Song Series: Say So

Say So

Read: Psalm 107

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary – Psalm 107:2

No one keeps good news to themselves; they share it!

17-month-old Charlotte was playing in the backyard of her family's Australian home, the family’s Doberman pinscher, Khan, began to snarl. A king brown snake (the third most venomous kind in the world) was under the house within striking distance. Khan tried to nudge the toddler away, but when she didn’t budge, the dog lifted the toddler by her diaper and tossed her several feet behind him, just as the snake lunged and bit his paw—instead of her. After receiving antivenin, the dog made a full recovery and was hailed "Khan the Wonder Dog" by his owners.

Now, what do you suppose is the first thing Charlotte’s mom and dad talk about when people come over for coffee?

Psalm 107 is a study of rejoicing  in rescue. We read about the people of Israel going through the wilderness, hungry, thirsty, and hopeless until they cried to the LORD (Yah-weh: the self-Existent or Eternal one; Jewish national name for God) and He delivered them from their trouble. (Psalm 107:4-6).

There were those who were being held captive, miserable and in utter despair because they had turned their back on God.  Yet, He hadn’t turned His back on them. As a matter of fact, he used their time of trouble to humble their heart so that they’d come back to Him (Psalm 107:10-13).

We see people paying the penalty for their foolish and sinful choices. Their bodies racked with pain, their minds anguished in shame, so eaten up with the apparent irreparable damage they brought upon themselves that the very thought of food made them nauseous. “Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble and He saved them from their distresses.” (Psalm 107:19).

All of these rescue stories were to be seen as real reasons to rejoice. Reasons to share what God had done in the lives of common people who simply and humbly come to Him for help when life seems hopeless.

The fact is that the most introverted among us don’t keep good news a secret. When we know, we say so.

So, say so!

 

Say So

by Israel Houghton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ai46WQaqvKE

 

 

 

Quiet Time: Loving God Out Loud

Loving God Out Loud


In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. - Matthew 5:16 (NLT)

So, you love God and naturally you want to please Him. This desire leads you to read the bible regularly. Before long you begin to notice verses like “do your work heartily as unto the Lord” (Col. 3:23), “be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to get angry” (James 1:19-20) or “let no unwholesome word proceed from out of your mouth” (Eph. 4:29). You’re struck by the practicality of it all and think, “Here’s something constructive that I can begin to do. It’s in the bible, so, I know it’s what God wants me to do, and something God will actually like.” Next, you pray asking God to help you walk in the light of this scripture. God being Who He is “Faithful and True” strengthens you through the Holy Spirit to actually do what the word says to do. That’s what I mean by loving God out loud. Your love is seen not just heard.

Before you know it, someone may notice your attitude at work is different. You’re actually happy to work hard at the stuff co-workers avoid. Or, your family members begin to recognize that you’re a better listener. You don’t interrupt them as much and you are able to hear them say stuff that you don’t agree with, without getting angry or saying something you later regret. That’s walking with God and that opens a door for you to share the practical side of your walk with Christ.

Doesn’t this sound feasible? For example; someone may ask, “Man, what’s gotten into you? Why are working so hard lately”? To which you can reply, “I read something in the bible the other day about working as unto the Lord. It motivated me to do my job as if it matters to God; as if God gets a kick out of watching me work for Him. So, I figure, if He likes it, then it must be a good thing to do, right?”

Who knows, this “loving God out loud” thing may even give you an opportunity to share how Jesus is a personal and integral part of your everyday living. If nothing else, it’ll offer you a chance to give the glory back to God; and that’s a good thing!

Song Series: Rooftops (Be a Conspicuous Christian)

Rooftops - Be a Conspicuous Christian
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gU3mOzEgfB8


Matthew 10:26-28

What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops - Matthew 10:27

Roof tops are conspicuous places. In my old neighborhood where my wife, Deseri, and I had our first house, many of the housetops were metal. About every other year these roofs needed to be painted with reflective aluminum coating or they’d begin to rust. I remember driving past a house where an absent minded home owner carelessly walked backward off the side of the roof he was painting falling several feet to the ground. A small crowd quickly gathered to make sure he was alright, and yes, he was, but I thought, “How embarrassing!” I don’t think this kind of attention is what Jesus had in mind when He told His disciples to proclaim from housetops.

What I tell you in darkness: Jesus taught His disciples one on one; privately. Do I give Jesus a chance to talk privately with me?

Speak in the light: Jesus taught His disciples to be open, honest, and clear about the gospel. Do I use clear common words when sharing about Jesus, or do I try to impress with a bombastic rhetorical superfluous loquaciousness that serves only to confuse.

