Today's Devotional from Pastor Clay - It Only Takes One - 2 Chron 29:11-12

July 31, 2014 View this email in your browser It only takes one - 2 Chron 29:11-12 2 Chronicles finds us in the account of Hezekiah, who took the throne at twenty six, and things were in pretty bad shape in the kingdom.  The previous king had led the people into idolatry, had allowed the Temple to fall into disrepair, and the priests were nowhere to be found.  Have you ever allowed something in your life to become desolate? Perhaps you've been careless with your money, or allowed a relationship to sour, or even neglected your spiritual life. Perhaps you've let it go to the point where things look bleak and desolate, like you'll never recover.  That not a fun place to be. When we find ourselves in a situation like this, there are three ways we might respond:  We can... Give up, and accept the situation, and think  "that's just the way it is" Ignore the situation, and pretend the it doesn't exist, or we can Step up, and do something about it When Hezekiah found himself in that situation, rather than give up, or ignore the situation, he made a decision to step up! Hezekiah told the priests: My sons, do not neglect your duties any longer! The Lord has chosen you to stand in his presence, to minister to him, and to lead the people in worship and present offerings to him." Then these Levites got right to work… 2 Chron 29:11-12 (NLT) Hezekiah understood this truth;  No matter what problems we're facing, giving up or ignoring the problem doesn't help at all, matter of fact it makes things worse! Hezekiah understood that if he made a decision to step up, and take action, the God would begin to work in that situation.   And... it only takes ONE:  One person to decide to step up; One decision to step up; One moment to decide to step up; and one God that will equip us to step up! And check it out, when Hezekiah made the decision to step up, things started to happen, people got engaged, and the Lord got involved, as we see in verses 35-36: So the Temple of the Lord was restored to service. And Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced because of what God had done for the people, for everything had been accomplished so quickly. 2 Chron 29:35-36 Did you catch that?  It doesn't say "what the people did for themselves," but "what God had done for the people!"  The Temple worship was restored, the ministry of the Lord was again functioning, and the people were blessed. Friend, if you've let things slide in some area of your life, don't go into defeat mode, don't give up, and don't ignore it.  Make a decision that by God's grace and strength, you're going to step up and address it, and watch as see what God does! Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him.  Heb 13:20-21 "Lord, equip me and strengthen me to do your will, and to set things in order in my life, so the ministry of my life will be active and effective." Pastor Clay Enjoy this devotional?  Share it with someone! Share Tweet Forward Connect Facebook Twitter Instagram Subscribe by email Copyright © 2014 Calvary Chapel of Wilmington, All rights reserved. You're receiving this email because you subscribed through our website or my blog. You can click the "Manage Subscriptions" link to manage your email preferences.   Calvary Chapel of Wilmington 2831 Carolina Beach Rd Wilmington, NC 28412 Add us to your address book 910-791-1858 | www.calvaryofwilmington.org   unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences

Today's Devotional from Pastor Clay: Pay it forward, disciple someone - 2 Chron 26:3-4

July 30, 2014 View this email in your browser Pay it forward, disciple someone - 2 Chron 26:3-4 In 2 Chronicles 26 we read the account of Uzziah who ascended the throne when he was only sixteen years old. Uzziah was one of the "good kings" for the most part, though he did have a little pride issue later in his life (verses 16-21).  What I thought was cool was what we read in verse 4: Uzziah sought God during the days of Zechariah, who taught him to fear God.  2 Chronicles 26:4 I especially like the part about Zechariah teaching Uzziah to fear God.  Basically this tells us that Zechariah discipled Uzziah in the ways of the Lord.  I like this because it tells me that the mission Jesus gave us in Matthew 28:19 to "go and make disciples" has always been the mission!  I also like it because it encourages me in something we're going to launch at Calvary Wilmington this fall:   Disciple-U I know, "another program…"  Well let me encourage you that Disciple-U will not be a program; it will be a focused time of discipleship and training where we are going to prepare the people in our church to be able to disciple another person.    Jesus' main command to his followers (and us) before he ascended to heaven was to make disciples. OK, but what does that look like?  Some people may think its "knowing more about the Bible" or "attending church services more often." While these may be good things, they don't get to the essence of what it means to be a disciple. The word for "disciple" in the New Testament literally means "learner," and refers to someone who not only learns what their teacher knows, but becomes the kind of person their teacher is. Jesus told His own disciples, "Anyone who believes in me will do the things that I have been doing…"  John 14:12 We can't all be Zechariah's, but we can all be like Zechariah, in that we can teach another person the ways of God.  We can pay forward what we've learned, and help another person grow in their faith and knowledge of God.  We can change our world, one life at a time! If you're interested in learning how to disciple someone in their faith, you can sign up HERE.   The training will be held Sunday Sept 14th & Sept 21st, at noon following the service.  You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others. 2 Timothy 2:2 "Lord, give me  a burden to teach another person how to be more like you." Pastor Clay Enjoy this devotional?  Share it with someone! Share Tweet Forward Connect Facebook Twitter Instagram Subscribe by email Copyright © 2014 Calvary Chapel of Wilmington, All rights reserved. You're receiving this email because you subscribed through our website or my blog. You can click the "Manage Subscriptions" link to manage your email preferences.   Calvary Chapel of Wilmington 2831 Carolina Beach Rd Wilmington, NC 28412 Add us to your address book 910-791-1858 | www.calvaryofwilmington.org   unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences

The Problem with Religion - Romans 10:4-15

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Why Israel is Important – Part 2

“The problem with religion”

Romans 10:4-15

Is being zealous for God a good thing?  Maybe Not!

Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.

1.         If there is one thing you can say about the Jewish people:  They are zealous!

a.    An observation of the lifestyle of Hasidic Jews, orthodox Jews, these are groups that expend a great amount of time, effort, and energy being obedient to the Torah.

2.         You can trace this back to the return of the Jews from the Babylonian captivity,

a.    The people in that group understood why they were sent into captivity; they finally got what the prophets had been telling them!

b.    Israel was cured of her idolatry!

c.    Even when Jesus come on the scene, the nation of Israel was not guilty of idolatry, just looking at Jesus ministry and His discussions with the religious leaders,

d.    No, idolatry wasn't their problem, their problem was religion!

3.         The Jews had a zeal for God, but it was a misguided zeal, it was a self-righteous zeal.

3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.

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