In Revelation 4:10 twenty-four elders are wearing golden crowns of glory. They have obviously earned God's favor and a place in heaven with God. They appear, however, doing something that teaches all of us what to do with accolades, awards and "glory." They bow down before God (the lamb seated on the throne) and they cast those golden crowns at the feet of Jesus. Their earned and just rewards are placed at the feet of the one who deserves ALL of the glory.
Friday night the community of Abbeville, Alabama gathered at the Family Life Center at Abbeville UMC and made a decision to do something worthwhile. In a world where most of what we see and do each day is mundane and sometimes of little eternal value, Abbeville decided to let God have the glory and the fruits of the blessings He had given us. It was amazing and beautiful. As the Missions Auction progressed each item expressed some blessing or giftedness of the person who donated it. God had provided resources or talents or a business through which a donation was generated. A hunting trip, a week in a house or condo, a service ... you name it ... was cast down at the feet of Jesus so God could use these resources for missions in foreign places, in America or right here in Abbeville, Alabama. It was a little taste of heaven.
I think we could have said the two phrases that appear in Revelation 4 that night. "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty - the one who always was, who is, and who is to come." "You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased." I think God might have been pleased Friday night and I thank each person who had any part in what happened. I love it when God's people live out what is wonderfully expressed in Scripture. Keep casting those crowns down before Jesus ... He is the one worthy of our praise. AMEN
Monday, March 16, 2015
Monday, March 9, 2015
Nothing
Did you ever think about the fact that Jesus had every earthly thing we value taken from him? What little money he had was tied up in a ministry ... not really his at all. The guards cast lots for his clothing. His true title was mocked and became a byword and a jeer as he died on the cross. His friends and family were scattered. His life bled out as his health was taken. And he was even separated from his Father. Jesus lost it all.
I wonder ... when we have nothing but God and we reach out to our only help in times of true trouble, does God take those times to grow us, lead us, hold us and embrace us? Habakkuk was in trouble in a nation that was about to experience destruction. They were about to lose it all. But they never lost God.
A few weeks back I said the name Habakkuk might mean embrace or to be embraced. As you read, which do you think? One ... neither ... both?
May God embrace you today!
I wonder ... when we have nothing but God and we reach out to our only help in times of true trouble, does God take those times to grow us, lead us, hold us and embrace us? Habakkuk was in trouble in a nation that was about to experience destruction. They were about to lose it all. But they never lost God.
A few weeks back I said the name Habakkuk might mean embrace or to be embraced. As you read, which do you think? One ... neither ... both?
May God embrace you today!
Monday, March 2, 2015
The Problem of Pride
I think it is worth a moment to talk about one of the most dangerous and debilitating things that ever entered the world. That thing is pride. Pride entered our world in the Garden of Eden when Satan used pride to tempt Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1-5) ... "God is lying to you! You won't die if you eat that fruit. Don't you know that God just doesn't want you to be like Him? (implying WE deserve to be in God's position)."
Pride created the crucible in which murder was hatched as Cain's pride and self-focus caused him to be jealous of God's approval of Abel. "I work hard and keep my sheep ... I deserve better treatment!" might have been Cain's mantra.
You get the point. I could go through story after story about pride, haughtiness, narcissism and me-focused people. We could continue with our study of Habakkuk as we see the destruction and carnage caused by pride. God says of the Babylonians ... "the enemy is puffed up, his desires are not upright (Habakkuk 2:4)." God goes on to describe the nature of pride and the fruit of pride. God's word has nothing good to say about pride ... so why do we tolerate it in ourselves and in the church?
God's Word says "Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall ... (Proverbs 16:18)" but "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. (James 4:10)." I believe that is great advice for a world that wants it all right now because WE deserve it! Time to leave the entitlement generation ... pride never ends well! Randy
Pride created the crucible in which murder was hatched as Cain's pride and self-focus caused him to be jealous of God's approval of Abel. "I work hard and keep my sheep ... I deserve better treatment!" might have been Cain's mantra.
You get the point. I could go through story after story about pride, haughtiness, narcissism and me-focused people. We could continue with our study of Habakkuk as we see the destruction and carnage caused by pride. God says of the Babylonians ... "the enemy is puffed up, his desires are not upright (Habakkuk 2:4)." God goes on to describe the nature of pride and the fruit of pride. God's word has nothing good to say about pride ... so why do we tolerate it in ourselves and in the church?
