Teaching To Serve and Give

18 11 2008

Admittedly, I am have not been, nor am I a “natural” servant.  In fact, since planting Element God has rocked my world on that whole topic.  It’s definitely something that I’m striving to become.  My wife has the spiritual gift of serving and giving.  In fact sometimes I tell her to STOP serving and giving.  (I know, maybe not the right move)  I do think you can give or serve to a fault IF it begins to injure you ie. time with God, family, meeting your own needs, etc.  But I digress.

One of the things my parents ALWAYS modeled so well was serving and giving.  I never once questioned whether my parents were generous people or committed to giving to the work of God.  I never once questioned my parents concert for the church AND their “neighbor” because they served.  While I didn’t always follow their example, today at 34 years old it makes an impact.  I want to teach our children the same.  So, we give them opportunities to do that.

Jonah helped make Sabrina some cookies and we took them to the local fire department to say “Thank you!”  the other day.  Here are a couple pictures of J Man getting to sit in the fire truck after serving and giving.    img00656

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On Halloween we took our kids trick or treatin’ around our neighborhood.  I was inspired by Curtis and Andy going trick or treating for canned goods for the local soup kitchen.  I took that idea and after our kids asked for candy, we asked for canned goods or non-perishables to take to the local food pantry.

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It was cool for our kids not just to get candy for themselves, but to explain why we were getting food for people in need.  I hope moments like these stick with them when they are 34 and teaching their kids.  I know I need to continue to get better at this and so not only does it teach them, but challenges me!


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Five Things I’m Certain Of

5 11 2008

The election is over.  Our next President has been set.  I prayed for him this morning as I would have for whoever was elected.  I prayed for President elect Barack Obama this morning that he would be protected (I think more than any president in my lifetime he will be threatened).  I prayed for wisdom for him.  I prayed that regardless of where he is at today, what policy he has voted for in the past or says he’ll put in place, that he would know and do the will of God.  We are blessed to live in the United States of America and have the freedom and opportunity to vote for a candidate.  Regardless of where you stand politically, here are five things you can be sure of today.

#1  God is not surprised — Romans 13:1 says that ALL governing authorities have been placed there by God.

#2  The president is not in control — GOD is!  Regardless of who is president, they hold no authority or power outside of God.  GOD is in control.  God used pagan kings and wicked governing authorities all through Scripture to accomplish his purpose.  Whether Bush, McCain, Obama, Hillary (funny we call her by her first name), Huckabee, WHOEVER, God is on the throne and his plan WILL be accomplished.  God is not limited by who runs the USA.

#3  People still need Jesus — The president doesn’t change our objective.  People are dying every day and going to hell because they don’t know Jesus.  Our mission is to connect people with the Life in Christ.  Why?  Cause life can’t be found anywhere else.  ESPECIALLY in a political party.

#4  We still need Jesus — Just because you’re a Christian doesn’t mean you don’t need Jesus anymore.  PLEASE don’t look to Obama, McCain, Democrats or Republicans for your answer.  WE STILL NEED JESUS!  The hope is not Obama.  The chane we need is not in Hillary.  Our protection does not come from McCain and our bailout is not in the congress.  Our hope, our change, our protection our bailout is JESUS AND HIM ALONE!

#5  The church is still the church — AND WE WIN! (Please, no comments about how Jesus wins, not the church.  You know what I mean)  We don’t need the right political party to be in office for us to be the church.  To help those who are in need.  To love the unlovable.  To reach the unreachable.  To make an impact in our cities.  If the church does her job, people will take notice.


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One Week Until You Vote

28 10 2008

I think Perry Noble listened to my sermon on Sunday.  HA  Actually, I’m quite positive he has no idea who I am.  BUT, I couldn’t have said better what he says in his post HERE.

Should we research candidates?  YES!  Is it ok to be passionate about politics?  SURE!  But can politics save us or our country?  NO!

