We are in the midst of the holiday season, and with the shopping chaos going on we forget to slow down and enjoy the time that we have to spend together. I have to admit I see this as an upside to our considered recession. Families are spending more time together and the focus has been removed from extravagant gifts and presents. People are taking advantage of the free opportunities and are finding a greater reason to latch to their families.
I must admit in the past I have been somewhat of a Scrooge. I think that it was because I was so nostalgic for the way I remember Christmas being as a child. I’ll admit presents were a great part of that equation, and waiting for Santa to bring those gifts always brought an excitement that is unequalled and unmatched to this day. However, I remember even more the amount of time that we spent with family, friends, and church family. I remember the Christmas season being filled with various parties and events at many people’s homes. Celebrations that were so crowded that even the small children had difficulty making it through the grouping of people. It may have been me, but it seemed like in recent years much of that togetherness had been lost. People had become infatuated with what gifts were the most popular. I was pushed over the edge with the trampling death of a person at a Wal-Mart during black Friday sales in 2008. I had decided Christmas was vain holiday of excess and the true Christmas was gone.
Then this year rolled around. What has made this year so special for me is that people have begun to rely on each other again. They have learned to laugh and enjoy the company of others again. Find the time this year to reconnect with the family, friends, or church family that you have lost touch with, and share in this special time of year.
-Kyle
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Making the long trip
Rain was falling in sheets so thick that I could barely see the road in front of me and the deafening roar as it struck the roof of my car was drowning out any possibility of hearing any type of weather report on the radio. My headlights were of little to no use because the rain covered their beams like a blanket. The wind fought me for control of my car but I refused to forfeit possession and control. This continued for the next 2 hours. People went from driving 70 miles an hour to a meager 25 while trying to make it through all of this. A simple hour and a half trip to Nashville transformed into a two and a half hour journey. To add to the mix, I was traveling on little sleep and was quickly beginning to feel the effects. My internal battery was quickly draining and I knew that I couldn’t fall asleep on this road. I had to pull over, and for a while just give up the fight.
I had to stop because I had allowed myself to embark on this trip without proper preparation. I was not physically ready for the journey that I was taking. We find ourselves in that intersection in life. We are constantly beaten and barraged by a world that would gladly take control of our lives if we just quit resisting and give up. In both situations, it would lead to a result that isn’t desirable or pleasurable. We must begin to see this life as a journey that is filled with storms of unsure futures, and brave our way against those storms to get home. However, we may not always be ready to take that long journey spiritually. Just like I had to stop in a Wal-Mart parking lot to sleep for a few hours, we find ourselves having to stop spiritually because we are so exhausted. It’s part of the journey. Spiritual rest and replenishment are needed just as sleep is needed on a long journey. If we don’t we could find ourselves falling asleep in the journey and ending up in a spiritual wreck.
I had to stop because I had allowed myself to embark on this trip without proper preparation. I was not physically ready for the journey that I was taking. We find ourselves in that intersection in life. We are constantly beaten and barraged by a world that would gladly take control of our lives if we just quit resisting and give up. In both situations, it would lead to a result that isn’t desirable or pleasurable. We must begin to see this life as a journey that is filled with storms of unsure futures, and brave our way against those storms to get home. However, we may not always be ready to take that long journey spiritually. Just like I had to stop in a Wal-Mart parking lot to sleep for a few hours, we find ourselves having to stop spiritually because we are so exhausted. It’s part of the journey. Spiritual rest and replenishment are needed just as sleep is needed on a long journey. If we don’t we could find ourselves falling asleep in the journey and ending up in a spiritual wreck.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
What Makes a Strong Church?
There are churches that have left their first love, and churches that are lukewarm and dead (Revelation 2 and 3), but we are interested in what makes a strong church. The best role model we have is the church in Jerusalem as recorded in Acts 2:42-47. In verse 42 "... they continued steadfastly in ..."
Doctrine – The doctrine that they had came from Christ’s teaching and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. "They continued daily with one accord" (verse 46). They recognized the apostles' teaching as the only source of authority in religious matters. This brought them together in belief and practice. They were strong because they were united.
Fellowship – They lived a life that was exemplary of what it means to be a physical body. They forfeited their individual lives to the collective life of the Body of Christ, and found every opportunity available to enjoy life together. Food, family, and fellowship in worship were the critical foundations.
Breaking of Bread - We learn from Acts 2:42 and 20:7 that the church came together every first day of the week to partake of the Lord's Supper. This memorial feast centered on Christ reminded them why they had left their old lives. The only way the church can be strong and remain strong is by keeping its eyes fixed upon Jesus -- the Lord designed the communion for this purpose (1 Corinthians 11:20-26).
Prayer - They continued steadfastly in prayer. They recognized their weakness, and they recognized the unlimited power of God, therefore they prayed continually. When they were threatened and commanded not to preach the word of God, they prayed for boldness to preach, and God answered their prayer. When they appointed deacons, they prayed. When they were being put to death, they prayed for their enemies... Jesus had taught them, "that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” They believed in prayer. It is my prayer that each congregation of the Lord's church will "... continue steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine, and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." If so, we will remain a strong church.
