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Thursday, July 10, 2014
" Take Courage" acts 27:25 - Today's devotional from Pastor Clay
Wednesday, July 09, 2014
"Go SLOW MO" Today's devotional from Pastor Clay Ritter
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Go SLOW MO - James 1:19
Relationships are the backbone of not only our human race, but even more so the church. Jesus taught that the greatest commandment is to love God, and then love our neighbor (Matt 22:37-39), and that when we love one another, people will know that we’re followers of Christ (John 13:34-35).
Sure, thats the target, but in reality, relationships can get messy. We experience disagreements, conflict, misunderstanding, miscommunication, and the next thing you know, we’re divided. The wisest man that ever lived said. "An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city.” (Prov 18:19) Perhaps you’re not in conflict right now, but chances are at some point you will be, and the best way to deal with conflict is found in God’s word:
James 1:19 You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
In other words, if conflict begins to brew, go SLOWMO! Rather than jumping in and defending yourself, take time to listen to what the other person has to say. Check out these three verses from Proverbs 18:
Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions. Prov 18:2
In other words, when we’re quick to open our mouths, often what comes out is our own opinion, which is usually biased to our own cause. And the more we say, the worse it can get...
The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips. Prov 18:7
Have you ever been in a heated discussion, and said things you regretted? I know I have, and I’ve learned that some things cannot be unsaid. Once those words come out, the damage is done. I’ve learned it’s better to say nothing than to say something that I’ll regret later.
Rather than rushing to defend a position, a wise person will seek to listen, and discern the heart of the other person...
Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge. Prov 18:15
Learning what the other person is feeling and thinking isn’t always easy. It takes time to ask the right questions, listen to what they have to say, pray about what they said, and seek to discern where their heart is. But I’ve found that if I’ll focus my efforts on seeking to learn where the other person is coming from, rather than defending my own position, eventually I’ll begin to understand them, and it’ll help me bring reconciliation to the relationship.
Yes, there are times when we're not just not going to see eye-to-eye. But even in that situation, it’s better if I walk away without blood on my hands. We can agree to disagree with our testimony and our integrity intact, which leaves the door open to reconciliation at a later date.
Pastor Clay
Tuesday, July 08, 2014
The Basics of Life - A New Provision - 1 Cor 9:7-14
A New Provision - Part 1
1.
Have you ever had the thought “if I only had a little
more money, things would be better.”
a.
If we're honest, there’ve been times in our life when we felt like we just didn't have have enough money.
2.
While we’ve all had a moment or season where we
felt that way, there are some who LIVE in that place.
a.
They’re always behind the eightball, always
lacking, can never seem to get ahead.
b.
When a person is in that place, it’s easy to make
the focus “needing more money,” but the question shouldn’t be “how can I get
more money…”
c.
The question should be “Am I managing my income and assets in accordance with God’s principles?”
3.
FACT
Money IS IMPORTANT
a.
We need it to live. We have to have it for the basic necessities
of life: Food, shelter, clothing.
b.
It can also be used to buy the non-necessities
of life: our wants, which is where we can get in trouble!
c.
The way that we manage money is an indicator of
our faith & our priorities.
d.
The way we spend our money reveals what is truly
important to us.
I recently watched a documentary about a drug addict in Las Vegas. This man earned $150 per day panhandling, and spent it all on drugs, noting that he had probably given his drug dealer over $3000 in the past month. The man recognized that he could live in a decent apartment, and live a normal life with that money, but the reality was that his drugs were the most important thing in his life.
4.
My objective for the next few weeks is not to make
anyone feel judged or guilty, but rather to be the voice of HOPE and LIFE to
the person that may be struggling in this area.
a.
Reality:
God’s word gives us sound financial principles for our lives,
b.
And it we’ll simply align our lives with the
principles God gives us, we can enjoy the blessings of God in our lives
c.
We will learn that being obedient brings a “Redemptive
Result”
5.
Today - Firstborn and Firstfruit
Don't let there be a "But" by your name - 1 Chron 5:24-25
These were the leaders of their clans: Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah, and Jahdiel. These men had a great reputation as mighty warriors and leaders of their clans. But these tribes were unfaithful to the God of their ancestors. They worshiped the gods of the nations that God had destroyed. So the God of Israel caused King Pul of Assyria (also known as Tiglath-pileser) to invade the land and take away the people of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh as captives. The Assyrians exiled them to Halah, Habor, Hara, and the Gozan River, where they remain to this day. 1 Chron 5:24-26
It seems that these clan leaders, Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah, and Jahdiel, were pretty awesome dudes. They knew how to win battles, they weren’t afraid to stand against an enemy, and they knew how to lead people. These men had a measure of respect amongst the people. However in the one area that mattered most, faithfulness to God, they utterly failed. Their failure in this area led to the captivity of their families by the Assyrians.
