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Gospel Friday – But God…

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butGod

This coming Sunday, we’ll be thinking about someone who was dead…but God.

Today, if you’re trusting in Jesus, you were dead…

But God, rich in mercy, with great love, even when we were dead, made us alive together with Christ.

Pray Him today for His awakening work of grace in your life.

Political Zeal and Biblical Revival

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donttreadonme

On my study leave last week, I was digging into Iain Murray’s Revival and Revivalism.  In the chapter chronicling the history of revival entitled Glory In Virginia, these two concepts leapt out at me:

“There seem to have been no areas where there was general revival during the years of the War of Independence, from 1775 to 1783.  In most of the country there was evident spiritual decline as political and military events dominated public attention” (p.74)

And, then a little further toward the end of the chapter:

“As we see in the time of Edwards, Whitfield, and Davies, one mark of an outpouring of the Spirit of God is the presence of a stronger catholicity of spirit among believers.  Only when churches put adherence to Christ first can the world begin to recognize the real identity of those who bear his name” (p.88)

Get it?  If we really want God to move in these days, the answer isn’t getting our person in the White House and laboring with all our might to that end.  No.  It’s, to use the words of Murray, adhering to Christ alone and being consumed with Him, not military or political prowess, that brings the revival so many of us long for.  I’m not calling you to disengage.  I’m pleading with you to engage and make Christ supreme in your affections.  And, may God bring revival again in these days.

Weekend Preview – Lazarus

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lazarus

This coming Sunday (Lord willing), we’ll continue our study in the Gospel of John at Crestview.  In particular, I’ll be preaching on John 11:1-54 and the revelation of Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life through the healing of Lazarus.

Some thoughts:

  1. I’m reminded of Tony Evans who said, “If Jesus hadn’t said Lazarus, come forth, all the dead would have come forth.”
  2. Carman.  Lazarus Come Forth.

 

Or, 3. if Carman is too much, here’s Greater Vision with their Southern Gospel hit, My Name is Lazarus.

Hope you enjoy these and come ready to see Jesus’s glory revealed in this amazing healing.

Retreat to Plan

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Last week, I was freed up from my responsibilities at home (thanks, Meg 🙂 to get away and consider life, ministry, and long-term direction.  I know it comes as a surprise to some of you, but making plans for an organization like a local church doesn’t come by simple planning or simply getting strategic goals lined up with direction.  For me, I need lots of time unhurried to pray, think, reflect, and seek God.  While I’m perfectly happy to chart a course for a local church, this overestimates my ability to my (and the church’s) peril.

Jesus, in John 15, said that He’s the vine, we are the branches.  If we abide in Him and He abides in us, we will bear much fruit, for apart from Him, WE CAN DO NOTHING.  Get that?  It’s not about me, the Elders, or even what our local body believes we can do.  Apart from Jesus, we can do nothing.  And, His plans for the church comes as we abide in Him.  His plans for the church emerge as we consistently abide in Him.

So, I’ve been blessed with this time to plan.  What emerged out this?  Well, I spent a lot of time thinking about what I need to preaching on and what book I need to spend time preaching.  I considered where we are as a church and how that lines up with the Master’s plan for His church.  I’m stirred to action to see what needs to happen before the end of the year or even in the coming year.  And, in light of all this, I realized that apart from Him I can do nothing.

I say all this to encourage you.  Are you abiding in Jesus?  This is where fruitfulness begins.  Whether you’re a pastor or someone charting a course for this next season of your life and work, begin with abiding in Jesus.  Fruitfulness and enablement will happen through this season — at least that’s what Jesus says.

Weekend Recap – Light of Works

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My 7/31/16AM sermon, Light of Works from John 9:1-41, just went live online.  In this amazing passage, Jesus, who emphatically refers to Himself as the Light of the World again, shows that He is doing the works of God.  Specifically, He heals a man who was born blind on the Sabbath.  There are all kinds of applications in this sermon like God’s ways being higher than ours, our hearts being drawn out, God’s glory being seen in changed lives, and Jesus bringing judgment in exposing those who are blind and those who see.  I hope it encourages you and helps you make progress in your spiritual journey.

Weekend Preview – The Blind See

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This weekend, Lord willing, at Crestview, we’ll be looking (he, he) at Jesus healing a man who was born blind in John 9.

There’s so much to say about this, so plan to join us Sunday, 10:15AM and come to delight in Jesus with us.  After all, as the famous hymn says, before Christ, “we once we blind, but now we see”.

Another thing this reminded me of was some classic Caedmon’s Call.  Here you go:

See you Sunday.

Drained – So What?

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drained

It’s been quite a few weeks for me.  You might remember back at the start of July, coming off the heels of vacation, I led our congregation in a Day of Prayer, which was simply my confession as one at a dry place and what I needed to do in that moment.

Last week, I was privileged to serve my family as my uncle passed away in Tyler, TX.  I left Sunday after church and drove to Tyler, helped with the service on Monday and led a graveside service in Shreveport, LA, then returned midweek.  On Saturday, my brother-in-law got married in Hutch.  My amazing wife and her mom were responsible for making all the flowers for this, which meant that I needed to help on the home front.  Stay at home moms have a much more difficult job than they get credit for.

After a full day on ministry Sunday (I’m currently serving our adults by teaching a Sunday School class where all our adults are together, giving teachers a break for the summer, plus my Sunday AM sermon, plus Small Groups), I was drained.

Monday I recharged by jumping into lots of administrative tasks and an Elders Meeting.  Today, I’m tired. Drained.  I feel the need in my soul to recharge.

What do you do in these moments?  How do you recharge?

Well, for me, the big priority is attending to my soul.  I haven’t been happy in God like I usually am.  And, my frustration has been because I haven’t been served (not very noble, right?).  So, today, I’m spending time the Psalms.  Praying some prayers in Valley of Vision.  Checking in on my soul.  I find God’s Word refreshing and life-giving.  In fact, I need God to come near to me through His Word.  So, the drain is slowly getting recharged.

I know many of you probably deal with more difficulties that I mention here.  But, I think the remedy is probably the same.  Attend to your soul.  Take some time and allow God to recharge you.  And, as you pursue this, I’d appreciate your prayers as I continue to recharge.

Weekend Recap – Light of the World

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My 7/24/16AM sermon, Light of the World out of John 8:12-59, is now online (with Small Group Questions).  In this sermon, I wanted to unpack what Jesus meant when He said He was the light of the world, that whoever followed Him would not walk in darkness but have the light of life.  To put it simply, Jesus was seeking to move us.  He wanted our lives to be affected with this truth of who He is.  Therefore, this passage demands things from us and our lives.  I hope it encourages you.