Quiet Times: Think On These Things

Think On These Things

Packing for the journey #2

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. – Philippians 4:8

The red digital numbers projected on my bedroom ceiling are just beginning to come into focus and I see that it’s way too early to be awake on a holiday morning. A scripture verse that the Spirit prompted me to memorize a few years past is dancing through my mind to the little tune I gave it. (Sometimes I set scripture to song to help me recall certain passages)

This sort of thing happens to me fairly regularly. I count it a blessing and suppose it is what the Word means when it says that the Holy Spirit will teach and help me to remember the things God has said to me (John 14:26).

Well, since I’m still packing for the life journey with Jesus and deciding what “Dos” I should have along with the “Don’ts” mentioned a couple of blogs back, I figure Philippians 4:8 would be a good one for refining a “Head for Heaven” (see First Things First).

Here’s the plan:

Before watching, listening to, or otherwise taking in or attempting at accomplish anything, I will ask myself the following questions:

1.       (TRUE) Does this square with what the bible says is true? (Psalm 25:10)

2.       (HONORABLE) Does this bring honor to me or the person/thing I’m engaging?(2 Cor. 8:21)

3.       (RIGHT)  Does this turn me from evil to do good? (Psalm 19:8)

4.       (PURE) Does this contaminate or purify me or the person/thing? (Titus 1:15)

5.       (LOVELY) Does this bring beauty? (Psalm 84:1-3)

6.       (GOOD REPUTE) Does this smack of immorality? (Proverbs 3:3-5)

7.       (EXCELLENCE) Does this encourage excellence (virtue and quality)? (2 Peter 1:5)

8.       (PRAISE WORTHY)  Can I praise God for this?(Psalm 117:1-2)

I almost fear thinking where this is headed, because, frankly, some of the stuff I like for entertainment, not that it’s all that bad in the eyes of most people, I’m not so sure would square with the list. And, some of the things that I spend time doing, are now looking like a real waste of time and effort.

“And that’s a good thing”, as my friend Clyde would say.

So, I’m gonna keep packing, because I know I’ll need this for the journey.

Quiet Time: First Things First

Click the pic to see Baily Boy

First Things First
Packing for the journey #1

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. - Matthew 6:33

I have a coworker who loves to stay at home. He shared with me the other day that whenever he has a weekend off from work, he pretty much just hangs around the house. He tends the garden, swims in the pool, cooks burgers on the grill and basically just chills. He said, "You know Doug, I just don't like going out as much as I like staying in." Frankly, I can relate.

Right now, I'm sitting beside the pool in my back yard, a golden sunrise peaking over the corner of my roof warms my face and causes my photo grey glasses to darken. I have a cup of coffee with a spot of honey, and I'm watching my dog attempt to get my attention to toss the ball with him. I love having nothing to do and nowhere to go, don't you?

As a bi-vocational worship leader who often works six days a week at my secular job (if there is such a thing), I don't have many times with nothing to do. I recently listened to a sermon from a local  pastor that encouraged me to find one day a week for sabbath rest as part of seeking first God's kingdom. Now, I know I'm not under the law. Jesus fulfilled the law for me; and, I also know that when "you have an ox in a hole you've got to get him out" (Luke 14:5) So, I don't feel guilty when I do work; duty calls. However, I do want to seek first God's kingdom, and that means  my top priority in life is to seek what is eternal.

This will be the first item on my list of things to pack for my journey with Jesus:

1. A heart for heaven.

Quiet Time: Tangle Free Living; Unencumbered

Tangle Free Living

Unencumbered

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us – Hebrews 12:1

I recently finished reading "Awol on the Appalachian Trail" a book by David Miller who through hiked the 2000+ mile trail from Georgia to Maine. He began the trail with heavy pack of provisions and miscellaneous camping gear but pared it down to the bare essentials before he was half way through his journey. Every unessential ounce was considered a needless burden, an encumbrance, that would slow his progress from reaching the ultimate goal of finishing the hike before winter.

That's kind of a funny word, isn't it? "Encumbrance" You don't hear much about  encumbrances or sins these days; much less setting anything aside. It seems like only pro athletes and master artists are expected to lay something aside to pursue a prize, which is usually an abundance of money, fame, or  stuff. 

Yet, here I am; a common everyday man, being challenged to “lay aside encumbrances and sins”. That is astonishing! My life and the way I live it actually matter to God. It's as if He knows that too much of a good thing can be bad for me. Imagine that.

