Pastor Mike's Blog

A Great Prayer For Your Family

A couple of weeks ago I started reading "The Principle of the Path" by Andy Stanley.  I love to read Andy Stanley books.  He is practical, relevant, and I find them challenging and helpful in my Christian life.  This book is no exception and I would highly recommend you check it out.  The basic premise of the book is that while many people wonder how they get into the mess they are in (family, marriage, finances, job, etc.), the truth is that it started many months and perhaps years before by the choices they made and the path they started walking down.  As I have been reflecting on this thought, I can see how this principle has been true in my own life (both in the good and difficult things I face) and also in the lives of people around me.

As I was reading today, Stanley shared a prayer that he prays for his family regularly.  It is based on Proverbs 27:12.  Here is the prayer: "Lord, help us to see trouble coming long before it gets here.  And give us the wisdom to know what to do and the courage to do it."  It is a great prayer isn't it?  As I think about our current sermon series on the family it seemed particularly relevant to what we have been talking about.  I offer it to you with the hope that you might consider praying it for your family - especially as it relates to your role as a parent. 

Faith is required....

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned I was reading the book Faith and Doubt by John Ortberg. As I was reading today, a statement he made really struck me.  He said, FAITH IS REQUIRED ONLY WHEN WE HAVE DOUBTS.  Simply put, when we are certain about something, we don't need faith because we are already certain it is true.  Think about the truth of that statement in light of what the Bible teaches us in Hebrews 11:6.  It says, "without faith, it is impossible to please God."  As I think about this, what it says to me is that God understands that we wil have times of doubt.  We will have times of uncertainty in our relationship with God.  That is why we need faith which is at the core of what is required to have a relationship with God.

I guess what stikes me so much about this reality is that too often people think that doubts are a bad thing as it relates to God.  They think the strongest and most committed followers of Jesus are those who never have questions or doubts about God.  While I can't speak for other followers of Christ, I can tell you my story.  The older I get, the more I realize I don't understand about God and the more I tend to have questions about God.  Don't get me wrong, this is not some kind of mid-life crises of faith I am having.  I believe my relationship with God is stronger today that it has ever been.  What is true is that I am more willing to entertain the questions and doubts I sometimes have than I used to do years ago.

If you have questions about God and what He is doing in our world today, please know that you are not alone.  It is okay to have questions.  You can also still choose to believe -- choose to have faith.  In fact, the only way to have faith is when you have some doubts.

Something to think about........

Living Life to the Fullest

This morning as I was having my personal devotions, I also took a few minutes to read from the book "One Month to Live" by Kerry Shook. It has been a good book and if you are looking for something to read as part of your devotions each day, you might want to consider picking it up.  Here is the statement that caught my eye today and made me think about my own life:

"Life is not found in navigating around the winds of change.  Rather, abundant life is found in these changes."  (Day 18)

So often, it seems like life will be better for us when things change.  When the kids are older. When my job is less hectic.  When the economy is better.  But here is the truth of the matter from God's perspective.  Life is never going to be "perfect" because we live in a broken, fallen, and sinful world.  God's plan for a fulfilling and abundant life for us is not found in the removal of all the obstacles in life.  Instead, God's plan for a fulfilling and abundant life for us is found in HIM in the midst of the obstacles and times of change.  It is those very things that God uses to make us who He wants us to be.  It is those very things God uses to improve our lives and grow us to become more like Jesus.

Here is my challenge to you.  Instead of simply waiting for things to get "better" in life, choose to live each day to its fullest and ask God to help you experience a fulfilling and abundant life in the midst of the changes and challenges you face.

God' Word - Good Stuff

If you were at church on Sunday, you know Pastor Dirk shared with us about the BIble and how important it is for us to look at the Bible as God's Word  -- as God Himself speaking to us.  Pastor Dirk had a lot of really good things to say to us but one of the things that I thought was an especially important point is that in order for us to see God's Word as authoritative and to hear what God is saying to us, we have to have a relationship with God and want to hear from Him.  Otherwise, it is just like any other historical document in its impact on our life.  That is a very important truth.

One of the things that I am amazed about as I read the BIble is how something new and different can stand out to me even though I have read the same passage over and over again.  Today, I was reading in Ecclesiastes 4.  In verses 7-12 it talks about the importance of doing things with other people.  In verse 9 it says, "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed."  As I was reflecting on that truth, God's Spirit (who lives inside of everyone of us who are followers of Christ) was reminding me of the truth of that statement as it relates to my own life.  For example, my wife complements me and makes me a better person and a better parent.  Frankly, without Michelle, I don't know how I would be able to parent Jeb.  I also realize how much Michelle helps me live life and serve Christ in more effective ways.  We are much better together than we would be if we were trying to do it alone. 

My point is this.  God's Word works and God's word is true.  And when you are connected with God and spend time reflecting on what God says, you will be amazed at how God's Spirit will take what you read -- even if you have read it many times -- and reapply it to your life and help you to hear from God.

