Dear Musicians of the Master,
Come, let us adore Him. That is my call for you to join us for the latest collaborative endeavor between our choir and orchestra, the Christmas musical of the same title. Please plan on attending the reading session this Friday with dinner preceding at 6:00 p.m in the Great Room. There is a unique twist on what we are doing this year. Come and be one of the first to find out what that is.
But the call reaches beyond participation in a Christmas musical, for that is just one of the many ways we will live the call together in the coming season. Begin thinking now of what you will do to be a blessing to others, particularly those that probably will not bless you. That is, who will you bless that you do not expect a blessing from in return?
Maybe it means spending some time at a nursing home during the season. Maybe it means volunteering in a soup kitchen or another helps oriented ministry. It could be a myriad of different service opportunities during the Christmas season. I want to encourage you to find a way to look someone in the eyes and wish them a “Merry Christmas”. It will require the sacrifice of some of those precious hours between the carving of the turkey on Thanksgiving and the gathering of the torn wrappings of presents on Christmas day, but it will be worth it. And it just my pay eternal dividends.
You see, though the one you bless, maybe the little or least among people, may not even be able to say thank you or commend you in any way, there is one who ultimately will. Jesus said, “Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me--you did it to me.” Matthew 25:40 (The Message) He says that because He cares for them to the point that incarnated, or become one of them, and we should too. When we care for them, we are adoring Him. Did you get that? When we care for them we are adoring Him. They are His creation, made in His image, marred as it may be by sin, and they are precious to Him.
So begin thinking now what you will do. If you do not plan it, it probably will not happen. Let’s make the expression of our adoration of the Christ this coming Christmas season dwarf the communication of a musical in all its grandeur. And may He be pleased as we live the call together.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Ministry Notes
♪ Reminder of the Christmas musical “ Dinner and a Musical” this Friday at 6:00. Chic-Fil-A and some Christmas cheer. Come one come all. Please RSVP by Wednesday, September 28 if you are planning on attending. Thanks to the many who have already responded.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
The Call Resonates Within Me
Dear Musicians of the Master,
Living the Call Together. That is the theme of this week at church. It is the theme of our annual Missions Conference. It the new brand or theme of The Alliance.
It resonates with me. First of all that is because it requires us to think of our entire lives. We must evaluate if we are living for the Lord and His call alone, or if other things are vying for our allegiance, and our resources. We must closely examine where we are with regard to allowing our relationship with Christ to be reflected in every aspect of our living. Our Christianity can not be a Sunday thing. If it is, it is not true Christianity. Christianity is a way of life. We must live it.
It resonates with me because it is the Lord who is calling. Jesus said, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” John 20:21 Sending me. No. He was referring to the spiritual giants of the faith. He was speaking to those people who have their lives in order. He did not mean for me to be sent. If you think that way, think again. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we have been called. Called to live our lives for His glory. Called to go, and as we are going, to teach all nations. Obviously, we can not each teach all the nations, so…
We do this thing TOGETHER. That really resonates with me. I can not do this alone. Even though I know the Lord is with me, and am committed to labor until I die or He returns to take me home, I take great encouragement from this. Why? Because I know that even though this task it to great for me to accomplish by myself, if I live the call alongside all the disciples of Jesus from the past, present and future, we will, by His Spirit’s enabling, finish it.
I hope that resonates with you. As a musician, this is a term you are probably familiar with. To resonate is to cause to resound. When something is resonate it carries well, and communicates clearly. In speaking of acoustics, it would be the intensification and prolongation of sound, especially of a musical tone, produced by sympathetic vibration. I hope that as you consider this new slogan, that the Spirit causes something in your soul to resonate, or that it evokes a feeling of shared emotion or belief. I believe we share the beliefs I have outlines above. The only problem is that we must live them.
Let us labor to live the call together.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Living the Call Together. That is the theme of this week at church. It is the theme of our annual Missions Conference. It the new brand or theme of The Alliance.
It resonates with me. First of all that is because it requires us to think of our entire lives. We must evaluate if we are living for the Lord and His call alone, or if other things are vying for our allegiance, and our resources. We must closely examine where we are with regard to allowing our relationship with Christ to be reflected in every aspect of our living. Our Christianity can not be a Sunday thing. If it is, it is not true Christianity. Christianity is a way of life. We must live it.
It resonates with me because it is the Lord who is calling. Jesus said, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” John 20:21 Sending me. No. He was referring to the spiritual giants of the faith. He was speaking to those people who have their lives in order. He did not mean for me to be sent. If you think that way, think again. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we have been called. Called to live our lives for His glory. Called to go, and as we are going, to teach all nations. Obviously, we can not each teach all the nations, so…
We do this thing TOGETHER. That really resonates with me. I can not do this alone. Even though I know the Lord is with me, and am committed to labor until I die or He returns to take me home, I take great encouragement from this. Why? Because I know that even though this task it to great for me to accomplish by myself, if I live the call alongside all the disciples of Jesus from the past, present and future, we will, by His Spirit’s enabling, finish it.
I hope that resonates with you. As a musician, this is a term you are probably familiar with. To resonate is to cause to resound. When something is resonate it carries well, and communicates clearly. In speaking of acoustics, it would be the intensification and prolongation of sound, especially of a musical tone, produced by sympathetic vibration. I hope that as you consider this new slogan, that the Spirit causes something in your soul to resonate, or that it evokes a feeling of shared emotion or belief. I believe we share the beliefs I have outlines above. The only problem is that we must live them.
Let us labor to live the call together.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Determinedly Demolish Some Things
Dear Servants of the Most High,
My humble apologies for another late entry into the journal of our collective journey to have our hearts tuned to God’s tonal system. I thought yesterday that I would just wait until next week to send something to you, but then God spoke to me in such a way this morning that I felt led to share it with you. He retuned me, again.
If you have been reading Chambers’ then you read this quote this morning so please excuse the repetition. He was speaking of our need to “determinedly demolish some things” in the light of 2 Corinthians 10:5. […casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God…] Chambers said this.
My humble apologies for another late entry into the journal of our collective journey to have our hearts tuned to God’s tonal system. I thought yesterday that I would just wait until next week to send something to you, but then God spoke to me in such a way this morning that I felt led to share it with you. He retuned me, again.
If you have been reading Chambers’ then you read this quote this morning so please excuse the repetition. He was speaking of our need to “determinedly demolish some things” in the light of 2 Corinthians 10:5. […casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God…] Chambers said this.
It is only when God has transformed our nature and we have entered into
the experience of sanctification that the fight begins. The warfare is not
against sin; we can never fight against sin-Jesus Christ conquered that in
His redemption of us. The conflict is waged over turning our natural life
into a spiritual life.
Oh what joy fills my soul with the thought that I do not have to fight against sin. Yet on the heels of that rapture comes the realization that I have to battle into to see my natural life transformed into a spiritual life. Praise God that because of what Jesus has accomplished the innocence that we have before Him can be turned into holy character. Good news for a bunch of characters like us.
