Hunger and Thirst Devotions

Pastor Andy asked me to write a few devotions for the recent "Hunger and Thirst" weekend the youth group experienced at Caswell. I thought I would share them here as well.

“This is it”

Michael Jackson has obviously been in the news a lot lately, both for his untimely death and for his forthcoming movie/documentary called “This is it.” A never-before released song by the same name has been creating some new excitement. His music was fun and energetic, and much of it I still enjoy hearing today. However, I always felt sorry for him. I always felt that his influence was marred by the strange reclusive habits and lifestyle he put on display for the world. I felt that he set himself up for failure by the company he kept, the materialism he displayed, and addictions he hid from the world. I was not surprised when a radio announcer broke in to the station I was listening to and shared the news of his death with the world.

This time it was the Lord who finally said “This is it”. Michael Jackson then stood before the Lord and ultimately faced his final destination.

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:1-13.

One of the most impacting verses in this passage is v.8. Read it again. When we choose to live a life contrary to the Bible, we are not rejecting man, but God. Sometimes our mind tells us that when we sin, it only involves us. We tell ourselves “my bad” and go about our daily life. However, sin is more serious than that. Clearly, this passage tells us that our sin is a direct rejection of God’s teachings. In this passage, there are two specific things Paul is reminding the Thessalonians about: sexual immorality (v.3-5) and showing love to others (v.6 and v.10). Take a few moments and meditate on how you are doing in those areas. Take time this morning to look at your life and let the Holy Spirit show you the areas you need to “clean house” in. (Use Psalm 139:23-24 as a guide.)

Concluding Thought…….

Today’s Thessalonians passage ends with what Paul sees as a goal of our strivings for a pure and holy life: It impacts our witness, and ultimately our legacy. Why then should we work so hard to be pure? Verse 12, in the NIV says “so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders.”

As a musician, I respect Michael Jackson. He really shaped pop music in ways that few others did. As a person though, Michael Jackson never earned my respect. His life outside of the spotlight was self-serving and plagued with bad choices. In the song “This is it” I mentioned earlier, Jackson’s lyrics, referring to himself says “This is it. Here I stand. I’m the light of the world, I feel grand.” We as believers know there is only one Light of the World, and that’s Jesus. I wish Jackson’s life and legacy could have modeled more of Jesus than “The Man in the Mirror.”

People are watching you. What are they seeing? Are you winning the respect of others?

“Branches and Pedals”

This morning, let’s begin by reading John 15:1-8 in your copy of God’s Word.

The piano is one of the most timeless and beautiful instruments that God has given us to express our praises to Him. Bartolomeo Cristofori, a harpsichord maker for a prince, came up with the idea of a keyboard instrument that could play both soft and loud sounds. As the piano was developed, pedals were added to give players ways to change and enhance the tone and volume of the instrument. Most modern pianos have three pedals:

The soft pedal: While playing the piano, pressing this left pedal will make the volume and tone seem quieter or “softer”.

The sustaining pedal: The right-most and most frequently used of the three, it has been called the “soul of the piano” and is used to allow the sound of a played note to continue even after the pianist has released the key. It causes all of the notes played to blend together.

The sostenuto pedal: pressing this middle pedal causes some sounds to be held while others continue to play normally.

Over the years, the sostenuto pedal became somewhat of a useless pedal. Less and less composers would write music that would be fit for its use. There seemed to be less need for the muffled, but unique sound this middle pedal provided. Many piano manufacturers, not to mention digital pianos and keyboards, would eliminate this pedal altogether, or replace it with another function. Like the fruitless branches in our passage for the day, it has ceased to be useful for its original purpose.

This morning, as you prepare to worship the Lord with your minds, voices, and bodies, I would like you to imagine God’s kingdom as if it were a beautiful black shiny grand piano. The master musician sets down to play a beautiful concerto. If you were a pedal on that piano, what would your function be?

