Are you ready for the big game Sunday? I can guarantee you the players are doing everything they can to ready themselves for this chance of a lifetime. They are eating right, resting, working out, running, lifting weights, stretching, getting their gear ready, watching the opposing teams videos...they are preparing for the fight of their lives on the football field. They have a goal. Win the Superbowl...nothing less is acceptable. They are going to everything in their power to protect the bowl, throw the pass, score the touchdown.
They are going to be on time for the game....no one will be late...they will have eaten breakfast, they'll have their gear on, there will be excitement and anticipation in the locker room, stands and on the field.
Wow! Can you imagine if we protected our families with such energy, dedication and eagerness? Can you imagine if we put on the armor of God, read His Word, prepare for the battle, identify the enemy, anticipate the game plays, study the enemy, focus on the goal, practice for the big day by making good habits part of everyday life? How different would things be?
It's easy to get excited about a big football game, but what about your own family? Ready to take on the big one? Ready to fight with everything you've got? Ready to get suited up for the fight? I hope so.
I can't wait to see you Sunday. Read Nehemiah 4:14 to get your heart and mind focused on what God has for us!
Bruce
Friday, January 30, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Dancing on the Wall
Nehemiah 4:17 Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens took their load with one hand doing the work and the other holding a weapon.
Thanks to Facebook, I’ve reconnected with some high school friends. We have had a great time reminiscing about ‘the good old days’ by retelling crazy stories of our youth. Some of the stories shared have been hysterical, some shocking, and many embarrassing.
Our stories are getting re-told, embellished a bit, and shared with our family members. My kids love them, because…well, let’s just say that I can never ground anyone for throwing multi-colored folder spitwads, starting fires in class, going to school dressed in a garbage bag, taping dead bugs to people’s lockers, or….(you get the picture). Jonathan, my rule-loving, perfect-child husband, tries his best to chuckle at the stories, but I see concern deep in his eyes. He’s worried.
My dad used to say that he had one daughter who lived her life well within the boundaries set by the church, school, society, and parents…and that he had another who spent her life dancing on the boundary walls.
Yep, you guessed it. I’m the wall dancer.
Walls are built for a variety of reasons and can symbolize so much. When I was a kid, my parents built strong walls around me, walls of rules and guidelines meant to protect me. And I’m grateful for it, maybe I wasn’t as a rebellious 17-year-old, but now I am. They took the time to build those walls and defend me when I was too young, stupid, and immature to do it for myself. I can almost picture my parents building the wall around me with one hand and fighting off the enemy with the other! I challenged the walls plenty of times growing up and even made my way over a few times, but I knew the way home. And the gates were always open.
Now I’m a wall-builder. As parents, the job has been passed to us. We now build up walls of protection around our own children by creating rules, expectations, and guiding their actions. The same enemy is still mocking, threatening, and coming against the wall, but we stand firm and continue the work. Sword in one hand, trowel in the other.
One day we hope our kids will thank us for the walls we build...whether they live safely within them all of their days, break out and find their way back, or spend a lot of time dancing on the top with their mom.
Charlotte Scales, worship leader
Thanks to Facebook, I’ve reconnected with some high school friends. We have had a great time reminiscing about ‘the good old days’ by retelling crazy stories of our youth. Some of the stories shared have been hysterical, some shocking, and many embarrassing.
Our stories are getting re-told, embellished a bit, and shared with our family members. My kids love them, because…well, let’s just say that I can never ground anyone for throwing multi-colored folder spitwads, starting fires in class, going to school dressed in a garbage bag, taping dead bugs to people’s lockers, or….(you get the picture). Jonathan, my rule-loving, perfect-child husband, tries his best to chuckle at the stories, but I see concern deep in his eyes. He’s worried.
My dad used to say that he had one daughter who lived her life well within the boundaries set by the church, school, society, and parents…and that he had another who spent her life dancing on the boundary walls.
Yep, you guessed it. I’m the wall dancer.
Walls are built for a variety of reasons and can symbolize so much. When I was a kid, my parents built strong walls around me, walls of rules and guidelines meant to protect me. And I’m grateful for it, maybe I wasn’t as a rebellious 17-year-old, but now I am. They took the time to build those walls and defend me when I was too young, stupid, and immature to do it for myself. I can almost picture my parents building the wall around me with one hand and fighting off the enemy with the other! I challenged the walls plenty of times growing up and even made my way over a few times, but I knew the way home. And the gates were always open.
Now I’m a wall-builder. As parents, the job has been passed to us. We now build up walls of protection around our own children by creating rules, expectations, and guiding their actions. The same enemy is still mocking, threatening, and coming against the wall, but we stand firm and continue the work. Sword in one hand, trowel in the other.
One day we hope our kids will thank us for the walls we build...whether they live safely within them all of their days, break out and find their way back, or spend a lot of time dancing on the top with their mom.
Charlotte Scales, worship leader
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Endurance
If you look up the word ENDURANCE in the dictionary you would get something similar to the following....
ENDURANCE 1: permanence, duration the endurance of the play's importance
By Mandy, Children's Ministry
Monday, January 26, 2009
"great and awesome" -Nehemiah 4:14
“Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome…” Nehemiah 4:14
Isn’t this a powerful statement! You can almost feel the zeal and authority with which it is being stated. Now we all know from what we have heard and read in our Bibles that God is, as the text says “great and awesome”, but do you know that for yourself? When you personally think about God, do the words great and awesome come to mind? If they don’t, I assure it is not because God has ceased to be great and awesome.
Author Henry Blackaby says “Right now God is working all around you. One of the greatest tragedies among God’s people is that even though they long to experience Him they do not know how to recognize him at work in their midst”
If this has been the case for you, I encourage you to take some time well spent, to pray for God to reveal to you where he is working so that YOU may be able to say, with all sincerity of heart, “Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome”.
