Sweet Lips Week Four

How many time have we gotten into a "shouting match" to prove our point? Maybe we didn't even mean to yell but somehow our voice elevated and then it was all out war!

Proverbs 15:1 instructs us to speak more quietly and more gently: "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." 

As we continue in our "Sweet Lips Fast," I urge us to remember that it's not  just what we say but also how we say it. As mature Believers, we ought to be able to press pause sometimes so that we do not provoke others to anger. Literally, responding gently (even when the other person is yelling or speaking harshly), will diminish the anger of the other. 

I challenge us to put Proverbs 15:1 into practice. When someone is taking your tone to a level that will fuel the already blazing fire, press pause and regroup on how you will choose to respond. Trust me, it brings a smile to our Father's face and it doesn't make you feel too bad either. :)

Merry Christmas!

Week Two: Sweet Lips

Here we are on our second week of the "Sweet Lips" Fast. By now we have all been challenged to remain "sweet". The challenge may have come at home, at work, or even at church. 

Being "sweet" with our words is not always easy, but it is definitely worth it. It is what God expects of us. Proverbs 15:4 says: The soothing tongue is a tree of life,

but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. How many times have we crushed someone else's spirit? 

I invite us on this second week to really focus on bringing life to others. Let us be a tree of life for everyone we come in contact with. Come on...we can do it!

Sweet Lips Fast

The writer says that our words can not only soothe the soul but heal the bones. What great power we have locked up in our mouths! 

This week, I challenge each of us to be sweet and heal with our words. Make a tangible and intentional effort to speak words that will bring healing. The rule of thumb for the month of December: is what I am about to say helpful or hurtful? Remember just because the person didn't hear it doesn't mean God didn't hear it. Of all the world to be hurt by our words, it hurts God the most.

Join me in having SWEET LIPS! Let's transform our lives and walk in Christ's ways. 

In All Things...

Every year...every November...every Thanksgiving! Some people get together with family while others have differing celebrations. No matter what you do at this time each year, we always have a reason to thankful. As a matter of fact, Paul told the church at Thessalonica (and he tells us, too) that it is actually the will of God for us to be thankful! So, what are you waiting for? Throw your head back and say "thank you"! 

In happy or sad times...moments of Joy or grief, we all have something for which to give thanks!

Believe me!

Maundy Thursday

Thursday, April 17th:  Week Seven

Maundy Thursday

As Holy Week comes to a close and our Lenten season nears the end, we must take hold of the fullness of "Maundy Thursday"!  Today, Christ left a new mandate (command) to His disciples, and I believe He leaves the same command to us.

Week Seven:  Where are my feet?

Scripture Focus:  John 13: 34-35

Objective:  To perform a spiritual check-in with Jesus--am I following Christ's command?

On Maundy Thursday, Christ gave the perfect example of moving from saying to doing when He got up from the table, wrapped a towel around His waist, pulled out a basin, and began to wash His disciples feet.  When He finished, He told the disciples "this is what you have to do".  After explaining other upcoming events, Jesus tells the disciples:

A new command I give you:  Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.  -John 13:34-35 NIV

During these last few days of the Lenten Season, I challenge us to really DO the word and the life of Christ!  Where are your feet?  Jesus utilized His washing the feet of the disciples as a tangible example of what we should do.  It's time to get out of the chair with our feet reclined, and it is time for us to wash other people's feet.  It is time for us to show the love of Christ instead of talk about the love of Christ.  Come on everyone...let us be transformed!

THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE:

Demonstrate the change that our fasting, our praying, and this Lenten season has made in our lives.  Let us not end the Lenten season as the same people that we were when we started.  It is time for transformation.  Review all seven of the lessons, and make an intentional effort to be transformed.  Where are your feet?

PRAYER:

God give us the strength!  We know that it will not be easy to walk in the new command that You expect of us.  Sometimes it is easier to hate than love, but we want to be known as your disciples.  Help us and strengthen us for the journey!  We are ready to love like you and live like you.  We know that you are able to give us the power to be transformed.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

I pray that this Lenten season has been a blessing to you and your family!  I look forward to sharing with you again next year.

Blessings, Pastor C

Week Six: Where is MY future?

Thursday, April 10th:  Week Six

Lent is an opportunity for us to examine our normal "Christ-like" behaviors to ensure that they are truly "Christ-like."  If they are, we thank God and look more deeply at other areas.  If they are not, we ask God to fix us up so that our future is secure and God is indeed pleased with us.

Week Six:  Where is MY future?

Scripture Focus:  Matthew 6:1-2

Objective:  To perform a spiritual check-in with Jesus--am I pleasing God?