Are you like the soft pedal? You may be quietly loyal and obedient to the music the Master plays, but never seek to make a “big splash” for Him either. You prefer to keep things quiet. If so, perhaps it’s time for you to step up and be bolder in your faith.

Are you like the sustain pedal? You’re all about making the music big, grand, and long-lasting as possible. You can be loud and “muddy-up” the sound sometimes, but most of the time you make beautiful music. I like to think the apostle Peter would be this type of pedal. Maybe it’s time to fully yield to the Master’s control.

Or, are you like the sostenuto pedal? You aren’t really doing anything for the instrument except taking up space. You can’t decide what notes should be held and which ones should not be, so you’d prefer not to be used at all. Do this though and they may just decide to take you off the instrument altogether.

What is your desire this morning about the music you make for your master? I’m not talking about the worship songs Randy and Kindred Spirit will lead in. I’m talking about your ultimate instrument – your life. If you are truly hungering and thirsting for God, wouldn’t that be reflected in the “fruits” you bear for Him, the “music” you make for Him? God’s Word in the passage today clearly reminds us how we can stay “in tune” with the master: REMAIN IN HIM. Meditate on that command this morning.

Perhaps you’re having a tough time in a family relationship…REMAIN IN HIM

Perhaps you’re looking at college or your life past graduation…REMAIN IN HIM

Perhaps friends are tempting you with destructive habits …REMAIN IN HIM

New Devotional Site

Through the post of another friend, I just found what seems to be a great (and free) devotional site for Christians. The address is here:

http://devotionalchristian.com/

Keeping Cool in a Christian T-Shirt

Sometimes it's hard to keep your cool. I believe you automatically become a magnet for testing when you choose to wear a shirt which proclaims some sort of Christian message. Yesterday, with my "God is Joy" T-shirt adorned about me, I set off with a Daddy Day with just me and my little guy. Three times we were tested.

1. The first was at the comic book store in Salisbury. I brought in some items to trade in. The last time I had been there they were very fair with the trade, and they were quite pleasant. This time, a different clerk did the bartering and although pleasant, refused to give me anything near what my items were worth. I left disappointed, but kept my cool.

2. Carowinds: Rain and a looming storm made our few hours there a little disappointing. Although we knew we were not going to get many rides in, it really made things worse when we walked all the way around to the far side of the park to ride Riccocet, one of the only "big rides" my little guy can ride. Although they had just let on the people right before us and there was no one else in line, they told us we could not ride. I asked politely and told the attendant we had walked a long way just for this ride, and pointed out that they had just let someone else through, but she held her ground. I left disappointed, but kept my cool.

3. McDonalds in Mooresville: The brand new McDonalds near my house in Mooresville is state of the art and beautiful. McDonalds is usually good for one thing - fast food. I stopped inside to get something to go on the way home, and waited 20 minutes for a 20 pack of nuggets (a minute per nugget???) Then after carefully telling them what sauces I wanted, I looked in the bag and they had just thrown some random ones in. I asked nicely for the sauces I wanted again. There were 12 workers (not an exaggeration) behind the counter, and none of them could find the sauce. Finally, I pointed out the sauce bin was right behind them. They still did not get it. And finally after a long day of disappointments, I had to raise my voice, point and strongly say "They're right there." Although bothered, still, I kept my cool.

So although my shirt said "God is Joy" , circumstances of the day tried to negate that purpose. It sometimes makes you not want to put on those types of shirts so that we can have the freedom to blatantly rant about the injustice, lack of grace, and incompetence around us. Yet, today I arise, Christ as my captain, and the armour of God adorned about me ready to face the day. Perhaps I would have fared even better yesterday spending more time putting on the armour of God before I put on that Christian T-shirt.

So fellow soldiers, go ahead and put on your T-shirt today, but be prepared to be tested!

Senior Adult Choir Tour 2009 Epilogue: Misty Canada & Tired Travelers

I'll conclude our trip blog by showing two pictures. One of the view from our window as we awake in Niagara Falls, NY. We can see into Canada from our 4th floor room and the thick mist from the falls and the morning fog have mixed together to make a cloud over the city.

