Day 296 a note from God: Matthew 19 and Mark 20

It’s easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.”

They were shocked even more and said to each other, “Then who can be saved?”

Jesus looked at them carefully and said, “It’s impossible with human beings, but not with God. All things are possible for God.”

Mark 10:25-27 CEB

We are so limited in our thinking from God's perspective.

For every negative thought we have God has a positive answer if we would look:

You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)

You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you (John 3:16)

You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9)

You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)

You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I FORGIVE YOU (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)

You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)

You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)

You say: "I don't have enough faith"
God says: I've given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)

You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews13:5)


Have you threaded any needles with camels lately?

Vital Sign for Living: Just Breathe!

The secret to long life is found in two simple words: just breathe!

Nearly everyone has a goal of being physically fit. When we are physically fit, we look good, we feel good and we perform at our best each day in every task we undertake. The challenge is in how to become physically fit, because there is no universal solution for physical fitness. What works for one person might not work for another person with different body chemistry and a different body type. In addition, the measure of physical fitness can differ greatly from person to person when physical fitness for one body does not necessarily measure as physical fitness for another. (How to Become Physically Fit by Sara Melone,www.ehow.com)

Change one word and change the meaning . . .

Nearly everyone has a goal of being spiritually fit. When we are spiritually fit, we look good, we feel good and we perform at our best each day in every task we undertake. The challenge is in how to become spiritually fit, because there is no universal solution for spiritual fitness. What works for one person might not work for another person . . . In addition, the measure of spiritual fitness can differ greatly from person to person . . .

While there is no universal solution there are some things that we should be doing in order to increase our spiritual fitness. I would even go as far as to say as there are some things that are absolute must dos. Let’s think of them as the “Just Breathe” things of our spiritual fitness.

MATTHEW 6:5 begins with Jesus saying, “When you pray”. This is not a commandment, but rather there is an assumption that this is something we will do. Prayer is to be part of our lives as much as breathing as to be a part of our living.

Extended further, our very lives, our prayer is to be continually – I think that is what Paul meant when he wrote to the church in Thessalonica and said, “Pray Continually” (I Thes 5:17). For me, that means that our conversations on a daily basis are a prayer to God. In other words. “may what I do this day be pleasing to God” is our prayer every day as we act and go through our day’s activities.

Prayer is at the core of the spiritual activities that we need in order to be spiritually fit. Prayer weaves its way through all our activities. Why? Because at the basic level prayer is simply the means by which we communicate with God and the actions that we take are simply a means to deepen our relationship with God.

Pray is a task that Jesus assumed we would already be engaged in daily. But, remember prayer is not a specific form or a specific set of words. Prayer is unique to each of us. I believe the activity of prayer calls us to a deeper understanding of faith in our lives. The problem for many of us as it relates to prayer is similar to the problem we have when faced with the activity of becoming physically fit - we just don’t have the time, nor have we been willing to make the time. That is why prayer must become a discipline in our lives.

So how do we make prayer a discipline in our lives?

Make an Appointment – set a time
Select A Quiet Place
Have A Contrite Heart
Pray with specifics and mean what you say
Be able to Reflect on your prayers by committing them to paper

Beware! As we seek to build an effective life of prayer, we must be cautious to not make prayer into:

A wish list for personal fulfillment or gain
A one-way conversation
A magic formula or “get of jail free card”
A tool for negotiating with God
An act of self interest with no personal responsibility

I believe an effective and active prayer life within the church congregation will spur us on to more prayer in our personal lives. So, I bring you a personal challenge for your prayer life this morning:

I want to challenge you to spend 5 minutes each day for the next 90 days. I want you to prayer specifically. Not to pray for others; not to pray for yourself; but pray in a conversation with God of thanksgiving, adoration, and confession, asking of God but one thing: to reveal to you a measure of His love in a new way.

As you look at prayer in your life, Can you do this? I believe the answer is yes!

Perhaps a paraphrase of I Thessalonians 5:17 could be borrowed from today’s pop culture - Just Do it!

Scripture cries out to us to pray continually; to just do it!

Jeremiah 33:3 Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. JUST DO IT!

Matthew 6:6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. JUST DO IT!

Luke 18:1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. JUST DO IT!

Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. JUST DO IT!

Luke 6:12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. JUST DO IT!

Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. JUST DO IT!

I Thessalonians 5:17 Pray continually JUST DO IT!

Finally, as we examine all these vital signs for life . . . worship, study, service, giving, prayer . . .

All of these activities are simple exercises that have far greater implications than we give them credit. The great basketball coach John Wooden told this story that relates:

In our first team meeting two weeks before UCLA’s actual practices began, I would ask players to start toughening up their feet. Waiting until practices began would guarantee blisters. I advised them against scrimmaging. Instead I urged them to start with plenty of sliding side to side, starting and stopping, making quick changes of direction, and sprinting short distances rather than long. This would gradually toughen up their feet. Players understood the need for this. They knew they couldn’t hide blisters. What I didn’t tell them was that by getting their feet ready, they would also get their lungs ready. If they did the drills I recommended, their wind would be in good shape when practices got underway. Players were less inclined to pay attention to their wind. They may have felt it was less detectable. On the first day of practice I wanted UCLA to be able to literally hit the floor running, at full speed for two hours without getting blisters or becoming winded. When we addressed one issue, the other came as sort of a hidden reward.
(Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court)

I think though that’s how God works as well - God gives us simple things to do – worship, study, serve, give, pray . . . these simple directions to act have far greater consequence in our lives. The end result of this simple actions are that we grow to become more spiritually fit.

I ran across these comments by personal trainer, Ajay Middha, this week. He was asked, “What does ‘being fit ‘ mean?” He replied,

Physical fitness is defined as "a set of attributes that people have or achieve that relates to the ability to perform physical activity" In simpler words it is more than being able to run a long distance or lift a lot of weight at the gym. Given that criterion, I would say that a person who can rip telephone books in half but can't jog a mile without wanting to throw up, is not fit. He's strong, but unfit. Being fit is not defined only by what kind of activity you do, how long you do it, or at what level of intensity as they only address single areas. It is my opinion that you need to work on all aspects of fitness. How you do it is your choice

I hope that you have been praying about the commitment- the choices you are willing to make - to becoming more spiritually fit in this coming year. Those commitments are yours to make and keep in the coming weeks and months.

