perspective
Scott Lencke spoke to us yesterday out of Psalm 4 about developing a perspective that appreciates and expects God’s goodness and provision. Check out the audio
here. It was a very good message which I have found myself already applying in the midst of daily challenges (and its only Monday after the Sunday).
His two main points were to do with appreciating God’s present goodness to us and having a confident expectation that we will see God come through for us even more in the future. It is the first one that has really struck me so far. When I face challenges it is all too easy to feel down and/or try anything I can to get out of whatever uncomfortable situation it is I am in. Scott’s good challenge to us was to change our perspective and see how good God is even in the midst of the trial.
Though much popular Christian teaching says otherwise, scripture and life seem to indicate that God will even specifically lead us into times of struggle and testing in order that He might bring us closer to the life of His Son. So rather than focusing on me, God is wanting me to focus on Him and what He is wanting to accomplish in me for His glory. This is a radically different perspective to the self esteem gospel where its all about me feeling good about myself. Instead it is about “feeling good” about Christ.
It is true that in all things God is at work for our good (Romans 8). But how often do I think that my good is found in having enough money, eating well, or being free from any kind of discomfort or pain. Though any of those things are good, the strength and meaning of my or your life is not ultimately found in any of them. Our ultimate good is none other than Christ. He is everything for us. Life’s difficulties find their meaning only as we realize that in all things we are meant to grow in our ability to gaze upon, adore, and walk with Jesus.
Lord, save us from our wrong perspectives. Help us see that in all things you have provided us with nothing less than Yourself. Amen. (Its not often I end blogs with ‘Amen,’ but it just felt appropriate here.) :: Daniel
A quick thought…there are many many many different takes on who Jesus is. From history, to world religions, to pop culture, Jesus is by far the most loved and hated person ever to walk this earth. As Christians, Jesus is the One we follow. The One who defines us. The very word ‘Christian’ is supposed to mean
someone who is like Jesus Christ. To say that He is important to our faith is an understatement. To those who confess Him as Lord and Saviour, He is everything.
If this is true for us, then we need to be spending time getting to know who Jesus really is. Now this could sound patronizing to those who have followed Him for many years, but I mean only to shock myself and the rest of us back into the reality that seeing Jesus is the most important thing we will ever experience. Its not about what the rest of the world might say about Him. Its not even about our previous notions. He is much bigger, better, wiser, stronger, gentler, humbler, wilder, and more loving than we could ever know. So let’s not stop find out more and more about Him. Even more importantly, let’s not stop getting to know Him and getting to trust Him more and more.
This is what being and making disciples is all about…getting to know, love, and look like Jesus.
Hello to my faithful blog readers! I’ve got to be quick here (and I really mean it this time). I just wanted to let you all know about a leaders conference I and the other leaders of our church are attending this weekend. It is a national and international get together for Lifelink. Multiple countries will be represented. There will be times for worship and prophetic ministry as well as sharing from the word from a variety of speakers including our very own Alan Scotland.
I share this with you partly just to let you know how I’m spending my weekend, but also to ask you to pray for the weekend and beyond. We want to see God touch and re-energize leaders and churches all around the UK and the world. It is important that we here in Rugby remember that we are connected to many others around the globe that are also passionately pursuing the Kingdom. We are not alone. And we are far better off working together than in isolation.
And by the way, I will be back in Rugby for our Sunday gathering…you were worried there for a second weren’t you?! :: Daniel
This is a quick one, but I just wanted to recommend a couple of audio links to you. The first is from yesterday’s teaching by Stuart Carter on Psalm 150. It was an excellent talk about our call to simply praise and worship the LORD. All people (and things), in all places, at all times and in various ways. It was very stirring and made me wish we’d had the teaching at the beginning so we could have gone into a great time of praise and worship at the end. But oh well. It was very good and hopefully will be a challenge that we as a church really take up in the weeks and months to come. Click here to grab this message.
Along the exact same lines, I recently listened to a message by Pastor Greg Boyd of Woodland Hills Church in Minnesota on the same subject. Greg is a very insightful teacher, preacher, writer, and theologian. While I don’t totally agree with everything he presents, I have benefited greatly from his insight and heart for the kingdom of God. Anyway, click here for Greg’s message on praise and worship or check out their church’s website at www.whchurch.org.
And as a PS to this particular entry, I’ve noticed (how could I not?) that not many comments tend to get left on these posts. Now either I am blogging only to myself (which is very possible) or people aren’t feeling too compelled to comment on what I’m saying (which is also very possible). For that reason, I will try to make my blogs more comment-friendly:) So, with that in mind, here is my closing question which I invite you to comment on: When it comes to worshiping God together in a larger gathering, what is the best thing about it for you and what is the thing you most struggle with? (I’ll post my own response to this shortly.) :: Daniel
comment