And the second picture shows what we all hope to be doing on the bus over the next few hours. We are tired!

Short Niagara Video

Here is a quick pan of the Canadian Falls I took with my regular camera's video recorder just to give you a better glimpse that still pictures can't really duplicate. The mist at the base of the falls was so thick a lot of our sightline was obscured, but it was still a grand sight.

Senior Adult Choir Tour 2009 Day Three

Whew! What a tiring and exhausting day! It began with a concert in Hershey, PA, where we performed at the Country Meadow Nursing Home. It was a nice facility, and the residents (plus one rabbit) seemed to enjoy the program. We were then off to Niagara, which we knew would be a stretch in making it by our 5p.m. target time. We arrived after 6, which meant that we were not able to ride the famous Maid of the Mist (the last boat left at 5:30p.m.) Still we arrived with plenty of daylight left to enjoy the sights of the American Falls, and for those with proper credentials, the Canadian side, which offered the better views. We even got to see the lights come on that illimunated the falls with colors, which was very neat. Time flew quickly for us the rest of the evening, and before we knew it, most of our restaurant choices for supper were closed. So, our large group of Baptists dined at the only open choice for late night fare: the Hard Rock Cafe.

Despite some unintended traffic and routing information, a previously described mechanical issue with the bus, and a few folks a bit under the weather, I'll have to say that the Lord has blessed us on this journey. We hope in turn we have blessed both those we have ministered to in the performances as well as each other in gaining new friends from partner chruches.

We begin the very long journey back to North Carolina tomorrow. Other than meal stops, it will be a straight shot.

Senior Adult Choir Tour 2009 Day Two

Today was a very interesting day. The day began actually being ahead of schedule, but early in our day a loud bang occurred from under the bus as if we'd hit something. The driver found a safe place to pull over, but quickly discovered that there was a problem with the left front wheel of the bus. It was deemed unrepairable, so another local bus company was brought in to shuttle us to our next destination, Amish Country in PA. However, by the time the bus arrived, we had lost about 2 hours of time, meaning that we had to scrap the two stops in Amish Country and go straight to Hershey Chocolate World, where we ate and ended our day. Our original bus company will be bringing a new bus for us late this evening, and we'll be on our third bus for the trip. Still, we must give due credit to the Lord, as the problem discovered with the original bus, if not caught in the way it was, could have caused a far more serious accident. We were very blessed today, and the sacrifice of a few sightseeing destinations was a small price to pay for the safety of our passengers. We're thankful for a driver's good judgement, a local charter company (called "Cross Tours" by the way) who came to the rescue for us, and flexible good-spirited folks who have made this trip a real blessing for us thus far.

A view of a farm south of the Shenandoah Valley where our bus broke down.

Updating the patient throng about our changes in plans

Chocolate World!!!

Senior Adult Choir Tour 2009 Day One

Well, Senior Adult Choir Tour got off to a great start today. We headed to our first stop a bit behind schedule this morning, but made up the time and arrived in Bedford, VA just in time for the Memorial Day Service at the D-Day Memorial and a great lunch at Liberty Station afterwards. Our first concert stop was at the Elks National Home, a beautiful and historic facility, where our concert was well-received by all of the residents. Rain dampened our plans to take the trip up Sharp Top Mountain afterwards, but we did get to see some beautiful mountain scenery en route. Supper tonight was in Valley View Mall area of Roanoke. Here are some pictures of our journey thus far.

Who is Jesus to You? Devotion Series

I have had several people mention they really enjoyed the daily devotions I was asked to write for our church's Spiritual Groth Campaign we called "Who is Jesus to You?, or WIJ2U? for short. So, for those of you who may have not received all of them, I decided to post them here for archival purposes. I hope they are a blessing to you.

