"Go SLOW MO" Today's devotional from Pastor Clay Ritter

July 9, 2014 View this email in your browser Go "SLOW MO" - James 1:19 (Note: Some of you may have subscribed to my blog a while back, and never received any posts.  I apologize for that, I recently discovered that my RSS feed was not working.  From now on I'll be sending out my devo via email.  You can unsubscribe, or change your email preferences at the bottom of this email. I apologize for any confusion this may have caused.) It's been said that if you want to attend the perfect church, then go to an empty church building.  Of course, once you enter the building, it's no longer perfect! Relationships are the backbone not only of 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 SLOW MO!  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 often 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  Enjoy this devotional?  Share it with someone! Share Tweet Forward CONNECT Facebook Twitter Instagram 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

Go SLOW MO - James 1:19

It’s been said that if you want to attend the perfect church, then go to an empty church building.  Of course, once you enter the building, it’s no longer perfect!

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

The Basics of Life - A New Provision - 1 Cor 9:7-14

(CLICK HERE to listen online)

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

The first nine chapters of 2 Chronicles give us the genealogy of the twelve tribes of Israel.  It can be tedious reading, but nestled in those lists of people are little nuggets of scripture that speak volumes. One of these is found in chapter 5, describing the leaders of the tribe of Manassah:

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

Each Morning...

Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3

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

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:

chelsearipple.blogspot.com.au

The Root of Rejection - Psalms 2:3

The kings of the earth prepare for battle; The rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one. “Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.” Psalms 2:2-3

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

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

But many Christians miss out on the calling God has for them, because they simply don’t ask God, "What should I do, Lord?”   Why don’t we ask God for our marching orders?

• 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.

My message to you today is this:  Your Heavenly Father loves you!  He custom-designed you with a specific set of abilities, gave you a specific set of spiritual gifts, placed you in a unique place in the world, and He has a magnificent plan for your life!

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

Praise Him in the Sanctuary - Psalm 150

Today the One Year Bible has us in Psalm 150.  We know that the Psalms were essentially the hymnal for the Israelites, and I sometimes I wish we still had the music that went along with these great praise choruses! Sometimes I try and think what it must have been like to be in the temple when these words were lifted up in praise and adoration, and how the  room might have reverberated with the stringed instruments, the wind section, the cymbals and tambourines. I get the impression that it was quite loud!

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

The Global Church - Romans 10:12-15

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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

When we arrived, the brothers and sisters in Jerusalem welcomed us warmly. 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

Preach to the Open Door - Acts 18:4-8

Each Sabbath found Paul at the synagogue, trying to convince the Jews and Greeks alike. And after Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul spent all his time preaching the word. He testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.  But when they opposed and insulted him, Paul shook the dust from his clothes and said, “Your blood is upon your own heads—I am innocent. From now on I will go preach to the Gentiles.”  Then he left and went to the home of Titius Justus, a Gentile who worshiped God and lived next door to the synagogue. Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, and everyone in his household believed in the Lord. Many others in Corinth also heard Paul, became believers, and were baptized. Acts 18:4-8

If anything, Paul (formerly known as "Saul") was a stubborn man.  The first thing the Lord said to him on the Road to Damascus was, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads." (Acts 9:5)  I think that's why Paul often went to the synagogue, trying to convince the jews that Jesus was the Messiah, yet with little success.  That's pretty much what happened in Corinth;  Paul tried to share the truth with the jews in that city, and they pretty much mocked him out of the synagogue! Finally Paul declared, "From now on I will go preach to the Gentiles."

I think there's a lesson here for us:  In our mission to tell people about Jesus, we need to look for the open doors.  

Now, I'm not saying we should completely ignore those who mock us for our faith, or those who initially resist our message.  Sometimes a person that God is already dealing with will put up a front of antagonism in order to hide a heart of conviction.

What I am saying is that we shouldn’t waste a lot of time trying to convince someone who is obviously not interested in hearing about Jesus.  If God has put someone like this on your heart, PRAY for them.  Trust me, God is very capable of working circumstances of their life, and the condition of their heart, to bring them to a place of being ready to hear the gospel.  When that time comes, you’ll recognize the open door.

