Quiet Time: The Green Eyed Monster

The Green Eyed Monster

Read: Galatians 5

²⁵ If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another. – Galatians 5:25-26

I have a confession to make: sometimes I envy the mega churches in my area.

Every once in a while I’ll go to see one of their wonderful and impecably produced musicals or worship services and I’m just blown away. Everything comes off without a hitch. Crystaline sound reinforcements, immersive stage lighting with atmospheric enhancements, and flawless instrumental and vocal talent all come together for a seemingly effortless worship experience.  Now, I understand that I don’t really know all of the ends and outs of such a large ministry, but that doesn’t keep me from wishing that most of the churches with which I’ve  served had the resources both monitarily and talent wise that the mega churches accumulate; they are truly a sight to behold! Then I get a little befuddled as I wonder why they don’t feel the need to share some of their pools of under utilized talent with many of the great yet scantly resourced churches in their area.

Frankly, I’ve come to realize that this befuddlment, although it sounds right and prudent,  is part and partial to my envy. I want what they have; plain and simple. And, that, my friends, is wrong.

 Paul tells me that if I “live by the Spirit,” if what I believe is more than just an ideal, then I must “walk by the Spirit.” I must infuse the Spirit into every aspect of my life. His fruits should be evident at work, play, what I do, and what I say. Paul goes on to instruct me to not “boast, challenge, or envy”  other believers. Christians are saved individually to live individual lives. Comparing myself to other Christians is fruitless and harmful to further growth and does nothing to strengthen who I am in Christ.

So, now I’ve confessed to the world the fact that God is still working on me. I’ve got a long way to go toward maturity in Christ. Candidly, I still plan to build myself and any ministry God gives me to serve, to the top most level. This is right, for God wants our best not our better than. But, by God’s grace I will build with the Spirit, not inspite of. How about you?

Quiet Time: No Limits?

No Limits?

Read: Galatians 5

On a good day, enjoy yourself;
On a bad day, examine your conscience.
God arranges for both kinds of days
So that we won't take anything for granted.
- Ecclesiastes 7:14 (The Message)

Limits are laced with disappointment.
Last December the ESPN/Red Bull "New Year. No Limits" event at which snowmobiler Levi LaVallee planned to break a world record by jumping over 301.5 feet of water was canceled after LaVallee crashed during practice. Fortunately, during testing, LaVallee did jump an astounding 361 feet, eclipsing the existing record by 60 feet. This jump was submitted for world record certification. [LaunchinLevi] So, I guess it’s safe to say that the new “No Limits” limit for snow mobile jumping is 361 feet and that Levi painfully experienced the disappointment of limits.

We all understand that life itself is limited. So, it comes as no shock that without self-control we often suffer the consequences of going over the limit; and that’s the rub. We don’t like limits because limits tell us that we can’t do whatever we want to do.

I’ve sat down with six figure corporate leaders, salt of the earth common folk, and wired for sound college students. All had adequate means to balance their budgets yet, practiced little self-control when it came to living within their limits. All ended up experiencing a monetary crisis. Often, as friends or family members, our first inclination is to bail them out or at least help them out in some way to get past the crisis. However, the plain and simple fact is that we will only postpone the inevitable (Proverbs 19:19). You see, no-one can experience the pain and disappointment of being limited for the one being limited just as one plant cannot grow for another plant.

OK, here’s the point: We are limited creatures who serve a limitless God. This limitless God has given each of us exactly what He wants us to have for the moment; a limited amount of time, talents, and treasures. When we live within the parameters of His principles we experience a sense of peace, contentment, and knowledge that we are indeed walking with Him as He leads (1 Corinthians 3:17).

Walking with God will limit where we go, as well as, how we get there. On the journey, we will undoubtedly be disappointed because we can’t do what we want to do when we want to do it. But, if we determine to be content with His presence the pain will soon give way to peace (1 Corinthians 15:58). We may even discover that living within limits is a privilege not a pain.

Live the life that’s in front of you

But don’t always do what you want to do

Learn from the ant which saved more than she spent

And had plenty the whole winter through – (Proverbs 6:6-8)

Quiet Time: Dream It - Do It

Dream it – Do it

It will be as when a hungry man dreams— And behold, he is eating; But when he awakens, his hunger is not satisfied, Or as when a thirsty man dreams— And behold, he is drinking, But when he awakens, behold, he is faint And his thirst is not quenched. Thus the multitude of all the nations will be who wage war against Mount Zion. – Isaiah 29:8

My wife and I recently visited Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Frankly, I usually try and avoid theme parks but Disney offered a deal to Florida residents that was hard refuse. I think one would be hard pressed after about an hour of walking around the picturesque avenues and shops not to see a prevalent quote displayed throughout the park by the founder, Walt Disney, “If you can dream it you can do it.”

