Dear Worshippers,
Last week I wrote about mobility and the need to be ready to able to move as God conforms us to the image of His beloved Son and our Savior, Jesus. As I said then, I have moving a lot on my mind these days. I will be packing a truck tomorrow, Lord willing and driving it to Warren on Thursday. This would not be possible were it not for a lot of packing over the last couple of months, but especially the last couple of weeks, of which my dear Sarah has down the majority. Thank you, Sweetie.
Sarah and I spent many hours the first Saturday of January packing up our garage. During that labor I came across several things I had been holding onto that I thought I might need at some point. At least that’s my response to the question, “Why are you keeping that?” [I should say at this point that Sarah is very good for me in this among so many other ways in that she has helped me to purge my life of useless things on many occasions. Don’t tell her I told you that!]
Probably the best example of keeping something that had long ago lost its usefulness was the old, rusty fire place tools which we first purchased over 10 years ago while living in Nebraska. When we moved to Florida {remember I am talking about fireplace tools} she asked why I was moving them. To which I responded, “I might need them”. I didn’t. When we moved to West Virginia she asked again but this time why we were moving a set that was beginning to look ragged. Same response.
When I pulled them out of the corner of the garage on that day she just looked at me. Nothing needed to be said. I moved them to the curb with the rest of the items to be discarded. It had become obvious that these tools were now useless; even I could see that, finally realizing what she had known for years. She had been so patient with me.
Walking by that corner the last few days has been a delight. There is much more room there. The entire surrounding area is neater. The clutter has been cleared away.
So here is the question. What is stuck in the corner of your soul today? As you contemplate moving into a new year/season/place with your Lord, what is cluttering your life making it difficult to experience the margin that would otherwise help you enjoy it? What has become useless in your life that you may need to discard to make the journey a little lighter?
Consider this. Are you holding onto something that you need to put out on the curb? Do you need to let go of something to be able to move on with Jesus in the next episode? I pray that Spirit will tune your heart as you ponder these thoughts.
In the context of what Pastor Myron said Sunday, what does God want to prune away to prepare you for the growth He so desires in you. It may be painful to let go of something that seems dear, but as the Holy Spirit leads I want to encourage you to let go and watch God do it in you. I am learning many lessons these days, and I have my eyes wide open as Jesus is doing a new thing in me. What will He do in you today?
Next week…Revelation and Response.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Mobility
Dear Worshippers,
I have moving on my mind a lot these days. I have been unpacking boxes in my study in Warren for the last several weeks as my wife has been packing boxes at our house in West Virginia. A week from today we will load the truck to move our family to our house in Warren. The idea of mobility is very much on my mind.
But this is true for other reasons as well. As we think about the new thing that God is doing in our midst we must realize that it will require mobility. If God is going to do something new in us it will probably require that we get up from where we are and demonstrate our willing to go wherever He leads us.
This concept of mobility was ingrained in the Israelites whose encounter with God in the tabernacle we are pondering these days as we look at “The Heart of the Matter”. The entire tent of meeting was mobile. God was moving His people to the Promised Land revealing Himself along the way. You may be asking yourself, “What does this have to do with me?” Here is one way the Lord showed me the answer to that question last week as I prepared for Sunday’s worship service.
As I was making my final preparations for the media, I discovered a misspelling. The title of the message was “The Alter of Sacrifice”. As I began to change that to altar, the Lord showed me that it is at the altar that we are altered. Think about it in the context of Romans 12:1-2.
The problem with living sacrifices is that they are mobile, they can climb down off the altar if you will. We of course are not speaking of an actual physical altar but rather a spiritual one. I believe the symbolism here is clear. Our heart is the altar, for it is ultimately where the altering occurs.
As you are being transformed today, because it is a daily process-not reserved for Sunday alone, where do you need to be mobile to go with God? As you are offering yourself to God wherever you find yourself, because it is not something you do only at church or at an altar built by men, where do need renewing to be more like God? As you are conforming to the mind of God, because you are no longer going to conform to the world, where do you need to think differently.
