Advent is about preparation and celebration. We celebrate what Jesus did. The Word (Jesus) becoming flesh and dwelling among us is the greatest moment in human history. God taking on flesh and subjecting Himself to His own law, fulfilling it in every way to be the spotless Lamb that dies to satisfy the holiness and justice of the Father. He then rose three days later to bring salvation to all who will repent and believe. This first Sunday is about the hope that Jesus brings. Jesus said, "Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest." Too many people, and entire religious systems, try to earn God's love and grace. If you believe that then you are actually fighting against God. Read these verses: Ephesians 1 & 2; Galatians 2 Romans 10 for starters.
We also celebrate His Second Coming. Scripture refers to it as our"blessed hope." We know, according to the Bible, that Christ will return and establish His physical Kingdom and it's reign will have no end. For the believer it will a great day, but for the unbeliever it will terrible and horrific.
We now come to the preparing part. We are preparing to meet Jesus in the air, in other words we cleaning our lives of sin, and our lack of followship. Confession should be a daily habit for the follower of Christ, but we can get busy and grow hard of hearing when it comes to some habits and actions that are beginning to take priority over our relationship with Christ. Advent is time to deal with those things. It involves fasting. Fasting is usually associated with food, but you can set anything aside so more prayer, Bible study or service can take its place. I am not watching any media and limiting my facebook time to church related things. I hope to keep a running log of what happens during this time.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
What kind of leader does God expect me to be?
That is a question that I have been pondering for a while now. So here is what I have been shown:
God wants me to be a shepherd to his people, particularly to those he brings into our church; To protect them, teach them and model the Christian life in front of them; To hold them accountable with grace, and be accountable to them; to encourage them in love, to hold them up with the truth, and walk beside them in laughter and in tears.
He wants me to equip his people to where they don't need me as much, and learn to lean on Him in all they do; to lead them to love sharing their faith with those who don't know Christ; to sacrifice my time, energy, and money to invest in them; to put on display what it means to live by faith even when things are at their darkest; to go to God with every issue and decision for His wisdom because he is unlimited and I am not; to shoot the wolves who try to deceive them.
Being the pastor that God has called me to be means it can't be about me. It has to be about his kingdom and his glory. My dreams mean nothing if not in accordance with his perfect will.
Being teachable. A leader is not necessarily the smartest guy in the room nor does he have to be. I don't think God expects me to have all the answers, but He does expect me to point people to Him when my words are falling short. If you can't learn from others, and I mean your congregation, as well as books and others then you can't lead. Humility, one the toughest Christ Character Traits, is a must in order to be teachable.
Being positive. I don't mean Pollyanna, but confident in the truth that God is sovereign and His love is not diminished by my circumstances.
Being holy. Not being corrupted by the world. That includes sexual impurity, money, popularity, or pride. I must lead the way in pursuing holiness.
Being passionate about the Word and prayer.
Holding to the vision God gives me and not wavering from it, and including everyone in that vision.
After typing all that I can see why God tells Joshua over and over to "Be strong and courageous." The great thing is "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to his own glory and excellence." 2 Peter 1:3
I must abide in Him or I, as a leader or follower, will bear no fruit.
God wants me to be a shepherd to his people, particularly to those he brings into our church; To protect them, teach them and model the Christian life in front of them; To hold them accountable with grace, and be accountable to them; to encourage them in love, to hold them up with the truth, and walk beside them in laughter and in tears.
He wants me to equip his people to where they don't need me as much, and learn to lean on Him in all they do; to lead them to love sharing their faith with those who don't know Christ; to sacrifice my time, energy, and money to invest in them; to put on display what it means to live by faith even when things are at their darkest; to go to God with every issue and decision for His wisdom because he is unlimited and I am not; to shoot the wolves who try to deceive them.
Being the pastor that God has called me to be means it can't be about me. It has to be about his kingdom and his glory. My dreams mean nothing if not in accordance with his perfect will.
Being teachable. A leader is not necessarily the smartest guy in the room nor does he have to be. I don't think God expects me to have all the answers, but He does expect me to point people to Him when my words are falling short. If you can't learn from others, and I mean your congregation, as well as books and others then you can't lead. Humility, one the toughest Christ Character Traits, is a must in order to be teachable.
Being positive. I don't mean Pollyanna, but confident in the truth that God is sovereign and His love is not diminished by my circumstances.
Being holy. Not being corrupted by the world. That includes sexual impurity, money, popularity, or pride. I must lead the way in pursuing holiness.
Being passionate about the Word and prayer.
Holding to the vision God gives me and not wavering from it, and including everyone in that vision.
After typing all that I can see why God tells Joshua over and over to "Be strong and courageous." The great thing is "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to his own glory and excellence." 2 Peter 1:3
I must abide in Him or I, as a leader or follower, will bear no fruit.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Lessons from Everybody Loves Raymond
I am a huge Everybody Loves Raymond Fan. The conversations and fights between Ray and Deborah (Patricia Heton's stage name) are very reflective of my marital experience. One thing about the characters of Ray and Deb is they are horrible parents, and Ray is a horrible role model for biblical manhood and fatherhood. this blog isn't about that thought, that's for another time.
We were watching an episode tonight (I love me some DVR) and it involved Ray's brother Robert and Robert's fiance Amy. Amy's parents are devout religious people, but legalistic and judgmental, and they disapprove of Amy's impending marriage to Robert. In the scene where Amy stands up to her parents about her decision she reveals that Robert stays the night many times and implies that they have sex. Then she says this, "I have decided that it is not a sin." She doesn't get to make that decision. God has decided what is right and wrong and we must decide to accept it or reject it. Amy's decision does nothing but try to justify her actions. I wonder how many time we do this only we don't say it out loud. We decide that gossiping isn't a sin, or lying a little, or over eating, lusting after someone other than our spouse, or simply making God sit in the visitor bleachers in the game of our life.
We may not say but do we do live it.
We were watching an episode tonight (I love me some DVR) and it involved Ray's brother Robert and Robert's fiance Amy. Amy's parents are devout religious people, but legalistic and judgmental, and they disapprove of Amy's impending marriage to Robert. In the scene where Amy stands up to her parents about her decision she reveals that Robert stays the night many times and implies that they have sex. Then she says this, "I have decided that it is not a sin." She doesn't get to make that decision. God has decided what is right and wrong and we must decide to accept it or reject it. Amy's decision does nothing but try to justify her actions. I wonder how many time we do this only we don't say it out loud. We decide that gossiping isn't a sin, or lying a little, or over eating, lusting after someone other than our spouse, or simply making God sit in the visitor bleachers in the game of our life.
We may not say but do we do live it.
Stepping Up
Our church, Vintage Faith Church, is participating in the Christmas Festival this year in Chiefland. We had a 2 1\2 hour meeting on the details. It was great! Everybody pulling together to involve ourselves in the community. I am very proud of our group. We are going to have the coolest float ever with the best praise in the world, or at least the tri-county area. We will also be doing a booth called World Piece where we will give away, that's right I said give away, cupcakes with flags of nations where Christians are being persecuted.
If you see our booth then come by and GIVE PIECE A CHANCE! booyah!
If you see our booth then come by and GIVE PIECE A CHANCE! booyah!
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