The failure of these strong and talented men to lead their families towards God brought a set of consequences that impacted several generations. The verse that describes the captivity of the families of Manassah don’t come close to communicating the pain, misery, and suffering that they endured as a result of the failure of their leaders.
One word does, however, point to the root: The word “But.” Those leaders got many important things right, but they got the one critical thing wrong; Faithfulness to God. Courage, strength, skill, wisdom, leadership are all important qualities, but the one quality that trumps them all is faithfulness to God. Faithfulness to God sets in motion a redemptive blessing in our lives, and the lives of those who follow us, especially our families.
When your time on this earth is done, and your story is recounted, what will be said of your life? I don’t know about you, but my mission is life is that there would never be a “but” placed beside my name.
Pastor Clay
Monday, July 07, 2014
Each Morning...
Sometimes its the simple things in life that make the biggest impact. Like the person that spends their entire life striving to hit the jackpot, make the one big deal that will make them rich, yet they end up with nothing. It’s usually the person that is willing to make small sacrifices each day to set a little savings aside, and invest it wisely, that ends up being financially free.
Our spiritual life is very similar. Some Christians are always searching for the breakout event that will hopefully set them free from their struggles; That one conference, that one message, that one book that will change everything. But I find it’s the Christian that makes small sacrifices each day, starting their day with God, in His word, praying, seeking His face - these are the Christians that you’ll find walking in the fullness and freedom of God.
Take time each morning to be with God. Let Him hear your voice, then wait expectantly.
Pastor Clay
Saturday, July 05, 2014
Making God Known - Chelsea Ritter
So today's the day that we say our goodbye, take my daughter Chelsea to the airport, and she returns to her calling to make God known to the nations. I must admit it's a bittersweet time for me, as on the one hand I long to have my children close to me, yet on the other hand my greatest desire as a parent is to help my children launch into their calling. Chelsea's calling just happens to be one that takes her to the ends of the earth! And as her dad, I couldn't be more proud of her, and more excited for her!
Here's the thing, I'm not proud because she's opted to "join the family business" so to speak, and be in the ministry. I'm proud because she has found the thing in life that she is passionate about, she's found her mission, the thing that God designed her for, and she's pursuing it with all-out abandon. The fact that her calling is to make God known to the nations is simply the icing on the cake!
So go, my precious Chelsea, fulfill the call on your life, go where God sends you, speak what He gives you to say, for God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
Preach the word, in season and out, do the work of an evangelist.
Be filled with the Holy Spirit, who will give you power to be a witness for Christ in all the world.
Love one another, then they will know you are His disciple.
Follow hard after Christ, so that others may follow you as you follow Him.
Run the race as if you want to win the prize, then there will be a crown laid up for you in the presence of the Lord Himself.
Finally, rejoice in hope, as you look forward to the day that you will stand in heaven, having been found faithful, and your glory will be the saints that surround you, that are in heaven as a result of your obedience to the gospel of Christ.
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Isaiah 52:7
Dad
P.S. If you'd like to get updates from Chelsea, you can subscribe to her blog here:
Friday, July 04, 2014
The Root of Rejection - Psalms 2:3
Perhaps you know someone who’s “anti-God” or “anti-church.” If so, you know it can be easy to write that person off from a perspective of sharing Christ with them. But let me ask you; Have you ever taken the time to have a thoughtful conversation with that person about why they feel antagonistic towards God? Instead of defending God (which usually results in a standoff), ask them “why do you feel that way?”
More often than not, you’ll find the reason they’re pitted against God is a root of two powerful forces: A desire to live life according to their own desires, coupled with a sense of guilt and shame for doing the very things their desires lead them to! They don’t want God or religion telling them how to live, yet they feel shame for the things they practice.
The sad part is they don’t realize that in their effort to break free from the “slavery” to God, they're actually enslaving themselves to sin. Romans 6:16 tells us:
Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. Romans 6:16
It’s the ultimate and cruel irony of this world, that the more a person rejects God and His truth, the more deeply they’re locked into the prison of sin.