What you hear whispered in your ear: Jesus taught His disciples that they should share what He the Great Physician spoke to them. (Back in the day doctors used to whisper doctrine or instructions to an interpreter who would then tell the listener what he said) This also speaks to me of how the Holy Spirit sometimes nudges me or speaks to my heart. Also, when someone whispers, I have to listen carefully. Do I make time to simply listen?

Proclaim upon rooftops: Preach. Be fearless and courageous when sharing the Word. But people will think I’m simple and closed minded! But, God will think you faithful. Besides what the worst anyone can do to me? Kill me? That’s where their power ends and eternity begins.

I don’t think God wants us to be conspicuous by acting weird in our walk with Him or silly in our talk, but I do think he wants us to be fearless and forthright; even if that means standing boldly for the truth when others want us to sit down and shut up.

There is no such thing as a covert Christian, so I’d better get better at being a barefaced believer.

(check out the link under the title above if you'd like to hear the song - Rooftops)

Song Series: Not Ashamed

Not Ashamed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSqmnzcKmo8

Read: Romans 1:15-17

Memorize:  

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. – Romans 1:16

Our worship team has been working on a new song titled “Not Ashamed” by Bryan Brown, Chris Tomlin, and friends. Each time I sing it I’m encouraged to rekindle the fire inside of me to walk worthy of my calling in Christ and to fearlessly share the good news of the power of God for salvation.

The song obviously draws its text from Romans 1:16 where Paul emphatically states his position as an evangelist and his heart as a follower of Christ.

As I read again Paul’s discourse to the Christians living in Rome I am hit squarely with the charge to” take charge” of the calling Christ has placed on my life. Perhaps you will feel the same.

Here’s how it hit me in my personal bible study time:

“I” - Paul gets personal. He wants his readers to know and understand that it’s him doing the talking and he’s taking full responsibility for what he’s about to say.

(I am responsible for what I say or don’t say) (Eph. 4:29)

“am” – Paul gets present. He’s talking in the now and is making it clear that what he’s writing he is walking.

(I am responsible for living for Jesus right now, right here, right where God’s placed me to be) (Col. 1:10)

“not” – Paul is the polar opposite of the harsh adjective that follows.

(I am responsible for surrendering daily to the cross Christ) (Luke 9:23)

“ashamed” – Paul is not distraught, not discouraged, not distressed and certainly not embarrassed.

(I am responsible for standing strong and stalwart in the power my Lord and Savior) (1 Cor. 15:58)

OF THE GOSPEL.

(I am responsible for giving away what has been given to me; the good news of new life in Christ) (Mark 16:15)


Oh, to God that I would consistently catch Paul’s courage.


I often pray, not just for the opportunity to share, but also to be aware of opportunity to share.

How often have I at the feet of timidity allowed my voice to remain silent?

How often have I at the threshold of eternity allowed a soul to slip by unseen?

No more! I am not distraught, I am not discouraged, and I am not distressed. In deed I am resolute, unafraid and undaunted in my love for Jesus and the power of His love and ultimate sacrifice and victory for mankind.

I AM NOT ASHAMED

are you?

Quiet Time: Working Together

Working Together

Read: Mark 16:19-20

And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed. – Mark 16:20

I have a friend who loves to help people. He actually told me that he wished there was a way he could help others for a living. For example: I asked him to show me how to change the brakes on my daughter's automobile. Well, my buddy got off work a half hour early, beat me to my house, had the car up on jacks and the wheels removed before I pulled onto my driveway. What a blessing. Changing the brakes was a snap, and I never doubted one moment that we'd get them done properly as long as he worked with me. That's what I love about this story in Mark; Jesus worked with the apostles as they spread the good news.

AMAZING! Jesus "worked with them". Understand, Jesus had already gone back home to heaven at this point, but here He is, still working on earth through His followers. How? Obviously He worked through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. God performed miracles through the apostles to show that the Message they were proclaiming was from the living God and that the power of Jesus was still alive and vibrant on planet earth.

Jesus still works with His followers today. Now, I can't say that I've seen a lot of honest to goodness miracles; no doubt, I've seen a few. None of them were very flashy, but they were indeed amazing and brought glory to God. And, I don't know about the stuff I've seen on television; it all looks a bit questionable to me, really. But, I do know Jesus works today because I've seen time and again, the unmitigated overwhelming evidence of a changed life when Jesus comes into the heart of a new believer.

A changed life; now that's a miracle - that's Jesus at work.