That is really the rub when we think about answering the call as well. We have heard Jesus calling and have turned in faith to find forgiveness of sin and newness of life. The reality is that the call also includes “training everyone [we] meet, far and near, in this way of life.” (Matthew 28:19a) We have already said yes to the call by offering our life to God and accepting His. Now we must allow that transaction to accomplish all God intended, to raise up a corps of the redeemed who wrestle together to complete the commission He has given.
Let us live. Let us live the call. Let us live the call together.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
“Prayer changes me and I change things.”
Oswald Chambers was a man who walked with the Lord. In a series of lectures and devotionals he delivered almost 90 years ago he set forth a series of Christian truths that will challenge any reader. Some of those thoughts have been collected and put in a devotional book that has become the best-selling devotional book of all time. It title, My Utmost for His Highest. [The translation of that in his own words, my best for His glory.
Every day when I read Chamber’s words the Holy Spirit quickens my heart with His truth. I have been thinking and talking a fair amount about prayer lately. You may be thinking it is because I want to see some things change. While that is true there is a deeper motivation behind my thinking. Chamber’s gets at it in what he had to say in the entry dated August 28, “The Purpose of Prayer”.
By the way that is exactly what sanctification is, a miracle on your inner nature. And it is that process that I want to encourage to enter into with all your heart. I am asking everyone in the Worship Ministries to read this little devotional one day at a time that we may develop a like-mindedness over this next season as we determine to live our best for God’s glory.
I implore you to include this text into your daily devotions. I am praying God will have His way in us as we live these truths.
I have some copies of this in the choir room if you need one. They are only $4 each.
IN CHRIST,
Pastor Scott
Every day when I read Chamber’s words the Holy Spirit quickens my heart with His truth. I have been thinking and talking a fair amount about prayer lately. You may be thinking it is because I want to see some things change. While that is true there is a deeper motivation behind my thinking. Chamber’s gets at it in what he had to say in the entry dated August 28, “The Purpose of Prayer”.
To say that “prayer changes things” is not as close to the truth as saying,
“Prayer changes me and I change things.” God has established things so
that prayer, on the basis of redemption, changes the way a person looks at
things. Prayer is not a matter of changing things externally, but one
of working miracles in a person’s inner nature.
By the way that is exactly what sanctification is, a miracle on your inner nature. And it is that process that I want to encourage to enter into with all your heart. I am asking everyone in the Worship Ministries to read this little devotional one day at a time that we may develop a like-mindedness over this next season as we determine to live our best for God’s glory.
I implore you to include this text into your daily devotions. I am praying God will have His way in us as we live these truths.
I have some copies of this in the choir room if you need one. They are only $4 each.
IN CHRIST,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Living the Call Together
And we’re off…
With the start-up of choir last week, the fall seems to have begun in earnest for our Worship Ministries. The WVU students having arrived back in town to begin classes and public school starting later this week will continue to increase our awareness of that reality. As we enter a new season, I have one question for you, “How will you live the call?”
We are going to be affirming our desire to “live the call together” in many ways over the next few weeks as we head into Missions Conference 2005. There will be signs around the church indicating that help is wanted, with an encouragement to “apply within”. What areas of ministry will you be applying yourself to? I hope this is a season when you will be singing in the choir or playing in the orchestra, but more importantly, I hope you are applying yourself internally “to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.” (Philippians 3:14)
We all have a part to play in completing the grand task that Jesus has given us, His Church, to do. We should all be praying and giving and going and sending. There are expressions of each of those that we can all do. May the ministry of worship we share be a tool in the hands of the Holy Spirit as He stirs first our hearts to be involved, and then the hearts of all who hear it.
I you have yielded your heart to Jesus as your Savior, then let Him continue the sanctifying work He has begun. Bow to Him everyday and ask Him how He wants to use you to advance His kingdom. There may be a heart yet today that is ready to yield to him if you will but speak the words the Lord has for you to say. You have heard the call, now live it.
IN CHRIST,
Pastor Scott
With the start-up of choir last week, the fall seems to have begun in earnest for our Worship Ministries. The WVU students having arrived back in town to begin classes and public school starting later this week will continue to increase our awareness of that reality. As we enter a new season, I have one question for you, “How will you live the call?”
We are going to be affirming our desire to “live the call together” in many ways over the next few weeks as we head into Missions Conference 2005. There will be signs around the church indicating that help is wanted, with an encouragement to “apply within”. What areas of ministry will you be applying yourself to? I hope this is a season when you will be singing in the choir or playing in the orchestra, but more importantly, I hope you are applying yourself internally “to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.” (Philippians 3:14)
We all have a part to play in completing the grand task that Jesus has given us, His Church, to do. We should all be praying and giving and going and sending. There are expressions of each of those that we can all do. May the ministry of worship we share be a tool in the hands of the Holy Spirit as He stirs first our hearts to be involved, and then the hearts of all who hear it.
I you have yielded your heart to Jesus as your Savior, then let Him continue the sanctifying work He has begun. Bow to Him everyday and ask Him how He wants to use you to advance His kingdom. There may be a heart yet today that is ready to yield to him if you will but speak the words the Lord has for you to say. You have heard the call, now live it.
IN CHRIST,
Pastor Scott
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Hit Your Knees and Move On
WOW! What do mean today is Wednesday? Where did Tuesday go? Every have a day like that. Sorry about not getting to this yesterdaybut I was swamped.
On Sunday Pastor Drew challenged us to live a guilt-free life. In my conversation with him befreohand, he mentioned that his title at one point was “Hit Your Knees and Move On”. I like that idea. But as a worship pastor that probably does not surprise you. Oh the joy of hiding in His holiness.
But as I mentioned Sunday, maybe you are hiding from Him. There is no need no need to. That guilt you are dealing with over some situation can be left at the foot of the cross. Jesus has already paid it ALL. Give it to Him. Do it right now. Right where you are kneel down and confess that sin and the guilt you have carried and let Jesus take it.
That kind of confession needs to be a part of our regular time with God. Often I pray, “Holy Spirit, reveal to me any areas of unconfessed sin.” Then I confess those to God, and thank Him for His forgiveness. It this a part of your time with God? Do you regularly spend time with God? It is essential to the life of the Christian to humble ourselves before our God on a regular basis.
The psalmist says “Come let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.” Do not harden your heart. Humble yourself before your God.
When was the last time you were on your knees before Him? We will likely have that opportunity Sunday, so why not prepare yourself this week.
IN CHRIST,
Pastor Scott
On Sunday Pastor Drew challenged us to live a guilt-free life. In my conversation with him befreohand, he mentioned that his title at one point was “Hit Your Knees and Move On”. I like that idea. But as a worship pastor that probably does not surprise you. Oh the joy of hiding in His holiness.
But as I mentioned Sunday, maybe you are hiding from Him. There is no need no need to. That guilt you are dealing with over some situation can be left at the foot of the cross. Jesus has already paid it ALL. Give it to Him. Do it right now. Right where you are kneel down and confess that sin and the guilt you have carried and let Jesus take it.
That kind of confession needs to be a part of our regular time with God. Often I pray, “Holy Spirit, reveal to me any areas of unconfessed sin.” Then I confess those to God, and thank Him for His forgiveness. It this a part of your time with God? Do you regularly spend time with God? It is essential to the life of the Christian to humble ourselves before our God on a regular basis.