So instead of defending God or defending church, simply encourage your friend that God deeply loves them, and that He wants to give them TRUE FREEDOM, through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ: So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. John 8:36
Pastor Clay
Thursday, July 03, 2014
What should I do, Lord? - Acts 22:10
“I asked, ‘What should I do, Lord?’” Acts 22:10
In Acts 22 Paul shares the account of his conversion to Christ with a Jewish mob, and in this account he shares a small piece of information that was not recorded in Acts 9; Paul recounts how when he was confronted by the Lord Jesus Christ, his first response was, "What should I do, Lord?” Personally, I believe those five words are the most powerful words that can come out of the mouth of a Christian.
This past Sunday I shared the fact that according to scripture, all Christians have a calling for their life:
- We are called to go and tell - Matt 28:191-20
- We each are given gifts - 1 Cor 12 / Romans 12:3-8
- We are instructed to use our gifts - 1 Peter 4:10
- Our gifts and calling are irrevocable - Romans 11:29
- Sometimes its self-centeredness; We have a plan, and we don’t want God’s plan messing up our plan.
- Sometimes its fear; We’re afraid God may send us to someplace we’ll be miserable, or to a mission that we’ll find unbearable.
- Sometimes its simply ignorance; We didn’t realize that God has a plan for our life, and that with Christ working in us, we can make a difference in our world.
Trust me, if you’ll simply ask God "What should I do, Lord?” - God will answer that prayer, and your life will never be the same, and... whatever He calls you to, and wherever He calls you to, that is where you will be the most fulfilled! The "sweet spot" of this life is to be right where God calls you to be, doing what God calls you to do.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Eph 2:10
Pastor Clay
Wednesday, July 02, 2014
Praise Him in the Sanctuary - Psalm 150
Unfortunately, camera phones weren’t around at the time, so we don’t have any Youtube clips of those worship services. But then, those instruments and those melodies where for that time, and that people. Today we have instruments and melodies that are for our time, and our people, and I believe God is just as pleased with our worship today as He was back then.
The point is not what instruments we play, but that we PRAISE HIM! And to me there is something special about praising Him in the sanctuary, the place where God’s people come together in one accord, with Jesus in our midst, and the Holy Spirit moving in our hearts.
The next time you attend church, take a moment to read Psalm 150 before the worship band starts up, then:
Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; Praise him in his mighty heaven! Praise him for his mighty works; Praise his unequaled greatness! Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn; Praise him with the lyre and harp! Praise him with the tambourine and dancing; Praise him with strings and flutes! Praise him with a clash of cymbals; Praise him with loud clanging cymbals. Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord! Ps 150:1-5
Pastor Clay
Tuesday, July 01, 2014
The Global Church - Romans 10:12-15
The Basics of Life
The Global Church
Rom. 10:12–15
1.
As important as the local church is, we must
understand that as much as God wants us (our church) to reach the people in our
community,
a.
His plan of redemption does not stop at the city
limits.
b.
Listen again to what the Lord Jesus Christ told
us:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with
you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28: 19-20
c.
Who was Jesus speaking to? The disciples, yes, but also ALL OF US – THE
CHURCH
d.
In other words, God’s plan is for every
Christian, and every church, to reach out to every city, village, and nation
around the globe!
e.
We are planted in Wilmington NC, but our city is
only a small part of the greater world that God has called us to transform
through His gospel.
2.
In other words, our vision as a church must
encompass the entire globe!
a.
We can trace this calling all the back to the garden…
A Warm Welcome - Acts 21:17
The first half of Acts 21 reads like a travel journal, as it chronicles the journey of Paul and his companions through the Mediterranean on their way to Jerusalem. Yet as we follow Paul along his path, we see a common theme at each stop: At each city they come to, they’re warmly greeted and shown hospitality by the local congregation.
I think if we’re not careful, we can lose sight of one of the beautiful facets of Christian life; Fellowship.
Last night some of the leaders in our church hosted a gathering to get to know one of our missionaries. It was a great night of fellowship, sharing a meal, worship, and we ended the evening praying over our missionary. If I’m honest, I’ll have to tell you that before we went, a part of me didn’t want to go. Part of me wanted to stay home, chill, and take care of a few unfinished projects. Boy, I’m glad I didn’t listen to myself!
See guys, the Christian life isn’t just about going to church, doing ministry, and bible study. The Christian life is meant to be shared with one another as we “do life” together.
This week, pray and ask the Lord “Lord, how can I adjust my life to allow other’s into it?” Like me, I think you’ll be glad you did, as you experience the blessing of fellowship.
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. Acts 2:42 NLT
Pastor Clay
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