Tag Archives: church

November 26

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I Corinthians 5-7

I know Paul appears to be anti-marriage and has been accused of being a woman-hater. But I don’t see that. Paul is frantically trying to win lost souls. He is consumed with this mission and devotes every waking minute to sharing the Gospel. And he wishes everyone was like him.

Years ago when my sisters and friends were changing diapers, sitting at their kitchen tables helping with math homework, going to soccer games and dance lessons, I was not. During that time I took on responsibilities at church – teaching Sunday School, coaching our quiz team, singing in the choir, playing the organ, serving on the board, typing the bulletin. I did not have a husband waiting dinner or children to care for.

Now I am not telling you this to hear how wonderful it was that I did all that. It is at it should be. My sisters and friends were not wrong for devoting their energies toward their families. I wish more young people today would make their children and spouses more of a priority. (see Paul’s advice to married couples in 7:1-7)

But to those of us who are not married or who are married without children, we need to pick up the slack. We need to make God’s work our baby, our focus. It’s not to say moms and dads shouldn’t be actively involved in the ministry of their churches. But let’s face it. Some of us just have more time and we fill that time up with the things that are the most important to us. Where does Christ fit in your busy schedule?

Paul said the time is short. There is work to be done, souls that need saving. We who can should be focused and busy sharing Jesus. Just like Paul.

Father, I pray for married couples and parents today. May they depend on you for the strength to meet the challenges living with others affords. I pray they will choose to be faithful to each other, to make their families a priority, and to be quick to share you with neighbors and friends as you give opportunity. I pray for unmarried people. May we take the times others use for raising children to doing as much for your kingdom as we can. I pray we all will make you our priority and, like Paul, devote every waking minute to sharing the Gospel.

November 11

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Mark 16:9-20; Acts 1:1-2:47

What a transformation we see in Peter. Can the man we read about today be the same hot-headed coward who denied he even knew Jesus just a few weeks earlier? The disciples needed a leader and Peter stepped up to the plate. He spoke boldly to the crowd of people and reminded them of their part in the crucifixion of Jesus.

And what was his message? Repent. He didn’t write them off or tell them they had gone too far to be forgiven. He invited them to join him and the other disciples. Many people repented and made a dangerous public statement by being baptized that day. No secret believers here! This act identified them as enemies of the government.

I love the picture of this first century church. They really took care of each other. And, no I don’t think it’s an argument for our current welfare system in the US. They all brought something to the table.

I think it’s a little sad how our modern day churches have lost some of the unity the people enjoyed in Acts 1&2. We’ve become so compartmentalized. Multiple worship services, small groups replacing corporate worship. Mega churches where it is impossible to know everyone – even if you are the pastor. i know there are some good things happening in churches today but I wonder if we aren’t missing out on some important things, too.

I thank God that the Holy Spirit who came upon those dear ones that day still works in the lives of people today. I pray that he will find our hearts open to be filled by him and that we will be determined to obey him as we reach out to those who are lost without him. May we, like Peter, be less concerned about popular opinion and more concerned about proclaiming the truth of Scripture.

Father, that is my prayer. May I follow the example of the first century church and care selflessly for my brothers and sisters in Christ. There are those who are struggling here at home and around the world. Help me to know what you want me to do about that and may you find me faithful. Give me the confidence you gave Peter and may I proclaim your truth – Jesus Savior, Jesus the name that will cause every knee to bow and every tongue confess that he is Lord. Jesus, the only way to the Father and the one who holds the key to eternity with you. 

Just a side note: Thank you, US Veterans. I am a daughter of a Marine and the aunt of a soldier and I am proud of both these dear men and thankful for their sacrifice. May all Veterans today know that we Americans applaud you with grateful hearts. And may we hold on to the freedoms your service has provided. God bless each of you today, Veterans Day, and every day.

OCtober 23

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John 7:53-9:34

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” Think for a minute about the enormity of that statement. Later he said, “Before Abraham was born, I AM,” which every good Jew at the time knew was the name God gave himself. I AM.