Get Your Fight On!
Next week's sermon in our series on Nehemiah is going to be all about the family fighting. Far less common than topics you might find covered on Oprah or Jerry Springer (is he still around?) - is the kind of family fighting that is covered in God's Word. In Nehemiah 4, Israel had begun building the wall when they came against some pretty strong talkers. You know that kind....the loud obnoxious name callers. Nehemiah gave God's people a couple of things to do. One of them being...fight for your family.
In a world where people get fired up by a lot of causes that aren't worth too much eternally, how about getting fired up about fighting for your family. Their spiritual health, their daily walk, their morals and convictions, their testimony....all things worth getting fired up about. How do you fight for your family? The best thing you can do is identify where the enemy attacks your family and then make a plan of action. For our family, Satan loves to attack on Saturday nights and Sunday mornings. I don't find this coincidental. So instead of a free for all with Satan throwing all the punches, we have a plan of action for Saturday nights and Sunday mornings. Clothes get ironed and laid out for church, the kids get baths early and our night time activities are usually low-key, we get up in time to not yell on Sunday mornings, we tag team with getting the kids ready. Do we always succeed? No way! But we are much more successful now, because we have a plan. We aren't flying by the seat of our Sunday best pants! I know this is a rather comical struggle for some of you, but the truth is that if you identify how the enemy works, and get a plan in place to fight him, with God's help...you can fight for your family....and win!
Praying for you in the fight this week,
Bruce
In a world where people get fired up by a lot of causes that aren't worth too much eternally, how about getting fired up about fighting for your family. Their spiritual health, their daily walk, their morals and convictions, their testimony....all things worth getting fired up about. How do you fight for your family? The best thing you can do is identify where the enemy attacks your family and then make a plan of action. For our family, Satan loves to attack on Saturday nights and Sunday mornings. I don't find this coincidental. So instead of a free for all with Satan throwing all the punches, we have a plan of action for Saturday nights and Sunday mornings. Clothes get ironed and laid out for church, the kids get baths early and our night time activities are usually low-key, we get up in time to not yell on Sunday mornings, we tag team with getting the kids ready. Do we always succeed? No way! But we are much more successful now, because we have a plan. We aren't flying by the seat of our Sunday best pants! I know this is a rather comical struggle for some of you, but the truth is that if you identify how the enemy works, and get a plan in place to fight him, with God's help...you can fight for your family....and win!
Praying for you in the fight this week,
Bruce
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Reflection
I would like to take this opportunity to ask each of you to just reflect back over the past three weeks. Thus far we have studied Nehemiah's Call, Nehemiah's Preparation and this past week we discussed Nehemiah's Plan. We have looked at how that so far, all three of these important steps in Nehemiah's life should be equally as important in our life. Which one of these three do you struggle with the most and which one do you feel is your easiest to fulfill. I ask each of you to spend some time, upon reading this challenge, in surrendering your greatest struggle to God and allow Him to do in your life that which He did for Nehemiah. I also want to challenge you to enter Worship this Sunday with your heart prepared and your min focused and see if that doesn't make a huge difference in the way that God will reveal Himself to you. I am so excited about what God has done but even more excited about what I believe God is going to do. Love you guys tremendously...
Bruce
Bruce
Judges 6
The Midianites were terrorists who oppressed God’s people for seven years. When the Israelites planted crops, these bad guys would rise up in numbers like locusts to destroy and plunder. They left the ground completely barren. They would swarm in on camels, cover the land, and leave the Jews with nothing…no sheep, no ox, no donkey, no nothing. It was a miserable time, and the Israelites cried out to God for relief.
Our story opens with a guy named Gideon hiding out in the winepress. Fearing the Midianites, he chose to thrash what little wheat he had in an enclosed area, well-hidden from the enemy. This activity would be the modern-day equivalent of cooking breakfast in the hall closet. Not very efficient, but this guy was scared. And that’s where the angel of the Lord found him.
Here we will pause for a public service announcement brought to you by God’s angels. It’s important that you have a proper visual. The creature that appeared before Gideon was not a naked, doe-eyed, chubby baby with wings and a cloth diaper. Angels in the Bible generally appear as powerful men who render humans trembling with fear. Precious Moments angel figurines are cute and look great in your curio cabinet, but they are not Biblically accurate. Now back to our regular programming…
The Israelites had cried out to God for relief, and God heard their cries. It was time for deliverance. The angel appeared in Gideon’s winepress to give him the news. The first thing out of the angel’s mouth was (get this), “The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior.”
Well that was a shocker, and Gideon no doubt looked around the room anxiously for someone else. Surely the angel wasn’t speaking to him! He was the youngest son from the weakest family in Mannasseh. Basically, Gideon was a coward from an insignificant family. How in the world could he be the one to deliver Israel?
The angel and Gideon went back and forth for a few verses. Gideon had to work out some doubt issues. In summary, Gideon started a discussion about his unremarkable family tree and lack of qualifications. Then he got some supplies for a meal. The angel did the cooking. An altar was built, an idol torn down, and a bunch of stuff went on about a fleece and dew and lapping water…but in the end, God’s word proved true. Gideon became a mighty warrior, the Midianites were defeated, and Gideon served as judge over Israel for 40 years.
God saw Gideon in the winepress, not as a coward with a poor pedigree, but for who Gideon could become with God’s help. God was able to use Gideon because, despite his initial doubts, Gideon chose to trust God. Gideon was an ordinary man. But he became a great warrior who brought peace and prosperity to the nation of Israel because he accepted and followed God’s calling.
