Tue, Apr 25th - 1:03AM

The Ultimate Laws of Life

That was the title of Pastor's sermon on Sunday.  He's been taking us through the book of Mark in a series called "A New Way of Life"  This week we were in Mark 12:28-34.

He was talking about loving the Lord with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind.  Something we've probably all heard many times.  One thing he said that I hadn't thought of that I was thought was really neat was:

His second point was: To know the One you must love Him entirely.

Thinking of the heart as our moral control center or choices

Thinking of our soul as our life essences our personality

Thinking of our mind as our creativity part our intellect

Thiking of our strength as our physical activities all our body does

At least for me.. it made me think... which if you want to pay my pastor a compliment it's much better to say his sermon made you think than to say "good sermon"  He wants his people thinking.. .this one was a good one for that!

Sun, Apr 23rd - 12:31AM

If my people, who are called by my name...

2 Chron. 7:14  Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.

The Lord answers Solomon's prayers from chapter 6.  Solomon prayed for not only for himself but his people.  Basically asking God to forgive them if they repent.  And if you've ever read through the old testament Israel would sin, get into trouble, repent, God would forgive.  Over and Over and Over again...

Thankfully, He does the same thing for us... over and over and over again!

Sat, Apr 22nd - 1:24AM

Encouragement, Instruction and Praise

Today I finished 1 Chronicles and the reign of David.  Before the reading the "devotional" thoughts focused on part of David's prayer in 29:11-13...

"Yours, O Lord is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty.  Everything in the heavens and the earth is yours, O LORD!  We adore you as the one who is over all things.  Riches and honor come from you alone... Power and might are in your hand...  O our God we thank you and praise your glorious name!

In chapter 28 David encourages his son Solomon to be careful to follow God's commands     Acknowledge the God of your father and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understand every motive behind the thoughts.  WOW and OUCH!

Think about saying that to your child (if you have one) what a termendous word of encouragement.  David goes on to say "If you seek him, he will be found!"  As the words that were also spoken to Joshua, David speaks to Solomon 'Be strong and courageous and do the work.  Do not be afraid or discourage, for the Lord God, my God, is with you.  He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work ... is finished.

I know we have to be careful when looking at God's word and how it applies to our lives.  And some may disagree and if I'm wrong, I apologize I'm not a Biblical scholar.  But I read God's word and sometimes the Holy Spirit speaks to my heart that these promises are for us today. 

In the New Testament Jesus says the words "Seek and you shall find..."  If we seek God, HE WILL BE FOUND!   We can be strong and courages and do the work he's called us to do.  God is with us!  In my position as the worship director at my church sometimes I feel discouraged and afraid, well that goes without saying.  But He will not fail me or forsake me until all the work is finished.

Oh I guess I should explain the "ouch" in case it's not obvious... a little scary sometimes to think about the fact that God searches every heart and understands every motive.  I don't think I need to say more... 

Be blessed!  (Sorry this was so long!)

Fri, Apr 21st - 1:37AM

The Heart of Worship

When the music fades... all is stripped away... and I simply come...

Our closing song for Sunday...

Here's a story... a rather sad story... a little boy had a birthday party. He invited 10 of his friends from kindergarten. They came all dressed up with beautifully decorated presents. However, as soon as they got there they joined around him and sang Happy Birthday, still holding their gifts. As soon as they were done singing they took their presents and went home!

Unbelievable? Maybe so, yet each Sunday many of us dress up and go to church. We sing the songs with feeling and expression, however, as soon as the music is over we check out. We need to remind ourselves that worship is more than music it's every aspect of the service. Except maybe announcements... j/k hopefully announcements are giving our information about other opportunities to worship.

Here are some scriptures that ponder:

John 4:21-24 (New International Version) 21Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

1 Samuel 15:22 (New International Version) 22 But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD ? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

Psalm 51:15-17 (New International Version) 15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 The sacrifices of God are [a] a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Mark 12:33 (New International Version) 33To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."

 Romans 12:1 (New International Version) 1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. Be blessed!

Blessings!

Wed, Apr 19th - 10:02PM

Warm Welcome

Wed, Apr 19th - 12:12AM

So where do I begin...