God's Word says "Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall ... (Proverbs 16:18)" but "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. (James 4:10)." I believe that is great advice for a world that wants it all right now because WE deserve it! Time to leave the entitlement generation ... pride never ends well! Randy
Monday, February 23, 2015
Watchman
God referenced the role of Old Testament prophets as watchmen in both Habakkuk and Ezekiel. This reference fails to carry the meaning for us as it would a 6th Century BC prophet. But events of the past week should possibly heighten our understanding of this meaning. Last week militant Islamic groups urged home-grown terrorists in America to focus attacks on iconic sites like the Mall of the Americas. As I heard the report I thought of the function of watchman and realized that all of us (especially God's people) should know what a watchman does.
For Americans is behooves each of us to be observant of our surroundings and our neighbors. Rather than living in our own little worlds (something I am guilty of) we should be aware of the needs and lives of those around us. If something doesn't look right at least give it a second look and be willing to let appropriate people know if there is a problem. If our neighbor is hurting we should be the first to see and respond to the need. If there is a threat, report it.
For the Old Testament prophet, a watchman was something very normal and familiar. The watchman was to be thorough (see all that was coming and going), awake (make sure nothing is missed due to inattentiveness) and discerning (have a good idea of what was normal and what was not). The watchman would be posted at a gate to the city and would yell down to the gatekeepers to either open or close the gates. Pretty simple. But not simple for God's prophets.
For God's watchmen, they were to see the agents of God's destruction coming (in Habakkuk's case the Babylonians) and see it as a movement of God. They were to look past the present and see to the future where God's plan would be accomplished. For Habakkuk's contemporary, Jeremiah, this meant writing a letter to his brothers and sisters in captivity and telling them that though their situation was dire they could count on God to plan a future of hope and prosperity (Jeremiah 29).
I am praying for God's protection during these uncertain times. I am also looking forward to God's promise of a great future for those that are his people. And I will conclude, like Habakkuk, that whatever God sends our way will have an ultimate goal of redemption and bringing us to His place. Randy
For Americans is behooves each of us to be observant of our surroundings and our neighbors. Rather than living in our own little worlds (something I am guilty of) we should be aware of the needs and lives of those around us. If something doesn't look right at least give it a second look and be willing to let appropriate people know if there is a problem. If our neighbor is hurting we should be the first to see and respond to the need. If there is a threat, report it.
For the Old Testament prophet, a watchman was something very normal and familiar. The watchman was to be thorough (see all that was coming and going), awake (make sure nothing is missed due to inattentiveness) and discerning (have a good idea of what was normal and what was not). The watchman would be posted at a gate to the city and would yell down to the gatekeepers to either open or close the gates. Pretty simple. But not simple for God's prophets.
For God's watchmen, they were to see the agents of God's destruction coming (in Habakkuk's case the Babylonians) and see it as a movement of God. They were to look past the present and see to the future where God's plan would be accomplished. For Habakkuk's contemporary, Jeremiah, this meant writing a letter to his brothers and sisters in captivity and telling them that though their situation was dire they could count on God to plan a future of hope and prosperity (Jeremiah 29).
I am praying for God's protection during these uncertain times. I am also looking forward to God's promise of a great future for those that are his people. And I will conclude, like Habakkuk, that whatever God sends our way will have an ultimate goal of redemption and bringing us to His place. Randy
Monday, February 16, 2015
What Up?
I know we have all thought it ... "What up with this mess in the world?" Because there is so much negative we can get focused on it 24-7. I was watching one of our news networks and noticed that in an hour span about 90% of the programming was from a negative, downer perspective. What do you think happens when people ingest a steady diet of this? After all ... you are what you eat. Yep ... they feel hopeless, powerless and helpless to do anything about the problems that are far too prevalent.
So ... we come to Lent, a 40-day period in which we look critically at the world around us, critically at ourselves, and we reflect. If our entire being is filled with the negativity of the world, I can almost assure you this will lead you to some level of depression. And this is where we find the prophet Habakkuk. He is in that conversation with God over this worldly setting of negativity. He's fed up and he is looking for someone on whom he can unload both barrels of his complaints.
This is where I find many of my friends and companions as we run the race of faith together. So, we can do two things. We can keep doing reflection and life just like we always have ... and we will get the same results (believe me, I've tried!). Or, we can decide to change up out thought process. This is what I plan to do this Lenten season. For the next 40 days I will commit to reflecting on God and on my faith journey. I will avoid the swamps of cable TV news, talk radio and the negativity people want to bring into focus. And I will do what Paul advised (Col. 2) ... "Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ.. " And I will listen as I look up, knowing God will answer my complaints and problems and concerns in new ways I haven't even imagined. What up? Christ is "above" so look there! Randy
So ... we come to Lent, a 40-day period in which we look critically at the world around us, critically at ourselves, and we reflect. If our entire being is filled with the negativity of the world, I can almost assure you this will lead you to some level of depression. And this is where we find the prophet Habakkuk. He is in that conversation with God over this worldly setting of negativity. He's fed up and he is looking for someone on whom he can unload both barrels of his complaints.