What is God calling you? Are you a valiant warrior hiding out in the winepress? Stop questioning God and asking for signs. Grab a sword, believe God, and get to work.
Our story opens with a guy named Gideon hiding out in the winepress. Fearing the Midianites, he chose to thrash what little wheat he had in an enclosed area, well-hidden from the enemy. This activity would be the modern-day equivalent of cooking breakfast in the hall closet. Not very efficient, but this guy was scared. And that’s where the angel of the Lord found him.
Here we will pause for a public service announcement brought to you by God’s angels. It’s important that you have a proper visual. The creature that appeared before Gideon was not a naked, doe-eyed, chubby baby with wings and a cloth diaper. Angels in the Bible generally appear as powerful men who render humans trembling with fear. Precious Moments angel figurines are cute and look great in your curio cabinet, but they are not Biblically accurate. Now back to our regular programming…
The Israelites had cried out to God for relief, and God heard their cries. It was time for deliverance. The angel appeared in Gideon’s winepress to give him the news. The first thing out of the angel’s mouth was (get this), “The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior.”
Well that was a shocker, and Gideon no doubt looked around the room anxiously for someone else. Surely the angel wasn’t speaking to him! He was the youngest son from the weakest family in Mannasseh. Basically, Gideon was a coward from an insignificant family. How in the world could he be the one to deliver Israel?
The angel and Gideon went back and forth for a few verses. Gideon had to work out some doubt issues. In summary, Gideon started a discussion about his unremarkable family tree and lack of qualifications. Then he got some supplies for a meal. The angel did the cooking. An altar was built, an idol torn down, and a bunch of stuff went on about a fleece and dew and lapping water…but in the end, God’s word proved true. Gideon became a mighty warrior, the Midianites were defeated, and Gideon served as judge over Israel for 40 years.
God saw Gideon in the winepress, not as a coward with a poor pedigree, but for who Gideon could become with God’s help. God was able to use Gideon because, despite his initial doubts, Gideon chose to trust God. Gideon was an ordinary man. But he became a great warrior who brought peace and prosperity to the nation of Israel because he accepted and followed God’s calling.
What is God calling you? Are you a valiant warrior hiding out in the winepress? Stop questioning God and asking for signs. Grab a sword, believe God, and get to work.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Elected Leaders Rebuild
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
This morning, along with many Americans, I watched history being made. Barack Obama, the first African American elected president, took the oath of office as the 44th president on Capitol Hill. I couldn’t help but to think about how Obama’s leadership of America is similar to Nehemiah’s leadership of the City of Jerusalem.
President Obama stated in his speech…"What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility—a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task”.
Now go back and imagine how Nehemiah must have felt when he took leadership of the rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, much like we are rebuilding and restructuring the “walls” of America. Not a lot has changed since Biblical times. As Christian Americans, we have often forget about God in our daily lives. We have been “culturized” by money, materialistic pleasures, and the media. But God has not forgotten about us!!! We need to call upon God to be in control and be the center of the work that needs to be done. He would be honored for us to call upon Him to reveal HIS plan to us….and let HIS light shine within us as we rebuild.
As President Obama stated, we can have a list of things we “can” do....but what will make a difference is what we “will” do.
Mandy, GBF Children's Pastor
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
This morning, along with many Americans, I watched history being made. Barack Obama, the first African American elected president, took the oath of office as the 44th president on Capitol Hill. I couldn’t help but to think about how Obama’s leadership of America is similar to Nehemiah’s leadership of the City of Jerusalem.
President Obama stated in his speech…"What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility—a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task”.
Now go back and imagine how Nehemiah must have felt when he took leadership of the rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, much like we are rebuilding and restructuring the “walls” of America. Not a lot has changed since Biblical times. As Christian Americans, we have often forget about God in our daily lives. We have been “culturized” by money, materialistic pleasures, and the media. But God has not forgotten about us!!! We need to call upon God to be in control and be the center of the work that needs to be done. He would be honored for us to call upon Him to reveal HIS plan to us….and let HIS light shine within us as we rebuild.
As President Obama stated, we can have a list of things we “can” do....but what will make a difference is what we “will” do.
Mandy, GBF Children's Pastor
Monday, January 19, 2009
The Sword and the Trowel, To Shape and Protect
Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. -Nehemiah 4:17-18
From these two verses alone we can see that the work Nehemiah’s people were called to, that of rebuilding a city, was subject to much opposition, opposition so strong that it required workers to hold a tool, possibly a trowel with one hand, and their weapon with the other.
Can you imagine what this must have been like? I hope you can, because we face a similar situation today. Obviously we don’t have to carry a sword, or even a trowel for that matter. But in a sense, we are faced with the same task of shaping and protecting not unlike Nehemiah. Think about our relationship with Christ, we know that we are being “conformed” (Rom.8:29), or shaped, in the image of Christ. And we are instructed by Jesus, “be on your guard” (Luke 12:15) or protect ourselves against sin. So while we may have no need for a sword with an edge that cuts flesh, we have a great need for the “sword of the Spirit which is the word of God” (Eph 6:17).
The application of this verse doesn’t stop there. Think about shaping and protecting in the areas of your close friendships, your marriage, if you’re a parent, you should shape and protect your children; the list goes on and on.
Nehemiah’s team was committed to the work of rebuilding the walls. It meant a great deal to them, and because it meant so much to them they were willing to shape, and at the same time protect. This wasn’t a feel good weekend project, this was a major priority for them, and these people were genuinely committed!
