Snapshots of Influence

I used to have a staff supervisor that used the expression "Let's land this plane.". He usually used it in the context of staff meetings or any time something needed to come to an end. May seems to be the month to "land the plane". It has become one of the busiest months of my year. I have been invited to awards banquets, end of the year concerts, pastor appreciation lunches, end of season tournaments, graduations, and ministry celebration events. The seat belt sign has come on and you can feel the landing gear coming down.

Please don't hear me complaining about a busy schedule. I am not. In fact, my point is the exact opposite. I believe as Christ-followers we need to be keenly aware of seasons such as this, and all of us have them. There are times at work, church, school, athletics, etc... that God gives us venues for "snapshots of influence". Maybe it is just a short conversation, an encouraging word, a brief show of compassion, or a promise of prayer, but God will open up opportunities to extend His gospel and Kingdom through us if we simply will pay attention and be obedient.

I will never forget the conversation I had with a couple who is currently attending our church. They started coming to our early service a few months ago. I was greeting people one Sunday morning and they stopped to introduce themselves. The husband is a city employee and said that they were first time guests. Each December our church hosts a Christmas luncheon for all the employees of our city, from the Mayor and city council to maintenance personnel. I was invited last year to say an opening word and prayer at this lunch. I spoke of what a privilege it was to be with them, how blessed we were to have such a wonderful city to live in and the employees that make it run so efficiently, and the reason for the gathering that day which was to celebrate the birth of a Savior. I prayed over them, and, of course, shared a meal with them. The husband of the couple recounted the Christmas luncheon to me and said that something about that time had stuck in his mind. So much so that he and his wife decided to attend our church months later. They are still attending.

All said, you never know what fruit a quick word, a short prayer, or a small witness might have in someone's life. My encouragement to you and me is not to allow the busyness of life to push us past these moments of possible influence. Don't run so fast through your day, week, month, or year that you can't recognize the opportunities God is giving you to exert influence for His sake. Take a breath, open your eyes and ears, say a quick prayer, and extend Christ's love and compassion to those God places in your path.

Now, off to a luncheon.....

Blessings.

Pastor Jim

The Supreme Court and Holy Week

I know the two don't normally go together, but it is what is happening in our lives this week.

What a stark reminder it is of the nature of our fallen world as the Supreme Court debates the issue of homosexuality and equality in marriage. There have been many pundits who have responded on both sides of the issue this week with great emotion. They have staked their claim (though some politicians seem to be taking "new" stands) and they are resolutely immovable.

My take: The issue of marriage is not one of equality or civil rights, but a spiritual one. To understand the issue of marriage we must understand the purpose of marriage. Yes, marriage was designed for intimacy and procreation (Gen. 1:28; 2:18-25), but it is so much more. I was reading a blog from a friend of mine this week. He reminded me of something I knew, but for some reason it hit home again. Marriage is designed to be a living representation of Christ's relationship to His church, His bride. In Ephesians 5:22-33, the Apostle Paul lays out this illustration of the roles within marriage and how it correlates to the relationship that Jesus has with His followers. The wife is to "submit", or “humble herself” so that she might support the role of her own husband. In Genesis 2:18 (NIV), God made woman out of man to be “a helper suitable for him”. The Hebrew word “ezer”, translated “helper”, is almost always used to describe God himself in His divine assistance. Other times it is used to describe military help, such as reinforcements, without which the battle would be lost. “To ‘help’ someone, then, is to make up what is lacking in him with your strength.”- Gordon Wenham. As the wife fulfills her role of helper by serving and respecting her husband, she helps complete God’s plan for the marriage relationship. Husbands are to equally submit to their wives in their role as “servant-leader” within the marriage relationship. Jesus revolutionized and redefined the ideas of leadership and authority through the lens of servanthood, even to the point of giving up His own life. In Ephesians 5:25-31, He set the example for husbands to follow, illustrated by His love and sacrifice for the church (His bride and body).