The psalmist says “Come let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.” Do not harden your heart. Humble yourself before your God.
When was the last time you were on your knees before Him? We will likely have that opportunity Sunday, so why not prepare yourself this week.
IN CHRIST,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Join Me In Prayer
Prayer. It was the focus of VBS a couple of weeks ago. It has been much on my mind as we prepare to enter a new season of ministry together. I have been doing it, and I want to ask you to do the same.
In his message Sunday morning Pastor Hawkins took us to John 17. In this passage, Jesus is praying. He prays first for Himself, then His disciples, and finally for all believers. That expanding circle is a good model for us.
You must know that I pray for myself. I often echo Pastor Tony’s quote of that old hymn text in his message a couple of weeks ago, “It’s me, it’s me O Lord, standing in the need of prayer.” I need prayer, and I certainly would entreat your prayers for me and my family.
I also pray for you. This is the second level of prayer as found in John 17. You must know that I view you as disciples entrusted to my care, and that I hold you in my heart. I do that in a corporate sense, but also individually as the Lord impresses needs on my heart. For all of you that have submitted requests to me, please know that I am praying and agreeing with you about the matters you have mentioned. I have seen some answers and am trusting God for more.
Finally, I am praying for the whole church, and then even beyond our local body. I pray for our role in completing Christ’s commission to be fulfilled. I pray that we would be able to partner even with local churches to demonstrate the unity of the body. But these days, that unity for our body is one of my primary prayers. I echo Jesus as I pray, “Make us one.” (John 17:21) I am praying for unity, that we would have a singleness of heart as we glorify the Lord together.
What are you praying for? When you pray for our Worship Ministries, what do you ask the Lord for? When you pray for our church, what is your heart cry? I am asking that God would make us one.
Will you join me?
IN CHRIST,
Pastor Scott
In his message Sunday morning Pastor Hawkins took us to John 17. In this passage, Jesus is praying. He prays first for Himself, then His disciples, and finally for all believers. That expanding circle is a good model for us.
You must know that I pray for myself. I often echo Pastor Tony’s quote of that old hymn text in his message a couple of weeks ago, “It’s me, it’s me O Lord, standing in the need of prayer.” I need prayer, and I certainly would entreat your prayers for me and my family.
I also pray for you. This is the second level of prayer as found in John 17. You must know that I view you as disciples entrusted to my care, and that I hold you in my heart. I do that in a corporate sense, but also individually as the Lord impresses needs on my heart. For all of you that have submitted requests to me, please know that I am praying and agreeing with you about the matters you have mentioned. I have seen some answers and am trusting God for more.
Finally, I am praying for the whole church, and then even beyond our local body. I pray for our role in completing Christ’s commission to be fulfilled. I pray that we would be able to partner even with local churches to demonstrate the unity of the body. But these days, that unity for our body is one of my primary prayers. I echo Jesus as I pray, “Make us one.” (John 17:21) I am praying for unity, that we would have a singleness of heart as we glorify the Lord together.
What are you praying for? When you pray for our Worship Ministries, what do you ask the Lord for? When you pray for our church, what is your heart cry? I am asking that God would make us one.
Will you join me?
IN CHRIST,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Committed to the Call
Are you Committed…to the Call?
I am certain we will be encouraged tonight as we listen to the Continentals Singers affirm that they are committed to God’s call on their lives. I am certain our spirits will be lifted up as we see a bunch of young people who have given up their summer to serve the Lord. I am confident we will be blessed with the realization that there exist those who will stand in a public place and declare their allegiance to Christ. I know we will enjoy the opportunity to attend a concert where Christ is exalted and His kingdom advanced.
But exactly where will all that leave us? Nowhere, if we do not simultaneously affirm that we are committed to the call.
Whether you can attend tonight’s concert ministry or not I want to ask you to pray about your commitment to the call of the Lord Jesus upon your life. I am not referring to a call to ministry that someone who serves vocationally has heard, but the call to advance the kingdom of Jesus Christ wherever you find yourself, at work, at school, or at play.
This morning in staff meeting we had a stimulating discussion. Pastor Miller asked us what concerns us as we go about our pastoral ministry. He wanted us to articulate in which areas where we are concerned for the church. Several shared very valid concerns, but ultimately in my mind they centered on a commitment to the call. As a church, as individuals, how committed are we to the call, to finishing the work that Jesus gave us to do that we might hasten His return.
Far too often I fear we are not as committed as we should be. Do not mistake my words. We are committed, but to what. Too many things vie for our commitment and attention, our resources and our energies. So many that I think it is often very difficult for us to hear the call, to hear the voice of the One who said of His sheep, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27 The problem is not even hearing the call, but following.
What are you not doing that you are confident God would have you do, or that you are certain Jesus has told you to do?
Let us respond in obedience to the call…committed.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
I am certain we will be encouraged tonight as we listen to the Continentals Singers affirm that they are committed to God’s call on their lives. I am certain our spirits will be lifted up as we see a bunch of young people who have given up their summer to serve the Lord. I am confident we will be blessed with the realization that there exist those who will stand in a public place and declare their allegiance to Christ. I know we will enjoy the opportunity to attend a concert where Christ is exalted and His kingdom advanced.
But exactly where will all that leave us? Nowhere, if we do not simultaneously affirm that we are committed to the call.
Whether you can attend tonight’s concert ministry or not I want to ask you to pray about your commitment to the call of the Lord Jesus upon your life. I am not referring to a call to ministry that someone who serves vocationally has heard, but the call to advance the kingdom of Jesus Christ wherever you find yourself, at work, at school, or at play.
This morning in staff meeting we had a stimulating discussion. Pastor Miller asked us what concerns us as we go about our pastoral ministry. He wanted us to articulate in which areas where we are concerned for the church. Several shared very valid concerns, but ultimately in my mind they centered on a commitment to the call. As a church, as individuals, how committed are we to the call, to finishing the work that Jesus gave us to do that we might hasten His return.
Far too often I fear we are not as committed as we should be. Do not mistake my words. We are committed, but to what. Too many things vie for our commitment and attention, our resources and our energies. So many that I think it is often very difficult for us to hear the call, to hear the voice of the One who said of His sheep, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27 The problem is not even hearing the call, but following.
What are you not doing that you are confident God would have you do, or that you are certain Jesus has told you to do?
Let us respond in obedience to the call…committed.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Waiting and Working
I am back from vacation. What a wonderful time I had with my family relaxing. I so needed that time to be refreshed and rejuvenated. I hope that many of you are finding a way to do that as well this summer. A busy season of ministry is just before us.
As much as I enjoyed the rest of my vacation, it was really only a foretaste of the rest that has been promised to us in Christ. I am really looking for the eternal light and divine embrace that will be ours in the mansions of the Lord, as you are as well I am sure. Let us labor on together that many more may share that longing with us.
We have labor to do here until we receive our inheritance, and I hope you are not going weary in well-doing. Plans are emerging for the fall for choir, worship team and orchestra. We will be spending some time together in the classic Oswald Chambers devotional My Utmost for His Highest. More on that later. We will also be learning a musical based on that famous work which I believe will help us better understand how we are to live the call on our own and together.