Now for the good stuff; what are you genuinely committed to today? What really means something to you? Maybe a good measuring tool for those questions is to observe what things you are committed to shaping and protecting? Have you put your material stuff before your God, your job before your family, or your pride before your willingness to serve? Take some time to pray and ask God to reveal to you what your top priority to shape and protect should be.
Roy, GBF Youth Pastor
From these two verses alone we can see that the work Nehemiah’s people were called to, that of rebuilding a city, was subject to much opposition, opposition so strong that it required workers to hold a tool, possibly a trowel with one hand, and their weapon with the other.
Can you imagine what this must have been like? I hope you can, because we face a similar situation today. Obviously we don’t have to carry a sword, or even a trowel for that matter. But in a sense, we are faced with the same task of shaping and protecting not unlike Nehemiah. Think about our relationship with Christ, we know that we are being “conformed” (Rom.8:29), or shaped, in the image of Christ. And we are instructed by Jesus, “be on your guard” (Luke 12:15) or protect ourselves against sin. So while we may have no need for a sword with an edge that cuts flesh, we have a great need for the “sword of the Spirit which is the word of God” (Eph 6:17).
The application of this verse doesn’t stop there. Think about shaping and protecting in the areas of your close friendships, your marriage, if you’re a parent, you should shape and protect your children; the list goes on and on.
Nehemiah’s team was committed to the work of rebuilding the walls. It meant a great deal to them, and because it meant so much to them they were willing to shape, and at the same time protect. This wasn’t a feel good weekend project, this was a major priority for them, and these people were genuinely committed!
Now for the good stuff; what are you genuinely committed to today? What really means something to you? Maybe a good measuring tool for those questions is to observe what things you are committed to shaping and protecting? Have you put your material stuff before your God, your job before your family, or your pride before your willingness to serve? Take some time to pray and ask God to reveal to you what your top priority to shape and protect should be.
Roy, GBF Youth Pastor
Sunday, January 18, 2009
What's In Your Wallet?
Ok...I know this title is a little goofy, but I can't thing of any other way to get your mind thinking on the things that others cannot see from looking at you...your money, your talents, your time, your thoughts. So maybe we should just say "What's in your ________________?
In Dr. Frank Page's book, The Nehemiah Factor, he says " Every talent is needed in the divine economy. Every talent is precious in the sight of God". Do you understand what he is saying? No matter who you are, what you've done, where you work, how your kids turned out, if you're married or single, young or old....you have been divinely designed with talents that are priceless in the divine economy. It doesn't matter if you think you aren't good enough, God says "I created and formed every detail of everything you are comprised of. I don't make mistakes." Do you realize that unless the church begins using their gifts for God...we will need a spiritual bailout because of our laziness, pride, greed or false humility?
What's holding you back from allowing God to use you fully. So many things are pulling our time these days. Why not give God a try. Give Him those special hidden gifts and talents and start using them around your home, church and town. Let's watch and see what a huge different God can make in our community, when we are doing out part to boost the divine economy.
Check out Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12-14 and Ephesians 4 for more on finding out your spiritual gift.
In Dr. Frank Page's book, The Nehemiah Factor, he says " Every talent is needed in the divine economy. Every talent is precious in the sight of God". Do you understand what he is saying? No matter who you are, what you've done, where you work, how your kids turned out, if you're married or single, young or old....you have been divinely designed with talents that are priceless in the divine economy. It doesn't matter if you think you aren't good enough, God says "I created and formed every detail of everything you are comprised of. I don't make mistakes." Do you realize that unless the church begins using their gifts for God...we will need a spiritual bailout because of our laziness, pride, greed or false humility?
What's holding you back from allowing God to use you fully. So many things are pulling our time these days. Why not give God a try. Give Him those special hidden gifts and talents and start using them around your home, church and town. Let's watch and see what a huge different God can make in our community, when we are doing out part to boost the divine economy.
Check out Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12-14 and Ephesians 4 for more on finding out your spiritual gift.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Modern Day Nehemiah Stories
Last night the PLT met for their regular meeting. We reviewed some of the great things that are happening around GBF, we talked about our God of the City series, future community events and more. It was exciting to hear and talk about the way God is leading us to minister and share Christ's love here in Gunter.
When I returned home, Gina had just finished up her quarterly board meeting with The Mission Board of Directors and began sharing with me how God is so obviously orchestrating some modern day Nehemiah events through some wonderful things that are happening there. Doors are opening because they are asking...not begging or pleading, but just asking. Just like Nehemiah presented his case to the king, God is preparing the hearts of people who would not normally be sensitive and its EXCITING!!!
How's God working in your own life? Have you heard there's a need in Gunter? Have you been burdened by the conditions here? Have you spent serious time in prayer and fasting, seeking God's direction about how He wants you to participate? Have you become heart-sick, like Nehemiah before the king? Have you presented your case to someone who can help you? It's a lot of work to follow this plan of Nehemiah's. It takes time, conscious effort and discipline.
I'd love to hear how you're putting these lessons into action. How's God leading you? Sharing it with others will provide some accountability for you and also will allow others to pray for you. It also spreads an excitement amongst God's people when we share that God is busy working right here in front of us and through us. You can leave a comment here on the blog or drop me a note if you'd like prayer about the way God is leading you. I'd be more than happy to join you in prayer for God's direction.
Hang on...this week is going to be good! God's got someplace special for you to work. We'll find out just how important your place is on the wall. Looking forward to seeing you there!
When I returned home, Gina had just finished up her quarterly board meeting with The Mission Board of Directors and began sharing with me how God is so obviously orchestrating some modern day Nehemiah events through some wonderful things that are happening there. Doors are opening because they are asking...not begging or pleading, but just asking. Just like Nehemiah presented his case to the king, God is preparing the hearts of people who would not normally be sensitive and its EXCITING!!!