That just sounds good doesn’t it? I mean, isn’t that exactly what we want to hear? After all, from the time we were old enough to comprehend ambition’s siren call we’ve been told, “You can do anything you put your mind to” and “There’s nothing you can’t do if you’ll just apply yourself.” And, of course there’s the spiritual version, “Name it, claim it, believe it; insert christianeze verb here ____, and you can have it!” But what if I name it and claim it, then apply myself, and finally put my whole heart and mind into something only to discover that I get exactly what I want, and in the getting I lose my grip on the cloak of Christ (Matthew 9:19-21)? Worse yet, what if I begin to treat my walk with antipathy rather than avidity in Christ?

I remember hearing another quote that really got my attention; “Satan will give you whatever it takes to keep you from following Jesus.” This does appear to a valid view in light of Christ and Satan’s conversation during the wilderness temptation (Luke 4:5-8). So how do I strive to be my best without becoming overly connected to, or ambitions for, the things of this world (1 John 2:15-17)?
How do I guard against covetousness without becoming complacent? Here’s my personal and I’m sure over simplified prescription:

1. Seek Christ first and foremost (2 Corinthians 5:15)
2. Reject selfish ambition (Philippians 2:2-4)
3. Be my best for Jesus (Colossians 3:23-24)

(Proverbs 22:29) seems to speak to the benefits of being our best in whatever God gives us to do without losing our spiritual integrity.

Dream it – do it…all for Jesus.

Quiet Time: He's Always Been Faithful

He’s Always Been Faithful

Read: Hebrews 13:4-6

being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU  
                                              – Hebrews 13:5

God is faithful even when we are faithless.

Have you ever doubted your faith in Christ? I have. Usually my doubt comes after something or someone has drawn my face away from Jesus. Before I know it, my focus is on stuff and circumstance instead of my Savior.

Fortunately for me, I’m a worship leader; therefore, I’m forced to redirect my view each day as I practice songs of praise and worship for the upcoming Sunday. Before I know it, my mind and soul are again looking for another tender moment with the Master. Like the old song says:

o Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

I like the old songs, but I like the new as well. There’s a new song by Sara Groves titled “He’s Always Been Faithful”. I asked my daughter to sing it for me tonight. I needed it. May-be you do too. So, I’ve attached a YouTube link with her singing it for me. I joined her on the old hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness”; I just couldn’t help it. Sing along if you want to and remember, Jesus is always faithful, even when we are faithless.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dZMm891RwQ&feature=feedu

Quiet Time: New Song Blues

New Song Blues

Read: Psalm 33

Sing to Him a new song;

Play skillfully with a shout of joy.                        - Psalm 33:3

For the most part, people hate change (that goes for worship songs as well).
We love our old songs; after all, we know them and can sing them best. We feel good singing them, so why add another song? Don’t we have enough already? Well, I suppose we have plenty of songs to sing, and, yes, they really are good, but where would we be today without “Blessed Be Your Name”, “Give Thanks”, or “Desert Song”? How about “Our God Saves”, “You Are God Alone”, or “Shout to the Lord”? Obviously, these were all new songs at one time, yet today they’re a regular part of most song sets.


As a worship leader I’ve introduce many new songs to congregations throughout the body of Christ. Many were received and sung well, but just as many were held at arm’s length and responded to with skepticism and halfhearted effort. I’ve often wondered about the best way to present a new song and I’ve finally decided that there is no good way.

Although it is a fact that old songs actually were new once. The blushing truth is that these new-older songs often succumb to a blasé’ and ho-hum effort by a complacent worshipper. And, we've all been complacent at one time or other.

Perhaps that’s why the psalmist encourages us to sing and develop new songs regularly.

New songs require that we think before we sing (1 Corinthians 14:15) and that’s a good thing.

Song Series: Always

Always
Read: Psalm 121

A Song of Ascents.

1 I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
From where shall my help come?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not allow your foot to slip;
He who keeps you will not slumber - Psalm 121:1-3


We are always confident because God is always in control.