JESUS: CHARACTERIZED BY BOLDNESS

When we picture our Lord Jesus, what is the first thought that comes into your mind? Is it an image of a gentle man surrounded by children? Is it a meek persona with arms outstretched, smiling and standing on the clouds of heaven? While these images are not necessarily inaccurate, there is more to our Savior than the peace and tranquil images we often associate with Him. Throughout the scriptures, Jesus is characterized by boldness. He is bold in his teachings to the masses. He is bold in his accusations with the Pharisees and hypocritical religious leaders. He was bold in his clearing of the temple. He was bold as He proclaimed before Pilate’s question of His Kingship: “Yes, it is you say.” (Luke 23:3).

If you are like me, my conversations with others dance mostly in the realm of the superficial, the “small talk” of life, if you will. Even when serious issues arise in the lives of others, there is a temptation just to leave things with a simple “Everything’s going to be okay” and go about your normal life. When, it many circumstances, there are opportunities for boldness that are missed. Let me encourage you today in your conversations with others that when a subject arises in which you can offer a word of testimony about Christ, do it! Perhaps a need arises in which you can suggest trust in the healing power of our Lord by offering to pray for a person. Perhaps someone confides with you about a sense of hopelessness in which you can offer to them Jesus as a source of hope. Perhaps instead of a half-hearted “Don’t worry about it,” you can offer a scripture God laid on your heart as a word of encouragement. Don’t let those opportunities for boldness pass you by. Look for them today.

I’ll close today’s devotion with an encouragement from a psalmist that was not ashamed of the God he served, and was not afraid to proclaim the name of His God to others. I like what he says in Psalm 119:46 (NLT):

“I will speak to kings about your laws, and I will not be ashamed.”

If we are not bold enough to speak with our friends, the chances are slim that we will possess the boldness to speak with the authority needed to influence our government leaders and change our society for Christ.


JESUS: WONDERFUL WAY-MAKER

I love amusement parks. I grew up on Carowinds, but have expanded my park repertoire to include Busch Gardens, Kentucky Kingdom, King’s Dominion, Six Flags, Silver Dollar City, Dollywood, and the Disney parks. Of course, I’m not as young as I used to be, and vertigo and bad ankles have taken their toll on what I want to ride vs. what I know I can handle. Still, I love a good day in a park. My family and friends who go with me to these places have a nickname for me: “The Plan Master.” There is a little sarcasm in that title as they know that if I go into a park we’ve never been too before, I have already got a planned order of rides to tackle, based on which rides are the most popular at what time of the day. I’ll come equipped with having read books or websites on the park, and have the park map memorized. Still, my plan doesn’t always work. There’s that unexpected bathroom visit that throws us off schedule. Then, the brand new coaster breaks down, putting you about 30 minutes behind. And then, someone in the group wants to stop to watch the Country Music dance show. But that wasn’t part of MY PLAN!!!

Babbie Mason’s song “Hallowed Be Thy Name” has a line in it that describes our Lord as “Wonderful Way-maker.” Don Moen has a worship song that declared “God will make a way when there seems to be no way….” Rich Mullins’ timeless “Step by Step” proclaims “I will learn to walk in Your way.” Where does Jesus fit into the picture in regards to the plans for Your life? Do you serve as your own “Plan-master” or are you letting Christ be your “Wonderful Way-maker?” Only Christ can help you when the plan YOU had for your life fails. As you look at your life, are you at a place where He is in the driver’s seat?

In Psalm 119:59, the psalmist says:
“I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws.”

Notice the transitional statement, “I turned…” After you have had enough of making unsuccessful and ever-changing plans for yourself, isn’t it time to turn? Turn from your sin, turn from your past, and turn to follow Him. Let Him be your Way-maker today.