Here's my challenge to you.  Read the Bible regularly.  Ask God's Spirit to show you something new when you read and how He wants you to apply what you have read to your life.  And never forget, if you want to hear from God, the first place to go is to the BIble -- God's Word to us.

Hypocrisy

Today, I was reading Luke 20 as part of my bible reading and prayer time.  One of the things that God has really been impressing on me lately is the high price of hypocrisy.  As you read Luke 20, you find that the religious leaders of Jesus' day were consumed with trying to find fault with Jesus.  They tried to trick him with questions.  They tried to get him to say things that would allow them to have grounds for punishment.  And here was the kicker to it all.  These guys who were doing this to Jesus were "religious" and people who really believed they were a little better, more knowledgeable, and holier than everyone else. And here is what Jesus had to say about them in verse 47 - "Because of this, they will be severely punished."

I think what has really struck me about Jesus' strong words about hypocrisy is that we all probably have a little hypocrisy that is a part of us.  Hear me out.  Have you noticed how quick we are to point out the faults of others and notice their sins while somehow thinking that we don't have struggles or if we do, ours is not as bad in God's eyes.  Have you noticed how quick we are to point out certain sins -- homosexuality for example -- and make those sins worse than the sins of others.  Please don't misunderstand me, sin is sin.  But the thing I am more and more concerned about is how many followers of Christ think that everyone Else's sins are worse than the sins they struggle with.  I believe this is exactly the same kind of stuff Jesus was confronting and he was quick to point out that those who acted like this would be severely punished.

Here is the good news we don't every want to lose sight of.  We are all sinners saved by God's grace.  We all struggle with something.  But thanks be to God that through our relationship with Jesus we can be freed from our sins and forgiven when we fail.

I don't know about you, but I don't want to be a hypocrite.  I don't want to be like the very people that ended up putting Jesus on the cross.  Remember, those who put Jesus on cross weren't your typical sinners.  Instead, they they were those who thought themselves to be religious and more godly than everyone else. 

I encourage you to take a few minutes and ask God to show you if you are acting "hypocritical" in your life.  If you are, confess it to God and ask His help to have a grace-filled heart that demonstrates compassion like Jesus.

Seek The Lost

Today I was reading Luke 19:1-10 as part of my devotions.  It is the story of Zacchaeus and Jesus' self-invitation to His home. If you are familiar with the story, you know that at some point during Zacchaeus' encounter with Jesus, he chose to become a follower of Christ.  Yet the religious and "holier than thou" people of the day found it necessary to criticize Jesus.  They couldn't believe that Jesus would be the guest of such a "notorious sinner." 

What struck me as I read and reflected on the story was Jesus' response to those who were critical of Him.  Here is what He said.  "Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham.  For the Son of Man (Jesus) came to seek and save those who are lost." 

It was the SEEK word that stood out to me.  Jesus didn't just wait for people to approach Him.  He went about looking and seeking people that needed to have a relationship with Him.  It made me think about how I am doing with my "seeking" responsibility as it relates to those who aren't yet followers of Christ.  Frankly, I need to do better.  How about you?  Are you acting like Jesus when it comes to "seeking" the lost?  If not, what are you going to do about it?

Money & THE ONE THING

During my devotions this morning I was reading Luke 18-18-30.  It is the story of the Rich Young Ruler.   As you may know, the story is about a young man who comes to Jesus and wants to know what he needs to do to have eternal life.  Jesus' response is that he needs to follow the commandments of God.  The young man replies that he has done his best to follow the commands of God since he was a young man.

And then comes the kicker.  Jesus says there is still ONE THING that he didn't do yet.  He needed to sell his possessions and give his money to the poor. Evidently, the young man was allowing his money to get in the way of his relationship with God and it wasn't until He chose to deal with that ONE THING that he would be able to become a fully devoted follower of Jesus.

When I was thinking about Jesus' statement -- "There is still ONE THING you haven't done" -- I was challenged to think what the ONE THING is in my life that is getting in the way of my relationship with Jesus.  We probably all have one.  Maybe it is pride. Maybe it is lust.  Maybe it is worry or fear.  Maybe it is anger.  Maybe it is some life dominating issue like drugs, alcohol, food, etc. that is messing things up. 

Here is the good news.  While it may be hard to deal with the ONE THING (it was for the rich young ruler), Jesus said that "what is impossible for people is possible with God."  Here is may challenge to you and me.  Make sure you are seeking God's help and allowing God to come alongside of you as you deal with your ONE THING.  Too many people are trying to overcome the ONE THING in their own strength and most of the time that plan is a failure.  With God, all things are possible and when we passionately seek His help, God will help you to deal with your ONE THING and see victory.

What is your ONE THING?  Are you allowing God to help you or are you trying to deal with it alone? 