Take advantage of your right to get out and vote next Tuesday.  TRUST IN A GOD WHO IS IN CONTROL!  And overall, LOVE JESUS, not a political party!  By the way, I’ll tell you who I’m voting for.  I’m writing in “Grant Clark” for President.  “General 08′”

Ready to vote,

Jeff


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Devotional Thoughts

25 09 2008

I just finished the New Testament and am working through Genesis right now.  I thought I’d blog some of my journal notes.

2 Corinthians 5:17 — God is in the transformation business.

2 Corinthians 7:8-10 — I feel that way sometimes when I preach.

2 Corinthians 9:10 — No excuse for us not to be generous.

2 Corinthians 10:18 — WOW, this one convicted me.

Galatians 5:22-23 — Are these evident in my life?  Paul tells us the Spirit produces these in us if we have the Spirit.  Hmm, I’ll stop there.

Galatians 6:3 — Love the blunt honesty of Paul here.

Ephesians 1:19-20 — This verse blows up in my heart EVERY time I read it.  How can we read that verse and NOT live in victory?  Paul’s prayer is that we would understand the power available to us.  Listen, God’s GREATEST desire is not to heal us, make us happy or make sure our church is just the way we like it.  His Son died on a cross and was RAISED FROM THE DEAD so that there might be power to OVERCOME SIN!  Forgive it AND destroy it!  Also, every time I read that verse, I remember that God is So MUCH bigger than we ever can imagine.

Philippians 2:12-13 — See it again?  Not only does God give us the desire, but the POWER to do what pleases Him.

Philippians 3:10 — I want to know that power too.  Goes along with the verse in Ephesians.

Colossians 4:5-6 — May we live this way.

Hebrews 11:25 — May I choose this also.

2 Peter 1:3 — Again, why don’t we live in victory?  According to this we’ve been given everything we need JUST through faith and believing in Him.

Revelation in three statements: (I LOVE Revelation and studying the end times.  There is SO MUCH to talk about in Revelation that I can’t do it here.  Thus, my three statements.)

1.  Jesus IS coming back

2.  We WILL be judged

3.  satan LOSES!

Still learning,

Jeff


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Caught not Taught

18 09 2008

I can tell my kids what I want them to do till I’m blue in the face and they may not do it.  If I show them what I want them to do they are MUCH more likely to do it.  I truly think that the shaping of our kids’ lives is WAY more caught than taught.  If I want them to pray, they need to see me pray.  If I want them in the Word, they need to see me in the Word.  If I want them to be polite, generous, kind…you get the picture.  Well, the other day I had a caught moment.  Through living out some random acts of kindness we challenge Element Church to do, Makalah wanted to do one of her own.  The other day she asked if we could take cookies to the fire department.  SO, while I was at work Sabrina and her made a big batch of chocoloate chip cookies.  I came home from the office a little early and Makalah, Mariah and I delivered them to the firehouse.  The girls were SO proud and the firemen were VERY accomodating.  I was a very proud dad that day and they can’t wait to do it again.  Here are the pictures of the girls sitting in the front seat of the fire truck after they got the tour of the facility and machines.  Remember, life is more caught than taught.

Throwing,

Jeff


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How should Christians vote?

16 09 2008

So many directions I could go with that title.  Which one will I choose?  This has been on my blog list for a while since we are in the middle of an election year and what appears to be a great battle between Barack Obama and John McCain.  One of the things I’ve decided as a pastor is I will not say from the pulpit or on this blog who I think anyone should vote for.  If you want to ask me my opinion, I’ll tell you but I’m not going to use our church or my position as a political platform.   I am admittedly NOT a political junky, (My brother on the other hand…) but I do enjoy the whole political debate and occasional political show on tv.

Two Sundays ago I made some comments about politics, and as usually happens in church, I think people didn’t hear it quite the right way.  So, I thought it was time to bust out this blog that’s been sitting around for a while.  Here is my take on the church and politics as I attempt to answer the question “How should Christians vote?”