As we continue in our effort to move from saying to doing as Christians, we must be willing to examine even our best behaviors and ask God: "am I pleasing You?"

Jesus said:

Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them.  If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.  So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.  -Matthew 6:1-2 NIV

Last week we asked ourselves "do we represent God well".  This question is plagued with the responsibility of us looking at how we treat one another and the type of fruit we bear.  Based on those main two objectives, we can determine the answer to last week's question, and I pray that the challenge was met to improve our fruit.  However, as we approach Palm Sunday,  I believe it is important to examine our future.  Am I securing my future with God through my righteousness (right behavior) or am I simply striving to impress people?  Jesus urges us that right behavior does not secure our future but our motives must be pure as well.  Giving to the needy is the example that Christ gives; however, we can apply this to all of the right behaviors that God impresses upon us.  In short:  when we do what we are expected  to do we should not expect people to pat us on the back.  Instead, do it in a way that seems like you're trying to keep the juiciest secret.  It is not because you don't want others to know.  It is because our Father is the one who has the true reward.  Jesus says if we get the trumpets blown here, there will be no need of a reward in heaven.

THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE:

Examine our righteousness (right behavior) and make sure that we are not boasting for the world to see.  Our motivation is that it is pleasing to God, and since God sees it first-He will provide the reward!

PRAYER:

Most Holy God, we thank You for keeping us during this Lenten season.  As we enter week six, help us to be ever mindful that You have the best reward for us and it is locked within our future.  Help us to please you instead of impressing each other through our righteousness.  Show us where we seek earthly compliments and incline our hearts to seek heavenly reward!  We thank You for loving us enough to show us where our right can go wrong so that we might seek You for correction and strength.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Week Five: Where is MY fruit?

Wednesday, April 2nd:  Week Five

When individuals fast, sometimes we experience natural responses to our spiritual journey.  This does not make us less of a Christian...it reminds us that we are human.  However, we must be careful that our Spiritual witness is not tarnished during the process.  

Week Five:  Where is MY fruit?

Scripture Focus:  Matthew 7:16

Objective:  To perform a spiritual check-in with Jesus--do I represent God well?

This Lenten journey, as we move from saying to doing, is a perfect time to do a spiritual check-in and be real honest with ourselves when we answer the following question:  Do I represent God well?

Jesus said:

By their fruit you will recognize them.  Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

-Matthew 7:16NIV 

As a Christian, we represent God!  Every decision that we make and every behavior that we demonstrate is a direct reflection of our Father.  The question is asked once more:  Do I represent God well?  We must remember that we may be the only "BIBLE" someone sees during the day.  Our temper being short because we are fasting is not a good excuse for misrepresenting God!  Our attitude being sour because we are "going through" is not a good excuse either!  Jesus says that it is as simple as plant life-we will be known or recognized by our fruit.  Thornbushes and thistles both contain spikes that make it nearly impossible to get close.  Is this the kind of representation we are giving on behalf of God?  

THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE:

Make an intentional effort to represent God well!  I challenge us to be mindful of the things that make us "spike" whether we are at home, at our job, at our church, or simply going to the grocery store.  If we know what causes those spikes to come out, we can better control them and produce grapes and figs.  Remember grapes and figs were a heavy part of their diet in Biblical times.  Our fruit should be healthy for others to consume, view, and talk about!  Let's check ourselves daily to ensure that our fruit are telling the right story.

PRAYER:

Most Holy God, all people do not make it easy for us to produce grapes and figs.  Sometimes we may feel like someone is pushing us to be thornbushes and thistles; however, we want to represent you well.  Help us to be strong enough to fight through those tempting times and produce the fruit that are pleasing to You.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Week Four: Where is MY Faith?

Wednesday, March 26th:  Week Four

The Lenten season, much like the rest of our year, can be marked with unexpected demands that sometimes seem insurmountable.  Remember, that with faith in God, you can make it...not just through your Lenten journey, but through life's trials!

Week Four:  Where is MY faith?

Scripture Focus:  Matthew 17:20

Objective:  To perform a spiritual check-in with Jesus--do I believe God?

Of course you do!  We all believe God.  We would not be fasting from some of our favorite foods, activities, or behaviors if we didn't right?  Well, I don't know.  

Jesus said:

..."Because you have so little faith.  I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move.  Nothing will be impossible for you."  -Matthew 17:20NIV

When faced with an undefeated demon, the disciples questioned Jesus "Why couldn't we drive it out".  We all have been there or will get there in some area of our lives where we scream out, cry out, or simply think...Lord, why can't I drive this out?  Why am I still struggling with this?  Why can I help others but can't help myself/my family?  Uh oh...you guessed it, Jesus responds to you and me the way He did the disciples.  May I paraphrase:  You can but you don't because you won't believe me!  Where in the world is our faith these days?  

THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE:

Believe God!  We've got mountains that are waiting for us to command that they move, but we don't believe so they do not move.  We have storms that are waiting to be still, but we don't believe so they keep moving.  I'm not saying that every circumstance will end the way we want them to, but there are some things that God desires for us to be delivered from or rulers over, but we don't even have faith the size of a mustard seed.  The challenge this week is to believe.  Write down what God says and trust Him!

PRAYER:

Most Holy God, now this is certainly easier said than done!  Yet, that is our task this Lenten season...to move from saying to doing. So, help us to "DO" faith instead of simply talking faith.  We want what You have for us so help us to trust and lean on You more.  This we ask in Jesus' name, Amen.

Week Three: Where is MY family?

Wednesday, March 19th:  Week Three

We are getting deeper into this Lenten season, and I pray that you are still holding strong.  When you are weak, don't forget to pray or even pull out one of these weekly devotions to motivate you to stay the course.  Don't forget to stand together with other Lenten observers as we remember "Good Friday" each Friday by abstaining from meat.  Now, on to this week's Word!

Week Three:  Where is MY family?

Scripture Focus:  Matthew 5:43-48

Objective:  To perform a spiritual check-in with Jesus--am I doing enough?

I know you are thinking...Uhhhh, yes!  I do everything:  cook, clean, work, church, home, kids, spouse, friends...and repeat!  I salute you and many others who juggle a busy schedule, but that is not what this week's devotion is about.  Sometimes we get so busy "doing" that we don't do enough!

Jesus said:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.  -Matthew 5:43-48 NIV

Is Jesus challenging us to DO more?  I believe so!  It is during this third week of the Lenten season that we continue on our path of moving from saying to doing.  In order to fulfill this goal, we've got to do more!  It is so tempting to just decide each day-I'm going to take care of ME.  However, this is not aiding in the spreading of the Gospel message.  I am not challenging you to pull out your Bible more and start reciting scriptures...DO THE SCRIPTURES!  Jesus says in order to be seen as a "child of God" we must do what others do not already do!  He explains that those who take advantage of others (Biblically-referenced tax collectors) already love those who love them.  Also, those who don't even believe or follow God's Word (pagans) greet the people who are in their "clique" so this is not impressive.  We must learn to push ourselves to do "more than others".  In doing so, we are striving for perfection...striving to be more like our Father.  So, let's ask the question again:  am I doing enough?

THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE:

I challenge each of us to DO MORE!  It is certainly not easy to love on the people who seem to be in our lives to persecute us, but this is what God commands.  It is our "doing more" when we ask God to bless even the one who got on every nerve we had and then preceded to stomp on them.  It is our "doing more" when we love on those who don't love on us.  It is our "doing more" when we talk to the ones who don't look, smell, act, walk, talk, sing, pray, live (I could go on...) like us!  Do MORE this Lenten season!  Strive for perfection even though God is still working on you...let Him work on you!  DO MORE!

PRAYER:

Most Holy God, As we enter into week three we are not ashamed to say that we have fallen short before and during this Lenten season.  Perhaps we have not taken our fast as seriously as Christ took the journey to the cross.  Remind us that it is for You that we are taking this journey, and that there is a great reward for us to endure as Christ did for our sake.  This week we are going to do more.  Lord, you know the challenge to love the seemingly unlovable and to greet the seemingly disagreeable so if we are going to be successful in our pursuits, we certainly need Your help.  We are depending and trusting in You alone.  In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

Week Two: Where is MY Foundation?

Wednesday, March 12th:  Week Two

I pray that your first week of the Lenten Season was rewarding.  Even if you fell short on your fast, I challenge you to "press reset" and continue your journey to Calvary with Christ.  Don't forget to abstain from meat every Friday as a means of solidarity within the body of believers.  Let's get to it...

Week Two:  Where is MY foundation?

Scripture Focus:  Luke 6:46-49

Objective:  To perform a spiritual check-in with Jesus--am I deep enough?

I believe that at some point or another on this Christian journey we have said it ourselves OR heard someone else say it:  "They are just too deep!"  This phrase is typically thrown out there when "they" are not relatable or seem to be taking something to the extreme.  Well, throughout this second week of the Lenten season I challenge us to look within and get DEEP!