What are you willing to do to become more spiritually fit this year?

Day 295 a note from God: Luke 17-18

Pharisees asked Jesus when God’s kingdom was coming. He replied, “God’s kingdom isn’t coming with signs that are easily noticed. Nor will people say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ Don’t you see? God’s kingdom is already among you.”
Luke 17:20-21 CEB

Ever been to Disneyland? It really is hard to have a bad day there. Everyone seems so nice and helpful and everything is clean and in its place. When you leave, you long for things to be like that.

I think that too often we get caught up in what the Kingdom of God will be like in the future. We impatiently wait for everything to be made right.

And yet, Jesus says the Kingdom of is already here. We just miss it.

You don't have to wait until Heaven to do the right thing . . . as a matter of fact, I don't think you can.

What are you waiting for?

The Kingdom of God is here and you are a part of it. Get to it . . .

Day 294 a note from God: John 11

The fountain display at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas is truly spectacular, but then again everything in Las Vegas is designed to be spectacular. That is in part what draws people there. Las Vegas is more than gambling and casinos. Las Vegas is everything to the extreme - shows, performers, neon signs, food, hotels, and fountains.

Our appetite for the spectacular is what makes today's passage so unique.

Jesus began to cry. John 11:35 CEB

There is part of me that wants Jesus to put on a show. How easy it would have been - How spectacular it would have been - how awesome!

But no, Jesus instead mourns at the human loss and then without fireworks or a spectacular show raises Lazarus from the dead.

Good News that the spectacular can be accomplished simply.

I am a simple man and I find comfort that God understands me and can use me (in the simplest ways) to accomplish His work.

Keep it simple - God is spectacular enough!

Day 293 a note from God: Luke 16-17

The master commended the dishonest manager because he acted cleverly.

Luke 16:8 CEB

Bill Murray in Caddyshack delivers the line, "So I got that going for me."

Along those lines, I recently received this promising e-mail:

Recently, my doctor told me that i have cancer problem. (cancer of the lever and i have partial stroke before) So i don't know now for how long i am going to be here in this earth.Having known my condition I decided to donate this the little fund (3.7 Million Dollars)which i have to a Church or individual that will utilize this money the way I will instruct. I want little fund to be use for orphanages, widows, propagating the word of God and to endeavor that the house of God is maintained.

So, I go that going for me.

The sad thing is good, God-loving people fall prey to these and other scams daily! Apparently we aren't shrewd enough to recognize a scam when it comes our way. Likewise we aren't real good and recognizing good practices when they come our way either.

I love the story Jesus tells in the passage today because it comes with one of those lines that catches you off guard. Did, Jesus really commend someone for their shrewd (albeit underhanded) business practice? The answer is YES!

Why? I think it was to remove the fear of doing business the 'normal' way as a follower of Christ.

For too long now, the church has acted with fear with regards to anything that comes along that resembles the world's business practices. The problem is there are some really good practices the church could learn from.

Right now within the United Methodist Church all churches are being asked to set goals and implement a S.M.A.R.T. action plan. This is a process that is being used throughout the business sector to reinvigorate corporations and help them achieve their goals.

The problem is we have church leaders and pastors that are approaching this with fear and dread as if to say that business practices are invading the church!

I say until we (the church) develop practices for achieving our goals that are worthy of being duplicated by the business sector, let's take their best practices and shrewdly make them our own.

I think God would approve and I know the church will be better off in the years to come because we acted shrewdly in setting and achieving our goals.

Day 292 a note from God: Luke 14-15

“Or what woman, if she owns ten silver coins and loses one of them, won’t light a lamp and sweep the house, searching her home carefully until she finds it? When she finds it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Celebrate with me because I’ve found my lost coin.’

Luke 15:8-9 CEB




Our church is wrapping up a series on stewardship and tithing and couldn't help but 'see' a unique picture of tithing in this parable about the Kingdom of God.

One coin is missing out of ten - that is 10% - a tithe.

When it is missing there is alarm! This missing coin is of value.

When it is found there is a celebration. The found coin is worth celebrating.

Jesus didn't teach we should tithe - that might be a shock to some!

Jesus taught that are giving should be cheerful, generous, and sacrificial.

Our giving should be noticed by us as if something was missing!

Our giving should be worth celebrating!

If others learned of your giving, would there be cause to celebrate?

Day 291 a note from God: Luke 12-13

Again Jesus said, “To what can I compare God’s kingdom?
It’s like yeast, which a woman took
and hid in a bushel of wheat flour
until the yeast had worked its way through the whole.”

Luke 13:20-21 CEB



Faith is to permeate our whole life.

John Wesley started a movement based on the premise that if you have faith your life should be a living example of that faith.

Faith leads to acts of faith. Faith leads to good works.

Faith should create a change in you that others will notice!

Got faith?

Day 290 a note from God: Luke 10-11, John 10

Nevertheless, don’t rejoice because the spirits submit to you. Rejoice instead that your names are written in heaven.”

Luke 10:20 CEB

It is so easy to get caught up in the accomplishments of men.

We watch athletes win games and hear them say, "I want to thank God . . ."

Here is Jesus reminding the disciples after they have done great and mighty things . . . Don't forget what is truly worth giving thanks for . . . Your Salvation.

As our minds wander towards our plans for Thanksgiving, be mindful to give thanks and rejoice in the salvation you have in Christ. This is far greater than anything else you might be thankful for.

Day 289 a note from God: John 9-10

Why do you study so much?

He replied, “I already told you, and you didn’t listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?”

John 9:27 CEB

There is an old adage that many people miss Heaven by 18 inches - the distance from your head to your heart!

This man understood that when he replied, “I already told you, and you didn’t listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?”

I have to admit there is much in the Bible that I do not understand. There is far more that I now understand after taking a step (leap) of faith and trusting God as His word.

We have been at this together now for 288 days! Are you still reading because you are curious to know more? Are you a skeptic?

The question ages ago is still valid today, Do you want to become his disciples?

Begin a relationship with Jesus. Ask God to forgive your mistakes and become a follower of Christ. It's a small step, but it is the first of many that leads to peace and understanding.

Day 288 a note from God: John 7-8

Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Is there no one to condemn you?”