Since I like making lists and checking things off, I thought it might help me better understand the meaning of Hebrews 12:1 if I listed the biblical cross references that seem to shed more light on the subject. So, here’s my “Things to Toss” list:

Get rid of:

• Unhealthy relationships (codependent) (Matthew 10:37-38)
• Worries, riches and pleasures. (Luke 8:14)
• Abundance and superfluous possessions. (Luke 12:15)
• Worldly lusts (Romans 13:13-14)
• Defilement (2 Cor. 7:1)
• Wanting riches (1 Timothy 6:9)
• Malice (a desire to harm another) deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander (malicious rumors) (1 Peter 2:1)
• Loving the world: an intense desire for having what the world has to offer and a “look at me” attitude. (1 John 2:15-16)

Well, that’s a fairly straight forward list of things not to pack on this journey with Jesus; the “Don’ts” if you will. But, being the kind of Christ follower who likes to have some “Do’s”, I suppose the next step is to make a list of things to insure are included in my daily walk with God. 

 

Quiet Time: Why Be Good

Why Be Good?

¹⁵ and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. – 1 Corinthians 5:15

A Jehovah’s Witness once asked me at the end of a long conversation about being saved by grace, “Doug, if you really believe in grace, what’s your motivation for right living?” In other words, “Why be good?” I replied with my life’s verse (2 Cor. 5:15) and followed up with, “Randy, Jesus is my reason, not just for being good, but for a life worth living.” 

Why be good? 

Be good for Him who gave His life and lived again that we might live through Him.

Confidence In Prayer

Read: 1 John 5:13-17

This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. 1 John 5:14-15 NASB

How can we know that we are praying in accordance with God’s will? By praying according to God’s word.

So, what about the times we pray in accordance with God’s word but what we’re praying for doesn’t happen? Well, then I suppose we simply trust God’s timing.

But, what if our prayer never comes to fruition? (Like the time I prayed for years for a grandfather to come to know Christ, but as far as I know, he never did) That’s when we trust God’s sovereignty and His willingness to allow men and women to choose something other than His best. (God will not force us to accept salvation through His Son).

The bible is not a book of incantations that we can use to bend God to do our bidding. However, it is a way for us to better understand God’s purpose and plans for prayer.

The bible bends my heart to pray in accordance with God’s heart.

Sunday Song Set 2013_0428

Sunday Song Set 2013_0428

Running
Our God
How Great Is Our God
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
God Is Able

Our team usually has a quick break somewhere in the middle. Sometimes this break becomes a point of ministry (prayer, teaching, etc...). It also gives those in the foyer a chance to come in to the main sanctuary without disturbing other people.

Of course the set is also designed to flow from one song to the next with no breaks and can be easily sung by the congregation in about 20 minutes mol.

Note: God Is Able will most likely be used as an alter call type song near the end of the worship service after the pastor's message.

The videos are in the same order as the set list.



Song Series: White Flag

White Flag

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. - Galatians 2:20

Go to Africa.

That's what we often fear God will ask us to do if we surrender. May-be  we don't really believe that He wants what's best for us. Now, we'd never say that out loud, but really, isn't that kind of how we feel? So, we settle for good enough. Consequently this settling spills over into our daily walk with Christ (which is what surrender is really all about) and the next thing we know we've become the very person we never intended to be. We become a  "Casual Christian".

Casual Christian is just another term for lukewarm, and we all know how God feels about that! (Revelation 3:15-16)

So, what to do...what to do? Hmmmm...Oh, I know!

JUST BE REAL. "Repent and return to God performing deeds appropriate to repentance." (Acts 26:20) No-one's looking for perfection, not even God, but He is looking for a heart that's really His (2 Chronicles 16:9).

God knows you and He chose you anyway to be His child. So, buck up little trooper! (Romans 5:8)

Trust Him,  and then walk with Him right where you're at. God's love is unfailing. He will teach you how to walk in His way. (Psalm 143:8)

Surrender doesn't mean defeat. Surrender means victory - Christ wins through you; all for His glory. (Galatians 2:20)

When we give up "good enough" we win God's best.

White Flag song story on New Song Cafe

Chris Tomlin ministering at Passion Atlanta Live

When we give up "good enough" we win God's best.

Song Series: Victor's Crown

The Victor's Crown

Read: Matthew 27:28-30

And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” - Matthew 27:29

The finished work of Christ came after His crown of thorns. Ironically, this painful act of mockery became a symbol of victory.


I have a miniature crown of thorns that rests on the top left frame of my bedroom mirror. Every morning when I look at my reflection I am reminded of Christ's victory over my past sins, failures, and regrets, as well as, my glorious future with Him. I am encouraged to walk worthy of His calling me to follow Him and to turn my back on all that was (yesterday) pressing on in view of all that's yet to be (eternity).


Christ followers, like everyone else, may have painful life memories, but the huge difference is that Jesus' finished work on the cross turns those thorny wreaths into crowns of victory.


Walk in faith and victory; Pain is a finite process not the final product.

Darlene Zschech, Victor's Crown song story

Live recording of Victor's Crown

Pain is a finite process not the final product