Be mobile. God with God. Get altered today.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
I have moving on my mind a lot these days. I have been unpacking boxes in my study in Warren for the last several weeks as my wife has been packing boxes at our house in West Virginia. A week from today we will load the truck to move our family to our house in Warren. The idea of mobility is very much on my mind.
But this is true for other reasons as well. As we think about the new thing that God is doing in our midst we must realize that it will require mobility. If God is going to do something new in us it will probably require that we get up from where we are and demonstrate our willing to go wherever He leads us.
This concept of mobility was ingrained in the Israelites whose encounter with God in the tabernacle we are pondering these days as we look at “The Heart of the Matter”. The entire tent of meeting was mobile. God was moving His people to the Promised Land revealing Himself along the way. You may be asking yourself, “What does this have to do with me?” Here is one way the Lord showed me the answer to that question last week as I prepared for Sunday’s worship service.
As I was making my final preparations for the media, I discovered a misspelling. The title of the message was “The Alter of Sacrifice”. As I began to change that to altar, the Lord showed me that it is at the altar that we are altered. Think about it in the context of Romans 12:1-2.
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 act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
The problem with living sacrifices is that they are mobile, they can climb down off the altar if you will. We of course are not speaking of an actual physical altar but rather a spiritual one. I believe the symbolism here is clear. Our heart is the altar, for it is ultimately where the altering occurs.
As you are being transformed today, because it is a daily process-not reserved for Sunday alone, where do you need to be mobile to go with God? As you are offering yourself to God wherever you find yourself, because it is not something you do only at church or at an altar built by men, where do need renewing to be more like God? As you are conforming to the mind of God, because you are no longer going to conform to the world, where do you need to think differently.
Be mobile. God with God. Get altered today.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
What Is It?
Dear Worshippers,
As I ate my bowl of frosted flakes this morning I reflected on that question, “What is it?” This was not a reaction to something floating in my cereal, but instead the Lord bringing back Pastor Myron’s words from Sunday morning. The Lord wanted me to be thinking about His provision for me today, walking through the activities this day holds with my eyes wide open to see His merciful hand. He wants to use frosted flakes and other ordinary things to show His extraordinary purposes and ways to us.
As I thought about this I realized that part of the reason the Israelites asked this question was because the manna was new. New is a theme for our church in these days, which I trust is finding expression in your life. They asked what it was even though God had already told them to expect it. They had received the quail the night before and then came this “new” stuff. And so I ask you the question, “What is it?”
“What is it”, this new thing, that God is doing in your life. What is it that God is providing for you to show you His grace and favor? What is it that will bless you today if you will receive it?
There was another nugget in that passage that confirms the constant activity and purpose of God. Right after God responds to their complaining by telling them He is going to bless them, He outlines the purpose of that provision very clearly. He says, “Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.” [Exodus 16:12b] God does not do the miraculous simply so we can be amazed. He does it with relationship in mind. See, he does not say,” then you will know that I am the Lord”. He adds two very significant words at the end of that phrase, “your God.” Amazing!
We can depend on Him not only because His is awesome, but also because He is ours. He is our God. He wants to show Himself to us today. He wants us to embrace His plans and purposes so that we can come to know Him better. What could be more exciting than that?
And so I want to encourage you to keep your eyes, ears, and heart wide open today. What is it that God is going to do for you? Though I do not know the specifics, I am confident of this. He wants you to know Him better when you lay your head on your pillow tonight than you did when you lifted it up from the same. He wants you to know not only that He is the Lord, but that He is your God. He wants you to know Him.
So as you go through the day, keep asking with each new twist and turn, “What is it”. You may be surprised at what the Lord provides. Depend on Him and all he provides.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
As I ate my bowl of frosted flakes this morning I reflected on that question, “What is it?” This was not a reaction to something floating in my cereal, but instead the Lord bringing back Pastor Myron’s words from Sunday morning. The Lord wanted me to be thinking about His provision for me today, walking through the activities this day holds with my eyes wide open to see His merciful hand. He wants to use frosted flakes and other ordinary things to show His extraordinary purposes and ways to us.