She said, “No one, sir.”

Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on, don’t sin anymore.”

John 8:10-11 CEB

We spend way too much of our life living in fear and passing judgment.

The church has forgotten this message taught my Christ.

“Neither do I condemn you.”

We waste so much time on issues and miss the relationship.

Jesus will not be your accuser at the time of judgment.

He will be your Savior.

Well? . . . He will be the Savior for those that know Him.

Do you know Him? Do you have a relationship with The Savior?

Vital Signs for Living: Generosity

The problem with some of our spiritual health issues are the same as are physical health issues. Just because we breath and have pulse doesn’t mean we are getting the oxygen into our system to be strong and vital. What does that mean to our spiritual lives? What needs to saturate our lives spiritually to be fit?

One day six blind men were walking down a road together in India. As they were walking, they came upon an elephant. Each of them touched it and a direct experience with the elephant. One blind man touched the tusk, a second the trunk, a third an ear, a fourth a leg, a fifth the tail, and the sixth the side of the elephant. The blind men continued on their journey. They began to discuss their experiences with the elephant, and a great argument broke out.

The first man stated that the elephant was like a spear. No, said the second, it was like a large snake – thick with powerful muscles. The third claimed it was like a warm leaf – thin, flat, and flexible. The fourth argued that the elephant was like the trunk of a tree. The fifth said he could hold the elephant in his hand and it felt like a rope. The sixth insisted that the elephant was most like a wall. Try as they might, the men could not agree on what an elephant was like. Each was convinced he was right. Each was convinced the other five were wrong. Who was right? Who was wrong?

We all bring our experiences with God to the table and only when we bring all of our experiences together can we ever begin to truly know God. This morning I want to talk about the elephant in the room and I want to acknowledge that we each bring our own experience to this elephant – generosity, tithing, or stewardship.

Jesus often spoke in parables. In fact the gospels record 39 parables. Over half of these stories dealt with money, greed, or generosity. In fact the bible speaks to these topics over 2000 times. If I were to ask any group of people in a church this morning if they thought it was important (even biblical) to give or tithe to the church, or to give generously – I would suspect that it would be near unanimous agreement by all in attendance. The sad reality is that the numbers belie our gusto to agree.

33% Christians say they can’t get ahead because of rising financial debt

In the past 20 years personal giving has decreased over 8%

Percentage of Income giving in churches was higher during the Great Depression 3.3% vs 2.4% in 2010.

Average giving by a member of a US Church was less than $700 per year or $13/week

Families earning less than $10,000 give 5.5 per cent of their income to charity (not necessarily church). Families earning between $50,000 and $60,000 give only 1.7% of their earnings.

Whether they believe in the principle of tithing or not, few Americans give away that much money. In 2007, research revealed that only 5% of adults gave 10% of their income to charity.

Worldwide, Christian income exceeds $6.8 trillion. It is estimated that if the US church alone would tithe (give 10%) that giving to the church alone would exceed all double total charitable giving in the US.

What might happen here if Christians were committed to the individual concept of tithing?

But could we tithe?

The act of tithing is an act of trust and faith. Financial planners know that. In a recent article in Forbes, entrepreneurial risk taking was discussed around the concept of giving and the 80-10-10 rule.

Save 10% of your income for retirement and rainy days.
Give away 10% of your income to charity.
Spend 80% of your income how you want.

The interesting side effect to this concept for business owners was that their aversion to risk was decreased as they learned that they could indeed save 10% and give away 10%. In addition they discovered they had more than enough to meet their wants and needs and were able to spend the remaining 80% without guilt.

Now hold on a minute, for you that our biblical scholars – the New Testament doesn’t mention tithing?

Tithing is an OT Law, but before you even go there (they actually gave 23% 10 tithe 10 priests 3 as an offering). I would agree that tithing is an OT law. The New Testament ended the reign of the law and in its place brought a new covenant. In the New Testament, I believe Jesus taught the concept of sacrificial giving. Remember Zachaeus, Widow’s mite, Rich Young Ruler? They all gave nearly everything!

Giving should be sacrificial – not so that others will notice your giving, but rather that you will notice. What sacrifices is it to give your leftovers?

Remember the beautiful story of sacrificial giving told by O. Henry in The Gift of the Magi?

God’s the same way. God doesn’t just want your gift: God wants your sacrifice. God wants you to feel so much love in your heart for Him that you wouldn’t think twice about not giving or sacrificing in order to give.

Now, I can give you many reasons to support the concept of giving, but instead allow me to give you just a few reasons that you should not give:

Don’t give if you are giving for show (Mark 12:38-40)
Don’t give if God’s work is not being done (2 Chronicles 31:1-10)
Don’t give if you can’t give freely (Mark 12:41-44)
Don’t give if it is not being done humbly (Luke 18:9-14)
Don’t give if you can’t trust that God will use it (Malachi 3:6-12)

The early church understood all the reasons to give and all the reasons not to give. The book of Acts records there actions:

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. Acts 4:32-35 NIV

This passage from Acts is a powerful example of the faith and trust the early church had among its members. The church took care of every need. Within 15 years of this being written there would be famine and drought and yet this church was able to care for other churches through their collections.

Malachi understood this when God told him: Bring the whole tithe to the storage house so there might be food in my house. Please test me in this, says the LORD of heavenly forces. See whether I do not open all the windows of the heavens for you and empty out a blessing until there is enough. Malachi 3:10-12 CEB

Malachi wanted the people to understand that everything they had came from God and that as they “robbed” God of the offering – they had “robbed” themselves of the blessings that God had in store for them.

I believe Jesus spoke of the same concept when He spoke of the mustard plant beginning as the tiniest of seeds and growing to be one of the hardiest plants around. Jesus said if you only had the faith of a mustard seed you could move mountains.

God has been consistent with His message and His challenge: “Test me on this – You will have enough!”

I want you to hear the call to generosity in our daily living and our financial giving. I also understand that making a leap to tithing is not necessarily a prudent one (and believe that God does as well).

I am not asking for great acts of faith. What we need are small steps of faith. We need cups of cool water given in Christ’s name. We need bags of groceries for the local food pantry given as an offering. We need volunteers who come and clean the church and do the work of keeping up the building. We need people to be willing to trust God enough to give generously - to give sacrificially.