Begin each day with a prayer to ask God to show you the open doors in the lives of the people around you.  Trust that God will lead you to them at the perfect time, and that the Holy Spirit will give you the words to say (Luke 12:12).

Pastor Clay

The Basics of Life - A New Family

The Basics of Life – A New Family

Acts 2:41-47

(CLICK HERE to listen online)

1.         Going to start out sharing a few data-points... Church Statistics - A recent study by the Barna group revealed some startling statistics… of those who responded:

a.    Those who say they attend church “regularly” has dropped from 43% in 2004 to 36% today, but that doesn’t tell the whole story….

b.    “Regular” church attendance used to mean 3 or more times per month,

c.    Today people consider themselves “regular church attenders who attend once every 4-6 weeks

2.         Looking at the future generation gives us an even less optimistic picture:

a.    Millennials (30 & under) only 20% feel church is important,

b.    45% of Millennials say church is NOT important

c.    and 35% actually have an anti-church stance.

3.         Of the reasons Millennials cite for not holding church to be important:

a.    35% say irrelevance, hypocrisy, moral failures by church leaders

b.    20% say they feel God is missing from church

c.    10% say they feel legitimate questions are not tolerated.

4.         NOTICE what they younger generation is NOT saying…

a.    Not saying that they don’t believe in God, or that they have no place for God in their lives…

b.    They’re saying that they have no place for church in their lives

5.         Last data point is what people who actually attend church say about the church they attend.  Of the people who attend regularly, they give the following reasons for attending church:

a.    44% want to be closer to God

b.    27% want to learn more about God

c.    20% say they want fellowship with other believers

6.         OK, so how is the church doing at meeting those expectations?

a.    44% want to be closer to God, only 20% actually feel closer to God

b.    20% want fellowship, only 10% of those who attend church say that they experience fellowship.

c.    27% say they want to learn more about God, only 6% say they actually learn more about God

What does all of this tell us? 

Search the Scriptures - Acts 17:10-11

Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.  Acts 17:10-11

Please know I’m not being critical when I say this, but I’m amazed at how little some Christians actually read their bibles.   They may be reading a devotional, reading a book, or listening to a message on the radio, which are all fine… but these things are not the same as staying your bible. Please don’t think I’m being judgmental about this.  Even your pastor can fall into the trap of “I’ve got a lot on my plate today, I’ll just read a quick devo this morning.”

The first problem with reading what other’s have written is that you’re getting the truth that God gave to that person.  See, the word of God isn’t just doctrine; it is alive, and powerful, and it has the ability to reach into the hidden places of our heart with God’s truth.  The writer of Hebrews describes it better than me:

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12

The second problem with reading what other’s have written is what they write may not be true. There are many well-meaning people that love God, and who want to lead people towards God, but the things that they write aren’t always biblical.  Whenever I read something, the first filter I sift it through is "is this line up with scripture?"

That’s what Paul loved about the Bereans, they didn’t take Paul’s word about who Jesus was, they went and searched the scripture themselves, to see if what Paul was saying was biblical.  The fact that they ‘fact-checked’ Paul didn’t seem to bother him at all, he actually commended them for it!

So my challenge for you today is simple:  READ YOUR BIBLE! 

Don’t let my devotional, or anyone else’s, take the place of your personal time reading and meditating on God’s word.  I promise you that if you will, God will equip you for your day:

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God [or woman of God] may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.  2 Timothy 3:16-17 [parenthesis mine]

Pastor Clay

Breaking Chains - Acts 16:30-34

And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”  So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.  And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.  Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.  Acts 16:30-34

In Acts 16, Paul and Silas were arrested, beaten, then tossed into jail for casting a demonic spirit our of a young girl. Yet instead of being depressed about their circumstances, they had a prayer and worship service right there in the prison! The result was impressive;  The Lord brought an earthquake that shook the jail, opened all of the doors, and even opened up the prisoners chains.  While that was impressive, what happened next was even more important - The jailer accepted Christ, and his entire family was saved!

See, I’m sure the prisoners were happy about being released, but I wonder how many went back to their old life, and ended up right back in prison? The jailer and his family, on the other hand, their lives, and the lives of their descendants were changed FOREVER!