Quiet Time: Stuff Happens - Be Ready

Stuff Happens – Be Ready
Read: Philippians 11:26-28

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. – Philippians 1:27

The guys I work with got to talking about a former coworker who used to carry a bible in his back pocket. He loved to talk about religion and especially enjoyed debating the wrong theology associated with various denominations. The problem was, he was openly unfaithful to his wife. To make matters worse, he’d brag about it. One guy finally confronted him in the middle of an impromptu sermon and asked, “Joe, tell me something, do you place the bible on top of the night-stand next to the bed or hide it inside the drawer before you mess around on your wife?” You see, Joe’s conduct made his testimony worthless.

I do believe God wants us to be bold witnesses for Him and what He’s doing in our lives. We shouldn’t fear what people may think about us; there are worse things in life than the label of “Jesus Freak” (Philippians 1:28). But, it is horrible, absolutely abhorrent, when we conduct ourselves in a manner that makes it look as if the good news of Jesus is nothing more than religious banter.

Stuff will happen to us. Stuff happens to everyone. And, you know what; sometimes good things can cause us to act awful just as easily as bad things. But, those of us who’ve experienced the love of Jesus in our hearts, and have tasted the goodness of God actually have a reason for acting and reacting differently. We love Him! And, because we love Him we want to please Him; plain and simple – now that’s a testimony worth sharing.

Song Series: ADONAI - JEHOVAH - YAHWEH He Is LORD

ADONAI – JEHOVAH – YAHWEH
He Is LORD

I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as El-Shaddai--'God Almighty'--but I did not reveal my name, Yahweh (ADONAI) LORD, to them. - Exodus 6:3

I crack up when I listen to the smack talk on the basketball courts at my neighborhood park. One particular phrase that often gives me pause though is when a player thinks he’s doing better than the guy who’s guarding him and says, “I own you, man!” In a comical way, he wants the guys he’s playing with to know that he is in control of his part of the game; he is lord over his opponent.

God showed Moses who He was, ADONAI, which refers to God as Lord and owner of all. We all have heard the story of how He delivered His people from the greatest world power of the time. He took dominion over Egypt’s false gods, natural wonders, and human genius and laid them all low under His feet. You might say, “He owned them.”  So, we see God revealed Himself to the patriarchs as The God Who has the power to do what He wants to do - El - Shaddai; yet, to Moses He said, "Call Me, Adonai", The God Who does it. Subtle difference - huge difference! This is the same God in Whom we place our trust and confess as LORD: kurios – koo'-ree-os: he to whom a person or thing belongs (Romans 10:9-10).

Jesus was known as LORD before the cross (John 8:58). He manifested Himself as LORD by taking our sins as His own, dying our death, but then rising again showing His Lordship over sin, death, and the grave (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

God the Father has revealed Jesus for Who He is, ADONAI. Just as Moses and the Hebrew slaves could trust Yahweh to use His power to rescue them from their miserable predicament, we can trust Jesus to save us from our slavery to sin; past, present, and future.

Jesus is LORD. Don’t be afraid to trust Him. He will do it!

Yahweh

 (YouTube link at the bottom)

Ancient One so amazing unfailing You are

Holy One overwhelming my heart with Your love

Yahweh Yahweh

Faithful God You're here to stay

Yahweh Yahweh

Forever and always the same

Quiet Time: Side By Side: the Way and the world

Wheat n tares
Linwood Berry

Side By Side: the Way and the world
Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn.” – Matthew 13:30

I love the parables of Jesus. But when I see the deeper meaning, especially when He explains it straight up like He does for the story of the wheat and tares, I shutter at the fact.

For example, a few things I understand from this one illustration is that just because you’re growing doesn’t mean you’re wheat. Both wheat and tares, those who accept and those who reject Jesus, are growing, and they’re growing side by side, as if they have everything in common; that is, until the wheat begins to mature. That’s when the differences become evident. Wheat produces fruit but tares produce nothing but fuel for the fire.

We are faced with a choice: choose Jesus or choose the evil one; there is no middle ground. It is a black and white; right or wrong decision. Furthermore, Jesus reminds us that true disciples-those who follow the kingdom message-must be prepared to pay the ultimate price for doing so (Matthew 13:20-22, 44-46).

Jesus will return to gather up His followers; the wheat. This is a sobering thought. I don’t know who the tares are around me, but I know that I don’t want anyone to be cast into the fire. I pray that God will bring those around me to Jesus real soon and that the fruit He produces in me will remind them of who He’s called them to be.