How's God working in your own life? Have you heard there's a need in Gunter? Have you been burdened by the conditions here? Have you spent serious time in prayer and fasting, seeking God's direction about how He wants you to participate? Have you become heart-sick, like Nehemiah before the king? Have you presented your case to someone who can help you? It's a lot of work to follow this plan of Nehemiah's. It takes time, conscious effort and discipline.
I'd love to hear how you're putting these lessons into action. How's God leading you? Sharing it with others will provide some accountability for you and also will allow others to pray for you. It also spreads an excitement amongst God's people when we share that God is busy working right here in front of us and through us. You can leave a comment here on the blog or drop me a note if you'd like prayer about the way God is leading you. I'd be more than happy to join you in prayer for God's direction.
Hang on...this week is going to be good! God's got someplace special for you to work. We'll find out just how important your place is on the wall. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Of Crowns and Costumes
John 4:35
I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.
I wore a crown to dinner tonight. Not a real fancy one, just a paper Burger King crown, a remnant from Clara’s weekend with grandparents. As I placed it on my head, I wondered if this regal accessory might entitle me to some sort of special treatment…change the way the family looked at me…or somehow change the way I viewed myself. Plus, it looked smashing with my grey sweats.
As you can imagine, nothing much happened. I did get a few questioning glances from Jonathan. Clara gave me the thumbs up. Helen ignored it. Dorothy disappeared, quietly slipping into an upstairs closet to pray for me. All I have to show for the experiment is a permanent hair indention that runs the circumference of my head at about 30* latitude.
Wearing the crown didn’t make me a queen. But it did get me thinking.
We live in a world that loves to dress up. You know what I’m talking about. Guys that have never seen a horse wear cowboy boots; good boys get piercings and tattoos; guys in the mailroom wear suits; guys in the boardroom wear t-shirts and sneakers. And 40-year-old housewives dress like 21-year-old pop stars.
But we know that dressing the part doesn’t necessarily mean someone is living the part. It just means they like to play dress up.
Jesus said, “The fields are ripe with harvest.” And harvests don’t reap themselves. God is calling laborers to work the fields. There is a LOT of work to be done…in our town and in our world. And God’s people are required to do far more than just dress the part.
You see, many of us are dressed as God’s laborers. So many go to the laborer meetings, memorize the laborer manual, contribute to the collection, and even talk the laborer talk. But sadly, many get distracted and never actually make it to the harvest fields. Others get there, only to stand in the fields with clean hands, wearing a perfectly-pressed laborer costume…surveying the crops, criticizing the harvesters, or just waiting for the after-party.
God is calling us to something serious. It is time to work in the fields. This is no costume party. This is the real thing. And if we are going to respond to His call, we must do more than just dress the part. We need to get our hands dirty.
I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.
I wore a crown to dinner tonight. Not a real fancy one, just a paper Burger King crown, a remnant from Clara’s weekend with grandparents. As I placed it on my head, I wondered if this regal accessory might entitle me to some sort of special treatment…change the way the family looked at me…or somehow change the way I viewed myself. Plus, it looked smashing with my grey sweats.
As you can imagine, nothing much happened. I did get a few questioning glances from Jonathan. Clara gave me the thumbs up. Helen ignored it. Dorothy disappeared, quietly slipping into an upstairs closet to pray for me. All I have to show for the experiment is a permanent hair indention that runs the circumference of my head at about 30* latitude.
Wearing the crown didn’t make me a queen. But it did get me thinking.
We live in a world that loves to dress up. You know what I’m talking about. Guys that have never seen a horse wear cowboy boots; good boys get piercings and tattoos; guys in the mailroom wear suits; guys in the boardroom wear t-shirts and sneakers. And 40-year-old housewives dress like 21-year-old pop stars.
But we know that dressing the part doesn’t necessarily mean someone is living the part. It just means they like to play dress up.
Jesus said, “The fields are ripe with harvest.” And harvests don’t reap themselves. God is calling laborers to work the fields. There is a LOT of work to be done…in our town and in our world. And God’s people are required to do far more than just dress the part.
You see, many of us are dressed as God’s laborers. So many go to the laborer meetings, memorize the laborer manual, contribute to the collection, and even talk the laborer talk. But sadly, many get distracted and never actually make it to the harvest fields. Others get there, only to stand in the fields with clean hands, wearing a perfectly-pressed laborer costume…surveying the crops, criticizing the harvesters, or just waiting for the after-party.
God is calling us to something serious. It is time to work in the fields. This is no costume party. This is the real thing. And if we are going to respond to His call, we must do more than just dress the part. We need to get our hands dirty.
Prayerful Preparation
Proverbs 16:9 says “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”
Have you become the prayer warrior this past week like Nehemiah? I know I have given extra, knee-time……….but look back at Chapter 1 of Nehemiah. What happens after Nehemiah prayed? NOTHING!!! Well, at least not right away. After studying a bit more closely this week, I have learned that Nehemiah’s story opens in the month of Chislev (December) and resumes in the month of Nisan (April). Therefore, there were four months of where nothing seemed to happen.
Well, nothing outwardly was happening! Nehemiah was doing more than just praying for those four months……he was planning. Planning means that Nehemiah had faith that God would indeed open the door to his prayer. He knew God would let him go!
Taking a leap of faith doesn’t mean you are going out in a disorderly, fly-by-your-seat manner. You must think through the project and count on the cost. You must think through the questions and do your homework!
Read back at Nehemiah 2:7-9. These are practical and well planned out request from Nehemiah. God will honor this type of planning, as he did for Nehemiah. Wise planning on our part gives the Lord more opportunity to accomplish His goals. And if the best plan is missed, I would sure hate to know that it was because I failed to put prayerful preparation behind the actions!