I am excited about what the Lord has in store for us as we come to a place of abandon in our relationship with Christ. That is not a word we use very often today, but an understanding and practice of it are essential for any who long to give their very best for God’s glory, their utmost for His Highest. That is exactly what we are about in our worship ministries at the Alliance and I look forward to the unity God will foster as we focus on these concepts on a daily basis.
IN CHRIST,
Pastor Scott
As much as I enjoyed the rest of my vacation, it was really only a foretaste of the rest that has been promised to us in Christ. I am really looking for the eternal light and divine embrace that will be ours in the mansions of the Lord, as you are as well I am sure. Let us labor on together that many more may share that longing with us.
We have labor to do here until we receive our inheritance, and I hope you are not going weary in well-doing. Plans are emerging for the fall for choir, worship team and orchestra. We will be spending some time together in the classic Oswald Chambers devotional My Utmost for His Highest. More on that later. We will also be learning a musical based on that famous work which I believe will help us better understand how we are to live the call on our own and together.
I am excited about what the Lord has in store for us as we come to a place of abandon in our relationship with Christ. That is not a word we use very often today, but an understanding and practice of it are essential for any who long to give their very best for God’s glory, their utmost for His Highest. That is exactly what we are about in our worship ministries at the Alliance and I look forward to the unity God will foster as we focus on these concepts on a daily basis.
IN CHRIST,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
What Are You Looking Forward To?
I ended last week telling you how much I was looking forward to writing you this week about what the Lord was going to do on Monday. So here it is. Though it was a very hot day, we had about twice the crowd of last year. We went from 3 churches involved to 7. And we did not even have to get the mayor of the county commissioner involved. Overall, I think it was a grand success. [For those of you who were involved, thank you for the joy of leading you. It was a blessing. You did a marvelous job.] But beyond all that I continue to wonder exactly what the Lord is doing through this thing. The most recent chapter has been written, and I had can hardly what to see what the Author has prepared for us in 2006. Whatever it is, I am looking forward to it.
Which reminds me: I asked the question last week, “What are you looking forward to?” What is it that you have your heart set on. Maybe some favorable future, some joy that is yet beyond your reach, some answer to prayer. I say again, whatever it is, be certain it informs the way you live. I am looking forward to vacation, which for me starts tomorrow. [YEAH!] My tasks today are consumed with preparations for that. You get the point. In short, if you are truly looking forward to heaven, it informs the way you live by helping you to invest more there than here.
So what are you looking forward to? I am not encouraging you to wish you life away for some pie in the sky daydream. I want you to apprehend the eternal glories set before as a part of your inheritance in Christ, then to live every moment of every day with them in view. This does not demean this life while we wait for the next, but instead shows us that this life has meaning and purpose as we labor for our King and our God in such a way that hastens His return and the ushering in of that grand Tomorrow.
May worship be your way of life as you enjoy Jesus in these days of summer. Until next time…keep looking up, and live in a way that helps others do the same.
IN CHRIST,
Pastor Scott
Which reminds me: I asked the question last week, “What are you looking forward to?” What is it that you have your heart set on. Maybe some favorable future, some joy that is yet beyond your reach, some answer to prayer. I say again, whatever it is, be certain it informs the way you live. I am looking forward to vacation, which for me starts tomorrow. [YEAH!] My tasks today are consumed with preparations for that. You get the point. In short, if you are truly looking forward to heaven, it informs the way you live by helping you to invest more there than here.
So what are you looking forward to? I am not encouraging you to wish you life away for some pie in the sky daydream. I want you to apprehend the eternal glories set before as a part of your inheritance in Christ, then to live every moment of every day with them in view. This does not demean this life while we wait for the next, but instead shows us that this life has meaning and purpose as we labor for our King and our God in such a way that hastens His return and the ushering in of that grand Tomorrow.
May worship be your way of life as you enjoy Jesus in these days of summer. Until next time…keep looking up, and live in a way that helps others do the same.
IN CHRIST,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
The Saga Continues
Well, the next chapter in the saga of the patriotic musical is about to be written. It was about a year ago when one of our members was on Morgantown AM sharing our disappointment with not being able to share the musical at the Amphitheater as we had been promised. Yesterday, I was on the same local radio show inviting people to attend as we honor the flag, salute our veterans, and acknowledge God as the Sovereign over all. I am praying that everything goes according to God’s plan, that we get to share the musical next Monday, and that the Lord will bring a wonderful crowd out to see and hear it. I hope all of you will come if you are not already in the group and bring some people with you.
Just moments ago I received a call informing me that WAJR was not including our concert in the line-up of events for July 4 at the Amphitheater. They are mentioning everything else but us. Hmmmm. I responded by calling John Pyles and he said he would call the radio station and get that corrected. The struggles we have had to pull this off again have been numerous, but I should not be surprised.
The enemy does not want us to be in that very beautiful, public place boldly proclaiming “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain. Glory to the Lamb! Amen.” That is exactly what we will be doing next Monday starting at 3:00 p.m. It should come as no surprise that he would oppose us at every turn, and he has, but we move forward believing in our God.
Maybe there is some matter that you firmly believe the Lord has led you to deal with, something that needs to be said, something that concerns His kingdom in the hearts and lives of someone you know, maybe even yourself. At every turn you face struggles and discouragement. It seems as though the end is no where in sight, and that even if you are able to make it to the end of this leg of the journey, it will not be pleasant. Take heart. The eternal glory that is the product of our light and momentary struggles far outweighs them. Labor on brave heart. The Lord is calling us to take up our cross which will require us to die daily to our passions, hopes and dreams, that we may live for His.
I am looking forward to the end of the journey, and will continue on this road until I reach the end. I am also looking forward to writing to you next week about what the Lord is going to do next Monday. What are you looking forward to? Whatever it is, be certain it informs the way you live. More on that next week.
IN CHRIST,
Pastor Scott
Just moments ago I received a call informing me that WAJR was not including our concert in the line-up of events for July 4 at the Amphitheater. They are mentioning everything else but us. Hmmmm. I responded by calling John Pyles and he said he would call the radio station and get that corrected. The struggles we have had to pull this off again have been numerous, but I should not be surprised.
The enemy does not want us to be in that very beautiful, public place boldly proclaiming “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain. Glory to the Lamb! Amen.” That is exactly what we will be doing next Monday starting at 3:00 p.m. It should come as no surprise that he would oppose us at every turn, and he has, but we move forward believing in our God.
Maybe there is some matter that you firmly believe the Lord has led you to deal with, something that needs to be said, something that concerns His kingdom in the hearts and lives of someone you know, maybe even yourself. At every turn you face struggles and discouragement. It seems as though the end is no where in sight, and that even if you are able to make it to the end of this leg of the journey, it will not be pleasant. Take heart. The eternal glory that is the product of our light and momentary struggles far outweighs them. Labor on brave heart. The Lord is calling us to take up our cross which will require us to die daily to our passions, hopes and dreams, that we may live for His.
I am looking forward to the end of the journey, and will continue on this road until I reach the end. I am also looking forward to writing to you next week about what the Lord is going to do next Monday. What are you looking forward to? Whatever it is, be certain it informs the way you live. More on that next week.