God said through Malachi “Bring into the store house the tithes and offerings and watch what I will do through you!” (my paraphrase)

What if this one time you took God up on the challenge . . .

“Test me on this – You will have enough!”

What might happen to your faith? What blessing might you discover?

Let this be the day, let this coming year be the time they talk of for years to come as the day we began to fully trust God and we became the church that God fully intended us to be.

Day 287 a note from God: Matthew 18

What do you think? If someone had one hundred sheep and one of them wandered off, wouldn’t he leave the ninety-nine on the hillsides and go in search for the one that wandered off?

Matthew 18:12 CEB

In the church we struggle with change. Some would argue that the church has changed since the dark ages while others would argue that church has changed way too much in the past month.

In order to reach the lost risks will have to be taken. I believe Jesus understood this when he told this story.

The 99 were safe and secure in their surroundings. It would have been easy to stay with them, but the shepherd leaves to find the lost one. He risks the comfort and ease of the 99 for the one.

Perhaps if we were willing to consider the other one instead of ourselves, we wouldn't have worship wars and church splits over carpet color.

Then again, we would have to spend more time worried about someone else instead of ourselves.

Not sure 2000 years later, we understand this parable any better . . .

Day 286 a note from God: Luke 9, Matthew 17, Mark 9

John replied, “Master, we saw someone throwing demons out in your name, and we tried to stop him because he isn’t in our group of followers.”

Luke 9:49 CEB

This falls in the category of can't we all just get along?

Definition of ECUMENICAL

1) of, relating to, or representing the whole of a body of churches

2) promoting or tending toward worldwide Christian unity or cooperation


Within the greater Christian church we are all called to make disciples - that is the Great Commission. However, somewhere along the line that became the Hokey-Pokey Commission. Take the existing church members turn them all around and let them move from church to church while we pretend that we are growing in numbers. It probably isn't that bad, but there are days it feels like that . . .

When will we stop fighting amongst ourselves?

When will we stop fighting over church members?

When will we actually reach new people with the message of God's love?

Day 285 a note from God: Luke 9, Matthew 16, Mark 8

Jesus asked them,
“And what about you?
Who do you say that I am?”

Luke 9:20a CEB










For me this is the most haunting of questions that Jesus asks.

How you respond will forever frame how you live your life in relationship to others, the world, and God.

So, who do you say He is?

Day 284 a note from God: Matthew 15, Mark 7

Jesus replied, “Isaiah really knew what he was talking about when he prophesied about you hypocrites. He wrote, This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far away from me. Their worship of me is empty since they teach instructions that are human words. (Isaiah 29:13)

Mark 7:6-7 CEB

The message from God has been consistent and Jesus now reminds them of this.

Worship is empty when it is created by man to benefit man.

Worship is not about religion it is about relationship.

Do you have a relationship with God or are you still negotiating the rules?

Day 283 a note from God: John 6

Peek a boo!

Jesus replied, “I assure you that you are looking for me not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate all the food you wanted. Don’t work for the food that doesn’t last but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Human One will give you. God the Father has confirmed him as his agent to give life.”
John 6:26-27 CEB

I know I have a different sense of humor, but this story just makes me chuckle.

Jesus feeds 5000 the day before and the people want to make Him king. Jesus disperses the crowd and sends His disciples by boat on ahead. During the night Jesus walks across the water (to get to the other side). The people also having heard the day before where Jesus was going make their way there as well.

Then the comedy begins.

People: "What a surprise running into You here! We were just saying to one another I wonder where that guy - now what was His name - Oh yeah - Jesus. I wonder where He has gone to and then there are you are! So what you doing?"

Jesus the one who knows there every thought has to struggle to keep a straight face. He knows exactly why they are there - there looking for another free meal! Ever read the book Feed a Mouse a Cookie?

And with that thought, Jesus begins to teach again about the food that will last.

Ever ask yourself why you go to church?

Do you go because you are expecting something in return?

Do you go and become surprised when God shows up?

Have we become one of the thousand that chase after Jesus hoping to get another free lunch . . .

Or are we able to go to worship to give a gift of praise and adoration to the creator?

When we figure out why we are going, I believe then will we discover that we are no longer hungry for we are fully fed!

Day 282 a note from God: Matthew 14, Mark 6, Luke 9

He replied, “You give them something to eat.”

But they said, “We have no more than five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all these people.”
Luke 9:13 CEB

Jesus had to be disappointed in the response from the disciples. After all they had already witnessed. After all they had already done. The couldn't see the opportunity before them.

How often we must disappoint Jesus, when all we can see is scarcity.

How often we fail to see the abundant possibilities that are in front of us.

How many times have we missed the chance to "feed five thousand" because we refused to act - only seeing our limits and missing the possibilities of what we could with Jesus.

Remove the blindfold and see the abundance in your life today.

Vital Signs for Living: Warning! Warning!

Did you know that only one out of 7 people change their habits after a heart attack!

Warning signs are there to tell us we need to change . . . that we need to take notice! WARNING!!!!

The life’s blood of the church is not offering money or church attendance. It is new followers of Christ. The church is always one generation away from dieing! There lies the problem of any church. We have a mission as a church to support and invite others to Christ. But do we do that?

Our numbers would say not . . .

In the 20 year period 1991 to 2010 We have had 98 new members join our church and 147 leave by death. During that same period Membership at First UMC has decreased by 39.96%. In 1991 we had over 500 members and averaged almost twice what we currently average in worship. IN other words, we have lost over 200 members and dropped by nearly half in worship attendance. Don’t feel too bad though. In 2010 our attendance was only 40% of our membership, but the high in the last twenty years was only 42.5%.

We are also a part of a greater mission. The UMC has a mission to make disciples for the transformation of the world. But do we do that? The data is sadly the same. We have lost over 7 million total members in the last 40 years.

People, we have been doing the same things over and over without results. So, why would we continue doing those thing? In two words – comfort and ease. At least I prefer those two words over this one – insanity! We have spent far too long in the safety of our places of comfort. The warning signs are evident in our church and in our personal lives – our pulse is weak!