Something to think, pray, and plan about…………
Have you become the prayer warrior this past week like Nehemiah? I know I have given extra, knee-time……….but look back at Chapter 1 of Nehemiah. What happens after Nehemiah prayed? NOTHING!!! Well, at least not right away. After studying a bit more closely this week, I have learned that Nehemiah’s story opens in the month of Chislev (December) and resumes in the month of Nisan (April). Therefore, there were four months of where nothing seemed to happen.
Well, nothing outwardly was happening! Nehemiah was doing more than just praying for those four months……he was planning. Planning means that Nehemiah had faith that God would indeed open the door to his prayer. He knew God would let him go!
Taking a leap of faith doesn’t mean you are going out in a disorderly, fly-by-your-seat manner. You must think through the project and count on the cost. You must think through the questions and do your homework!
Read back at Nehemiah 2:7-9. These are practical and well planned out request from Nehemiah. God will honor this type of planning, as he did for Nehemiah. Wise planning on our part gives the Lord more opportunity to accomplish His goals. And if the best plan is missed, I would sure hate to know that it was because I failed to put prayerful preparation behind the actions!
Something to think, pray, and plan about…………
Monday, January 12, 2009
Let Us Rise Up
And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work. But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, “What is this thing that you are doing…?” -Nehemiah 2:18-19
The context of this verse is of course when Nehemiah has shared his vision to rebuild a city and he has gained some much needed affirmation from his listeners by them saying in agreement “Le us rise up and build”.
Have you ever had your heart break for something, shared it with someone else, and watch their face light up and hear them say “well let’s do something about it together!”, ever experienced that? What an awesome feeling right?
Well if you’ve experienced that, then you very likely seen some of what Nehemiah experienced from Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, and that of course is CRITICISM. The Bible says that they “jeered” and “despised” Nehemiah and his team.
Criticism of the people doing the work was common in Nehemiah’s day and it’s still common today. It seems the only way to avoid criticism is to not do anything at all! But that’s not an option for us as Christians. We have been called, commissioned, and commanded to do the work of our Lord to the best of our ability, and we can’t let any amount criticism hinder us from doing that. Remember what Peter said to his critics when he was criticized to the point they were threatening to beat him? “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”-Acts 4:19-20
Peter did not quit preaching, Nehemiah did not quit working, and neither can we. Ben Franklin was right on when he said “Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do.” So let’s keep eyes on the GOD OF THE CITY and give our ears a rest from the THE CRITICS OF THIS WORLD and press on with the work that our King has called us to.
One last thought, is it possible that you have a critical spirit? Are you many times the one pointing out the negative side of things? If so take some extra time to look up and meditate on Philippians 4: 8. Living by the words that Paul writes here can change your life and the life of those around you.
The context of this verse is of course when Nehemiah has shared his vision to rebuild a city and he has gained some much needed affirmation from his listeners by them saying in agreement “Le us rise up and build”.
Have you ever had your heart break for something, shared it with someone else, and watch their face light up and hear them say “well let’s do something about it together!”, ever experienced that? What an awesome feeling right?
Well if you’ve experienced that, then you very likely seen some of what Nehemiah experienced from Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, and that of course is CRITICISM. The Bible says that they “jeered” and “despised” Nehemiah and his team.
Criticism of the people doing the work was common in Nehemiah’s day and it’s still common today. It seems the only way to avoid criticism is to not do anything at all! But that’s not an option for us as Christians. We have been called, commissioned, and commanded to do the work of our Lord to the best of our ability, and we can’t let any amount criticism hinder us from doing that. Remember what Peter said to his critics when he was criticized to the point they were threatening to beat him? “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”-Acts 4:19-20
Peter did not quit preaching, Nehemiah did not quit working, and neither can we. Ben Franklin was right on when he said “Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do.” So let’s keep eyes on the GOD OF THE CITY and give our ears a rest from the THE CRITICS OF THIS WORLD and press on with the work that our King has called us to.
One last thought, is it possible that you have a critical spirit? Are you many times the one pointing out the negative side of things? If so take some extra time to look up and meditate on Philippians 4: 8. Living by the words that Paul writes here can change your life and the life of those around you.
Perspective
As we've been studying Nehemiah, one thing we can be sure of is that he kept had a good perspective of his surroundings, God's call, even his enemies! Remember at first, he was ignorant to the conditions of the wall, but as soon as he knew what they were, he didn't bellyache. He went straight to God to find out what to do. He gained insight and perspective by going to the One who had all the answers. When he went before the King not only was he equipped to answer the king, but also to ask for the appropriate things he would need for the trip. Can you imagine if he had gone before the king and quoted off a list of unreasonable requests? Yet, he had the right perspective on the rebuilding process and new what God had told him to do. There are countless illustrations of his good perspective, but one last one is how he responded to the nay-sayers. Remember there is no record of him getting angry, cussing anybody out, or a flying fist hitting anyone! He kept focused on working God's plan. He didn't let the negativity of the enemy get to him.
WOW! What a concept! In my own life I struggle with this sometimes. Things are going along great and out of no where something very negative and discouraging comes along and then I have the choice; stay focused on the call of God...or....get bogged down in the pity, discouragement and negativity of the enemy. I'm going to be working hard to stay focused on the call. God wants to use US! His call is the loudest voice we should be hearing! All other voices should be background music in our lives.
Let's encourage each other this week to stay focused on the call God has on us and our city. Be prepared that soon or later there will be people who don't understand or appreciate it, so get your perspective grounded in what God wants you to do so you won't get sidetracked and waste needless energy on the enemy!
Praying for you...have an wonderful week!