My son, Matt, recently struggled with a section in his algebra class. I could tell he was getting pretty discouraged and suggested he stop by the student center at the college to meet with a tutor. However, he wanted to try and figure it out himself. So, he decided to take a couple of hours from his part time job to work through it during an extended lunch break. Well, he did teach himself to do the math, and the victory was evident; not only in the fact that he could now work the problem but also in his attitude. He became confident and ready for the next challenge.

The psalmist certainly understood challenge and discouragement, but he also understood that his hope and help were eternally secure and immeasurably abundant in the Living God. Psalm 121 is part of the so called songs of steps or pilgrim songs (120-134) that were intended to be sung by worshipers as they made their way up to the temple in Jerusalem for the three great festivals. They were songs of encouragement and joy that reminded the worshiper where his strength and hope were found.

There will always be challenges, and like my son’s math problem, they may cause our confidence to wax cold. But, God is the same today as He was yesterday and He will not change. He is no less of a help, hope, joy, strength, and eternal encouragement today than he was for the old testament pilgrim. Therefore, we should work hard in overcoming adversity; after all, God allows it in our lives. However, we must remember from Whom our strength comes and keep ourselves secure in the fact that God will ALWAYS see us through

ALWAYS

by Kristian Stanfill and Jason Ingram

O my God, He will not delay, my refuge and strength always

I will not fear, His promise is true,

My God will come through always, always..

Song Series: Grace Greater Than Our Sin

Grace Greater Than Our Sin
Julia H. Johnston, 1849-1919

"But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:20-21)

God's grace is not merely a sufficient grace; it is an abounding grace--"that you will abound in every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:8). His grace provides our eternal salvation as well as the enablement to know life more abundantly. It is available for our every problem and need.

Sometimes the argument is advanced that since God's grace covers all our sins, then we are free to live as we please. God's grace does provide for our freedom, but it is meant to free us from a slavery to our selfish, sinful nature in order that we might pursue "every good work"--to become all that God intends us to be.

Julia Johnston was for many years involved in the work of Sunday schools at the First Presbyterian Church of Peoria, Illinois, and as a writer of lesson materials for primary age children for the David C. Cook Publishing Company. She also wrote approximately 500 hymn texts. The composer of this hymn, Daniel B. Towner, was for many years the director of the music department at Moody Bible Institute. "Grace Greater Than Our Sin" first appeared in Towner's compilation, Hymns Tried and True, 1911.

Grace Greater Than Our Sin

Julia H. Johnston, 1849-1919

"Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt! Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured--there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.

"Sin and despair, like the seawaves cold, threaten the soul with infinite loss; grace that is greater--yes, grace untold--points to the Refuge, the mighty Cross.

"Dark is the stain that we cannot hide; what can avail to wash it away? Look! there is flowing a crimson tide--whiter than snow you may be today.

"Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, freely bestowed on all who believe! You that are longing to see His face, will you this moment His grace receive?

"Chorus: Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within; grace, grace, God's grace, grace that is greater than all our sin!"

What does the term "grace" mean to your life? Try to define it in your own words. Discuss your insights with another. (Osbeck)

Song Series: Happy Am I

Happy Am I

Read: Hebrews 13:1-6

Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,”        – Hebrews 13:6

I have such fond memories of what some ministries used to call “Children’s Church”. For those of you who’ve not heard of this concept; basically, it was a church service for grade school age kids. We had our own children’s pastor, bible games, flannel graph story times (as close as we got to high tech) and of course, music. Now that I think of it, we even had our own child led worship team.

Basically, it consisted of a trio of us boys who figured out how to sing in harmony. We got pretty good at it and were invited to sing a little ditty called “Do Lord” for the adults in the “Big Church” service. Stevie, Billy, and I stood around a single microphone accompanied by Bob and Avis Swartz on organ and grand-piano respectively. What a hoot! But, singing aside, I think we kids really did learn a lot about Jesus through these kid-centric times together.

We understood that our happiness wasn’t found in hitting a ball better than Bobby or getting better grades than Greg. Our joy wasn’t dependant on being better than anybody or anything at all; joy was found in walking with Jesus. After all, we grew up intimately knowing missionaries, like the Bells, who had very little money but a whole lot of happiness, even after spending three decades in a foreign land. We saw that walking with Christ costs something, yet also observed how the dividends far outweighed the sacrifice. I guess, as kids, we just accepted what the bible had to say as fact; and that was that. Not a bad way to live, actually.