Song Series: Glorious Is Our God

Glorious Is Our God

Read: Colossians 1:24-29

to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory – Colossians 1:27

We have one hope and one message; plain, simple, and POWERFUL!
We preach Christ and Christ alone; no more no less. He is the beginning and end to our salvation and the very hope of eternity. Regardless of where we came from, our standing in society, or our sometimes sordid and wasted past we who believe in Jesus have been given Christ. He lives in us and compels us to share the good news with everyone everywhere. What is the good news? Christ in us the hope of glory, and He can be Christ in you the hope of glory! “We teach in a spirit of profound common sense so that we can bring each person to maturity. To be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less.” – The Message

We work hard “in the energy God gives us”, at taking this message to our family, friends, neighbors, and beyond because we know that He wants everyone to come to repentance and be forgiven forever. We use our gifts, talents, and treasures to sing, play, and pay for the Gospel to be preached in full recognition that God will move in as we move out. So let’s move out, sharing the hope filled message that Jesus and Jesus alone has the power to bring us into God’s glorious presence to the praise of His glory and grace!

Glorious Is Our God

by Richard Knott

Glorious, glorious

Glorious is our God.

Glorious, alive in us,

Glorious is our God, is our God.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6URN8PfTWI

Song Series: The Stand

The Stand

Read: Romans 5

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. – Romans 5:1-2

All have sinned and have been found guilty in God’s court. However, Jesus covers the believer’s guilt with His innocence and he is found justifiably not guilty. Before believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, we were enemies of God but now we are at peace with Him through Jesus and the work he accomplished on the cross. In other words, the just reward for our sins, “death”, has been remitted and our punishment is eternally satisfied by the punishment Christ received on the cross. From the day of our salvation to eternity we stand in this grace.

Furthermore, we can’t make God love or even like us any more than He now does. We aren’t saved by grace and perfected by good works. We don’t have to prove we’re worthy. Believers are worthy because Christ is worthy. As one theologian puts it, “The score sheet is gone and the account is settled.” Obviously we can’t brag about our salvation as if it’s something we acquired through hard work. No, we boast in Jesus and Him alone, through songs of praise and worship and lives that bring Him glory.

Michael W. Smith says "Stand is a call to stand up for what you believe in." It's a call to stand in awe of the One who gave all and to stand outside of the walls of the church rubbing shoulders with the lost. Together, we stand as followers of Jesus sharing a powerful opportunity: To live as a child of God. We must live as though we believe we are loved," he says. "It's time we take a stand believing we are loved," Smith concludes. "And then, let's go. Let's go change the world."

Thanks to God's grace we were: guilty, but now, we are innocent, God’s foes, but now are God’s friends. fallen, but now, we stand.

Won't you help someone else to stand? Introduce them to Jesus today.

“The Stand," written by Joel Houston of Hillsong and recorded by Michael W. Smith on his album Stand.

So I’ll stand with arms high and heart abandoned

In awe of the One Who gave it all

I’ll stand my soul Lord to You surrendered

All I am is Yours.

Quiet Time: He Crossed the Line

He Crossed the Line

Read: John 3:1-21

He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. - John 3:18

A friend of mine crossed the line last night. He is now born again. And it wasn't because his life was a mess. It isn't. As things go, he's actually doing pretty well for himself. But, when God began to draw him to His Son, my buddy became aware that peace was lacking in his life. After a long while he came to the wrong conclusion that the only way he'd experience true peace was death. (No, he wasn't suicidal, just realistic; knowing that stuff doesn't satisfy) Eventually, though, after listening carefully to what God said about peace, he came to a point where he wanted, no, he needed Jesus, and needed Him more than anything he had or could possibly get here on earth.

Now, this guy's no dummy. He's an intelligent well rounded man who likes to think things through before making a decision. And, he's been thinking Jesus' story through for several months now. Finally, he, like Nicodemus, came to the point in his life where he knew a decision must be made. The line had been drawn in the sand by Jesus, and he now asked himself quite simply:

• Am I a sinner? (Romans 3:23)
• Do I want forgiveness for my sins? (1 John 1:9)
• Do I believe that Christ died for my sins, was buried, and rose again the third day overcoming both my sin and the grave? (1 Corinthians 15:2-4; 1 Peter 3:18)
• Am I willing to confess Him as my Lord and Savior and live for Him as He leads me for the rest of my life? (Romans 10:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:15)
• Then, I need to pray and ask God to come into my heart.(Romans 10:13)

Too simple, you say. For you may-be, but not for Jesus. It cost Him everything. Come think of it, it will cost you everything too. But then again, as my pastor might say, "It's like trading a rotten bologna sandwich for a juicy steak hoagie." It's a no brainer; the choice is yours to make of course, but you weren't created to eat rotten meat. You certainly weren't created to live a rotten life either. (John 10:10)

So, are you ready to cross the line?