I see this as one of the often-overlooked blessings of salvation; Our decision to follow Christ not only affects our lives, but it affects the lives of our entire family. When we are saved, not only are our chains broken, but the multi-generational curse of sin that may have existed in our family line is broken as well.

Every time I go onto the UNCW campus, I notice the buildings with people’s names on them. Those buildings are the legacy of the people who donated money to the university, and wanted to be remembered.  The sad thing is that students go in and out of those buildings every day, and they have no idea of who that person was, or what their life meant.  It’s just “Jones Hall.”

Rather than live your life to put your name on a building, live your life to leave a legacy of the next generation that will go out and change the world of Jesus Christ, and it starts with the life-changing , chain-breaking gospel of Jesus Christ, one person at a time, one family at a time.

Change a man, change a family; 

Change a family, change a neighborhood; 

Change a neighborhood, change a city;

Change a city, change a state;

Change a state, change a nation;

Change a nation, change the world.

Pastor Clay

God cares about the little things... 2 Kings 6:1-7

One day the group of prophets came to Elisha and told him, “As you can see, this place where we meet with you is too small. Let’s go down to the Jordan River, where there are plenty of logs. There we can build a new place for us to meet.” “All right,” he told them, “go ahead.” “Please come with us,” someone suggested. “I will,” he said. So he went with them. When they arrived at the Jordan, they began cutting down trees. But as one of them was cutting a tree, his ax head fell into the river. “Oh, sir!” he cried. “It was a borrowed ax!” “Where did it fall?” the man of God asked. When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it into the water at that spot. Then the ax head floated to the surface. “Grab it,” Elisha said. And the man reached out and grabbed it.  2 Kings 6:1-7

Sometimes you run across a passage in the bible and you wonder "why is this story there?"  This is one of those passages.  On the surface it seems like some random event that doesn't fit with the rest of the chapter.  Some guys cutting trees. An ax head falls into the river.  Elisha retrieves it.  But I find that sometimes it's the small, simple things that carry the greatest truths.  In this account we learn one simple truth about God:

God cares about the little things!

How many times have we experienced small setbacks, little things that go wrong, and instead of turning to God for help, we just chalk it up to "bad luck?"  We think that God is too busy for the small stuff.  This account dispels that thought, and confirms to us God does care about the little things that happen in our life, and that He's never too busy to help us with them.

My wife Tammy sometimes looses her keys, and when that happens she does the funniest thing:  She prays and asks the Lord to help her find them.  Sure enough, within a few minutes, she’ll walk right to where those keys are.  I find that kind of faith in the small things to be pretty impressive.  

This kind of faith is faith that GROWS, because if we’ll begin to bring the little things to God, and seek His help, it conditions us to bring the big things to Him when they come.

Today, I’m going to practice having faith in the small things.  By the way, has anyone seen my keys?

"If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones.”  Luke 16:10 (NLT)

Pastor Clay

The Basics of Life - A New Worship Part 2

(To listen online CLICK HERE)

A New Worship - Part 2

1.         Last week looked at john 4 “worship in spirit and truth” (missed clayritter.com)

a.    this week we’re going to unpack the definition of worship, how it's described in the bible, relationship of music, and the result...

2.         What is Worship?  [Merriam Webster Dictionary]

a.    Reverence offered a divine being or supernatural power; an act of expressing such reverence

Origin

3.         Old English weorthscipe, meaning “worthiness, respect, reverence...

4.         In essence, worship is when something has great worth to us, we give devotion, honor, and reverence to it, I.E. we “worship” it.

5.         It is a responsive word; we worship something or someone as a response to what that thing or person means to us, or what it does for us.

The Words of Worship

Look at some of the words in scripture that are translated as “worship” or "praise" as the two are interchangeable

Old Testament

6.         Two words, yadah and todaw are closely related, and account for most of the times the word ‘praise’ appears in the Old Testament.

a.    Both of these words give us the idea of ‘casting’ or to ‘shooting’ - in a sense lifting our praises up to God!

b.    One example is Psalm 54:6

‘I will praise Your name, O Lord, for it is good.’ Psalm 54:6