#1  Do it — Actually vote.  I think it is not only our American duty, but our Christian duty to vote in elections.  I think we should vote in our local, state and country elections.  I’m amazed at how many people (including Christians) don’t use their freedom to vote.  WE have the opportunity to put into office people we believe will take our government in the right direction.

“Does my one vote really matter?”  First, that’s not the point, and YES it does if 500,000 people use that as their excuse.  AND, I don’t want to hear you complain about any elected official if you aren’t going to vote.

#2  Vote Informed —  I’ve not always been the greatest at this but I’m getting better.  We need to be informed voters.  Know WHO we are voting for and WHY.  ESPECIALLY as Christians.  I know we may not be able to recite a political candidates platform on EVERYTHING, but we should know more than we typically do.  There are several online places where you can compare the candidates (presidential) and where they stand for on issues.  Typically states and local governments provide those as well.

#3  Vote AFTER Prayer —  Take voting seriously enough that you ask God who you should vote for. Pray about it.  Pray over the candidates. And remember, regardless of who is elected GOD IS IN STILL IN CONTROL!  NEITHER John McCain NOR Barack Obama is the answer for America, JESUS IS.  AND, if history plays out as I think it will, eventually we’ll most likely have a president who will agree with and/or take America into and through worldwide persecution of Christians. Remember, Jesus wins and the Gospel will not be stopped.

#4  Don’t vote just because… — This is what was said at church that I think some people heard different.  I said, and I quote (at least closely) “Do not vote for someone JUST BECAUSE they are a Christian.  JUST BECAUSE they are a Christian does NOT mean they will make a good president.”  I think many times, the church has supported candidates SOLELY on the fact that they were “good Christians” and nothing to do with whether or not they could lead a country.

Would I love a “good Christian” president?  ABSOLUTELY!  (And by the way, doesn’t nearly every candidate say they are a Christian?)  But I ALSO want him/her to  have some ability to lead, govern, negotiate, be fiscally sound, know foreign policy, AND THE LIST GOES ON!  Being a Christian does NOT automatically qualify someone to be our president.  If I have to go see a specialist for Cancer, would I LOVE, even PREFER for them to be a Christian.  ABSOLUTELY!  But I much more need them to be a doctor who can deal with cancer.  If I need counseling on an issue do I want a Christian counselor?  YES!  But just because they are a Christian does not make them a good counselor.  If I need financial advice do I want a Christian?  YES!  But just because they are Christian doesn’t make them a good financial adviser.  (I know some Christians who would be HORRIBLE financial advisers)  It’s kind of like the Holiday Inn Express commercials “Are you a doctor?”  “No, but I am a good Christian!”  Do I need to go on?

Should we vote according to our values?  YES!  Should we pray for godly men and women to lead our great country?  ABSOLUTELY!  Should we pray for our leaders even if they AREN’T Christian?  DUH! Every election, I pray that truly godly and Christian candidates will rise to the top, AND that they also have the gifts, skill and knowledge to lead us politically.

#5  Trust Jesus  — Presidents don’t change morality Jesus does.  Presidents don’t fix marriages Jesus does. Presidents can’t mend broken hearts Jesus does.  Presidents cannot advance OR stop the Gospel, JESUS DOES!

Voting,

Jeff


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Comparisons

9 09 2008

Monday Night Football started last night on ESPN with a double header.  I don’t really follow any one NFL team.  If I had to pick one it would be the St. Louis Rams (which means there isn’t much to follow).  I am a college football crazy, and during this time of year I live and breathe OU football.  I DO however just LOVE watching football in general.  So naturally I was excited last night to get the chance to watch 2 NFL games.  I didn’t watch either in their entireity.  The Bronco game was a joke.  Broncos looked good but against the Raiders?  Newcastle would look good against the Raiders though.  But I digress.

Adrian Peterson (former Oklahoma running back) plays for the Vikings so wanted to watch him.  And I was very curious about Aaron Rogers start as the Packer quarterback.  Of course EVERYONE has been talking about him replacing the GREAT BRET FAVRE.