Now he’s really making the Jewish leaders mad. This Jesus is nothing like they expected. He was not the Messiah they  had pictured. He didn’t fit into their religion.

As I wrote that this morning it occurred to me Jesus still doesn’t fit into religion, does he? In fact, Jesus had little use for religion. How many times did he call the synagog leaders out for their hypocrisy? How often did he say their prayers and sacrifices were worthless, their faith misdirected? 

Jesus did not come to make us feel good about ourselves or so we could feel powerful and worthy. He came to break us down, to force us to our knees, to recognize our helpless condition and our total need of him. Although he is the cornerstone of the church and blesses the corporate worship of his people, church attendance is not a ticket into heaven. Being a good person with good intentions is not good enough. And that doesn’t fit into some of today’s religions or beliefs.

The Light of the World, the great I AM, is not a religion. When you give your heart to him you realize the relationship you gain with Creator God is more than any list of rules or regulations. I am not advocating we stop going to church. In fact, I believe it is an important part of our walk with the Lord. But I am saying that our focus, our reason for living and serving, is not on church doctrine but on the One who is the Light of the World.

When the blind man was grilled about his healing he said something that is so simple, yet so profound. He said, I don’t know the details about my healing but this I know for sure. Once I was blind. Now I see.

If you are a Christian, you understand that. We might not be able to explain the details of our salvation or expound on the incarnation. We might not have the ability to recite church doctrine or list all of the Ten Commandments in order. But if you have asked Jesus into your heart, to forgive your sins and become Lord of your life, you can say with confidence: Once I was blind. But now I see. Once I was lost. But now I am found. I walked in darkness but now the Light of the World directs me.

Holy God, the Light of the World, the Great I AM, I thank you that you offer a relationship with you to any of us who call on the name of your precious Son, Jesus. May we not get so caught up in religious activity that we neglect that beautifully intimate, personal relationship with you. Thank you opening our blind eyes and lighting our way when we give ourselves to you. You are everything we need and more.

September 6

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Ezra 3:1-13; Psalms 92,126; Daniel 10:1-11:35

I loved reading that the Israelites who went to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple “assembled as one man”. They had come from many different towns but they all were focused on the same goal. The first thing they did was to rebuild the altar so the priests could get down to business.

Church fellowships can be tricky. Imperfect people volunteer their time and resources for the day-to-day ministry of a body of believers. I’ve sat on church boards and know how much time can be spent debating the tiniest detail.

What color should we paint the bathroom? Should we hire a landscaper? Who is going to shovel snow this year?

I’ve been at meetings where opinions were so strong, arguments broke out. Of course we are going to have different opinions. We are individuals with individual tastes. But I think we can learn from Israel’s example. 

Whether we are part of the decision-making board or a volunteer in the nursery, let’s approach our ministries as one man. United in purpose. And if the bathroom ends up green instead of the beautiful blue you wanted, oh well!

The real question is, are believers being equipped to share the gospel and are souls being won for eternity? Is Christ honored from the pulpit, in the pews, in classrooms, on the ball field? Is your fellowship making a difference in your community for Jesus’ sake?

Let’s be united in our focus on the Truth of Scripture and being obedient to our Lord. Let’s put aside our differences if they don’t have a direct effect on that work. Time is too short and we have too much to do to worry about paint colors and manicured lawns.

Father, I thank you for those people who volunteer to sit on church boards, who mow church lawns and shovel snow. I thank you for choir members and nursery workers and Sunday School teachers. And, Lord I pray that where your people gather, we would do that as one man. May we set aside opinions that don’t matter in eternity and work together to accomplish your work that does matter. Bless your church today, Lord, and the dear ones who work together to make their fellowship run smoothly.

September 4

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Ezra 1:1-4, 1:5-2:20; Daniel 6:1-28; Nehemiah 7:4-25

Cyrus, King of Persia, gave the ok for the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. So eager Jews made their way to the city from all over the area. They were on a mission!

Obviously, not every Jew was led to go and help with the building. Some stayed back. But did you notice that even those who didn’t go contributed financially? They gave silver and gold, goods and livestock, valuable gifts and freewill offerings.