JESUS: THE RESCUER

We all have a need and desire for safety. In a post- “9-11” world, reminders about how to keep ourselves “safe” and out of harm’s way are never out of reach. Increased security in airports, metal detectors at store entrances, and anti-virus/identity protection warnings on our computer screens are all around us. We want to trust in many of these safeguards, but they often leave us still with nothing more than a reminder that danger is lurking. Despite this, we can take comfort in a Savior that still is in the rescuing business. Throughout the Scriptures, we see evidence of the Lord delivering those he cares about. In Psalm 31, David’s trust in a rescuing God is made evident in a heart-felt cry for rescue from His Lord. As you read the passage below, focus on how our Lord embodies the words I have underlined. David surely did.

1 O Lord, I have come to you for protection; don’t let me be disgraced. Save me, for you do what is right. 2 Turn your ear to listen to me; rescue me quickly. Be my rock of protection, a fortress where I will be safe. 3 You are my rock and my fortress. For the honor of your name, lead me out of this danger. 4 Pull me from the trap my enemies set for me, for I find protection in you alone. 5 I entrust my spirit into your hand. Rescue me, Lord, for you are a faithful God.
6 I hate those who worship worthless idols. I trust in the Lord. 7 I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul. 8 You have not handed me over to my enemies but have set me in a safe place. (NLT)

It is obvious in David’s prayer that he places his trust in THE ONLY SOURCE of true rescue. And greater still, we have today the means of ultimate rescue – from sin and death with a relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus’ power is greater than any evil, addiction, or hardship that the world can throw at us. When you turn on the news today, you no doubt will be hit with a message of the latest terrorist scheme, the seeming hopelessness of the evils of this world, and man’s attempts to thwart it. Let me encourage you to dwell instead on the great Rescuer who proclaimed to his disciples in the days before His death:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 NIV)



JESUS: TWO REASONS TO REJOICE

I wonder what it was really like following Jesus as one of his disciples while he walked this earth as a man. On one hand, it doesn’t seem like much of a life, wondering around almost as a nomad, depending town by town upon the kindnesses of strangers with tired feet soiled from dusty roads. On the other hand, what a joy it would have been to see firsthand the Son of God taking the lame up by the hand and seeing them walk; casting out evil spirits from those held in bondage by their grasp many years; seeing a dead man walk out from his tomb – ALIVE!

We often forget that it wasn’t just Jesus that healed and cast off demons. His disciples, scriptures say, also performed miracles as well, and they were pretty excited by the God-given ability to do so! We read about this in Luke 10:17-20 (NLT)

17 When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!”
18 “Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! 19 Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. 20 But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.”

Now despite the varying and wild interpretations associated with verse 19, there are some primary principles we can gain from this account, specifically that we have two reasons to rejoice in the relationship we have with Jesus. First, Christ affirms the disciple’s amazement with confirmation they had been given authority and power to cast out these evil spirits. However, as awesome as this power was, this pales in comparison to the true gift that they (and we) have: citizenship in heaven. Christ reminds us in verse 20 that this gift is far more of a reason to celebrate than casting out demons.

So today, be thankful for the two gifts Christ has pointed out in this passage: 1) The authority and power to overcome evil, and 2) The gift of citizenship in heaven. And if you haven’t claimed these gifts yet, know that a relationship with the gift-giver awaits you.


JESUS: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE

If any of you have spent any time around me, you’ll know that one of my biggest hobbies is collecting “Transformer” toys. For those of you unfamiliar with the concept, “Transformers” are toy robots that change into another form, whether that is an animal, car, plane, or something else. This is their “disguise” of sorts, which makes them, as their catchphrase suggests “more than meets the eye.”

As we continue onward with our personal study of who Jesus really is, we must realize that with Him, there is also “More Than Meets the Eye.” You may have noticed the picture of Christ on the posters around the church advertising our campaign. You’ll notice that the picture looks somewhat distorted. Although I am unsure of the artist who created this image, it appears that through natural deterioration or for artistic effect, they’ve created a picture that seems faded and a bit distorted. It creates the effect that parts of the image are missing.