“I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power. And this undoubtedly will be the case unless they hold fast both the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with which they first set out.” John Wesley

Jesus told this parable: “A man owned a fig tree planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it and found none. He said to his gardener, ‘Look, I’ve come looking for fruit on this fig tree for the past three years, and I’ve never found any. Cut it down! Why should it continue depleting the soil’s nutrients?’ The gardener responded, ‘Lord, give it one more year, and I will dig around it and give it fertilizer. Maybe it will produce fruit next year; if not, then you can cut it down.’” Luke 13:6-9 CEB

I fear the church, and our denomination, will be cut down and left behind if we do not learn to take risks and heed the warning signs. When I came here as your pastor just over a year ago, I was described to some of you as a pastor with an entrepreneurial spirit. Nice accolade, but what does that mean? It is someone who:

Dreams big dreams
is willing to take risk
Has a plan – Not just a dream but a plan
is Willing to fail
Believes the opportunity to succeed is greater than the risk of failure

So what if we became a church that had an entrepreneurial spirit? A spirit that would allow us to achieve our mission . . . to live . . . to have a strong pulse . . . to show signs of life.

In order to do that – to become that – I believe we must be willing to take risks, but what does that mean?

If failing was not an option for you. What would you try to accomplish? What if as a church we could do the same thing? What would we do? What would we want to be known for? What if we developed new vision? A vision that was willing to focus on the ONE rather than the MANY.

Remember the story of the lost sheep? (Luke 15:3-7) Perhaps we need to worry less about what we might lose in growing and focus more on what might be gained.

And speaking of lost sheep, maybe we need to take the risk of reaching out to our own lost sheep? Did you know that we have well over 100 church members that have not been this church in the past two years? This is the place they once called home. What if a group of church members visited every person on our church roll and dared to invite them to be an active part of the church?

Let me also remind you that we will grow when we actually have new disciples – new followers of Christ. The goal being discussed for the church is to create 12 new disciples in 2012. The church does not grow by borrowing members from other churches or by simply reactivating old members. If we are to be a vital and thriving church, we need to bring new followers to Christ. If we do not, we are but a generation from dying off!

We are stuck in a rhetoric of crisis rather than action. Easy to yell Fire, but there are few heroes willing to run into the fire to rescue the perishing. It is easier to talk of our problems than to risk trying something new. We would rather question the need to have goals – to make plans – we would rather say, “can’t we just be the church.” Why do we need all of this goal setting and planning stuff? My simple answer is “How’s the just being a church been working for you . . .?”

The kinder answer is what are you afraid of? Setting a goal means you might not reach it. That is the kind way of saying you might fail. So what? Wouldn’t you rather try than sit back and do nothing?

People, we need to learn to see the abundance and not the scarcity - you have talked for over two years about what it will mean to be debt free . . . now that it is in sight . . . what are you going to do with the new abundance?

What if we sought a new audience to speak with? An audience of the Least, the Lost, and the Lonely – not a very glamorous audience? Need I remind you that Jesus spent his entire ministry with the undesirables of the community - Fishermen, tax Collectors, Women, Lepers, Sick, Lame, Poor, The unnoticed, Homeless, and the poor. Perhaps we need to take the risk of reaching out to those that are not quite like us – not by inviting them to a meal, but by inviting them to be a part of our family in worship and study. Perhaps we need to reach out to those that we don’t know. We might just discover how similar they are.

I might remind you this new audience still needs to hear the old message: You know the one . . .

This old message needs to come from new people – from all of our people.

If we are to become more spiritually fit as individuals, if we are to become a more vital and thriving congregation then we must be willing to move from our place of comfort and begin to act in new ways.

I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you gave me clothes to wear. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me.’
“Then those who are righteous will reply to him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? When did we see you as a stranger and welcome you, or naked and give you clothes to wear? When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
“Then the king will reply to them, ‘I assure you that when you have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done it for me.’ Matthew 25:35-40 CEB

Risk seeing something more in the life of this church – in your own life – in the coming year. When is the last time you risked anything (time, talent, treasure) for the kingdom of God?

Day 281 a note from God: Matthew 9-10

Then he said to his disciples, “The size of the harvest is bigger than you can imagine, but there are few workers."
Matthew 9:37 CEB

When confronted with the idea of church growth, how often has the church responded by saying, "We can't grow there isn't anybody else?"

The problem isn't the size of the potential harvest.

The problem is there aren't enough workers to take it all in.

When the body of Christ begins to take seriously the call to make new disciples, then the church will grow it ways it could never imagine.

We need to train the workers.

We need to challenge the workers.

Bu most of all, we need to send the workers into the fields.

Day 280 a note from God: Mark4-5, Matthew 8

Another man, one of his disciples, said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

But Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

Matthew 8:21-22 CEB

This is considered by many a perplexing statement by Jesus.

I think it makes sense.

Consider that in life there is always a list of things to do. In this case, attend a funeral.

Jesus simply states that if you are to follow Him that will need to be your priority - not other things!

We can rationalize anything.

It's okay to miss church this week . . .

It won't matter if I skip a week in Bible Study . . .

I can always pray another time . . .

Pretty soon all of our time is taken up and our relationship with Christ is not even on the list of things to do.

That was Jesus' point.

What have you done to make your relationship with Christ a priority?

Day 279 a note from God: Matthew 12 and Luke 11

They laughed at Him because they knew she was dead.
Luke 8:53 CEB

Headline from recent Magazine: The Church is Dead...
It seems like every time I log-on there is a new report about the decline, decay, or demise of the church. The American church, and the evangelical branch in particular, seems infatuated with news of its own death almost as much as myths of its persecution. Perhaps we like these reports because they keep us in a perpetual state of crisis which fuels the theatrics long associated with our brand of Christianity.
(Christianity Today June 2011)

I am amazed how much 'they' know.

How many people have told you the 'church' is dead? The church is just not a culturally relevant entity today?

Even those of us inside the church can find ourselves questioning the 'life' of the church.

And then I read today's passage. I see Jesus looking at these people who know better . . . she's dead . . . the church is dead . . . go away . . . nothing to look at here . . . give up . . .

It is in that moment that I see Jesus with a wry smile as HE thinks to himself - "wait 'til they see what I have in store for them . . ."

Don't give up! The church isn't dead. I know because Christ hasn't abandoned the church!

Take another look.

Give church a chance this weekend. Try a different church. Try the same one.

