Did God ask me to do this?

Currently I am being challenged by Ann VosKamp’s newest book, The Broken Way. She authentically invites the reader into her life telling the stories of her own brokenness and meeting God in those places. I don’t doubt her and find her words encouraging, but it is so much easier to read about being broken by sin and giving Self the boot than it is to actually live it. Would you agree?

Last night, I was at the end of my rope; weary of dealing with a person who brings constant conflict into my life, a broken man-child who cannot understand or accept love, and who resists any and every attempt to help him get life right.  I am reminded of that moment when Peter stepped out of the boat on the Sea of Galilee at Jesus’ invitation.  A moment later the preposterous nature of what he was doing hit him and when he started to sink all he had the presence of mind to say was - "Lord, save me."  That was me! I prayerfully told the Lord that I just could not do it any longer - out of options, out of hope, spent, done, afraid. Thankfully, my sad, faithless prayer was offered up in the quiet of my bedroom where no one had to actually witness the self-pity.  With the arrival of the dawn, my perspective is a little better, knowing that HE is the Savior, I am not.  In a strange way, I can give thanks for the trial because it does cause me to rely on God.

Have you been in that kind of place, friend?

Peter reflects on his Christian life and reminds us "Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner. " (1 Peter 4:12-13, The Message)  We tend to wonder if God has failed us, if He has turned His back on us when pain persists, don’t we?  That temptation is old as Eden. Satan’s approach to Eve was to suggest that God was not good, that He was withholding the best things in life from her.  I have heard that same whisper. When I listen, things get bad. When I go to my knees, I find that He is sufficient.

VosKamp writes “How do you bind up the slow bleeding of your one broken heart and still believe that wounded warriors win, still believe that there is no remission of sins or the crossing of finish lines without things getting downright bloody, still believe that scars and wounds and broken places might become you and become who you are? … I am not enough for any of this.”   She points, not to self-help, not to escape but rather to the place of Broken Love! On the Cross Jesus Himself hung in His place of ultimate brokenness and even He groaned, more like screamed, “My God, why have You forsaken me.”  He had to go through death to find resurrection. So must we. 

No, that’s not exactly what I wanted to hear either, but there it is, inescapable truth.  And, there is no neat resolve of our story in 46 minutes, like those TV dramas we watch. There are few burning bush moments where God shows up and says “I AM.”  Mostly there are just prayers for courage and tears that silently entreat Him to hold our hearts together even as we wait for faith’s reward.

In my broken place I hang onto Paul’s confession, making it mine. And so can you! "But God said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:9-10, NIV)  Whatever challenges you're facing today,  God is present.   He will provide all that you need, if not all that you think you need.   Trust Him.  Wait for Him. 

Here's a word from the Word.  Let the living Word fill your mind with His Presence as you meditate on the promise.   

"God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
As it is written: "He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever."
Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God."
(2 Corinthians 9:8-12, NKJV)

________________________

Sometimes I feel discouraged,
And think my life in vain.
I'm tempted then to murmur,
And of my lot complain.
But when I think of Jesus,
And all He's done for me,
Then I cry, "O Rock of Ages,
Hide Thou me."

O Rock of Ages, hide Thou me.
No other refuge have I but Thee.
When life's dark vale I wander,
Far, far from Thee.
Then I cry,"O Rock of Ages,
Hide Thou me."

Sometimes it seems I dare not,
Go one step farther on.
And from my heart all courage
Has slipped away and gone.
But I remember Jesus,=
And all His love for me.
Then I cry,"O Rock of Ages
Hide Thou me."

Hide Thou Me
Harris, Thoro / Tolbert, L.R. © 1926. Renewed 1953 Singspiration Music
CCLI License No. 810055

A New and Forever Life!

I stood there in the water in front of the church, listening to the people sing, waiting to start the baptism. Feelings of elation and wonder surged through me.  Six people were about to make the statement, “I am a Believer now.”  Sinners becoming saints; the lost now found, those once without hope now living in the full assurance of life in Christ- the core reason for our existence as a church.  I love Sundays when we baptize!  We feed the hungry, teach the young, provide community for those who struggle but our main mission is the one that Jesus gave 2000 years ago - "Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19, The Message)  The anthem that closed our worship became a shout of victory – “The splendor of the King, Clothed in majesty, Let all the earth rejoice … How great is our God.”

On this Monday morning, my friend, are you keeping Christ first, focused on His promise, living in His way?  Baptism Sundays help this pastor of 4 decades to remember the ‘why’ of the ‘what’ in my life. I spend an inordinate amount of time trying to balance church budgets, tending the business of the organization.  But, then as I speak those words “It is my privilege as a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ to baptize you in the Name of God, the Father; God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit,” it is all worthwhile. This is why we exist. You are an ambassador of Christ Jesus, given the responsibility and privilege of turning hearts to their Father, helping people find their way home!

