New Things I Declare

Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them. (Is 42:9)

The dawn of a new year is a unique time.  Many of us will reflect on our lives over the course of the past year; was it a “good year?”  “Bad year?”  Somewhere in between?

I suppose that the thing that determines whether we consider 2011 a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ year has something to do with our perspective; how we measure the past year of our life.  If I asked you to rate the past year, what criteria would you use?

Finances?  Career? Health? Relationships? Spiritual growth?

In reality, all of these are valid areas to evaluate, as they are all important aspects of our lives.  

From a biblical standpoint, there isn’t a scripture that tells us that on January 1^st we should take stock of our lives, and make new years resolutions.  But there are verses that tell us to examine ourselves. For instance, Galatians 6:4 tell us:

But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. (Gal 6:4)

This Sunday I’ll be sharing more on this subject, but until then I will leave you with three questions to ponder:

#1 Are the things I am doing today; physically, emotionally, spiritually, working for my life?

#2 Am I being a good and faithful steward of the things God has entrusted to me?

#3 Am I living my life with purpose?

Join us Sunday at 9 or 11 am for our New Years Day service:  New Things I Declare.

… till the whole world hears,

Pastor Clay

The Greatest Gift

This week as I’ve been preparing for the message on Sunday, the Lord took me, of all places, to Malachi. Malachi is an interesting book in that the message to Israel came at a time when there was a great cloud of spiritual apathy hovering over the nation.  The people were half-hearted towards the things of God.  There was a great divide between God and His people, and no matter how much God encouraged His people to turn back to Him, they seemed to have this “ho hum” attitude towards Him.  The people were so focused on their own lives, their prosperity, and their comfort, they didn't really have time for God.

In a way this scenario reminds me of the attitude our society has towards Christmas.  The focus is on whether sales will be up or flat; or how people are adjusting to the new financial situation; or whether a town can display a nativity scene on public property.

Perhaps just as Malachi urged the nation of Israel to turn their hearts back to God, we should be urged to recognize this holiday for it’s true meaning: The celebration of the greatest gift ever given, God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ!

Join us this Sunday for "Christ, the Greatest Gift"

Pastor Clay

Love Believes the Best

Now it had happened as they were coming home, when David was returning from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women had come out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with musical instruments. So the women sang as they danced, and said: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.”

Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?” So Saul eyed David from that day forward. (1 Sam 18:6-9)

What an interesting study of human behavior this little section of scripture is.  See, you would think that because David was so highly regarded by the people, it would be a good thing for the Kingdom.  For Saul to have a person on staff that was doing a great job and that the people were totally excited about, it should have been a reflection of Saul’s wisdom in promoting David. But because Saul was self-absorbed, he saw David’s popularity as a threat to his leadership, even his position as king.

From this point forward Saul’s mind is filled with suspicion towards David. He’ll begin to hear most everything David says with suspicious ears.  He’ll look at most all David’s actions with suspicious eyes.  His thoughts about David will be twisted by suspicion.  In Saul we see the exact opposite of what God calls us to:

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Cor 13:4-7)

In other words, as God’s people we are called to believe the best about people. I have found this principle to be life changing in every relationship in my life.  When someone does or says something that I don’t like I can do one of two things:

I can assume the worst:  That they don’t like me, that they are trying to hurt me, that they have an agenda against me.

Or, I can assume the best:  Perhaps I misunderstood them, perhaps what they said didn’t come out the way they meant it, or perhaps they were just having a bad day!

See when I believe the worst about a person or a situation, I start taking everything they say or do personal.  I start wondering what else they may have said about me.  Before too long, I have convicted and condemned that person in my mind.  And of course, once I’ve convicted them of the crime, the next logical step is the punishment. My thoughts can very easily lead to negative actions against them.

But if I am willing to be obedient to Gods word, and believe the best about that person, the complete opposite happens.  I don’t worry about what else they might be saying, or what they really think about me.  I don’t take what they say or do personal. I give grace. My thoughts still lead to actions, but they are positive actions!

So next time someone says or does something that upsets you, consider 1 Cor 13, and ask the God to help you believe the best about that person!

… till the whole world hears,

Pastor Clay