Like I said, I didn’t watch the whole game but for the short time I was able to watch I was driven crazy by how many times things like this were said.  (after an Aaron Rogers play)  “Well, who did that remind you of?”  “Do you think Aaron will do (fill in) like Bret did?”  “Wow, Bret would have done…”  Graphics were up all the time comparing Aaron to Bret.

IT’S HIS FIRST EVER STINKIN’ NFL START!  That’s what I wanted to yell at the TV.  Aaron Rogers will NEVER be Bret Favre.  NEVER!  He is Aaron Rogers.  He’ll play football like Aaron Rogers.  He’ll react like Aaron Rogers.

On the drive to work today listening to ESPN radio talk about this more I thought.  “We are the exact same way.”  We think there are model Christians that people should be like.  We compare ourselves and other people to…well, other people.  The thing is.  We aren’t suppose to be like other people.  WE ARE SUPPOSE TO BE LIKE JESUS!  Even if we could label the BEST Christian ever, they would need to be more like Jesus too!

Maybe we need to stop trying to be like other Christians.  Maybe we need to stop comparing people to where we are at, or whee someone else is at.  Maybe…just maybe, we ALL (me included) need to start comparing ourselves to Jesus.  Be who God created US to be, not anyone else.  If I’ll compare myself to Jesus, I’ll ALWAYS want more AND need more.  That’s where I want to be.  Do you?

Needing more of Jesus,

Jeff


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Devotional Thoughts…

31 07 2008

Hey Element Church!  Haven’t done this in a while so I thought I’d share some thoughts from my daily devos.

1 Corinthians 2:4-6 — I never noticed this before.  It appears Paul preached differently to different audiences.  A “deeper” message was preached to those who were mature.  When among or speaking to those who aren’t mature in Christ he preached differently.  When we are addressing people who don’t know Jesus, we must do so in a way they can understand and relate to.  We must preach JESUS AND HIM CRUCIFIED.  There comes a point when depth needs to come from our own personal study, NOT from the preacher one time a week.

Romans 2:7 — What do I seek after?  I want to seek after the glory and honor and immortality God offers.

Romans 4:21 — That’s the attitude I want.  Sure seems like sometimes we are partly convinced.

Romans 6:6 —  Do we really believe/live that?  That is a powerful verse folks.

Romans 9:3 — That verse blows my mind.  Can any of us say that?

1 Corinthians 3:12 — Paul was speaking against arguments the people were having with each other.  Basically “I like Paul’s church!”  “I like Apollos’ church!”  Much like the arguments we have today.  Traditional vs. Modern  Loud vs. Quiet  Technology vs. No technology.  I love what Paul says here, and I hope I’m not mis-interpreting it.  This is how I took it anyway.  AS LONG AS THE FOUNDATION IS JESUS THE METHOD ISN’T THE ISSUE.  Anyone who builds on the foundation of Jesus can use gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay or straw.  The test, Paul says, is not determined now but on judgment day.  Method shouldn’t be our issue.  MESSAGE is always an issue.

1 Corinthians 4:3 — I LOVE that verse.  We’ve GOT to be more concerned about what God thinks about us than ANYONE else.  That goes for pastors who are afraid to stand up for the vision and for Christians who are afraid to tell their family, etc. etc. etc.

1 Corinthians 4:20 — Amen!  It sure seems like it’s more talk though.

Studying,

Jeff


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One Prayer (Day 25): Element Church

24 07 2008

Hey Element Church!  Only a few days left in our one prayer walk together.  Todays prayer is “Lord, make us relevant.”  We’re shifting our focus on praying for churches today and lifting up all the churches in some local communities over the next couple of days.  Today we are praying for the Pine Bluffs churches.  Pray that people in Pine Bluffs would come to know Jesus and be strengthened in their faith through the ministry of their churches.  You can read Acts 25 HERE online.  Here are my thoughts:

Acts is winding down at this point.  Paul is imprisoned and will eventually end Acts in Rome under house arrest.  There are by now, churches established all over and Jews and Gentiles alike are being saved.