The building of the temple was going to require more than just man power.

Our local churches require more than just pastors and a few Sunday School teachers, too. There are bills to pay, maintenance costs, teaching materials, office supplies. And that’s just a portion of what goes on in most fellowships. And it all costs money.

I hope you give generously so that the building where you meet to worship God is in good condition and able to function.

What part do you have in supporting missions? Do you give above your tithe so that these servants have what they need to reach the lost in other countries? God called them to go. I think he’s called those of us who stay to give. 

Not everyone is called to be a preacher or a missionary. But we need to be giving our silver and our gold, goods and livestock, valuable gifts and freewill offerings so God’s work can be accomplished and souls saved for eternity.

Father, thank you for recording this example of giving. May you find us eager to support our local churches. And may we give sacrificially so that your work can be accomplished all over the world. I pray that we would not hold on to what you have given us, but that we would give back with joyful hearts. Thank you for those dear ones who have answered your call to serve as pastors and teachers here in our country and on foreign soil. May those who sharing your truth be strengthened and may souls be saved for eternity because we were faithful to give.

August 31

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Ezekiel 44-46

There was nothing casual about worship in the Old Testament. As I read more of Ezekiel’s vision I am struck by the lengths to which the priests were to go to ready themselves for doing their jobs.

Now I don’t want this to be an excuse for me to stand on a soap box and rant about worship styles (although I do have strong convictions). And I really don’t think this portion of scripture is evidence that women should wear skirts and men suits and ties when they go to church.

To be consistent with my belief that the flesh and blood, brick and mortar examples we read in the Old Testament parallel the spiritual truths we hold true after the cross, I have to ask myself what God would say to his church in 2013 through Ezekiel’s vision.

Is God convicting me about my own casual approach to worship? How much time do I spend preparing myself for entering his house and hearing what he wants to say to me through his servant? I’m not talking about the time spent in front of the mirror, although I don’t apologize for wanting to present a respectful appearance.

I’m talking about the time I spend on my knees, confessing sin, preparing my heart. When I walk through those doors tomorrow I want to walk in there with a clear purpose, focus, with a circumcised heart, ready and eager to worship a holy God and learn what he wants me to know.

I can’t go to church with sin in my life and expect God to speak to me or accept my worship. So, tomorrow when I am putting on clean clothes and brushing mascara on my eyes, I want to be sure my heart is prepared, too. 

The Old Testament priests took time and effort to get ready to go into their worship services. Let that be a lesson for me, too.

Dear God, tomorrow is the day many of us will go to a gathering of believers to worship you. May we go with sins confessed, hearts that are yours, and an eagerness to hear what you would say to each of us. May our time spent within the walls of our churches draw us closer to you and strengthen us to do the work you have for us to do. I pray for your servants – pastors and teachers. May they share your Word in truth. Bless their times of preparation and speak to our hearts through them. Thank you for the privilege we still have in the United States to gather publicly. May our worship be pleasing to you.

July 21

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Isaiah 56-60

If you’ve ever been involved in the running of a church you know how complicated it can be. Sometimes a pastor displays unyielding power or an elder refuses to back down. Sometimes gossip causes ill will or opposition over worship causes division.

Hopefully, a worship service doesn’t end in a fist fight like Isaiah’s day of fasting in 58:3&4. But any time people try to work together there usually is a difference in opinion somewhere.

The other day I talked to a dear one whose father recently gave his heart to the Lord. The man wants to be a Christian but he doesn’t want to go to church because of the hypocrites there.

The thing is, Christians aren’t perfect even though we might want others to believe we are. If we’re honest we’d have to admit we sometimes stumble in our walk with the Lord.

What does God want to say to us through Isaiah today? God doesn’t want us just going through the motions. He wants us to humble ourselves, then get out there and make a difference. Feed the hungry. Clothe the poor. Be that light in a dark world.

