Under Authority

A great story that captured my attention last week deals with Naaman in 2 Kings 5.  He was a successful military commander that had to deal with the horrible disease of leperosy.  What made his story so compelling for me was the means by which God gave him a second chance at life.  It required that he come under the authority of a prophet named Elisha.  He was told to dip in the Jordan River seven times in order to experience healing.  At first he was furious with Elisha's demand.  But his servants convinced him to give it a try.  I wonder - what it must have been like to come up from the water the sixth time and the moment he came up from the water the seventh time.  That seventh time - his skin was cleansed completely.  What a great reward for sticking with something that demanded persistence and humility. 

I would hope that we could recongize how transforming humility and persistence is. 

God's Surprises

I am leading a Men's Group that meets Wednesday Nights. If you were sitting in on our discussion tonight you might be wondering if God's surprises are as much for Him to unfold as it was for me to recieve.

The PRE-Story:  Eight days ago I recieved a call from a soldier on leave by the name of Tyler.  During his last tour he tells of a 'come to Jesus moment' that transformed his life and while on leave asked if he could be baptized.  The only time he could be baptized would be this Sunday.  We arranged - thanks to our Trustee Duane - to celebrate this weekend. 

The WOW Moment:  So  at our Men's Group - one of the great young men shared that he had a 'come to Jesus moment'.  He decided to take a shower and get things right the Lord.  But the moment he stepped into the shower he heard God tell him two words...BE BAPTIZED.  There was no way for this young man to know that I had set up a Baptism Service so when he told our group this story I was shocked.  I shared with him that I had set up a baptism - the look on his face, PRICELESS. 

I left out a lot of details...but it serves to remind me how much fun it is to follow Jesus!
 

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Vision Begins with God

I find it remarkably easy to recall the very moment when my heart was prompted to pray... "Give us Albany or I will perish."  This was my 'Damascus Road' experience.  This prayer now serves to express God's Vision for South Albany Community Church.  Over the next couple of days I would invite you to reflect on these 7 words with me. "Give - is -Albany - or we will - perish"

The prayer begins: GIVE. 
Our church is not OURS at all.  The architect and builder is God.  Our vision is to be a joyful expression of people depending and desiring the Favor of God.


Our vision begins with our dependence on God...no amount of thought or effort will transform our city if God choses to withhold His favor.  God Himself delights in our understanding this.   
“Call to me and I will show you Great and Mighty things that you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3
“My house shall be a house of prayer for all people.” Matthew 21:13

God's favor is like a Fountain of Water coming from within stone.  Like a Spring of Water –experiencing refreshment for the thirsty and witnessing even stones reshaped. That is the evidence of God's favor

What is believable?

 This afternoon someone stopped by the church and said "I have come to worship...here is my tithe."  Cool, eh?  I think it is humorous to think that people who believe in the virgin birth, the resurection and the incarnation would have any difficulty believing in God to keep His promise when it comes to Malachi 3:10.  All these things are BIG - but God is capable of them all!

Thanks for the New Hope Christian Church for their creative work with the Tithe Rap - if you missed it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7epHUBdE3ZY&feature=PlayList&p=BDF41BD675F5AA16&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=1

Sunday Night - post game

Just shut the tv off - Kelsey and I were watching a movie together called Serenity.  One of those "I want to keep watching because it's confusing".   Something has to make sense...sooner or later.  We thought it kind of did.  Sunday Night - when I think about what developed today - was kind of a Serenity event. 

This morning - shared about the tithe in Malachi 3:6-12.  God cares about what we give.  Giving reveals trust.   I truly want our church to experience the Blessing God speaks of in Malachi.  The joy of my heart was having one of the young ladies ask me - as she was leaving church - if the tithe were on the gross or the net?  What that indicated to me...she was ready to launch on a No Excuses November Experiment.  Like the trapeze artist...it was time to see SACC let go into God's hands.  Mark Batterson made a list worth repeating

1) God can do more with 90% than I can do with 100%
2) U cannot out give God
3) 2 be blessed beyond your ability u need to give beyond your ability
4) When u start tithing, your financial problems become God's problem
5) The tithe keeps money from becoming your master
6) Tithing positions u 4 blessing
7) Tithing = Trusting 
 

Leadership Matters...

I am excited to see what God does as we carry forward His mission through SACC. 


This morning I have been working on the first draft of the Leadership Council to set up at SACC and the Qualifications.  Qualifications for leadership - evidence of personally sharing God's love with others, active in a Growth Group, Investing Financially in SACC, Accountable to God's Word, Faithfully Interceding for our Community and a Servant Leader. 
 
Writing out some thoughts allows for discussion. Feel free to weigh in



 

Two Insights about Jesus' Response to Sin

My heart has been captivated by two situations  - the woman caught in adultery (John 8) and the conversation Jesus had with Peter after the resurrection (John 21). I am hoping someone would go grab their Bible and see for themselves. 

Jesus wants both the woman and Peter to deal with sin.  After being caught in adultery - Jesus points out that sin is leading to a predicatiable outcome...unless she changes course SIN would have killed her - literally.    After denying Jesus three times - Peter was questioned by Jesus - "Do you love me?" 

What fascinates me is how Jesus, who could demanded a confession from both the woman and Peter, chose instead to ask from them to make a declaration of their LOVE. 

What if I were do the same?  Rather than just confessing what I may have done wrong - I start to practice confessing who it is I love.  Sinner...can you today declare your love for Jesus. 

The Emmaus Journey

The image of the journey from Jerusalem to Emmaus reminds me just how easy it is to 'feel' something within my heart even when I don't know the exact reason why.  The writings in this blog are designed to journal the things from God's Word  in my daily readings.  This will be a very revealing  process that I would like to invite you to share with me. My faith has been restless because Christ is always moving.