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Praying to Our God

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My sermon, Praying To Our God, from Psalm 34 is online.  This sermon, which served to kick off our church’s Week of Prayer, sought to encourage us to be a people of prayer by showing that God gives joy, listens to our prayers and comes near to help us.  We distributed our Week of Prayer devotionals and had an enjoyable morning looking heavenward for help.  I trust you had a glorious Lord’s Day kicking off the New Year.

Pujols, My Heart & The Gospel

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Well, you have probably heard the news that caused my heart to sink this AM: Albert Pujols would be signed by Angels of Anaheim in a 10 year $250 million some odd contract.  My first thoughts were ones of frustration.  After my friends Scott Lamb and Tim Ellsworth wrote Pujols: More Than The Game, I’ve really worked hard to say that Pujols wasn’t like the other money-hungry guys.  He uses the money God gives him in good ways to bless others.  I was bummed that the focus was on the contract and amount of money “he deserved” etc.

But, as I noticed the response by so many on Facebook and other places, especially Christian people, I realized that this was another opportunity from God to look at my own heart, cravings and desires and see what God might want to teach me.  You see, I naturally default to thinking that I am more righteous than Albert because I would never be about the contract, or so I think.  Yet, undergoing feedback and evaluation by my elders each year and wanting more money for the services I give (and fighting against sinful cravings like greed more and more) I know that I can be guilty of greed just as easily.  It is an expression of self-righteousness to conclude and even boast, “Thank God, I’m not like Albert Pujols selling out for more money.”  Rather, I should confess, “God be merciful to me, the sinner.”  Even if this is true (and most of us aren’t close enough to the situation to know Albert’s heart), I know that my heart’s exalting itself is a sinful response.

Then, there’s the issue of putting faith in man.  I loved watching Albert play the game.  When he messed with Brad Lidge’s head a few years back hitting that homer off Lidge that is still probably flying, I went running through the house screaming.  I love the Cardinals.  I love winning World Championships and Albert’s been a huge part of this.  However, I have to be careful I’m not ascribing to Pujols worship and praise even trust only deserved for Jesus.  This is my heart’s problem.

So, today has proven a good opportunity to grow in grace for me.  Maybe like me, you could grow through this, too.  Therefore, today, lift up your eyes to the hills where your help comes from.  Not a maneuver at baseball’s winter meetings, but from the Lord who made heaven and earth.

Gospel Centeredness For The Rest of Us…

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Many of you know that I’ve been hugely affected by all things Gospel.  I love the Gospel.  It is the message of first importance to me.  I want to be a Gospel man.  I want it to be continually shaping and forming me.  I’ve often preached against having a disciplined quiet time as a means for being accepted in God’s sight, which has probably left my loving congregation scratching their heads wondering, “Well, then, why even discipline yourself for godliness…?”  Therefore, it was with great joy that I found this article by Stuart Scott this week.

It’s entitled Gaining a Balanced Picture on God’s Counsel.

In this article, he balances the struggle we have to engage the heart or discipline ourselves and shows how important the Gospel foundation and its proper application can prove in the discussion.  I would highly commend this article as a great means to help us in thinking toward a more Biblical way in all things Gospel-centered.  Enjoy.

Weekend Recap – Gratitude…

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My sermon from 11/20/11AM entitled On Faith & Gratitude from Luke 17:11-19 is now online.  I know it was risky to preach on Gospel heart change on Thanksgiving week, but this passage seems to bring home the truth of what faith is and what it produces.

I would love for you to go deeper and noticed this post this AM by Paul Tautges entitled The Attitude of Gratitude: A Bible Study Suggestion.  It might be a wonderful devotional on the AM of Thanksgiving Day.

In the evening our church gathered and celebrated all that God’s done for us this past year.  Hope you had a great Lord’s Day as well.

Hope for the Grieving…

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I’ve had a busy few weeks with a couple of dear ladies passing on to glory and being privileged to serve the families.  Thinking about some of what I’ve said and will say in the coming week I was encouraged by these verses from Isaiah 43:

But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you;    I have called you by name, you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;   and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,   and the flame shall not consume you. 3For I am the LORD your God,   the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Truly God is good.  Knowing that He is near us is sometimes all that sustains us in these times.  Jesus promised us that He is the resurrection and the life.  Whoever believes in Him, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Him shall never die (John 11:25-26).  Today, no matter where you are, rest in this truth and find comfort from the heart of heaven.  

Weekend Recap – Haggler / Prayer

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We enjoyed an amazing Lord’s Day yesterday.  My sermon from Hebrews 9:15-22 entitled The Haggler (New Covenant Mediator) is online.  The sermon sought to show the amazing nature of Jesus’ help for those who stand to inherit promises under the new covenant and how this was only obtained through His spilling blood in death.  We also celebrated the Lord’s Supper in the AM.  What a rich time of fellowship.

In the evening, as it was a 5th Sunday, we gathered for corporate prayer.  We realize that nothing happens of eternal consequence without God moving.  We prayed for needs and upcoming events in our church’s life.  What a blessed Lord’s day.  I’m still full from it.

What Up G?

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I stumbled across the 4 Gs this week, again, (truths that set you free)…Here’s a listing of them:

1. God is great – so we don’t have to be in control

2. God is glorious – so we don’t have to fear others

3. God is good – so we don’t have to look elsewhere

4. God is gracious – so we don’t have to prove ourselves

The deal is, we have our eyes on so many other things (than God Himself) that we are discouraged, frustrated, feeling weak and powerless and not very much changed by the Gospel. However, if we can look to God and turn from our way (that whole repentance piece), we can find that the Gospel is, indeed, the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes (that’s peeps like you and me). So, today, if you’re not feeling quite changed by these things, lift up your eyes to where your help comes: the Lord who made heaven and earth.