As I thought about this I realized that part of the reason the Israelites asked this question was because the manna was new. New is a theme for our church in these days, which I trust is finding expression in your life. They asked what it was even though God had already told them to expect it. They had received the quail the night before and then came this “new” stuff. And so I ask you the question, “What is it?”
“What is it”, this new thing, that God is doing in your life. What is it that God is providing for you to show you His grace and favor? What is it that will bless you today if you will receive it?
There was another nugget in that passage that confirms the constant activity and purpose of God. Right after God responds to their complaining by telling them He is going to bless them, He outlines the purpose of that provision very clearly. He says, “Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.” [Exodus 16:12b] God does not do the miraculous simply so we can be amazed. He does it with relationship in mind. See, he does not say,” then you will know that I am the Lord”. He adds two very significant words at the end of that phrase, “your God.” Amazing!
We can depend on Him not only because His is awesome, but also because He is ours. He is our God. He wants to show Himself to us today. He wants us to embrace His plans and purposes so that we can come to know Him better. What could be more exciting than that?
And so I want to encourage you to keep your eyes, ears, and heart wide open today. What is it that God is going to do for you? Though I do not know the specifics, I am confident of this. He wants you to know Him better when you lay your head on your pillow tonight than you did when you lifted it up from the same. He wants you to know not only that He is the Lord, but that He is your God. He wants you to know Him.
So as you go through the day, keep asking with each new twist and turn, “What is it”. You may be surprised at what the Lord provides. Depend on Him and all he provides.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
A New Thing
Dear Worshippers,
God is doing a new thing at North-Mar. If you were with us Sunday morning, I think you had a sense of that. So there is no misunderstanding, please know that this new thing is not about me, for it began before I arrived. There is feeling of anticipation among the people that we are entering a new season.
As I have reflected and prayed on this recently, there is a passage of Scripture God keeps bringing to mind. In the first 21 verses of Isaiah 43 God is describing Himself as Israel’s Redeemer as it will unfold through the comfort He will usher in as He restores them. I see some incredible parallels that I think are instructive for us in this season.
It opens with words of comfort for a people who have come through a difficult refining experience. It communicates again God’s purpose in that refining and redeeming. It reaffirms their call to know and declare the glory of God. It recounts His previous activity, and then swings into a powerful word of newness. Though I encourage you to read this whole passage sometime today or this week, here are the verses I read as we began this journey together Sunday morning.
19 Behold, I will do a new thing,
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it? …
21 This people I have formed for Myself;
They shall declare My praise.
Thank you for the joy of serving you in this season. Let us pray together for that new thing to unfold in our midst and for each of us to embrace it. If you have not read Pastor Myron’s annual report I want to encourage you to do that. I had not seen it as I made my transition but obviously the Lord is giving us His mind. I am excited. I hope you are too.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
God is doing a new thing at North-Mar. If you were with us Sunday morning, I think you had a sense of that. So there is no misunderstanding, please know that this new thing is not about me, for it began before I arrived. There is feeling of anticipation among the people that we are entering a new season.
As I have reflected and prayed on this recently, there is a passage of Scripture God keeps bringing to mind. In the first 21 verses of Isaiah 43 God is describing Himself as Israel’s Redeemer as it will unfold through the comfort He will usher in as He restores them. I see some incredible parallels that I think are instructive for us in this season.
It opens with words of comfort for a people who have come through a difficult refining experience. It communicates again God’s purpose in that refining and redeeming. It reaffirms their call to know and declare the glory of God. It recounts His previous activity, and then swings into a powerful word of newness. Though I encourage you to read this whole passage sometime today or this week, here are the verses I read as we began this journey together Sunday morning.
19 Behold, I will do a new thing,
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it? …
21 This people I have formed for Myself;
They shall declare My praise.
Thank you for the joy of serving you in this season. Let us pray together for that new thing to unfold in our midst and for each of us to embrace it. If you have not read Pastor Myron’s annual report I want to encourage you to do that. I had not seen it as I made my transition but obviously the Lord is giving us His mind. I am excited. I hope you are too.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
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