IN CHRIST,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Hallelujah!
Have you ever had one of those situations that you walk away from saying out loud, “Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus for working that out! I am once again amazed at Your grace in my life.” I hope you have. They are thrilling moments of praise to the Lord. I had a couple of them last week.
I spoke with a young lady who I had hoped would be involved with the patriotic musical. I had not been able to get in touch with her. When I finally spoke to her, she was genuinely excited about being a part of this grand endeavor. Hallelujah! What a blessing when people choose to enthusiastically serve the Lord.
I had also been talking with Tony Caridi to get him involved as our narrator. Though he initially thought he would not be available, I spoke with him last week to confirm his involvement. I am so delighted to have him involved. Hallelujah! The Lord is providing for the communication of the patriotic musical, and at the same time giving people an opportunity to serve while encouraging my heart. Thank you for your prayers.
Then just yesterday we took little Josiah to see the pediatric orthopedist for his club feet. We expected to have him wearing casts for a few more weeks to correct the problem then several more beyond that to preserve the correction. He said that Josiah looks good and that he will plan to see him in a month for follow-up. Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus! I am amazed once again.
What blessings are you praising the Lord for today? Notice I said praising. Praise is a lifestyle, a way of living. Is your living characterized by praise, or something less? Choose praise. It is way more enjoyable, and will actually change your perspective. Think on some reason to right now and give the Lord a nice, strong “Hallelujah!” Then… keep praising.
IN CHRIST,
Pastor Scott
I spoke with a young lady who I had hoped would be involved with the patriotic musical. I had not been able to get in touch with her. When I finally spoke to her, she was genuinely excited about being a part of this grand endeavor. Hallelujah! What a blessing when people choose to enthusiastically serve the Lord.
I had also been talking with Tony Caridi to get him involved as our narrator. Though he initially thought he would not be available, I spoke with him last week to confirm his involvement. I am so delighted to have him involved. Hallelujah! The Lord is providing for the communication of the patriotic musical, and at the same time giving people an opportunity to serve while encouraging my heart. Thank you for your prayers.
Then just yesterday we took little Josiah to see the pediatric orthopedist for his club feet. We expected to have him wearing casts for a few more weeks to correct the problem then several more beyond that to preserve the correction. He said that Josiah looks good and that he will plan to see him in a month for follow-up. Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus! I am amazed once again.
What blessings are you praising the Lord for today? Notice I said praising. Praise is a lifestyle, a way of living. Is your living characterized by praise, or something less? Choose praise. It is way more enjoyable, and will actually change your perspective. Think on some reason to right now and give the Lord a nice, strong “Hallelujah!” Then… keep praising.
IN CHRIST,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Allied for His Purposes
I had a good discussion last night with a member of the patriotic musical who is joining us from another church. I relayed to her some of the struggles we have had over the last two years to secure a venue, and also the personnel to produce the work. As we talked, I shared how frustrating it has been at times trying to coordinate the many details of an endeavor like this, let alone the complications I have faced. All the while, I have this vision of concluding just such a work immediately before the fireworks under that Amphitheater one day.
I continue to believe that a community church project like this is God’s will, and so I will continue to pursue it to the best of my ability, which I must admit at times is sorely inadequate. The musical aspect is not the problem, just understanding how to go about vision casting, recruiting, enlisting the support of other churches, securing the venue, communicating it to the churches in Morgantown and then to the community at large, to name a few challenges. Maybe there is something in this list you feel you could help with. Maybe a thought has come to mind as to how to go about this endeavor a different way. I am open to suggestions, because I am sincerely seeking the will of God in this and believe that one or more of you may help me find it. HELP!
I mentioned last week the need of prayer. God will open the door or close it. I am seeking His face and desire to be a part of revealing all that He is to the greater Morgantown community. Will you pray with me to that end?
Almighty God,
open the door for us to boldly declare your Sovereign authority over our nation, and each of our lives.
bring the people that you want to hear this glorious message.
yield fruit in our lives and theirs as we exalt you publicly.
Thank You, Lord for hearing our prayer.
Thank you for the role you play in this ministry. Maybe God is leading you to play a larger one. There are many things to be done; this musical is but one small part of that grand labor that is our joint contribution to the completion of the Great Commission. Maybe there is some area of frustration for you as you are trying to live the fullness of Christ, or maybe God has frustrated you because you are trying to live a full life apart from Christ. Whatever the case may be, let me encourage you to find your place as we live the call together, allied to His purposes.
IN CHRIST,
Pastor Scott
I continue to believe that a community church project like this is God’s will, and so I will continue to pursue it to the best of my ability, which I must admit at times is sorely inadequate. The musical aspect is not the problem, just understanding how to go about vision casting, recruiting, enlisting the support of other churches, securing the venue, communicating it to the churches in Morgantown and then to the community at large, to name a few challenges. Maybe there is something in this list you feel you could help with. Maybe a thought has come to mind as to how to go about this endeavor a different way. I am open to suggestions, because I am sincerely seeking the will of God in this and believe that one or more of you may help me find it. HELP!
I mentioned last week the need of prayer. God will open the door or close it. I am seeking His face and desire to be a part of revealing all that He is to the greater Morgantown community. Will you pray with me to that end?
Almighty God,
open the door for us to boldly declare your Sovereign authority over our nation, and each of our lives.
bring the people that you want to hear this glorious message.
yield fruit in our lives and theirs as we exalt you publicly.
Thank You, Lord for hearing our prayer.
Thank you for the role you play in this ministry. Maybe God is leading you to play a larger one. There are many things to be done; this musical is but one small part of that grand labor that is our joint contribution to the completion of the Great Commission. Maybe there is some area of frustration for you as you are trying to live the fullness of Christ, or maybe God has frustrated you because you are trying to live a full life apart from Christ. Whatever the case may be, let me encourage you to find your place as we live the call together, allied to His purposes.
IN CHRIST,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Praying for the Open Door
After a short hiatus we resume today. Two weeks ago I was in Cincinnati with Ben Siu leading in worship the missionaries who had gathered for General Council. [Thank you for your ministry Ben. It was a blessing.] Last week I was still enjoying the long Memorial Day weekend. So today, let us retune.
The biggest development in our worship ministries in that length of time was the beginning of another installment in the patriotic musical saga which began last year. We started work in late May uncertain of an offsite performance venue even though I had actively worked on securing such a site since last November. To make a long story short, I received a phone call from John Pyles that we can share at the Amphitheater on the riverfront at 3:00. Though still much earlier than I have envisioned, it is an open door, for now.
That is why I am writing about it today. I want to entreat your prayers that it will stay open. I am not surprised that in trying to coordinate the public proclamation of the Sovereign rule of God with any part of the municipal government we run into problems. [The musical we are sharing is titled One Nation Under God.] For this reason I want to ask you to pray that God will hold this door open through the next four weeks as we prepare and share this musical with a Combined Community Church Choir and Orchestra. There are people from other churches who have begun to see the vision and have joined us in fulfilling it.