As you worship today in that fellowship of believers, I pray you will lay aside the conflict and turn your eyes on Jesus. That’s where our focus should be anyway. Then get out there and live like you mean it so no one can point a finger and call you a hypocrite.

July 2

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Hosea 10-14; Micah 1:1-7

The nation of Israel really was just a group of individuals. Tall people, short people, thin people, fat people, weak people, strong people, nice people and jerks. So when Hosea is sharing what God said to the nation he is sharing what God said to this person and that one.

I am reminded that the church is the spiritual nation of Israel. And the church is really just one person after another. Hosea is telling the Old Testament nation of Israel and the New Testament church that God is not happy when we forget him. Consequences occur and will continue to worsen as long as we get further from the Truth of Scripture.

But God wants to redeem us. “I will ransom them from the power of the grave.”

Have you drifted away from God? Do you recognize sin in your life? Let God tell you what he longs for.

Read Hosea 14 and substitute your name for Israel. “Return, Connie, to the Lord your God. Your sins have been your downfall… I will heal Connie’s waywardness and love her freely, for my anger has turned away from her…”

Remember what God said to the Old Testament nation of Israel he says to us today. He longs for each of us to have a right relationship with him.

What are we waiting for?

June 27

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Amos 7:1-9:15; Hosea 1:1-3:5

When I read things authors like Amos and Hosea have written from the inspiration of God I am reminded that what God said to the material kingdom of Israel he is saying to the spiritual kingdom of his church in 2013. We are the adulteress he has taken to be his bride. We are the ones whose lives he bought to make his own. And we are the ones who should heed his warnings.

Because, like Hosea’s wife, we are inclined to revert back to our old ways. And like Amos warns, there will come a time when there will be a famine in the land. Not for food, but for the Word of the Lord. Men will search for it but they will not find it.

Many people look for signs in the Middle East for the Lord’s return. I think we need to look at ourselves. At the church. At how effective is our witness. How many people are coming to the Lord in Truth?

I think the signs announcing the Lord’s return are in the congregations where heresy is preached disguised as truth. Where people go to be entertained and come away with a feel-good message. Where the emphasis is on a worship “experience” (which is focused inward) instead of true worship which comes from the heart toward God. 

It’s in the idea that we need to disguise the church (heaven forbid our church building have a steeple or that our name identifies our denominational theology), not put pressure on people, be casual in our worship and make everyone feel welcome. Sinners should not feel welcome in our pews. If they do, there just might be a famine in the land.

Holy God, I pray for your church today. May we read and understand your Word throughout the pages of the Bible. May we heed your warnings. May we stand for the Truth, lead our neighbors and friends to the Lord, and may our Sunday worship services glorify you, convict us, and prepare us to lead our neighbors and friends to the Lord. I pray that your Holy Spirit will still find hearts open to you, that you will hold off the famine that is to come, that you will find us who know you faithful in the work you have for us to do.

June 14

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I Kings 15:32-34, 15-24, 16:1-34, 22:41-46; 2 Chronicles16:1-14, 20:31-34, 17:1-18:1

Israel and Judah were at war. The very family God led out of captivity with one miracle after another, the people who were provided for so amazingly during their desert wandering, the ones through whom God revealed himself to the world couldn’t make it last. Jealousy and power and idol worship were signs that these people had abandoned the God who had brought them there.

There were those who tried to lead the people back to God. Asa and his son Jehoshaphat were kings of Judah who sought God. Jehoshaphat even sent a missionary team to the cities in Judah, teaching the Jewish people God’s law once again. The surrounding nations noticed the power of God in the lives of the people of Judah and that nation enjoyed a time of peace during Jehoshaphat’s reign.

How is your family doing? I hope you haven’t followed Israel’s example and allowed jealousy or power or idol worship to cause a war among you and your loved ones.

How is your church family doing? Is there harmony in the pews or is there a little war going on behind the scenes?

We can learn from this Scripture today that serving God, keeping his Word alive in our lives bring peace. If there is trouble, remember that trouble comes when our focus begins to turn to anything other that God Himself. In our families. And in our churches.

I pray for peace in your life today.