Psalm 63New King James Version (NKJV)

Joy in the Fellowship of God

A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

63 O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.
2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.

3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.
4 Thus I will bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.

6 When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches.
7 Because You have been my help,
Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.
8 My soul follows close behind You;
Your right hand upholds me.

9 But those who seek my life, to destroy it,
Shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
10 They shall fall by the sword;
They shall be a portion for jackals.

11 But the king shall rejoice in God;
Everyone who swears by Him shall glory;
But the mouth of those who speak lies shall be stopped.

I heard someone say recently, "one of the problems with Christians today is we've stopped being hungry for God."

I have always loved to eat and get cravings for certain foods. The problem is many times the foods I get hungry for are not good for me, either by themselves or how I like them prepared. And even though I know this, I still want them.

One of my all time favorites was my Grandmother's (Lillie Hodge) fried chicken. I always looked forward to Sunday dinners after church, because she always fixed that for our family. And though it was chalked full of fat, carbs and calories, it was not good for me health wise, but I still craved it!!

We have substituted our craving of God's Word and His blessings. We've replaced them with tangible things, that may give us the feeling that the void has been filled, but only temporarily. And when this happens there's no room left for the Spirit of God to nourish our souls, that we so desperately need.

Many of you who are close to me know my diet does not include the nutritious vegetables that a body needs in order to sustain a healthy lifestyle. As a result of this, there are health issues that I have to combat with medication(s).

There is no substitute for God. There is no substitute for His salvation. How destitute spiritually do we have to get before we understand this?

When we diligently seek Him and receive His blessings then can we say, "my soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness".

Is It The Parent's Fault?

Over the course of the weekend, social media has been inundated with articles and sayings from the women's march. I believe in free speech and feel it is important and one of the pillars of this countries freedoms. With that being said, I do believe that it's also important to be sensible and logical in that speech if you want to be "heard" or you want to exact change.

One saying that caught my eye was written on, what looked like to be, a white bed sheet and it read:

"If Mary had had an abortion, we wouldn't be in this mess"

Obviously, they were referring to the Virgin Mary, and if she had aborted Jesus, our Lord and Savior, there would be no need for a march. Because, it would seem, Christians are what's wrong with this country, or even this world.

One has to wonder if their parents were Christians. Did they ever read the Bible and/or did they teach them about God or even right and wrong. While a child's actions are a reflection of the parent(s) sometimes, the apple falls a long distance away from the tree.

Our two youngest sons went to the Winter Crossroads Conference in Gatlinburg, TN a couple of weekends ago. Since returning,  we've had some of the chaperones come up to my wife and I, and tell us just how wonderful they were while there. As a parent, that's one of the most thrilling and pleasing things you could ever want to hear about your child(ren). But things like that just don't "happen". It takes years of instructing and teaching so that when they are not with you, and are forced to interact with the rest of the world, you hope what you've taught them will be played out in their life. 

I'm reminded of a scripture: 

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

Take note that it doesn't say in the way "we" want them to go, but in the way "they" should go. My mother used to always say, "Do as I say, not as I do!" While the statement may have been true, still it's important to show the example of what is being taught. My wife will tell you that I learn better by watching something being done, rather than reading the instructions. The world is watching us (Christians) and how we react to things that are contrary to our belief. If we react like a person who does not know God, how are we being an example of Him?

Instruction(s) of our own can be swayed by what our likes/dislikes are, based on our own experience(s). But teaching based on Biblical foundation(s) takes away nostalgic tendencies, Republican or Democrat ideologies and even family tradition(s). It's a compass that will always point to the right path.

Have we all not rebelled against Biblical instruction from our parents, Sunday School teachers or Pastor?

We've all thought we knew the right way and didn't need this crazy "old" book to tell us how to live our life. Times have changed and there's a new way. Maybe those individuals holding that sheet are at this point in their lives. My first thought was in anger for someone speaking ill about my Jesus. Then it turned to their parents for teaching them correctly. Then a still small voice says, "Pray for them."

I Never Lost My Praise!!

In these times we live in, it is easy to give excuses for not being able to Praise the Lord, have Joy or losing our Faith. It's important to understand that nothing this world can through at us can separate us from the Love of God...(Romans 8:38-39).

It's so easy to pass blame on to those around us, miss-directing the real issue/reason for our not doing the things we know to be right. It's easy to just give up and relinquish our Joy and the power that He has bestowed on us over nothing.