WOW! What a concept! In my own life I struggle with this sometimes. Things are going along great and out of no where something very negative and discouraging comes along and then I have the choice; stay focused on the call of God...or....get bogged down in the pity, discouragement and negativity of the enemy. I'm going to be working hard to stay focused on the call. God wants to use US! His call is the loudest voice we should be hearing! All other voices should be background music in our lives.
Let's encourage each other this week to stay focused on the call God has on us and our city. Be prepared that soon or later there will be people who don't understand or appreciate it, so get your perspective grounded in what God wants you to do so you won't get sidetracked and waste needless energy on the enemy!
Praying for you...have an wonderful week!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
God of This City Powerpoint
This past Sunday Bruce promised to have the God of this City Powerpoint on the website. You can download it right here.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
How's Your Week Been?
Well, it's time to close out the work week. How's your week been? Have you viewed Gunter a little differently? I know I have. Driving around town, through Hidden Lakes, Maples Ranch, Main Street and Autry I see needs - physical, emotional, and spiritual - staring us straight in the eyes. It excited me to know that we are becoming more aware of how God can use us to meet these needs.
As we get ready to meet again on Sunday, will you please read over Nehemiah 1:5-2:16? Pray that your heart will be ready to receive what God has for you. As we saw last week, the enemy is ready to distract us in any way that he can. Let's all be on guard and ready to stand together. As Nehemiah stood before the king, we can also stand in confident humility knowing that God has called us to do something bigger than we could ever imagine doing without Him.
I'm praying for you and am looking forward to seeing you Sunday.
As we get ready to meet again on Sunday, will you please read over Nehemiah 1:5-2:16? Pray that your heart will be ready to receive what God has for you. As we saw last week, the enemy is ready to distract us in any way that he can. Let's all be on guard and ready to stand together. As Nehemiah stood before the king, we can also stand in confident humility knowing that God has called us to do something bigger than we could ever imagine doing without Him.
I'm praying for you and am looking forward to seeing you Sunday.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
John 2:1-11
The wedding was in Cana, a town so insignificant that John felt is was necessary to give a further explanation of its location, “in Galilee.” Jesus was invited to a wedding there. John doesn’t tell us the names of the bride and groom. Maybe John forgot them. Maybe he thought they were as unimportant as the town in which they lived.
Sometime during the feast a crisis occurred. The wine ran out. The new couple was facing not only embarrassment, but financial ruin. In their culture, neglecting to provide an adequate meal to guests was an offense which could have lead to prison. At the very least, the couple would have begun their lives together in debt to their neighbors.
The servants no doubt had run out of options. They went so far as to involve another invited guest in the crisis. Mary couldn’t help, but she knew someone who could. She told Jesus about the wine problem.
Jesus stepped in and performed a miracle. He asked the servants to fill pots with water, to draw some out, and to bring it to the headwaiter. To the amazement of the disciples and the servants, the water had turned into wine. Not just any wine, but the best wine. And not just enough for the party, but an amazing amount…enough to save, to sell, and to provide a great start for the new couple.
Only the disciples and servants saw what happened. Only those who listened to Jesus and filled the pots realized the miracle. The newlyweds never knew what Jesus had done for them. They were saved from a disaster unaware. Not only saved, but blessed with extra. And the party went on. Everyone in town was blessed by a miracle, and most weren’t even aware of it.
We live in a small town “in north Texas” not unlike Cana “in Galilee.” Perhaps we feel a bit insignificant at times, as a town and as individuals. But God knows right were we are, and He knows our names. He loves us, and He loves our small town. He is working here, and He is looking for servants obedient enough to witness a miracle. He wants to bless this town. Not just a little bit, but overflowing, to the brim, and with enough to share.
Sometime during the feast a crisis occurred. The wine ran out. The new couple was facing not only embarrassment, but financial ruin. In their culture, neglecting to provide an adequate meal to guests was an offense which could have lead to prison. At the very least, the couple would have begun their lives together in debt to their neighbors.
The servants no doubt had run out of options. They went so far as to involve another invited guest in the crisis. Mary couldn’t help, but she knew someone who could. She told Jesus about the wine problem.
Jesus stepped in and performed a miracle. He asked the servants to fill pots with water, to draw some out, and to bring it to the headwaiter. To the amazement of the disciples and the servants, the water had turned into wine. Not just any wine, but the best wine. And not just enough for the party, but an amazing amount…enough to save, to sell, and to provide a great start for the new couple.
Only the disciples and servants saw what happened. Only those who listened to Jesus and filled the pots realized the miracle. The newlyweds never knew what Jesus had done for them. They were saved from a disaster unaware. Not only saved, but blessed with extra. And the party went on. Everyone in town was blessed by a miracle, and most weren’t even aware of it.
We live in a small town “in north Texas” not unlike Cana “in Galilee.” Perhaps we feel a bit insignificant at times, as a town and as individuals. But God knows right were we are, and He knows our names. He loves us, and He loves our small town. He is working here, and He is looking for servants obedient enough to witness a miracle. He wants to bless this town. Not just a little bit, but overflowing, to the brim, and with enough to share.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Spiritual Excitement
Ephesians 4:32 says, “…there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes.”
Monday, January 5, 2009
Nehemiah's Prayer Team
“O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name…” –Nehemiah 1:11
Nehemiah’s prayer in chapter 1:1-11 is one of the most talked about things from this great book of the Bible. And rightfully so! You can feel the deep, heartfelt, conviction coming through in his words. His weeping, morning, and fasting speak to his commitment and sincerity of heart. Ever wonder what made Nehemiah such an effective prayer warrior? Obviously there are many things that contributed, but I think that he gives us strong indication of what can be an easily overlooked strength in Ch. 1 verse 11. Look closely, Nehemiah asks God not only to listen to him, but ALSO “to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name”. Wow did you catch that? Nehemiah assumed that he was not alone! He prays as if he is a part of an army of praying servants that have been moved to their knees.
