Finish The Race

This morning I was reading in the Acts chapter 20 and I came to the Apostle Paul's writing about his call from God to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and his aim in life to complete the call that God had given to him.

“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

Notice that Paul, himself, was not making the plan to go into hostile areas to preach a message that the people opposed of. No, it was the Holy Spirit of God that was compelling him to go and to preach the Gospel message. Likewise, Paul was confident that he would be arrested, persecuted, or even killed for preaching the message of Jesus - and yet he still went freely. 

I am reminded of many Christian brothers and sisters that face a similar struggle to fulfill that call that God has placed on them. Knowing that hardships and persecutions await, they freely go and fulfill this call. 

Whatever the call is that God has placed on your life, you are to complete the task the Lord Jesus has given to you - the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace. 

As I considered this passage, I was reminded of the inaugural women's marathon in the 1984 summer Olympic games held in Los Angles. This video of Gabriela Andersen finishing the marathon reminds me of our call to finish the race, whatever the cost.

Sheep, Leadership, and Love

Reading from Mark 6:34 this morning; When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

It reminded me of a conversation I recently had with a friend and the thoughts I came to following this conversation.

If sheep do not have a shepherd they will get lost.

If sheep are not led by their shepherd they will seek another flock.

If sheep do not feel loved by their shepherd they will not trust his care.

If sheep are injured by their shepherd they will bite back.

Reading in my devotions this morning; The sheep were dependent on the shepherd for the opportunity and direction to find food and shelter. Jesus knew that what people needed then, and still need today, are compassionate leaders who will provide selfless direction for the people near them.

Which brings me to this thought for the day; "Am I loving the people that God is placing before me today?"

This includes my wife, my children, my friends, my church, and every stranger that I encounter. Am I love the people that God is placing before me today?

One Year Ago

I sit here this morning - praying - reflecting - praising God for His hand at work. 

One year ago the Free Methodist Church in Robinson, Illinois celebrated its 60th anniversary. I had the privilege of pastoring the church at the time and I remember my sermon that morning; "A Hope and A Future". 

I preached from Jeremiah 10 that morning;

This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 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. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord..."

A hope and a future! 

My message to the people that morning was that 60 years is something to be celebrated, however God was just getting started. 

In March of this year the Free Methodist Church in Robinson sent out one of their own and planted a Free Methodist Church in Charleston, Illinois. New Hope Worship Center is taking off and making an impact in the name of Christ in this new city. Although New Hope was not even a concept a year ago, God led us to this and is still leading in this today. 

A hope and a future!

This morning the Free Methodist Church in Robinson welcomes a new pastor to take leadership. As I pray for the Free Methodist Church in Robinson, I am confident that God has a great future in store in them and through them. 

A hope and a future!

God is good...all the time! 

Turn It Over

The other night my wife and I were talking and we began to talk about the kids and the school year ahead. This school year has us - and them a bit nervous. Shave moved to a new community - one that is double in size from our precious one - one that includes much more cultural diversity - one where they do not know many others. While there is excitement in this "newness", there is also some concern in all our minds. 

So, the other night my wife and I were talking about our concerns and stating that are most concerned about our oldest daughter - who she will befriend and how it might influence her. 

I told my wife, we will have to make sure that she is hanging out with a good group of friends. To which my wife responded, the problem is, we don't know who the good friends are. 

Hours later, as I laid in bed, drifting off to sleep, I thought more about this. It's true, we don't know who the good friends are - we don't know who to point her to  - but God does. And, if we believe that He is in control of every aspect of life - and if we believe that He cares for our children - and  if  we believe that He answers us when we call out to Him - shouldn't we ask Him? 

So, after talking to my wife - and after  worrying about this matter for several hours - I decided to submit it all to God.

Is there anything that is keeping you up tonight? Is there any situation that you wish you could let go of and find peace in? Is there a burden in your life that seems to weigh you down with anxiety or fear? 

Why not turn it over to God? Do it right away. 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  Philippians 4:6 NIV

Glory Ahead

This past week many of our Washington Free Methodist Church family spent time at Wabash Park Camp at our annual Family Camp. Several days were spent in relaxation, recreation, and revival. Many of the children, teens, and adults participated in activities. Families, friends, and churches gathered for a time of food and fellowship. Several hundred shared in Bible studies and worship services.