Doctrine – The doctrine that they had came from Christ’s teaching and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. "They continued daily with one accord" (verse 46). They recognized the apostles' teaching as the only source of authority in religious matters. This brought them together in belief and practice. They were strong because they were united.
Fellowship – They lived a life that was exemplary of what it means to be a physical body. They forfeited their individual lives to the collective life of the Body of Christ, and found every opportunity available to enjoy life together. Food, family, and fellowship in worship were the critical foundations.
Breaking of Bread - We learn from Acts 2:42 and 20:7 that the church came together every first day of the week to partake of the Lord's Supper. This memorial feast centered on Christ reminded them why they had left their old lives. The only way the church can be strong and remain strong is by keeping its eyes fixed upon Jesus -- the Lord designed the communion for this purpose (1 Corinthians 11:20-26).
Prayer - They continued steadfastly in prayer. They recognized their weakness, and they recognized the unlimited power of God, therefore they prayed continually. When they were threatened and commanded not to preach the word of God, they prayed for boldness to preach, and God answered their prayer. When they appointed deacons, they prayed. When they were being put to death, they prayed for their enemies... Jesus had taught them, "that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” They believed in prayer. It is my prayer that each congregation of the Lord's church will "... continue steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine, and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." If so, we will remain a strong church.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
The Numbers Game
I’ve found myself in a complex internal conflict about how to measure success. We easily find ourselves trying to play the numbers game to measure what constitutes a strong congregation. What defines strength? I have realized that success isn’t so easily measured. Consider Gideon and his plight. He was from the weakest household in all of Israel, and of that household he was the weakest (Judges 6: 15). Gideon was charged with a great task, but was so unsure that he constantly required signs to ensure that this was really God. The food consumed by fire and the sign of the fleece were reminders that God wanted Gideon to carry out these battles against the Midianites.
God goes on to do something that from a military aspect would be considered suicide. He tells Gideon to diminish his forces. God told Gideon that he had too many men, and that if God delivered the Midianites up to them then he would not receive the praise that was due him. He wanted to show Gideon that great things could be done with a few people. God carried on showing Gideon what men to take, and by the time he was finished an army of 32,000 men of strength to a mere 300 men to take on the enemy. With simple instructions from God, Gideon led the 300 men to victory.
What can we learn from this? First, God can take the weakest person from the weakest home and make them a great and mighty leader if they are willing to play by His rules. Gideon was quick to admit that he was insignificant compared to those around him. God saw potential in him that he did not see in others. We play the comparison game with congregations. We look at other churches and convince ourselves that because we do not have 1000+ people or 5 figure contribution that we cannot make an impact on our community like they do. Gideon was smart enough to realize that when God calls, that it is possible for Him to provide success for those who will let him.
Second, Gideon realized that God had control over the situation and trusted Him to deliver what he promised. The numbers game forces us to believe that we have lost, that our success is dependent on ourselves wholly, and to forget that we have God on our side to bear our burden and strengthen us. We fall into a trap of pride and arrogance that merely sees God as an object to be praised and not as a participant in the battle. We must realize that God is participating and active. We have to factor him into our actions to measure true success.
We came become obsessed with numbers and believe that is truly a hindrance to success in the church. However, we must realize that success for us is not measured by number or action, but the spiritual maturity and willingness to listen to God that each of us strives for. Do not fall victim to the numbers game, but work towards developing a congregation of believers who are spiritually strong. Do this and in time the numbers that we can become so preoccupied with will come.
-Kyle
God goes on to do something that from a military aspect would be considered suicide. He tells Gideon to diminish his forces. God told Gideon that he had too many men, and that if God delivered the Midianites up to them then he would not receive the praise that was due him. He wanted to show Gideon that great things could be done with a few people. God carried on showing Gideon what men to take, and by the time he was finished an army of 32,000 men of strength to a mere 300 men to take on the enemy. With simple instructions from God, Gideon led the 300 men to victory.
What can we learn from this? First, God can take the weakest person from the weakest home and make them a great and mighty leader if they are willing to play by His rules. Gideon was quick to admit that he was insignificant compared to those around him. God saw potential in him that he did not see in others. We play the comparison game with congregations. We look at other churches and convince ourselves that because we do not have 1000+ people or 5 figure contribution that we cannot make an impact on our community like they do. Gideon was smart enough to realize that when God calls, that it is possible for Him to provide success for those who will let him.
Second, Gideon realized that God had control over the situation and trusted Him to deliver what he promised. The numbers game forces us to believe that we have lost, that our success is dependent on ourselves wholly, and to forget that we have God on our side to bear our burden and strengthen us. We fall into a trap of pride and arrogance that merely sees God as an object to be praised and not as a participant in the battle. We must realize that God is participating and active. We have to factor him into our actions to measure true success.
We came become obsessed with numbers and believe that is truly a hindrance to success in the church. However, we must realize that success for us is not measured by number or action, but the spiritual maturity and willingness to listen to God that each of us strives for. Do not fall victim to the numbers game, but work towards developing a congregation of believers who are spiritually strong. Do this and in time the numbers that we can become so preoccupied with will come.
-Kyle
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