I believe the Lord has laid this vision, this burden, on me and it is burning me up from within to share it. Indeed I feel like the prophet Jeremiah who upon considering just keeping the Word in described it as I fire shut up in his bones (20:9). I was reminded a few weeks ago during the Sunday evening service of this great prophet and the call of God on his life to speak the word of the Lord. Pastor Miller shared that though the prophet struggled privately with this call, when he found himself in the public setting he was bold. He remained faithful after a life of ministry with little results.
I expect that our experience will be different than Jeremiah’s, although there may be some who would like to silence us, who will hate us, and may want to kill us. It will be different in that we will see results. Will you pray with me to that end?
Almighty God,
- Open the door for us to boldly declare your Sovereign authority over our nation, and each of our lives.
- Bring the people that you want to hear this glorious message.
- Yield fruit in our lives and theirs as we exalt you publicly.
- Thank You, Lord for hearing our prayer.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Maintaining
SO, I wonder what the Lord has been challenging you with since Sunday mornings message about “Maintaining”. During staff meeting this morning, Pastor David prayed for us as a church that we would dwell in constant communion with God. The Holy Spirit reminded me in that moment that we exist as a worship ministry to foster that kind of intimacy.
We talk about worship as a lifestyle, which already is beginning to sound dated. Maybe a better way of putting it is that it must be a way of life, THE way of life for us. We must live to maintain our relationship to God, for otherwise we have no life, or have we forgotten.
When we live with a right understanding of Who He is, then we can more accurately see ourselves. When we live with a right understanding of Who He is, we long to glorify Him. When we live with a right understanding of Who He is, we are apt to worship. That is the best way to maintain your relationship with God, worship Him.
Does that characterize your living today? When the Lord presents you with an opportunity to die to self and live for Christ through the strain of a relationship at work or at home, do you worship Him? When you are suddenly given the opportunity to share a part of the story of God’s goodness to you to a co-worker or classmate, do you take advantage of it or let it slip by? When the Spirit of the Living God gives you the chance to display His power, do you cover it with your weakness? Claim His mercies, new every morning and walk under the influence of His Spirit today. Cry out to heaven to hear you and help you. God will hear if you but call out to Him.
As we look forward to knowing and abiding, let us make certain we are maintaining.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
We talk about worship as a lifestyle, which already is beginning to sound dated. Maybe a better way of putting it is that it must be a way of life, THE way of life for us. We must live to maintain our relationship to God, for otherwise we have no life, or have we forgotten.
When we live with a right understanding of Who He is, then we can more accurately see ourselves. When we live with a right understanding of Who He is, we long to glorify Him. When we live with a right understanding of Who He is, we are apt to worship. That is the best way to maintain your relationship with God, worship Him.
Does that characterize your living today? When the Lord presents you with an opportunity to die to self and live for Christ through the strain of a relationship at work or at home, do you worship Him? When you are suddenly given the opportunity to share a part of the story of God’s goodness to you to a co-worker or classmate, do you take advantage of it or let it slip by? When the Spirit of the Living God gives you the chance to display His power, do you cover it with your weakness? Claim His mercies, new every morning and walk under the influence of His Spirit today. Cry out to heaven to hear you and help you. God will hear if you but call out to Him.
As we look forward to knowing and abiding, let us make certain we are maintaining.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
The Waiting is Over
The waiting is over! I am reveling in the unspeakable joy of having witnessed the birth of my third son, Josiah Lee. He came eight days late, according to our calendars, but right on time according to God’s. Those of you who may have spoken to me about this over the last couple of weeks probably heard me use the word imminent to describe his appearing. I learned through ordination that this is also a good word to describe the return of our Lord. It means “threatening to occur at any moment”. His return will be awesome and awful at the same time. Probably the way birth could be described by the one experiencing it.
Such a sense of tremendous anticipation had consumed the lives of our family over the last week it was almost crippling. Almost. We used all that excitement to continue to make ready our home and our hearts to welcome our newest blessing. During some quiet time on Tuesday of last week I was convicted that I need to live with the same sense of anticipation with regard to the return of my Lord. An almost crippling anticipation that leaves me preoccupied yet busily making preparations. We are waiting for Him, actively waiting.
I firmly believe the Lord wants to reveal things about Himself, His purposes and His ways all the time. I believe He uses prayer, the Bible, circumstances and the church to reveal Who He is and what He is doing. I am convinced He wants to do this through the mundane as well as the momentous occasions in our lives. Even today. Jesus wants to show you something about Himself that will inform your living. Open your eyes to see it. Then simply respond with sincere faith as an act of worship glorifying Him. What will God show you today? What will He show us Sunday?
Having celebrated His ascension, should make us all the more ready to remember the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost which Jesus promised in His last words to His disciples. Ten days after His ascension, as the disciples were gathered in an upper room, the gift of the Spirit came upon them. They reveled in the unspeakable joy of the promise fulfilled, and the power given to be witnesses for Jesus. But have you ever wondered what day nine must have been like? Waiting. Actively waiting, for as the Scriptures declare, “they all meet together continually for prayer.” (Acts 1:14) Can you imagine the sense of anticipation that must have filled their souls? Even so, it was not equal to the joy ushered in by the coming of the Spirit.
We are in desperate need of the power from on high, the only way to maintain intimate fellowship with God. Power from on high, to be witnesses here, there, and everywhere. Power from on high, to get it done, to complete the assigned task, to complete the mission. Power from on high, for the glory of God, and the good of all people. Let us wait, until we have received the power of the Holy Spirit.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Such a sense of tremendous anticipation had consumed the lives of our family over the last week it was almost crippling. Almost. We used all that excitement to continue to make ready our home and our hearts to welcome our newest blessing. During some quiet time on Tuesday of last week I was convicted that I need to live with the same sense of anticipation with regard to the return of my Lord. An almost crippling anticipation that leaves me preoccupied yet busily making preparations. We are waiting for Him, actively waiting.
I firmly believe the Lord wants to reveal things about Himself, His purposes and His ways all the time. I believe He uses prayer, the Bible, circumstances and the church to reveal Who He is and what He is doing. I am convinced He wants to do this through the mundane as well as the momentous occasions in our lives. Even today. Jesus wants to show you something about Himself that will inform your living. Open your eyes to see it. Then simply respond with sincere faith as an act of worship glorifying Him. What will God show you today? What will He show us Sunday?
Having celebrated His ascension, should make us all the more ready to remember the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost which Jesus promised in His last words to His disciples. Ten days after His ascension, as the disciples were gathered in an upper room, the gift of the Spirit came upon them. They reveled in the unspeakable joy of the promise fulfilled, and the power given to be witnesses for Jesus. But have you ever wondered what day nine must have been like? Waiting. Actively waiting, for as the Scriptures declare, “they all meet together continually for prayer.” (Acts 1:14) Can you imagine the sense of anticipation that must have filled their souls? Even so, it was not equal to the joy ushered in by the coming of the Spirit.
We are in desperate need of the power from on high, the only way to maintain intimate fellowship with God. Power from on high, to be witnesses here, there, and everywhere. Power from on high, to get it done, to complete the assigned task, to complete the mission. Power from on high, for the glory of God, and the good of all people. Let us wait, until we have received the power of the Holy Spirit.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Mother's Day-Ascension Sunday
This Sunday is Mother’s Day. We will take a few moments at the beginning of the service to highly value mother’s before turning our attention and energies to highly exalting our Lord. This would be our normal pattern on Mother’s Day, but certainly is the case on the Sunday we commemorate the ascension of our Lord.