Just don't give up!

Jesus hasn't given up yet!

Day 278 a note from God: Matthew 12, Luke 11

Your eye is the lamp of your body.
When your eyes are good,
your whole body also is full of light.
But when they are bad,
your body also is full of darkness.

Luke 11:34 NIV





There is a computer term that programmers use: GIGO (Garbage In Garbage Out).

It simply means that when a computer doesn't work right it is because it wasn't programmed correctly. A computer only does what it is told to do. When it acts wrong, it has been told wrong.

I think Jesus had that in mind. What you take in will reflect in your life.

There is a children's song that starts "O be careful little eyes what you see."

Same idea guard your life and the input you expose yourself to.

What are your eyes seeing?

What are your eyes reflecting?

Day 277 a note from God: Matthew 11

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
Matthew 11:25

Jesus goes on to say something to effect that "if you have seen the Son, you have seen the Father."

Children pick up things from their parents without ever being specifically taught - habits, gestures, etc. They learn these things because they spend so much time with their parents that they pick them up from repeated exposure.

Children are way too smart for their age we often say as they learn things we would have rather not taught them.

Would you want other Christians to learn from your example? Would your example reveal your heavenly Father?

This passage also made me wonder, have I learned anything from God by simply spending time in His presence.

Make time to spend time in God's presence this week. Take a walk, turn off the TV or the radio. Be still.

Learn by observing God at work in your midst!

Day 276 a note from God: Matthew 8, Luke 7

When they reached Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you. He asks, ‘Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for someone else?’”

Luke 7:20 CEB

Too many good people have lost their faith because they suffered through moments of doubt.

Don't let anyone tell you can't have faith and doubt at the same time.

John the Baptist is the one who declared that Jesus was the Lamb of God!

John baptized Jesus.

John was there when God spoke.

And yet, today John is in a jail cell and has doubts.

Jesus doesn't send word to John to "stop doubting!"

Jesus sends word that all you have waited for has come.

Jesus reminds John of all that he has witnessed and all that is being done.

Doubt comes when we lose sight of God.

We need to remember. Our memory keeps God within our line of sight.

When doubt comes . . . Open your eyes and see all that God has been, is, and promises to be.

Day 275 a note from God: Matthew 5-7

Therefore, stop worrying about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34 CEB

It is hard to pick just one thing from these chapters in Matthew. This is all part of what is considered my most as the greatest sermon ever preached.

I just really like the idea of not worrying.

I am not a fan of worry. For me it is a wasted emotion.

Stop worrying. Be Happy!

Remember . . . For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

That is God's promise to you. It might not come today, but you have a future.

Stop worrying. Be Happy!

Vital Signs for Living: A Growing Faith

The problem with our faith development is that for most of us we approach it completely wrong. Many of us actually believe we can grow our faith the way I began my fitness routine. I started slowly – I bought some fitness water. Then I really ramped it up by buying some fitness equipment for the house. Then I bought a membership to a gym – not really I didn’t want to make that much commitment!

I believe we do the same when we come and sit in the pews and believe that our faith will somehow grow by being there – your faith will not grow any more by that activity alone – than I will get physically fit by drinking fitness water, hanging out in the lobby of the gym or hanging clothes on my exercise equipment – believe me I’ve tried.

So what then must we do to allow our faith to grow?

At about that same time Jesus left the house and sat on the beach. In no time at all a crowd gathered along the shoreline, forcing him to get into a boat. Using the boat as a pulpit, he addressed his congregation, telling stories.
"What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed. As he scattered the seed, some of it fell on the road, and birds ate it. Some fell in the gravel; it sprouted quickly but didn't put down roots, so when the sun came up it withered just as quickly. Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled by the weeds. Some fell on good earth, and produced a harvest beyond his wildest dreams. Matthew 13:1-8 The Message

Faith won’t just grow on its own. Faith is not somethin we scatter like seeds and wait (or hope) that it takes hold. Growing our faith takes planning. It takes as Bishop Schnase has coined it, intentional action, to grow our faith.

I have for you this morning 4 suggestions for being intentional with your faith development:

Memorize

We don’t do much memorizing any more and that is too bad. It is amazing the difference it makes when we memorize a passage of scripture. In so doing it becomes such a part of us that over time we begin to live it. When we read that passage over and over again and begin to repeat it to ourselves it is amazing how that can become a part of us.

For me that began in the summer of 1982 – James 1:12 was the theme for FCA Summer Camp. It was so entrenched in me that it is how I chose to live – with perseverance. People that know my story of the past nearly 30 years know that I have lived this passage. Truth is I haven’t lived it – I have believed it and therefore it has become my life.

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, for when he has stood the test – he will receive the crown of life that God has promised” (James 1:12)

Study

Now let’s expand our intentional action to include the act of study. Study means having some time to focus or concentrate. It also enables us to comprehend what we are studying.

The disciples came up and asked, "Why do you tell stories?"

Study can include reading before we go to bed, or arising early enough to have that devoted time. But Study also means reflecting on what we have read. I believe the Bible speak to us whether we are trained and learned or not. There are basic questions we can ask as we study:

- What does this passage say to me about the nature of God?
- What does this passage say to me about the nature of people?
- What does this passage say to me about who I am?
- Where am I in this story?

The Bible is one big book of stories to teach us. We should want to understand the stories. As a church we are in the process of setting goals to add more Study groups each year. Why? Because study with a group is easier.

Accountability

While we can study by ourselves, most of us will find it easier when we are in a small group. The statistics tell us that most people who do not join a small group within six months of joining a church will become inactive within a year.

Being a part of a small group is an important step in growing your faith. Studying in small groups helps us find encouragement and accountability. What if as a church we had monthly Bible Study and Accountability Groups that met in homes (encourage visitors)? What if each meeting began with a simple question: How has it gone with you since last we met? (This is exactly the way John Wesley began the Methodist movement – How is it with your soul?). There would be scripture to read and reflect on light of the study questions then prayers would be said.

Imagine the witness this intentional action could have with your neighbors. There may be someone you know that you could invite to a home before you would ever think to invite them to church and more people might come to Christ in ways like this than ever before through our formal worship.