Short-Circuiting Spiritual Growth

This morning while I was having my devotions, I took a few minutes to continue reading a great book that I have talked some about in the past.  The book is called WILD GOOD CHASE.  Here was the quote that I underlined and really challenged me:

"I tend to live the way I drive.  I want to get from point A to point B in the shortest amount of time and by the easiest route possible.  But I've come to realize that getting where God wants me to go isn't nearly as important as becoming who God wants me to be in the process.  And God seems far less concerned with where I'm going than whith who I'm becoming.  I think some of us want to know the will of God more than we want to know God.  And it short-circuits spiritual growth.  You can't do the will of God if you don't have the heart of God (page 137)."

As I read that, I thought how true that is for many of us.  It goes back to the thing we have been talking about the past couple of weeks in church.  There is a big difference between someone who is close to Christ and someone who is Christ-Centered.  The Close to Christ person is more about know the will of God so it can benefit THEIR LIFE.  The Christ-Centered persons is more about knowing God and the more they know God...the more the will of God will become clear and will be lived out in their life.

Just curious.  Are you willing and desirous to KNOW GOD?  Are you committed to do whatever you need to do to get to know God better?  That is the challenge I am hearing from God about my own life and I hope that is the challenge you are hearing from God too.  The more you get to KNOW GOD, the more you will grow spiritually.

And remember what we have been saying these past few weeks:  Everything is life is impacted either negatively or positively by what is happening in your spiritual life.

By the way.  On Sunday I talked about doing something risky for God and how that helps us to grow spiritually.  If you want to supplement your Bible reading with some additional reading that will encourage you and help you to understand better the importance of taking a risk for God, I encourage you to read Mark Batterson's book - Wild Goose Chase - or his other book entitled - In a Pit With A Lion on a Snowy Day.  Both are excellent books, easy to read, and will encourage you and help you be more willing to take a risk for God.

Faith / Staff Retreat

Our staff just spent the past two days (Monday and Tuesday) away at a staff retreat.  It was a great time of discussion, dreaming about the future, reflecting on the past and present, and learning to know more about one another.  It was a productive time and I believe it helped us to solidify a couple of things we want to focus on in the year ahead. 

One of the things I took away from our staff meeting is that we are very blessed at Otterbein to have a great staff.  Our staff are people that have a heart for God.  They are committed to serve God and others -- both those who attend Otterbein and those who don't attend.  It is also great to see the way the staff interacts and relates to to one another.  For me, I am so thankful to God for the way He has brought our team together and I can't wait to see what God is going to do in our church in the upcoming months and years ahead.

As I was having my devotions this morning, I read the following great statement about faith.  Here it is..."Faith is not logical.  But it isn't illogical either.  Faith is theological.  It does not ignore reality; it just adds God into the equation." I loved that thought from Mark Batterson in the book Wild Goose Chase (page 79).  Sometimes we try to be too logical about things and miss out on the fact that God brings a whole new perspective on our current reality. 

In my life, I tend to be a realist.  Not necessarily an optimist or pessimist, but a realist -- someone who looks at the cold hard facts and tries to deal with them.  I often say "It is what it is" and we just need to deal with it.  But here is what I am also learning.  Sometimes it may seem to be "what it is" from a human perpsective, but when you throw God into the mix, the current reality doesn't have to be the current reality.  I continue to grow in this "faith" thing.  The greater the faith, the greater confidence I have that "nothing is impossible with God."  God is amazing!!!

Disrupting Your Routines

As part of my devotions, I am reading through the book of Mark and also reading the book WILD GOOSE CHASE by Mark Batterson. It is a great book to read along with your personal devotions -- easy to read and quite challenging as it relates to trusting God.

One of the things I was challenged about today was this statement:  GOOD ROUTINES BECOME BAD ROUTINES IF WE DON'T CHANGE THE ROUTINE.  For example, prayer that becomes routine ends up being words we say without any thought in what we are really saying.  Worship through music that becomes routine ends up being words we sing without really meaning them from our heart. 

In the Scriptures, God specifically addressed ROUTINE WORSHIP AND PRAYER.  Isaiah 29:13 says, "The people say they are mine.  They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.  And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote."  In Matthew 6:7 we read, "When you pray, don't babbly on and on as people of other religions do.  They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again."

Interesting.  I am challenged to think about what I am really thinking about when I read the Bible, when I pray, and when I worship.  Is it really coming from my heart?  Am I really thinking about what I am saying?  Or, am I simply saying words and going through the motions.  When that is the case, it is time to tweak what we are doing.  It is time to go at it a little different. 

I know that has been true in my life.  Recently, I starting journaling again as I read the Bible.  I had gotten to a point where I was reading the Bible during my devotions and not really thinking about what I was reading and how it applied to my life.  I went out and bought a journal and each days as I read, I write down the main principles that pop out to me and then I take a few minutes to write out how this applies to my life.  The change has helped me to break the routine and make my bible reading much better. 

What do you need to do to shake things up a little?  Whatever it is, I challenge you to GO FOR IT.