Many times we are faced with things that challenge us. Things happen in our lives that we don't seem to understand or figure out why they've happened. We're human, and humans want answers. the answers we need, don't come with photographic evidence. They require you believe in something you can't see. After all, that's why we call it faith, isn't it?

Believing in something greater than ourselves is truly an act in faith.

Job said, "Though He slay me, YET WILL I TRUST HIM..."(Job 13:15)

We are responsible for ourselves. WE are the ones who have to do the praying. WE are the ones who have to do the fasting. WE are the ones who have to read the Word and interpret it into our lives. WE are the ones who have to sacrifice our time, energy and finances for the sustaining of the work of the Lord on this earth. WE are His hands and His feet.

It's time to stand up, shake off the dust from yesterday, and Praise Him with a renewed spirit as if..

WE NEVER LOST OUR PRAISE!!!

When is it time to STEP DOWN?

What an awesome responsibility to step in front of a congregation and lead them before the Throne of Grace, in worship to our God and Savior. The responsibility is to LEAD and FOLLOW at the same time.

While leading the praise band/singers through the flow and dynamics of the songs, there are sometimes, at the same time, several thoughts to process:

• Do we end here or keep singing?
• Is there a need to say something between this song and the next?
• Is the Spirit of God moving right now?
• Are we being sensitive to the flow of what's happening in the service?
• Are the people engaged, are they responding?
• Do we need to be silent for a moment, and give the Spirit time to speak to the hearts of the men, women, boys and girls?

The eyes of the musicians, singers, the computer guy [who's trying to keep up with the slides], and those of the congregation direct their way to you, looking for leadership, some type of signal, on our path to the throne.

To follow is to be sensitive to the Spirit of God and His work. To keep singing, if that's what's needed, to stop and be silent, to talk, if being prompted by the Spirit or to simply just pray. Are we listening, so we can follow, or are we fixated on how well our group "performed"?

To some, this might be merely a job, as this is their livelihood. A way to provide for their family by paying the mortgage, the car payment, buying groceries and clothes to wear. Too many times, when we are dependent on this as a job, we tend to let it become more about us and how well we are doing in this position so we can gain popularity with this "industry". We just might get better paying venues or jobs. There's nothing wrong with serving in excellence as long as we understand the true meaning behind the excellence. We should always do our best for God. The worship experience is not about "us" and our capabilities. It's about teaching and equipping those we lead how to lift their hearts in worship to Him who sits on the throne. Many of those following will mirror the example they see on a regular basis. Have we lost sight of what the true responsibility of leading worship is all about?

I have said, "I am a Pentecostal". But that's not truly accurate, I AM A CHRISTIAN!! I have had, and continue to have Pentecostal experiences. Pentecost is not a possession, we don't possess it,  it's an experience. Likewise, we don't possess worship we are to be "TRUE WORSHIPER'S...in spirit and in truth" (John 4:23). Anywhere we go or anywhere we are our "worship" should look the same. If we worship differently, depending on the venue we are in,...something is wrong. If we lose the true experience of worship where does that leave us?

There are people entering places of worship every Sunday, looking for their weekly concert experience. Keep in mind, it's not the songs, or even the music, but the heart of those leading. If we lead in performance then we will reap performing worshipers. We need to be TRUE WORSHIPERS so that those we are leading may become true worshipers themselves and may go on to lead others to become the same.

Understanding the weight of everything you say, and that you will be held accountable, can be overwhelming at times.  Some leaders may feel speaking anything in a huge audience will surely hit someone is a dangerous path. Whether they are Senior Adults, Baby Boomers, GenX'ers, Millennials or mix of any or all them. No matter their level of education. If they are Christian or not, it makes no difference, the accountability of every word still weighs the same. Spouting off things you've heard in other concerts or you've memorized is not leadership. Understanding the prompting of the Holy Spirit and how to convey that along with how rich and free is His Mercy and Grace is a gift, that not everyone possesses.

So, let me ask you this question, "When is it time to step down, and how will you know?" I never thought the day would come when I would ask myself this question, as well as these: "Is it time for fresh(er) ideas on worship music or arrangements?" "Are you standing in the way of your church's growth or progress?" "Are you too old to understand this newer generation is in need of in worship?" These are the thoughts that seem to consume me. Is it a trick of the enemy, maybe. I've always worked hard to make sure that leading worship was not a job, that it was/is never about me, the band or the singers. But an invitation to come. Come and let us lift up the name of Jesus!