Yet, it was often the little instances - the in-between occurrences - that caught my eye and stirred my heart. Sunday night I witnessed the teens leading the way to the altar in the midst of powerful worship. Monday evening, as I walked into the Pavilion prior to the evening service, I watched dozens of teens walking up and down rows of chairs, touching and praying over each seat and for the individual that would fill that seat. Tuesday afternoon I saw two small boys - friends - one teaching the other to ride a bike. Tuesday evening I watched the teens passionately worship in the front rows of the pavilion as the small children collected the offering. And Wednesday I walked upon a group of teens spontaneously sharing their testimonies with a group of children in the middle of a softball field. God was truly moving this past week.

And, as I considered each of these occurrences, one thought flooded my mind throughout the week. God has a great work to do - in our lives, in the lives of our children and teens, and in the life of our church. Perhaps this thought came from our Superintendent John Lanes' Tuesday morning teaching when he said "we are looking for folks who have not given up". 

I have made no secret of the fact that one of my top priority right now is to see our youth and children's ministries grow and flourish. You see, I have not given up. I pray that you have not given up either. And I pray that you will join me in this journey of reaching the next generation with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Further, I pray that we will allow the next generation to lead us as God equips and calls them to. 

We cannot give up. God has a great work to do in us and through us. You see, the "glory days" of the Washington Free Methodist Church are not behind us. As we witness and serve as The Church we know that God has glorious - miraculous - days ahead. 

Another comment from Superintendent Lane struck me this past week. "When we talk about the 'glory days' our children and our teens feel like they are showing up to Thanksgiving dinner late and everyone else has already eaten. Perhaps they're thinking; 'What about us? What is still left?'." 

We cannot give up. God has glorious days ahead!

Haggai 2:3-7; ‘Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the Lord Almighty. This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord Almighty.

We cannot give up. God has glorious days ahead!

What Would You Do?

On Sunday we started a journey in a sermon series we are calling “On A Plane”. As I think of the scenario of being on an airplane and the level of complete trust – complete faith – that is placed in the hands of an airline pilot, I cannot help but think of being behind the yoke of a commercial jet myself.

Can you imagine the responsibility of having to navigate a commercial jet safety to the ground while the lives of multiple others rest in your hands? What if this responsibility was thrust upon you without any prior training?

What would you do? Do you take the yoke of the plane and try the best you can? Do turn and run out of the cockpit – I’m not the person for the job? Do you scramble around, looking for instructions on how to fly? Do you cry out for help from someone – anyone – “HELP ME!” 

What would you do?

Although most of us will never find ourselves behind the yoke of a commercial jet – having to navigate it through the sky – we all face situations – everyday – that are more urgent and more serious than flying a commercial airplane with no training!

What do we do? Do we turn and run – throw in the towel – “God this is not for me!” Do we look within ourselves – “I have all the knowledge and strength – I can handle this all on my own!” Or do we cry out for help from the God that has created us, the God that loves us, the God that is powerful enough to lead us through? 

What do you do? What will you do?

Faithfulness on the Water

I've read this passage multiple times, the account of Jesus walking out on the water in the midst of a storm. The disciples see Jesus and are terrified. And yet Peter - in midst of this storm, in the midst of the disciples' disbelief, in the midst of his own terror - calls out to Jesus. 

Matthew 14:25-29; Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

There are two things I want to point out. First, Jesus was about to pass by. He didn't stop until the disciples called out to Him. If they had not called out to Him, Jesus would have continued to walk and He would have passed them by. Second, Peter was the only one to ask to walk on the waves with Jesus. 

Tomorrow I'll be preaching on this passage - and on faith and faithfulness. Let me propose that calling out to Jesus is faith. However, getting out of the boat and walking on the waves with Jesus is faithfulness. 

I don't want to sit in the boat and watch Jesus move, I want to get out of the boat  and be the one that Jesus uses to move. 

Let me challenge you to get out of the boat with me. More on that tomorrow...