Doers of the Word

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22 (KJV)

As much as we need to intentional in our study, we need to be intentional in putting our learning into practice. Study without implementing what we have learned is empty study. We need more doers and less theologians and academicians.

Our mission committee is working to provide some clear goals for the church so that we might better understand all that is being done because you gave to the church and missions. But, they are also working to provide more opportunities for service throughout the year. What if in addition to the Adult Work Camp every year, we were able to add a Family Mission Project or a Youth Mission Trip? What if we were able to offer some day trips for mission? What if this church took back some of the work being done by our Trustees Office (in the name of Gov’t welfare) and instead did it in the name of Christian Love and Service?


The problem with commitment is that it requires time, but that is why it is called intentional. You have to make the time. And I know from personal experience and from the shared experiences of many of you as well that once you make the time – you discover you don’t know how you survived with out the intentional time of study.

Is it not time that collectively we commit to being students of God’s word? It is time we all became intentional about growing our faith. And if we did, what could happen?

Jesus already told us, "The seed cast on good earth is the person who hears and takes in the News, and then produces a harvest beyond his wildest dreams."

We have goals to grow in numbers in worship - to grow the number of small study groups we offer – to grow the number of people active in mission service.

It is my hope that we reach these goals. I pray that is your hope as well – that we can become the type of vital individuals - a vital congregation - a vital church - that reaps a harvest beyond that which we might ever dream or for that matter that which we declare as a goal.

Day 274 a note from God: Matthew 12, Mark 3, Luke 6

The whole crowd wanted to touch him, because power was going out from him and he was healing everyone.
Luke 6:19 CEB

In today's world we lose the understanding of the attraction that Jesus had.

People didn't want a "piece" of him but he was famous for entertaining people. They wanted a "piece" of Jesus because He was healing everybody. After Jesus, healed people he taught them and invited them into a relationship that required something - a changed life. Ask the Zacheaus? or The Rich Young Ruler? or Nicodemus?

That is perhaps the problem that we have with how we evangelize today. We 'sell' Jesus short. We try to 'sell' the Jesus that makes problems go away. We forget the Jesus that wants a relationship day after day.

Are you following Jesus because you want something in the life?

Then stop playing the part of a groupie and become His disciple.

Study with Him.

Pray with Him.

Live with Him.

Become like Him . . .

Day 273 a note from God: John 5

When Jesus saw him lying there, knowing that he had already been there a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”
John 5:6 CEB

What a great question - “Do you want to get well?”

The easy answer is yes, but what if you don't know your sick?

That's the real problem.

This man knew he was not well and wanted healed.

Jesus healed his physical problem, but also his spiritual one.

The illness is sin. The prognosis is death.

That's been the problem from the beginning.

And yet, now there is this One who asks, “Do you want to get well?”

Well? Do you?

Aren't you tired of all the offers to heal you - to make you feel better?

They work for awhile, but then they wear off.

This is an eternal healing. Lasts forever. Won't wear off.

“Do you want to get well?”

Day 272 a note from God: Mark 2

Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on.

Mark 2:4 NIV

Maybe it's a guy thing, but did you ever wonder who fixed the hole in the roof?

I mean the story never says. The story doesn't even say the guys got permission to put the hole in the roof.

Often times in the life of the church, we get lost in the hole in the roof questions and we miss the changed lives as a result.

Strange how today's reading corresponds with the day of our first Lock-In for students here at the church. We have over 20 students coming. Over half of them have never been to any church activity!

What if the students put a hole in the roof . . .

Will people see the hole or the students that came to the Lock-In and had an encounter with Christ?

The next time you are complaining about something at church, ask yourself if you just might be complaining about a hole in the roof?

Day 271 a note from God: John 2-4

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks from the water that I will give will never be thirsty again. The water that I give will become in those who drink it a spring of water that bubbles up into eternal life.”

John 4:13-14 CEB




Ever been thirsty?

Remember those hot summer days when getting a drink from the garden hose was refreshing and fun?

Having been created in the image of God, our souls thirst for a relationship with the Creator.

Living in relationship with Christ quenches that thirst.

Living in relationship with Christ ends our thirst.

Thirsty?

Day 270 a note from God: Matt 4, Luke 4‐5, John 1:15‐51

Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
Luke 5:5 CEB

Remember when your parents use to say, "Because I said so!"

It meant stop trying to get out of whatever and just do it.

You couldn't win an argument when the response was "Because I said so."

I was struck by Simon's response: "I'll do it. I don't want it. It doesn't make any sense . . . but because you say so."

The story begins with the response we should always have when the Master comes calling . . . "Because you say so."

Much of what God asks of us doesn't make sense from our perspective, but given time we figure it out.

Save yourself some time. The next time God comes calling. Just say yes and know that you should be doing it just because the Master says so.

Day 269 a note from God: Luke 3, Mark 1, Matthew 3

Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight.

Luke 3:4b CEB

It won't be long before the the snow plows will be needed to clear the roads.

Driving or walking is no fun when you can't make out the path.

I once drove off the road and into a snow drift because I couldn't find the road.

I once got lost hiking because the trail markings were unclear.

That is the message of John the Baptist.

Clear the path.

Make a way.

The Promised one is coming your way.

Clear the path.

Mark the way.

Make it easy for Him to find you.

Another way to look at . . .

The path from you to God was cleared by the work of Christ . . .

What have you done to keep it clear?

Day 268 a note from God: Matthew 2 and Luke 2

When Mary and Joseph had completed everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to their hometown, Nazareth in Galilee. The child grew up and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him. Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival.

Luke 2:29-41 CEB

Ever wonder why kids do the things they do?

Ever wonder why adults do the things they do?

So much of what we do as children and adults is governed by what we were taught to do.

It is no wonder that later in Jesus' life, we will read about Him in the synagogue "as was His custom."

From the story, the customs of the Jewish faith were a part of His life growing up. Prayers, festivals, synagogue, and yes annual trips for Passover.

What are you teaching your children about the customs and traditions of faith?

What did you learn?

What do you need to relearn?

Vital Signs for Living: Why Bother with Church?

I believe each week we have the opportunity to take our temperature as we come together in worship.

Our United Methodist membership pledge includes our commitment to presence at church . . . This is not presence only on the Sunday you joined . . . but presence each Sunday. The intent of the Methodist Church membership pledge is that you would be in church unless you were ill. If you traveled, you were in a Methodist church in the community you were in (that is the connection at work). Yet, church attendance in the U.S. is less than 50% of membership. When did going to church become an option?