Jesus Loves the Little Children

I'm reminded of the song I learned as a young child:

               Jesus loves the little chil-dren,
               All the children of the world.
               Red and yellow, black and white,
               They are precious in His sight.
               Jesus loves the little children of the world.

As I drove my youngest son to school today, I felt impressed to pray for him before he left the vehicle. I know that many of you probably do this on a regular basis with your children. And even though I pray for kids, most of the time it is without them knowing or being involved in the prayer itself. But immediately, after I had committed in my mind to do so, I was flooded with thoughts of holding up the car line, I would be running late for work and so on. The enemy did not want me to pray for my son and was using all of the tactics possible to keep me from doing it. So before any more thoughts could formulate I pulled over before coming up to the school and turned to Ethan, who by now had a very puzzled look on his face. I announced to him that I wanted to pray for him before he left the car to enter the school building.

I took his hand in mine and begin to pray. I prayed over him things I didn't even think I would mention, but they simply came from a place inside me that knew better about what I should pray than I did myself. When finished we were both crying, but we were both at peace and felt better for doing it.

Now I don't know what might have happened if I didn't pray, but that's not important to me. The important thing is that I obeyed instead of giving in to the excuses not to pray.

It never ceases to amaze me how the Spirit of God works in and through us. The urgings we receive and shake them off so easily. I am glad to know that the Holy Spirit in me knows what and how to pray for things that I don't.

Sometimes I don't feel like praying, but know that I need to. And after I have forced myself to pray, I find that I pray longer, harder and for things that I had not considered to pray for at the onset of prayer.

Let me leave you with this one question, "How much time do you give to earnest prayer"?

Draw The Circle

Gypsy Smith was born on the outskirts of London in 1860. He never received a formal education, yet he lectured at Harvard. Despite his humble origins, two sitting United States presidents invited him to the White House. Gypsy crisscrossed the Atlantic Ocean 45 times, preaching the gospel to millions of people. Everywhere he went, it seemed like revival was right on his heels. But it wasn't his preaching that brought revival. It never is. Preaching may move the hearts of men, but praying moves the heart of God. And that's where revival comes from.

Gypsy revealed his secret to a delegation of revival seekers who sought an audience with him. They wanted to know how they could make a difference with their lives the way he had with his. His answer was simple yet profound — as timely and timeless now as it was a hundred years ago. He gave them this advice: “Go home. Lock yourself in your room. Kneel down in the middle of the floor, and with a piece of chalk draw a circle around yourself. There, on your knees, pray fervently and brokenly that God would start a revival within that chalk circle.”       
                                   
                                  ~Mark Batterson - Senior Pastor - National Community Church

Hill of Terror

This past weekend, while traveling on Interstate 65, I noticed a bazaar scene on a country hillside. I drew the attention of my best friend, Freddie Norris who was riding with me, in the direction of the scene and commented that someone wasn't thinking too clearly as to how that would look to the secular world.

The scene was three crosses on a hillside, obviously representing Calvary, where our Savior was crucified between two thieves. About 40 yards away was a van type vehicle that was painted up with various Halloween depictions of ghosts, ghouls, goblins and other meant to be scary scenes, advertising a popular haunted woods establishment in the area, called The Hill of Terror.

As I shook my head, in contemplation of the obvious goof, that someone would put such an advertisement close enough to the previous scene, that you would see them both in the same view, I began to chuckle. But it didn't end there...

The further down the road I drove, the more I was impressed with another variation of the same scene. My focus had been on why someone had put something so inappropriate next to a representation that was meant to be a reminder of an act of love by Jesus Christ. The more I rolled this variation around in my head, asking pertinent questions to myself, suddenly it was as if a fog lifted from my mind. And like a thunderbolt through my inner being, the message came loud and clear!! For the Devil and his horde, it WAS The Hill of Terror. 

On that glorious day when they lifted up our Lord on the cross, and as he hung in the balance between Heaven and earth and cried out, "It Is Finished!!!!", the Devil's grip on mankind would slip away as Jesus gave His life for you and me.

May we remind the enemy of that Hill of Terror everyday as we greet the morning with a renewed sense of God's love in our heart and carry the message of Hope, the message of Grace. We do not have to be afraid because the enemy has already been defeated and it's our job to keep reminding him of that with every breath. May God's praises be continually on our lips. 

"For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks" Luke 6:45b