Songs, flannel graphs, and walking talking examples encouraged us to believe that Jesus was enough, so as kids, we believed. Like one of our favorite children’s church songs simply stated, “Happy am I, Jesus is mine forever”.

Sometimes I have to remind myself that Jesus will never leave me nor forsake me. He was enough then and He’s enough now, even when I begin to worry about “Big Church” people stuff.

Happy Am I

Happy am I: Jesus is Mine Forever,

Never to leave: always in each endeavor,

Leading me on - in a life ending never.

Giving a smile, every mile, - happy am I.

Happy am I: all of my sins forgiven,

What a great day: Life is now worth the living!

One of these days, I'll be enjoying heaven,

Now that I know, upward I'll go - happy am I.

Happy am I! How can I help but shout it?

Every day - telling the world about it;

Jesus is real - only believe, don't doubt it.

Then you will be happy like me; happy am I.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3bzNZng1Uc&feature=related

Quiet Time: One Voice

One Voice

READ: 2 Chronicles 5:1-14

in unison when the trumpeters and the singers were to make themselves heard with one voice to praise and to glorify the LORD, and when they lifted up their voice accompanied by trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and when they praised the LORD saying, “He indeed is good for His loving-kindness is everlasting,” then the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud, - 2 Chronicles 5:13 (NASB)

Unity is powerful. That’s why I think, musically, unison can also be powerful.

In this passage referring to the dedication of Solomon’s temple we see the instrumentalists and vocalist getting the attention of everyone in attendance by singing and playing one line of song in unison. However, the message was also heard in the heavenlies, and it was visibly received loud and clear by the Levite’s audience of One, as God amened His approval by filling the temple with His presence just as He did in Moses day. What more could a musician ask for than to be in the presence of his master.

Oh, that the church in unison would proclaim with one voice, "Yes! God is good! His loyal love goes on forever!" (MSG)

Quiet Time: Meet the Band

Meet the Band
Read: 1 Chronicles 16:1-7

He appointed some of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the LORD, even to celebrate and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel: - 1 Chronicles 16:4

Just about every live concert has a “meet the band” break somewhere near the end of their program where each member of the group is introduced to the audience. Church worship bands don’t normally take the time to do this on Sunday mornings for obvious reasons But, I don’t think it hurts to introduce them to the congregation from time to time. It may even be a good idea to place a personal bio for each of them in the bulletin once in a while, or, at the very least, give them a spot on the church web site.

The Holy Spirit seems to think it’s important to know the names of the musicians who played in Old Testament times. He’s very specific; almost like He’s giving us a “meet the band” break in the middle of the action.

Here are just a few of the guys who served in the Davidic tabernacle, as well as, who marched along with the arc of the covenant as it was paraded back to Jerusalem from Obed-edom’s house with songs of joy:
• Asaph (collector) Music Director, vocalist, played the lyre, harp, and loud cymbals.
• Benaiah (Yahweh has built) played trumpet, was an army commander (1 Chr. 27:5), killed a lion in a pit on a snowy day! (1 Chr. 11:22)
• Eliab (God is a father) played the harp tuned to alamoth or soprano harp and was a gate keeper
• Heman (faithful) prophet, vocalist, who played both the lyre and the harp, as well as, the loud brass cymbals
• Jahaziel (God Sees) a priest and trumpeter
• Jehiel (God lives) played a harp tuned to alamoth
• Jeiel (treasured of God) gate keeper to the sacred tent, played the lyre tuned to sheminith - probably a large 8 stringed harp tuned below the the soprano (alamoth) lyre.
• Mattihiah (gift of Yahweh) played the lyre tuned to sheminith. was also a tabernacle gatekeeper
• Obed-edom (Edom is serving) kept the arc of the covenant at his house for three months before it was brought to Jerusalem, was gatekeeper for the arc in Jeruselem, also played both the harp and lyre
• Shemiramoth (highest fame) played the soprano harp and was a gatekeeper

• Zechariah (Yahweh remembered) priest, trumpeter, played the soprano harp and probably the 8 stringed harp as well.

Do you know your worship leaders by name? When was the last time you handed them a "Thank You" card or stopped to tell them how much you appreciate them? May I offer a suggestion? While you’re worshipping this Sunday, really listen to what each team member is doing. Then, find something specific in regard to their playing or singing to compliment and share your observation with them. Trust me, not only will you strengthen their spirit but you will revitalize their desire to serve.