I am going to guess that at some point you have asked yourself. “Why bother?” In other words, why bother getting up and getting dressed and going to church? After all, if the Methodists, Christians, Church of Christ, Pentecostals, Lutherans, Catholics, Baptists, Presbyterians, and everyone else can’t agree, how am I to know where I should go? I am sure you worked hard all week and today was the only day you had to rest and sleep in. Plus with all the overtime you put in at work, God will understand. After all even He rested on the 7th day.

For those that need one, here are a few of my favorite excuses:

- It’s boring
- I don’t have time.
- The sermon is too long
- I’m okay – I don’t need that church stuff
- They always ask for money
- God made football
- I went last year or at Christmas or Easter. Do I have to go again?
- I’m allergic

Why bother going to church? When you probably won’t understand everything and it will seem a waste of time.

Why bother going to church? When you probably won’t enjoy all of the music or the service.

Why bother going to church? When there never seems to be people there that are your age and they always seem to be asking for money.

Why bother going to church? When after all, you have lots of time left in your life. You can go to church when you are older and you have less fun things to do that keep you out late on Saturday night.

I want to encourage you in your commitment to making church a part of your routine. I want you to be able to find reasons for being at church in your moments of frustration with the church. I want you to have something to say in those moments when you invite to come to church with you and they say,” what should I bother going to church?

Here are a few reasons to bother about coming to church:

# 1 Church attendance is designed for fellowship with God and other believers

Psalm 26:6-12

I will wash my hands in innocence; So I will go about Your altar, O LORD, That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, And tell of all Your wondrous works. LORD, I have loved the habitation of Your house, And the place where Your glory dwells. Do not gather my soul with sinners, Nor my life with bloodthirsty men, In whose hands is a sinister scheme, And whose right hand is full of bribes. But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; Redeem me and be merciful to me. My foot stands in an even place; In the congregations I will bless the LORD.

God wants us to be together and to be with us. God knows that we will gain from being encouraged by others and we will be accountable to one another as well. It is in the congregation, the church gathered together, that we will bless the Lord with our presence. We come together as a gift to God. Our attendance at church is one of our gifts to God.

# 2 Church attendance is a way to praise God


Psalm 100 (New International Version)

Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.

Church is designed to bring believers together to praise God in one combined voice raised to heaven as one. God finds it pleasing to hear our praise and we are comforted and encouraged by doing so together. It is when we gather together that as one voice we become a 1000 tongues joined together to sing God’s praises. You see worship at church is really not about you and I – it is about God. It’s not music for you, it’s not designed for you, it’s our gift to God – how selfish to only give gifts you like!

# 3 Attending church will help you find solutions and meaning for your problems and difficulties

Psalm 73:1-28 (Contemporary English Version)

God is truly good to Israel, especially to everyone with a pure heart. But I almost stumbled and fell, because it made me jealous to see proud and evil people and to watch them prosper. They never have to suffer, they stay healthy, and they don't have troubles like everyone else. Their pride is like a necklace, and they commit sin more often than they dress themselves. Their eyes poke out with fat, and their minds are flooded with foolish thoughts. They sneer and say cruel things, and because of their pride, they make violent threats. They dare to speak against God and to order others around. God will bring his people back, and they will drink the water he so freely gives. Only evil people would say, "God Most High cannot know everything!" Yet all goes well for them, and they live in peace. What good did it do me to keep my thoughts pure and refuse to do wrong? I am sick all day, and I am punished each morning. If I had said evil things, I would not have been loyal to your people. It was hard for me to understand all this!

Then I went to your temple, and there I understood what will happen to my enemies. You will make them stumble, never to get up again. They will be terrified, suddenly swept away and no longer there. They will disappear, Lord, despised like a bad dream the morning after. Once I was bitter and brokenhearted. I was stupid and ignorant, and I treated you as a wild animal would. But I never really left you, and you hold my right hand. Your advice has been my guide, and later you will welcome me in glory. In heaven I have only you, and on this earth you are all I want. My body and mind may fail, but you are my strength and my choice forever. Powerful LORD God, all who stay far from you will be lost, and you will destroy those who are unfaithful. It is good for me to be near you. I choose you as my protector, and I will tell about your wonderful deeds.

Together we are able to solve so many of our problems when we take them to God and allow the church to work together. It is in God’s presence and through God’s word that we are able to understand. It was after encountering God in church that we are able to understand what will happen to our enemies. Church gives us an eternal perspective on life. We need an eternal perspective on life. Especially considering how the world keeps us focused on the here and then - and that message can wear you out.

# 4 Church is designed to refresh and strengthen you

Psalm 84:1-11 (New Living Translation)

How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of Heaven’s Armies. I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the LORD. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God. Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young at a place near your altar, O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God! What joy for those who can live in your house, always singing your praises. (Interlude)

What joy for those whose strength comes from the LORD, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings. They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem. O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies, hear my prayer. Listen, O God of Jacob. (Interlude)
O God, look with favor upon the king, our shield! Show favor to the one you have anointed. A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked. For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.


Have you ever considered that it is NOT an amazing coincidence that your week and day go better after going to church. We fill our time with so many thing and activities, all hoping that they will refresh us, re-energize, strengthen us, or revive us. And yet, fellowship with God and others through church was designed by God to refresh and strengthen you. Time spent in church is designed to be a refuge and as a result will be better than countless other places we go to find refuge and strength.

# 5 Church attendance is part of your personal testimony

Psalm 116:12-14 (New International Version)

How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD. I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people

Part of your testimony to others about God is what you do. A church parking lot filled with cars sends a message to the community that God is at Work. Your neighbors that watch you faithfully attend church week after week, see the testimony of your faithfulness.

Hebrews 10:23-25 (New International Version)

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

If you are a believer, if you want to praise God, if you want to be encouraged by other believers, if you seek answers to life’s difficulties, if you need refreshed, if you want to strengthen your testimony and witness to others, if you want to find and encounter a living God, then make church a regular part of your life.


Commit to improving your spiritual health in this coming year by committing to making attendance at church a regular part of your life.

See you next Sunday?