What is the ascension? I am referring to Jesus being taken up in bodily form before his disciples’ very eyes. We read the account in Acts 1:9. “After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.” We know from the Scriptures that this occurred forty days after His resurrection. [That would mean we would celebrate Thursday, but we will move it to Sunday since there will be more of us at church.] After appearing to a large numbers of his disciples at a variety of different times Jesus was taken up into heaven. He ascended into the clouds. Then angels appeared to announce to us that He would come back in the same way He went into heaven. What good news! I hope you believe that.
Do you remember what Jesus said just before He was taken up? His “famous last words” are recorded in Acts 1:8. After reminding his disciples that only the Father knows the time of His return to establish His kingdom He told them, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1.8 As much as I hope you believe in His ascension, I hope you believe His promise here! We have been given the Holy Spirit. [The Day of Pentecost-ten days after His ascension-next Sunday]. We have been given power!
What does that power look like in your life? How are you exercising that power in your daily living? As we have been considering lately in our services, we need to confess and repent if we are not experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. I want to encourage you today to claim the power of the Holy Spirit. If you have surrendered your life to Christ, repenting of your sin and self, and relying totally on His finished work on the cross for your redemption, then you have received the Holy Spirit. You have been sealed by the Spirit until the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4.30) The problem is that most of us place ourselves under the influence of other things instead of the Spirit of God.
We have been bought at a great price, the blood of Jesus Christ. Let us no longer live for ourselves and the passing comforts of this world. But let us live for Jesus and the eternal pleasures of the one to come. Let us build not our kingdoms of earth and stone, but the kingdom of the living God in the hearts of men and women, boys and girls. Surely as we turn from the pursuits of the former and give ourselves over the latter, we will know the power of the Holy Spirit. So let us claim it. But as we do, let us make certain we have determined we will use it for His glory, for otherwise to ask is vanity.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
What is the ascension? I am referring to Jesus being taken up in bodily form before his disciples’ very eyes. We read the account in Acts 1:9. “After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.” We know from the Scriptures that this occurred forty days after His resurrection. [That would mean we would celebrate Thursday, but we will move it to Sunday since there will be more of us at church.] After appearing to a large numbers of his disciples at a variety of different times Jesus was taken up into heaven. He ascended into the clouds. Then angels appeared to announce to us that He would come back in the same way He went into heaven. What good news! I hope you believe that.
Do you remember what Jesus said just before He was taken up? His “famous last words” are recorded in Acts 1:8. After reminding his disciples that only the Father knows the time of His return to establish His kingdom He told them, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1.8 As much as I hope you believe in His ascension, I hope you believe His promise here! We have been given the Holy Spirit. [The Day of Pentecost-ten days after His ascension-next Sunday]. We have been given power!
What does that power look like in your life? How are you exercising that power in your daily living? As we have been considering lately in our services, we need to confess and repent if we are not experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. I want to encourage you today to claim the power of the Holy Spirit. If you have surrendered your life to Christ, repenting of your sin and self, and relying totally on His finished work on the cross for your redemption, then you have received the Holy Spirit. You have been sealed by the Spirit until the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4.30) The problem is that most of us place ourselves under the influence of other things instead of the Spirit of God.
We have been bought at a great price, the blood of Jesus Christ. Let us no longer live for ourselves and the passing comforts of this world. But let us live for Jesus and the eternal pleasures of the one to come. Let us build not our kingdoms of earth and stone, but the kingdom of the living God in the hearts of men and women, boys and girls. Surely as we turn from the pursuits of the former and give ourselves over the latter, we will know the power of the Holy Spirit. So let us claim it. But as we do, let us make certain we have determined we will use it for His glory, for otherwise to ask is vanity.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Confess: Agree with God
Last week I got a little ahead by talking about repenting, or so I thought. Pastor David will be taking us there this week. I was a little frustrated by the fact that I had gotten my weeks confused and had jumped the gun a bit. Then the Holy Spirit, that still, small voice of God said something to me. He told me that what I had written was what He wanted for that day. I trust that someone needed to hear that last week. I did not get any email confessions, but I did not need to.
You see the Spirit of God reminded me in those moments that He is sovereign. He took my words, about a topic still a week off in our prayers, and used them for His glory. He reminded me of that, then I had the choice to agree with Him or not. You know we all make similar choices every day. God shows us something about Himself, His purposes or His ways, then we have the choice. We will agree with God or not.
You might say, “Well, I can agree with God about something, and still choose to do things my way.” I would beg to differ. Allow me to explain. If you agree with God, then you are saying that He is to you Who He says He is. If you disagree, then you are saying He is not. I am talking about the difference between mental ascent and true confession. That is the difference between merely saying you believe something and living like you believe it. Does your way of living reflect that you believe Jesus Christ is Who He says He is? Does your lifestyle confess that your life is in Christ? Do you really agree with all that stuff we sing?
I certainly hope to can answer a resounding “YES!” to those questions. If you can not, then their may be a need to repent. Resolve now to agree with God about anything He shows or says to you. Let us confess with our lips and our lives that Jesus is not just Lord, but He is our Lord.
It comes back to “tuning” this way. We confess that what God says is true. We agree that He has “perfect pitch”. He never sings off key. He never misses a beat. He never misses an entrance or cutoff. He is the not only the composer, but also the arranger, orchestrator, and conductor. If it seems like you are not in unison with Him, He is not the One who is off. You are. But take heart, He can bring you back in concert with His original composition. As the arranger of your life, He can manipulate your “mistakes” for your good. He can orchestrate some incredible changes that you could not have anticipated. He can even conduct the affairs in your life in a way that makes a pleasing sound in His ear and yours.
It all begins with confessing that He can and that you want Him to. I look forward to hearing how He is going to do just that for each of you who confess His glory.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
You see the Spirit of God reminded me in those moments that He is sovereign. He took my words, about a topic still a week off in our prayers, and used them for His glory. He reminded me of that, then I had the choice to agree with Him or not. You know we all make similar choices every day. God shows us something about Himself, His purposes or His ways, then we have the choice. We will agree with God or not.
You might say, “Well, I can agree with God about something, and still choose to do things my way.” I would beg to differ. Allow me to explain. If you agree with God, then you are saying that He is to you Who He says He is. If you disagree, then you are saying He is not. I am talking about the difference between mental ascent and true confession. That is the difference between merely saying you believe something and living like you believe it. Does your way of living reflect that you believe Jesus Christ is Who He says He is? Does your lifestyle confess that your life is in Christ? Do you really agree with all that stuff we sing?
I certainly hope to can answer a resounding “YES!” to those questions. If you can not, then their may be a need to repent. Resolve now to agree with God about anything He shows or says to you. Let us confess with our lips and our lives that Jesus is not just Lord, but He is our Lord.