Jesus told the crowd among Him:

"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?  As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them to practice, I will show you what they are like.  They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock.  When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.  But the one who hears my words and does not put them into peace is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation.  The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete." -Luke 6:46-49 (NIV)

During the second week of the Lenten season, it is important for us to dig deep.  If we truly desire to move from "saying" to "doing" in this season then we must find the benefit in doing so.  Jesus affirms that if we are only "saying" and not "doing," then He really isn't Lord in our lives.  How can we proclaim that Jesus is Lord if we only say what Jesus says but we never do what Jesus does or expects us to do.  It is easy to do a whole lot of talking, but are we ready to get our limbs moving and "put into practice" what Jesus has taught us?  In other words, it's time to dig deep!  The benefit in doing is that the storms of life will not be able to shake us.  So, are you deep enough?

THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE:

I challenge each of us during this second week of the Lenten season to be DEEP!  It is easier to give into how others treat you, what others say to you, and what they do to you.  But does that really show off your foundation?  A well built house shows off its foundation without speaking-it simply stands and is not shaken by outside forces.  Let's become well-built houses for the Holy Spirit to dwell!  Jesus declares that the only way to do so is to close our mouths and simply do what He says.  Come on...you can DO it!  Be deep!

PRAYER:

Most Holy God, You know all about our individual quirks and temptations.  We come to you at the start of this second week of the Lenten season asking for your help.  We want to dig deep and put our foundation on you.  We know that if our foundation stands on you we will not be moved by anything that we may face in our lives.  Help us to trust you and to keep digging deeper.  We want you to be Lord of our lives...guide us and direct us into doing instead of just saying.  In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

Lent 2014: Ash Wednesday

It's that time again...today is Wednesday, March 5th:  Ash Wednesday.

Ash Wednesday kicks off our 40-day Lenten observance.  This year we are revisiting the importance of having a contemplative prayer life and putting that prayer life into action.  During these 40 days, join with us as we strive to become more faithful in what we do for God instead of what say about God.  Remember that today, we stand together as a body of believers and abstain from meat.  We also continue this practice every Friday throughout the Lenten season as a means of solidarity during this season.  Now, for this week's devotion...

Week One: Where is MY flavor?

Scripture Focus:  Matthew 5:13

Objective:  To perform a spiritual check-in with Jesus--am I salty enough?

In today's society, "salty" has so many meanings.  When dining, we don't want our food to be "too salty"...OR when dealing with disappointing friends, we may call them "salty".  BUT I believe Christ gives us a new revelation on the term "salty" that we should all strive to attain.

Jesus explains to us His understanding of "saltiness":

You are the salt of the earth.  But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?  It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.    

-Matthew 5:13 (NIV)

This first week of Lent, we must understand the importance of our flavor.  If we are not willing to be "salty" for Christ, then it is impossible for us to shift our walks from "saying" to "doing".  There are enough Christians "talking the talk," and I believe God is looking for more of us to "walk the walk".  This is how we make sure that our "flavor" is present in this world.  Jesus explains that we are the "salt of the earth" and we are not good for anything "except to be thrown out and trampled" on when we lose our "saltiness".  Remember, salt was used as a preserving agent well before the time of refrigeration.  As long as the meat had enough salt, it would remain good for digestion.  It is our time to sprinkle our walks in our homes, neighborhoods, city, and state to ensure that the generations behind us have something to digest.  If not, we will continue to be "trampled".  If you are looking for your victory over personal and corporate circumstances, check your flavor.

THIS WEEK'S LENTEN CHALLENGE:

Start this Lenten Season off right!  Remember, this is an opportunity to press reset within our spiritual lives and more importantly within our hearts.  The Bible testifies that our mouth only speaks what is overflowing out of our heart.  Therefore, when I pray/speak to God I am revealing my heart to Him.  I challenge us to cleanse our heart this week.  Start each day of this first week out asking God to "create in me a clean heart".  The more we say it...the more we will actually desire it!  As God gives us a clean heart, we will be more "salty"!  When we decide that we will be more "salty," our relationship will move beyond simple "lip service" to ACTION!  It's time for us to put some work with our faith.  So, join with us this week as we ask for a clean heart to get Jesus' blood pumping through our veins and take on our responsibility to give this world some flavor.

PRAYER:

God as we start off this Lenten season together, we ask that You strengthen us for the journey.  Please give us a mind to stay focused and faithful to our individual fasts while holding each other up corporately in our aspiration to move from saying to doing.  We believe that You will see us through this 40-day journey and allow us to be better prepared for what lies ahead.  As we do so, please give us clean hearts that we may be worthy examples of your children.  We thank You for the victory that is already ours and Your will which is truly the best for us!  In Jesus' name we pray together, AMEN.

Just Add Salt

Each of us encounter difficult times in some form, but we do not have to give up. God has given us the ultimate ingredient to balance out the flavors of life. Just add salt! Remember the Word of God is not simply "light on our path" but it makes us the "salt of the earth". Add the Word of God to anything, and it will "taste better". Be encouraged!