Acts 25:1-9  — This was TWO YEARS after their initial accusations and arrest of Paul.  You’d think they would have forgotten about it, let it go, found new problems to focus on.  Paul couldn’t even continue to stir up trouble in prison.  After two years in prison, the Way was still going strong and the Good News was continuing to be taught and spread to Jews and Gentiles.  I’m reminded of what Gamaliel the Pharisee said in chapter 5 “My advice is to leave these men alone.  If they are planning and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be over.  But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them.  You may even find yourselves fighting against God.”

Acts 25:10-13  — I think Festus had the same problem Felix had in chapter 24.  “Because he wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people…”  Festus, according to Paul, knew Paul had done nothing wrong.  BUT, the opinion of the people meant more than the opinion of God.

Acts 25:19 — Their problem was “Something about their religion and a dead man named Jesus, who Paul insists is Alive!”  Here in lies the problem.  The Jews would have had NO problem if people would have said Jesus was a good man.  A great teacher.  A prophet.  But if Jesus was alive, HE WAS THE MESSIAH.  And if He was the Messiah it means they are subject to Him, and they didn’t want that.  Still the same today.  People don’t mind if He is a good man, a great teacher or a prophet.  But if we make Him the Messiah there is a problem.  People don’t have a problem with Jesus, until they have to surrender to Him.  Sin, at its tap root, is selfishness.  I’m on the throne.

With the risen Jesus,

Jeff


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One Prayer (Day 24): Element Church

23 07 2008

Hey Element Church!  Today is day #24 in our journey.  Our prayer today is “Lord, make us intentional!”.  Please lift up the churches on the calendar today as well.  You can read Acts 24 online HERE.  Here are my thoughts:

Acts 24:1-9  — So the Jewish leaders get a lawyer.  Are they REALLY that desperate?  Talk about being more concerned about an agenda.  Notice the accusations made against Paul.  1.  Troublemaker — really?  Who was he a trouble maker too?  The ONLY people who were opposed to Paul were the RELIGIOUS people.  And THEY were the ones causing trouble.  2.  Stirring up riots — Again, really?  This next one is the one that gets me.  3.  Ringleader of a cult known as the Nazarenes — Wow!  First off, the following his with were now known as “Christians”.  This is so common even today among the religious.  We experienced it some even at Element.  Being accused of being something you absolutely are not.  If they would have really watched and listened, they would have seen that Paul was non of those things but they were clouded by their agenda.  Sometimes if we would listen and watch, we wouldn’t accuse other people of things either when they are not true.

Acts 24:10-13 — Paul describes his actions.  #1 I was worshiping in the temple.  #2  I never argued.  #3  Nor did I stir a riot.  He put the responsibility back on the religious leaders.

Acts 24:14-15 — I LOVE this statement.  Paul didn’t back down from ANY TRUTH!  “But I admit that I follow the Way, which they call a cult”  Paul was committed to Jesus and His Way even if ALL the religious community called it a cult AND even if it cost him his life.  Our hope is in JESUS and it shouldn’t matter what anyone thinks about that or what we’re accused of.

Acts 24:16 — God will raise everyone to judgment, Paul took that seriously!

Acts 24:24-25 — MAN, this is where so many people are when it comes to the Gospel message.  “When it’s more convenient, I’ll call for you again.”  More convenient?  So many people, like Felix, are familiar with Jesus, they’ve heard of Jesus, they may even want to follow Jesus, but they keep waiting for a time when it is “more convenient”.  Jesus said “If you want to be my follower you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross and follow me.”  Convenience has NOTHING to do with following Jesus.  NOTHING!

Acts 24:26-27 — Felix had the “there is always tomorrow” complex.  He sent for Paul often and talked with him but it went on for two years.  And why did Felix not accept the Way or let Paul out of prison?  V. 27 says that he wanted to gain the favor with the Jewish people.  He was more concerned with mans view of him than God’s.  Again, still VERY common today.

Standing Strong,

Jeff


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