What does the picture of Jesus in your mind look like so far? Perhaps there are “chunks” missing, or maybe part of the image you have is a little blurry. My prayer is that many of you will continue nurturing and tending your relationship with Christ, in order that the picture in your minds of who Christ really is continues to come into focus, preparing you for the day when, as Revelation 1:7(NIV) says:

“Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him…”

A Backwards Psalm?

Psalm 44 is very interesting. As I have been working my way through the Psalms off and on for the past year or so, one recurring theme is that often plaintive "complaining Psalms" start with just that, complaints or the telling of the dire circumstansces surrounding the psalmist's life. However, in many of them, there is at lease one "transition point," where the Psalmist expresses that deliverance has happened, or an attitude of trust and thankfulness in God takes over the tone.

In Psalm 44, we have a bit if a backwards approach. Vs. 1-8 express that attitude of trust, thanking God for His historical deliverance of Israel. Vs. 9-26 then begins the litany of woes and complaining. It's almost as if the psalmist is laying a foundation to God to prove what He's "supposed to be doing," then proceeds to complain about why He's not doing it.

You know, at first I thought this was backwards. However, as I write this, I think we strategize our arguments with God in the same way. We have victories and we have things to praise Him about. I think sometimes we "hold those over His head" by saying. "Well, last year you delivered me from this, and this year you haven't - what's the deal?" So, I can't be too critical of "the descendents of Korah," whom this psalm is attributed to. We're just as backwards now.

Wordy Paul

One of my faults as both a writer and a conversationalist is that I tend to over-explain things and deal in circular run-on sentences. A recent marketing seminar I went to said the best communication occurs in sentences that are no more than eight-ten words. Wow, I have prepositions and superlative phrases that are eight words. Still, I am thankful that in creative writing that there are some freedoms to be verbose that composing a newsletter doesn't allow.

Now I hope lightning doesn't strike me for saying this, but I believe the apostle Paul had the same problem as me. Perhaps there's some lost in translation, but it seems his sentences go on forever! Many times I have to reread individual verses several times, break them apart, break them apart again, and then simplify them in my mind in order for them to make sense. Take today's verse I was introduced to at d365.org from Ephesians 1:17-19:

I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.

What? Did I count right - 81 words? Well, rather than count them again, I'll just assume I'm right. Paul could have never sent text messages on a mobile phone or via Twitter. Not only is it long, but by the time you get to then end of the passage, you've forgotten what the beginning of the passage said. To combat this today. I took each phrase and simplified it as follows:

Paul's prayer is:

That God reveals wisdom to us

-so that we'll know-

HOPE,

HEAVEN, (the saints' inheritance, my paraphrase)

and

STRENGTH (God's power working in us).

There you go Paul, - you're welcome. 17 words not counting parentheticals. Still too many for the 8-10 recommended for newsletters and church publications, but we're getting closer.

In Paul's defense, though (and mine), when we serve a God as great and vast as ours is, I guess its ultimately impossible to define him in any amount of words, much less eight. It's like the stanza in the old hymn, "The Love of God...."

"Could we with ink the ocean fill

Or were the skies of parchment made

Were every stalk on earth a quill and every man a scribe by
trade

To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry

Nor could the scroll contain the whole through stretched from
sky to sky."

A Right Relationship

Today I read in Psalm 24 (you know the one right after the famous Psalm 23) about how to be in good standing with God, or rather "who can climb the mountain of God."

3 Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? 4 Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies. 5 They will receive the Lord’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior. 6 Such people may seek you and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob (NLV).

This sort of makes a little checklist for us. Let's see...

Are my hands and hearts pure? Hmm, maybe not all the time but I think I strike pretty well here.

Do I worship idols? Well, if you're talking about those big scary statues, no. However, there's somethings in my life I often find in competition with God, that's for sure.

Do I never tell lies? I'd say no, but then again, that would be - uh - lying.

I guess I, like all of us have a constant struggle in the quest for righteousness. But then, priase God there's GRACE.