Song Series: Always

ALWAYS

Read: Psalm 121:1-3

My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth – Psalm 121:2

“I rescued him, thinking I was doing a good thing. His masters abused him. They tied him to a tree and beat him,” recalled Achibra, a noble fiftyish man with a sturdy, youthful build and mature eyes that command attention. “But, after the police gave him to his parents, he was once again sold by his parents, this time to fishermen working on the Bay of Guinea near the Ivory Coast.” This is John’s story, a boy who was sold into slavery by his parents. It is one of many told by several thousand children who work 14-20 hours a day as slaves in Ghana's fishing industry. Children are being left to fend for themselves by the very people who most kids look to for help. However, a ray of hope shines through as strangers from a foreign land intervene  bringing hope by rescuing the helpless. Every Christian should be able to relate to this story.

We were desperate and helpless before Christ. No hope, no future, no one who cared; or so we thought. Then someone shared the good news of the God who loves us and gave Himself up for us. Jesus, a stranger from a foreign land, intervened on our behalf and brought us a future and a hope. Unlike Mr. Achibra, God rescued us and it was indeed a good thing. Now, we have an opportunity to participate in His helping the hopeless both pragmatically and eternally.

Father’s House International in Ghana is a Christian based outreach making a difference. Their mission statement reads: “Father's House International is dedicated to helping the desperate and exploited children without much hope all around the world”. Achibra was one man trying to help one child. He did the best he could, and helped for a time. If only he knew about Father’s House International, his story would have a much happier conclusion. So, you may be wondering, what’s all this have to do with the song “Always”?

As I researched Kristian Stanfill’s new song “Always” I came across his website and clicked on NEWS. I noticed that he and his band took part in GHANA ROCK, a benefit concert to support The Father’s House in Ghana. The really cool thing about this benefit concert is that it was organized by a small group of passionate teenagers. “So, God wants me to follow the lead of a bunch of kids”, I thought to myself? Well, why not. The bible says a little child shall lead them (Isaiah 11:6) and God uses whomever He chooses. Therefore, I’m gonna suggest at my next practice that our worship team at The Palms Community take Father’s House on as a group ministry and outreach.

I want to help as many people as I can learn to look to the Lord for their help while seeing His love through the lives of His people as they reach out in His strength. God’s in the business of rescuing humans both great and small; and that’s a good thing…a really good thing, ALWAYS.

Here are some links that you may find useful:
Kristian Stanfill's chord charts (free!) http://www.kristianstanfill.com/chordcharts
Father's House International: http://www.fathershouseghana.com/
Big World Magazine for more related info: http://www.bigworldmagazine.com/slaves-of-lake-volta/
Youth Councils Leadership Page: http://leadershiplink.info/

Song Series: Feet That Move

Feet That Move

Read: Matthew 11:1-6

the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM. - Matthew 11:5

John’s disciples wanted to know if Jesus was the Christ. Jesus told them look around, what do you see? You see God at work in the lives of people, all people; the rich and famous, as well as, the down and outs. You see miracles that have never been done in your lifetime. You see people to whom most wouldn’t give the time of day receiving the good news of the kingdom with gladness. You see changed lives! What do you think? Am I the Messiah? Now stop worrying about who people say that I am and move on.

This passage kind of reminds me of what an old fishing buddy of mine used to say.
“If the fish aren’t biting where you're at, move.” That was his, Ishmael’s, philosophy when it came to shore-line fishing. I often walked along the bayside with him plugging for fish during the early morning hours before going to work, and I can count on one hand the number of times I didn’t catch at least one fish. The secret: never spend more than 20 or 30 minutes in one spot. If they weren’t biting we’d move to the opposite shoreline of the little peninsular we often fished. Then if they weren’t hitting on the peninsular we’d jump in the car and fish underneath a nearby bridge. The bottom line is, we moved where the fish were.

I think we Christians waste a lot of time fishing where the fish aren’t biting. We need to ready to share the good news of salvation through the Messiah, Christ Jesus, but it may be helpful to first find out where the fish are. Next time you sense God moving you to drop a line, why not start by first asking a simple question of the person? “To you, who is Jesus?” Then be ready to listen. Don’t argue, just listen. When they’re all done telling you what they believe, then ask, “So, if what you believe in is untrue, would you want to know?” If they say, “Yes,” be ready to share the Gospel; the fish are biting! If the answer is, "No", move; God isn't drawing them (John 6:44).

This is actually a technique called “Witnessing Without Fear” you can find out more info at Frontline Ministries by visiting http://www.frontlinemin.org/wwf.asp

FEET THAT MOVE
We will praise You with the sound of our hands reaching out.
We’ll worship You with feet that move to bring good news.
http://www.northwoodworship.com/