I'll just be straight up. God designed marriage to be between one man and one woman alone and illustrates the love of God through Jesus Christ. Any other form of marriage, based on our "feelings" or anything else, is contrary to God's design and purpose for marriage. That does not mean, as some have accused Christians of this week, that we as followers of Jesus are not to care for all people and extend love to those who do not believe as we do. In fact, that is exactly what Jesus calls us to do. It is at the heart of the Greatest Commandments (Matthew 22:37-40) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). But extending God's love to others does not mean we compromise the truth of God's Word for the sake of "equality".

So, what does this have to do with Holy Week? Well, Jesus did not come, live a perfect life, suffer, die, and rise again for our "equality" or "rights". He came to solve a spiritual problem. But, then again, maybe He did come for our "equality" and "rights". You see, the Bible says we are all equal. In Romans 3:23, the Apostle Paul says that all of us are sinners and have fallen short of the glory of God. So, in a way, there is a "standing equality" among us all. Jesus also came to give us "rights". John 1:12 says that to all who receive Him,  who believe in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, children not born of blood or the will of the flesh or the will of man, but of God. The message of Easter is that true equality and rights are found in relationship with a living, risen Savior who desires all to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4).

Blessings.
Pastor Jim

C.S. Lewis Resource

Hello. I have been mentioning two classic works by C.S. Lewis quite a bit lately as I have been reading back through them. I thought I would give you a link so that you might enjoy them as well. This volume has both Mere Christianity and The Screwtape Letters in one hardback edition for $9.99. Here you go. (Just copy and paste the following web address in your preferred web browser.)

http://www.christianbook.com/mere-christianity-screwtape-letters-volumes-in/c-s-lewis/9780060731878/pd/31871?item_code=WW&netp_id=326217&event=ESRCG&view=details

If you would rather read digitally, you can access both of these works through your Kindle, Nook, or iBooks stores.

Passion 2013

Check out the Passion 2013 App for iphone or android. The guided prayer journey called "Kneel" is amazing.

Also, you can participate in the live stream from Passion 2013 at the Georgia Dome right now at www.268generation.com.

Enjoy!

Limping into 2013?

This morning I was reading in 1 Kings 18:20-20. It is the story of Elijah and his confrontation with King Ahab and the prophets of Baal. Elijah had called the King to assemble all the people of Israel at Mount Carmel for a decisive showdown with the false prophets and ultimately with the King and his treacherous wife Jezabel. Ahab is recorded as doing more "evil in the sight of the Lord, more than all who were before him"(16:30). That was a grand statement seeing that most of the Kings of Israel and Judah (except for Asa) had sinned against the Lord and followed the false gods of Baal and Asherah. And so the showdown was set.... Ahab gathered the people and the false prophets on Mt. Carmel.

In vs. 21, Elijah asked the people a question. And I think it is an appropriate question for all of us as we enter the new year. In the ESV translation, Elijah's question reads...

     "How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow Him." 

The NIV and NLT translate the word "limping" (Hebrew- pasakh) as "waver". The Holman Christian Standard Bible and the New American Standard Bible as "hesitate". The New King James as "falter". All the English translations give the same implication: Following any other god except the God of the Bible leads to a improperly lived life. Just as the prophets of Baal were unable to move properly around the alter of Baal (vs. 26), so we to limp, hesitate, waver, and falter through life if we serve any god other than the Lord.

So, what gods are you serving? Are you "limping" along in your opinion of who you will worship? Do you claim Christ with your lips and deny Him with your lifestyle? Admittedly, I find myself, from time to time, in this position. As I allow the things of the world (selfishness, greed, pride, shame, etc...) to drive my attention inward, I find myself worshiping things that are convenient, breakable, and fleeting. I claim to be a follower of Christ, but chase after lesser things. And I find myself on Mt. Carmel again.

