ephesians 5 speaks of about “redeeming the time” or as the NIV puts it “Making the most of every opportunity…” (Eph 5:16) It is also in keeping with the command in Eph 6:18 to “…pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests”

John 17

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on March 4, 2009
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John 17

John 17

This prayer is often called the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus.

There are many things that I could detail in this chapter. However, the thing that sticks out to me the most right now is that Jesus said in verse 19 that he was setting himself apart…that we might also be truly set apart for God.

Had Jesus not set himself apart for God…including, but not limited to, the cross, then it would have been impossible for us to be sanctified.

The question that always sticks with me…is: Is there not a sense in which that is so for all of us as leaders, parents, and examples? Is it not possible that unless we set ourselves apart for the Lord’s service and be what he intends us to be, that the devastating result will be that not only are we not set apart…but that many, many others who would have been, will in fact, suffer because of our disobedience?

“Lord, I am not always willing to get under the yoke and really submit to your Lordship as I know you desire. It is sobering to think that not only have I suffered because of that but that others around me have paid a price for that, as well. I hate that thought. Please, Lord, forgive and give me fresh determination to set myself apart for you in totality as your Son, Jesus, did.”

Matthew 6

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mike
on March 4, 2009
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C-Is there a COMMAND to Obey?

This chapter is full of commands! Rather than try to record every one of them, I am going to summarize some of them.

Verses 1-4– To paraphrase Rick Warren, “Live your life before an audience of One” (Hint: Including your “Religious Life”) Do what you do for God to see, not for others. Period.

Verse 5-Don’t pray in public places for the recognition of man. It isn’t a prohibition against praying in public. I remember a man in a church where I served who refused to come to prayer meetings because he said, (wrongly) that Jesus said not to pray in public. That’s just ridiculous. There are times in the Bible when Jesus prayed publicly, when many people in the OT and NT prayed publicly, and the Holy Spirit inspired people even to write down the content of their prayer!!! What Jesus was saying was: Don’t pray to be recognized by men. Is that so hard to understand?

Verse 6-The command is when you pray, use normal language. I have known several people through the years who defended the use of the KJV ONLY by saying that the Thee’s and Thou’s communicated a reverence and formality that was lost when newer translations used contemporary pronouns such as You and Yours, etc. While I would be the first to say that we need reverence and respect in our communication to and about God, I would also suggest that God intends that to come from our heart and not merely our lips. Not to mention our intellect. And, in truth, the words “Thee” and “Thou” as they were used by the translators of the KJV were not meant to communicate formality but intimacy. To borrow from Spanish…they would have been “Tu” not “Usted.”

So…the command is use normal language…don’t babble…and don’t be fake.

Verses 16-18 apply the same command to fasting. Do what you do for God to see. Not for others. Don’t broadcast it. Don’t “drop it” into your casual conversations with friends. Don’t tell people how hard it is because you’ve been fasting. One person recently told my wife and I, “I had been fasting for 3 months.” When we said, “Really?” they admitted that they weren’t fasting from food, just giving up something that they really liked…(I think it was chocolate, if I remember correctly.) Please!

Verse 19-Don’t live to get rich.
Verse 28-Don’t waste your energy on worry
Verse 33-Put God first
Verse 34-(Summary verse—Don’t worry about anything)

A-Attitude to Adopt

Much of the Attitude to Adopt intersects with the Command to Obey…but one that sticks out to me is the Attitude of Forgiveness…

S-Is there a SIN to avoid

I think the sins to avoid…are also wrapped up in the Commands to obey

E-Example to Follow?

Following the example of what Jesus says is the heart of this chapter.

Habakkuk 3

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mike
on March 2, 2009
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Habbakkuk 3

This is a book that really needs to be read all in one setting. It is important to note that Habakkuk has complained to the Lord that He wasn’t doing anything about the unrighteous people in Israel. When the Lord speaks to him and says, “Oh, they are going to be judged by the Assyrians,” then Habakkuk is even more confused. “They are worse than we are!”

Chapter 3 is the resolution to his conflict.

And Verses 17-19 are the Summit Verses.

They are powerful and inspiring verses for all of us to meditate on during times of crisis and uncertainty. I think for me, personally, these verses remind me of Paul in prison at Philippi. He says to us there “Rejoice in the Lord!” He’s in prison, but he’s rejoicing. Rejoicing in the Lord. That’s what Habakkuk is saying, too.

Our joy must be based on spiritual realities not temporal trivialities.