It comes back to “tuning” this way. We confess that what God says is true. We agree that He has “perfect pitch”. He never sings off key. He never misses a beat. He never misses an entrance or cutoff. He is the not only the composer, but also the arranger, orchestrator, and conductor. If it seems like you are not in unison with Him, He is not the One who is off. You are. But take heart, He can bring you back in concert with His original composition. As the arranger of your life, He can manipulate your “mistakes” for your good. He can orchestrate some incredible changes that you could not have anticipated. He can even conduct the affairs in your life in a way that makes a pleasing sound in His ear and yours.
It all begins with confessing that He can and that you want Him to. I look forward to hearing how He is going to do just that for each of you who confess His glory.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Turning
Tuning may require Turning. Last week I shared the parallel between tuning our instruments and tuning our hearts. When we fail to tune our instruments, it is difficult to make beautiful music through our playing and singing. Likewise, when we fail to tune our hearts, it is difficult to make God’s praise glorious through our living. We must adjust our lives to the “proper” pitch, or God’s ways.
It is that adjustment that I want to focus on this week. On Sunday, Pastor David challenged us not to be “Silenced by Shame”. When we begin to come to an understanding of who God is, we see ourselves more clearly. When this happens we find ourselves in the uncomfortable place of having to admit to God that our actions have left us feeling “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.” (Revelation 3:17) We are shamed, but we need not be silenced.
When God reveals Himself to us, we need to confess Who He is. Likewise, when He reveals ourselves to us, we need to confess who we are. We all hide in various ways, but are efforts are to no avail before God. We must simply agree with God about Who He is and who we are. Even then, we have only begun. In the analogy from last week we have at this point only admitted that God’s “pitch” is proper and ours is not. Next comes the adjustment, the tuning.
Tuning is adjusting to proper pitch. In our lives this will very likely require turning. The spiritual word for that is repenting. Repent basically means to turn. To make the conscious choice to stop heading in one direction and move in an entirely different direction. We admit that our lives were heading in one direction, our own, and that they need to head in another, God’s.
This is a pretty radical thought. We are no longer talking about making a small adjust. Now we are talking about wholesale change. A revolution of sorts. Pastor David will explain this is more detail Sunday, but maybe something has come to mind in the last few moments. Will you purpose to turn from that “improper” path and set your feet to walking in God’s ways only? Prepare your heart for this Sunday by considering, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, if there is some repenting for you to do. Then do it!
Turning to Jesus,
Pastor Scott
It is that adjustment that I want to focus on this week. On Sunday, Pastor David challenged us not to be “Silenced by Shame”. When we begin to come to an understanding of who God is, we see ourselves more clearly. When this happens we find ourselves in the uncomfortable place of having to admit to God that our actions have left us feeling “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.” (Revelation 3:17) We are shamed, but we need not be silenced.
When God reveals Himself to us, we need to confess Who He is. Likewise, when He reveals ourselves to us, we need to confess who we are. We all hide in various ways, but are efforts are to no avail before God. We must simply agree with God about Who He is and who we are. Even then, we have only begun. In the analogy from last week we have at this point only admitted that God’s “pitch” is proper and ours is not. Next comes the adjustment, the tuning.
Tuning is adjusting to proper pitch. In our lives this will very likely require turning. The spiritual word for that is repenting. Repent basically means to turn. To make the conscious choice to stop heading in one direction and move in an entirely different direction. We admit that our lives were heading in one direction, our own, and that they need to head in another, God’s.
This is a pretty radical thought. We are no longer talking about making a small adjust. Now we are talking about wholesale change. A revolution of sorts. Pastor David will explain this is more detail Sunday, but maybe something has come to mind in the last few moments. Will you purpose to turn from that “improper” path and set your feet to walking in God’s ways only? Prepare your heart for this Sunday by considering, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, if there is some repenting for you to do. Then do it!
Turning to Jesus,
Pastor Scott
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Tuning
Last week we had our first crack at this and one thing I realized is that I need to be more precise in the way I articulate my thoughts. I have always been a “wordy” writer, and will try to condense my convictions for this communiqué. Thanks for bearing with me as I share my heart, and hopefully help you tune yours.
Tuning. Let me make clear as we begin what it is I am talking about when I speak of tuning. To tune is basically to adjust to proper pitch. When we think of tuning our instruments we are conceding that there is a proper pitch and that each of us will adjust our instruments to sound that same pitch. In orchestra we do this most of the time. Our guitarists do this every time, either with a tuner, a machine designed to tell them how to adjust their strings, or from a note on the piano. We tune because our instruments have a tendency to go “out” of tune, or away from the “proper pitch”. When we fail to tune our instruments to that pitch things sound terribly wrong, even painful.
The same is true in our spiritual lives as in our musical ones. We must “tune our hearts to sing [God’s] grace”. In so doing, we concede that God has established that “pitch” (Himself, His purposes, and His ways), and we adjust our lives to it. Tuning once in a while is not enough. We must tune often because our lives have a tendency of matching other pitches we hear, and joining in with other songs. If we want to make music of our lives that is a pleasing sacrifice to God, we must realign ourselves to Him, the Tuner. When we fail to tune our hearts to His, things often feel terribly wrong, even painful.
So my word to you today is this. When was the last time you allowed the Tuner to make some adjustments in you? When did you last listen closely for the “proper pitch” in His voice and tune your life to it. Amid the clamor of other sounds, it can be difficult to hear it so it is important to begin each day in tune. That can only happen if you take the time to quiet yourself, listen to Him, and then Him make the adjustments that need to be made so you can go through your day singing His grace. If you failed to do that this morning, take a few moments right now to tune, and determine that tomorrow you will tune before you attempt to make any music to the praise of His glorious grace.
Constantly Tuning to Jesus,
Pastor Scott
Tuning. Let me make clear as we begin what it is I am talking about when I speak of tuning. To tune is basically to adjust to proper pitch. When we think of tuning our instruments we are conceding that there is a proper pitch and that each of us will adjust our instruments to sound that same pitch. In orchestra we do this most of the time. Our guitarists do this every time, either with a tuner, a machine designed to tell them how to adjust their strings, or from a note on the piano. We tune because our instruments have a tendency to go “out” of tune, or away from the “proper pitch”. When we fail to tune our instruments to that pitch things sound terribly wrong, even painful.
The same is true in our spiritual lives as in our musical ones. We must “tune our hearts to sing [God’s] grace”. In so doing, we concede that God has established that “pitch” (Himself, His purposes, and His ways), and we adjust our lives to it. Tuning once in a while is not enough. We must tune often because our lives have a tendency of matching other pitches we hear, and joining in with other songs. If we want to make music of our lives that is a pleasing sacrifice to God, we must realign ourselves to Him, the Tuner. When we fail to tune our hearts to His, things often feel terribly wrong, even painful.
So my word to you today is this. When was the last time you allowed the Tuner to make some adjustments in you? When did you last listen closely for the “proper pitch” in His voice and tune your life to it. Amid the clamor of other sounds, it can be difficult to hear it so it is important to begin each day in tune. That can only happen if you take the time to quiet yourself, listen to Him, and then Him make the adjustments that need to be made so you can go through your day singing His grace. If you failed to do that this morning, take a few moments right now to tune, and determine that tomorrow you will tune before you attempt to make any music to the praise of His glorious grace.
Constantly Tuning to Jesus,
Pastor Scott
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)