Elijah's question, therefore, throws in sharp relief the idea of a true disciple and those who are only such by name. May I paraphrase the prophet's words in the declarative? I think he was simply saying this: "Make up your mind! If you say you are serving either the Lord or these false gods, fine! Just do it! Stop limping along trying to please everyone! Choose who you will follow!"

So, we are confronted with a choice. Who will we serve in the new year? If you claim to be a Christ-follower, will you be just that? Will you strive to live as Jesus lived and obey what He asks you to do? Will you make up your mind (which is the essence of repentance) and choose to "seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Matthew 6:33)? Will you make the declaration of Joshua (24:15 ESV) as he proclaimed, "And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Will you cry out with the people of Israel, "The Lord, He is God; The Lord, He is God" (vs. 39)?

That is my declaration this New Year's Eve! Is it yours? If not, fine. But stop limping about. 

The Hope of Christmas

This past weekend, the Worship Ministries of Fayetteville First Baptist Church presented the dramatic musical experience“The Hope of Christmas”.  Several months ago I was approached by the drama team of our church asking if I would be willing to play one of the parts in this presentation. I was to play the part of the Pastor of an urban church attempting to reach those in a large metropolitan area. Honestly, this role has stretched me, both artistically and spiritually. It has caused me to see the gospel, and the story of Christmas, again in a new light.

After repeated attempts to share the hope of Christmas with those around him, my character begins to show a little wear. Having just tried to share the gospel with a runaway teenage boy, my character is encouraged by a church member.

Church member: “You okay, Pastor?’

Pastor: “I’m okay. I just wish I could get through to the people around here.”

Church member: “We will. Don’t give up hope.”

Pastor: “Hope. That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?”

If you are a Christ-follower, and have attempted to share the good news of Jesus with others (which is what Christ-followers do!), you have probably found yourself feeling the same way. Tired, frustrated, and maybe even ready to give up hope. But let the words of this anonymous church member encourage us all this Christmas season. We shouldn’t give up hope! Why? Because there is a great need right at our front door. A need for the hope that only comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ. We, as God’s people, have been given the great privilege, content, and context in which to share this hope. Now, by the power of His Spirit, He has called us to share.

Whether you are a Pastor in a local church, or you are a layperson running errands in your community, serving in your child’s school, or living out your faith in the marketplace, God has placed you in critical areas of influence for His Kingdom’s sake. He has called you as His missionary to your specific “field” of service. He has equipped you with the good news of Jesus. And He has given you the message of hope that a hopeless world desperately needs. Now all you have to do is share and watch God move!

May God bless you as you share the good news of the hope of Jesus with all who need Him this Christmas season. 

"Give Thanks"

My two favorite holidays of the year are Thanksgiving and Christmas. I think this is the case for several reasons. 

1. They are designated times of rest from work, school, and the routine of daily life. 

2. They are time spent with extended family that we don't get to see often enough. 

3. They are both in the fall/winter, which is my favorite time of year. 

4. We are traveling on at least one of these holidays and I love to travel!

5. Thanksgiving/Christmas Dinner! 'nough said!

6. Football!

7. Most importantly, they are designated times for all of us to reflect and celebrate on the goodness and provision of God in our lives. 

This Thanksgiving, I give thanks for many things. 

1. God's goodness, love, and faithfulness as He displays His character and love through the blessings given in my life. 

2. My wonderful wife and children. 

3. My extended family. 

4. My church family. How thankful I am to God for His call on our lives to come to Fayetteville First Baptist Church this year and for all that He is doing for His Name and Kingdom's sake through this local body. 

5. For God's provision of a new house and new community. 

6. For friends new and old. 

7. For the blessing and opportunity to weekly serve Him through this local Body and to preach the gospel. 

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving week? How has God blessed you this year? What are those things that you take for granted that should be cause for an offering of thanksgiving to God? 

My challenge for you this week is to intentionally give thanks to God through Jesus Christ for everything He has given you and for his goodness, love, and faithfulness in your life. 

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalm 118:1 (NIV)