We can be quite the opposite however, we think that we are the only one seeing the needs and since the problem is too big for us to tackle alone, we get defeated before we get started. We may pray, but our prayers turn into distant wishes, void of faith, for a far away dream that we honestly don’t feel is possible. But if we take NEHEMIAH’S approach, we pray believing that we are not alone. That our little prayer is among many prayers that matter to God, and that he has a plan for what he has broken our hearts to pray for. We pray with the confidence that we have unidentified teammates crying out to God just as we are! Check out this powerful quote:
“You may think that your petition is of small account, but it is the many littles that make up the great whole. A pinch of incense from each worshipper will fill the house of the Lord with sweet perfume. Small lumps of coal cast into the glowing furnace will still further increase its heat. Do not think that we can afford to lose your prayer, whoever you may be; but; cheerfully contribute it to the general treasury of the church’s devotion.” -Charles H. Spurgeon
Take some time to pray. Pray to God on behalf of the broken people of your community; pray with confidence as Nehemiah did knowing that your prayer are a part of a much bigger group of prayers crying out to the God who hears.
Nehemiah’s prayer in chapter 1:1-11 is one of the most talked about things from this great book of the Bible. And rightfully so! You can feel the deep, heartfelt, conviction coming through in his words. His weeping, morning, and fasting speak to his commitment and sincerity of heart. Ever wonder what made Nehemiah such an effective prayer warrior? Obviously there are many things that contributed, but I think that he gives us strong indication of what can be an easily overlooked strength in Ch. 1 verse 11. Look closely, Nehemiah asks God not only to listen to him, but ALSO “to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name”. Wow did you catch that? Nehemiah assumed that he was not alone! He prays as if he is a part of an army of praying servants that have been moved to their knees.
We can be quite the opposite however, we think that we are the only one seeing the needs and since the problem is too big for us to tackle alone, we get defeated before we get started. We may pray, but our prayers turn into distant wishes, void of faith, for a far away dream that we honestly don’t feel is possible. But if we take NEHEMIAH’S approach, we pray believing that we are not alone. That our little prayer is among many prayers that matter to God, and that he has a plan for what he has broken our hearts to pray for. We pray with the confidence that we have unidentified teammates crying out to God just as we are! Check out this powerful quote:
“You may think that your petition is of small account, but it is the many littles that make up the great whole. A pinch of incense from each worshipper will fill the house of the Lord with sweet perfume. Small lumps of coal cast into the glowing furnace will still further increase its heat. Do not think that we can afford to lose your prayer, whoever you may be; but; cheerfully contribute it to the general treasury of the church’s devotion.” -Charles H. Spurgeon
Take some time to pray. Pray to God on behalf of the broken people of your community; pray with confidence as Nehemiah did knowing that your prayer are a part of a much bigger group of prayers crying out to the God who hears.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
What Happens When God's People Pray?
Nehemiah 1
There are so many benefits from prayer. It's a habit God wants His people to develop. From Nehemiah we learn that prayer changes a person's life. The direction of Nehemiah's life changed from being a cup bearer to the king to a contractor for THE KING. What a promotion! We also see that prayer motivated Nehemiah into action. His sense of urgency took him from prayer, fasting and tearing his clothing to an attitude of confident humility. We see this demonstrated as Nehemiah stands before the king and with sorrow on his face responds confidently to the king. Prayer also changed Nehemiah's heart toward the city. In prayer he was consumed with the sin of Israel and his own sin involvement and called on God to remember the promises that had been made to Israel.
In our own lives, when we get serious about prayer we can expect things to happen. We might be surprised at the amount of change that happens to us personally when we begin praying for our city. Thankfully we can pray expectantly, knowing God will hear the sincere heart that cries out in repentance and claims the promises in His Word. So, what do you need to pray about, confess and/or claim as a promise from God. He's waiting...ready to share His plan with you. Begin today to seek His will, His call, His forgiveness, not just for you, but for our city.
There are so many benefits from prayer. It's a habit God wants His people to develop. From Nehemiah we learn that prayer changes a person's life. The direction of Nehemiah's life changed from being a cup bearer to the king to a contractor for THE KING. What a promotion! We also see that prayer motivated Nehemiah into action. His sense of urgency took him from prayer, fasting and tearing his clothing to an attitude of confident humility. We see this demonstrated as Nehemiah stands before the king and with sorrow on his face responds confidently to the king. Prayer also changed Nehemiah's heart toward the city. In prayer he was consumed with the sin of Israel and his own sin involvement and called on God to remember the promises that had been made to Israel.
In our own lives, when we get serious about prayer we can expect things to happen. We might be surprised at the amount of change that happens to us personally when we begin praying for our city. Thankfully we can pray expectantly, knowing God will hear the sincere heart that cries out in repentance and claims the promises in His Word. So, what do you need to pray about, confess and/or claim as a promise from God. He's waiting...ready to share His plan with you. Begin today to seek His will, His call, His forgiveness, not just for you, but for our city.
Friday, January 2, 2009
God of This City
I want to take this opportunity to extend to each of you a very special invitation to be with us this Sunday morning as we begin our first series of 2009 entitled, "God of This City". The title comes from a new song by Chris Tomlin that will be introduced to each of you and the text for the next few weeks will be the book of Nehemiah. I am so excited about what God has in store for GBF this year and I cannot wait to share the first message of this series this week. Hope to see you there...
Bruce
Bruce
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