This season of Thanksgiving make it your prayer and goal to help someone know the Hope that Jesus gives. “Jerry, I am not a pastor. That’s your business.” Yes, it is, but not mine alone. You do life with people that I will never know. You have friends and family to whom you are the link to Life.  You do not have to be obnoxious about it, carrying a big black Bible and slapping them down as ‘sinners.’  We live in the Light and He promises that even though “At this moment the world is in crisis. Now Satan, the ruler of this world, will be thrown out. And I, as I am lifted up from the earth, will attract everyone to me and gather them around me.” (John 12:31-32, The Message) He spoke first of the Cross where He was lifted up to save us from sin and by extension, of our lives as we make Him known. Lift Jesus up with love. Make Him known with joy in adversity. Let the hope of life eternal make you steady in Hope. Others will see and hunger for life.

On this Monday morning, He commissions you and me to “Go and tell!”  Let’s remember that actions speak louder than words. 

Here is the word from the Word. "For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ." (2 Corinthians 5:19-21, NLT)

Abba, this world is burdened with darkness.

Friends are seeking life and hope in places that yield no return.

Evil seems to win, too often.

Make my life radiant with Your Light.
Love through me.  Help me to lift Jesus up for all to see.

Give me the privilege, this day, to lead someone to consider You

And to turn to Jesus as his Savior.

Spirit of God, empower me to live authentically for You.

Amen.

____________

How Great Is Our God

The splendor of the King

Clothed in majesty

Let all the earth rejoice

All the earth rejoice

He wraps Himself in light

And darkness tries to hide

And trembles at His voice

And trembles at His voice

How great is our God

Sing with me

How great is our God

And all will see how great

How great is our God

And age to age He stands

And time is in His hands

Beginning and the End

Beginning and the End

The Godhead three in one

Father Spirit Son

The Lion and the Lamb

The Lion and the Lamb

Name above all names

Worthy of all praise

My heart will sing

How great is our God

Chris Tomlin | Ed Cash | Jesse Reeves

© 2004 sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

Wondrously Made Songs (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)

CCLI License # 810055

Jerry D. Scott, Pastor

Faith Discovery Church

www.FaithDiscovery.com

President-elect Trump!

When the Donald stood in Trump Tower and announced a run for the Presidency, many of us thought it was just a stunt.  Could the reality TV star be serious?  He was. After the ugliest campaign in my memory, he sat down with President Obama yesterday to start the process of the transfer of authority in these United States. A year ago, who would have thought it probable, much less possible? I have some deep concern about the kind of policies that will find support under President Trump.  But, he will be my President and, as a Christian guided by the Scripture, I know that it is my responsibility to offer up sincere prayer for him; indeed for all those who are entrusted with authority.

Read this passage with a heart of faith and submission to the Spirit, won’ t you? “Pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God’s mercy upon them, and give thanks. Pray this way for kings and all others who are in authority, so that we can live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior.” (1 Timothy 2, NLT) 

Let us renew our commitment to obey God's call to pray for our leaders. The important work that we are told to do making this a just society begins with bended knees and broken hearts!  We cannot speak the transforming Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with any real conviction or effect until we have received a supernatural empowering.  The party in power has changed but our commission to feed the hungry, to care for the dying, to visit the imprisoned, to become the defenders of the oppressed, to offer love to the outcasts and hope those who are enslaved by their sins is unchanged.

Christians are citizens of Heaven and our first allegiance is to Christ. However that does not exempt us from being good citizens of these United States.  The Spirit tells us that "Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.  So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do." (Romans 13:1-6, NLT)  It is not hard to understand the plain meaning of this passage.  God is able to use very flawed people to accomplish His purposes. So, we pray!

We are foolish if we substitute our own ‘wisdom’ for His eternal truth. Before we decide that those words were just ‘for another time’ we need to recall that when the Spirit told disciples of Jesus to submit to authority and that those who ruled were “God’s servants” it was a time of pagan emperors and intense persecution of Christians!  Imagine the faith it required of them to pray for the very people who were trying to destroy them.  Pray for our President, asking God to use this flawed man. Pray for those who will work alongside of him. 

And renew your hope in this amazing promise that is as true today as it was on Monday before this election.  Hear the word from the Word.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21, NIV)

_____________________

Father in Heaven, I thank you for Your reign!
Today, I pray for our leaders, particularly for President-elect Trump.
Grace him with virtues of Wisdom, Justice, Courage, Humility, Faith, Hope, and Love
as he prepares to assume the Presidency.

The challenges presented to him in our world are many.
Work deeply in his heart and mind and draw him

to a new understanding of Who You are.

Spirit of God, call your Church to a new understanding of her place in this world,
a place of bold commitment to Truth, to service, and prayer!

May we interact with our government,
even when those who govern in ways that are hostile to Your ways,
with grace and gentleness.
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in us.
All of this, I ask in His holy Name, Amen.