This is where I find many of my friends and companions as we run the race of faith together. So, we can do two things. We can keep doing reflection and life just like we always have ... and we will get the same results (believe me, I've tried!). Or, we can decide to change up out thought process. This is what I plan to do this Lenten season. For the next 40 days I will commit to reflecting on God and on my faith journey. I will avoid the swamps of cable TV news, talk radio and the negativity people want to bring into focus. And I will do what Paul advised (Col. 2) ... "Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ.. " And I will listen as I look up, knowing God will answer my complaints and problems and concerns in new ways I haven't even imagined. What up? Christ is "above" so look there! Randy
Monday, February 9, 2015
Complaints
Ok ... admit it. Every one of us has those complaints floating around in the back of our minds. They are sometimes suppressed but are often they come out in unhealthy ways. We are angry because the world is going downhill in a hurry. We are upset because we see evil people get away with their crimes. We are puzzled why the world seems to work in a way that evil persists. Just remember, next time you feel this way, that your feelings and your complaints are not new, unique or even uncommon. They have existed for the entirety of human existence and they are expressed in the pages of a little Old Testament book.
There is a little book in the Old Testament called Habakkuk. It was written (probably in Jerusalem) in the 600's AD by an obscure prophet. It is part of the collection of books called Minor Prophets, minor because of the amount of material. Habakkuk, the book, is a series of complaints followed by God's answers to the complaints. The book will be the foundation for my Lenten series of sermons this year, because in this time we reflect on the nature of life, people and God. Why doesn't God listen to our complaints? Why does it seem that life itself is out to get us? Why does God tolerate wrongdoing? Hard questions and sometimes vague answers. And they are still our questions today.
My sermon series will be called ... Even Though. Because God is here, God and active even though I do not see Him. Habakkuk came to this conclusion and his prayer of trust is printed on the banners in the Family Life Center. Read them, and you will see the hope Habakkuk had for God's faithfulness. Take these words to heart before you buy into the next episode of negativity you hear on talk radio or TV. Because you must decide where you will live your days. You can wallow in fear, negativity, grief or self-pity. Or, you can do what Paul said ... set your eyes on the things above ... all that is pure, right, holy and light.
For the Easter message is that in the midst of pervasive evil, human cruelty, betrayal, torture, corrupt courts, evil church leaders and fickle people, "Sunday is a comin!" Praise the Lord! Randy
There is a little book in the Old Testament called Habakkuk. It was written (probably in Jerusalem) in the 600's AD by an obscure prophet. It is part of the collection of books called Minor Prophets, minor because of the amount of material. Habakkuk, the book, is a series of complaints followed by God's answers to the complaints. The book will be the foundation for my Lenten series of sermons this year, because in this time we reflect on the nature of life, people and God. Why doesn't God listen to our complaints? Why does it seem that life itself is out to get us? Why does God tolerate wrongdoing? Hard questions and sometimes vague answers. And they are still our questions today.
My sermon series will be called ... Even Though. Because God is here, God and active even though I do not see Him. Habakkuk came to this conclusion and his prayer of trust is printed on the banners in the Family Life Center. Read them, and you will see the hope Habakkuk had for God's faithfulness. Take these words to heart before you buy into the next episode of negativity you hear on talk radio or TV. Because you must decide where you will live your days. You can wallow in fear, negativity, grief or self-pity. Or, you can do what Paul said ... set your eyes on the things above ... all that is pure, right, holy and light.
For the Easter message is that in the midst of pervasive evil, human cruelty, betrayal, torture, corrupt courts, evil church leaders and fickle people, "Sunday is a comin!" Praise the Lord! Randy
Monday, February 2, 2015
Smarter
When I went to Seminary I thought I knew a lot. Then I took the Bible Competency Exam from Asbury and realized I really didn't know anything. Further study under some amazing teachers and Biblical Scholars affirmed my lack of knowledge. Three years of A's in all my courses (except undergraduate Greek ... that's another story for another time) again left me believing I knew a lot.
Some of the congregations I have served in that 20 years haven't challenged that assumption of knowledge. It is interesting that the congregations that felt they were most intellectual were actually the ones with the least actual and practical Biblical knowledge. Those having one (maybe the best) leadership trait, humility, were the ones with the most real and actual grasp of the Bible. Those that thought they knew the most knew the least and those that thought they knew the least actually knew the most. Sounds a bit like "the last shall be first and the first shall be last" [Matthew 20:16]. Go figure, God was right yet again!?
What I am saying is this. Many of you have an air and attitude of humility. You pitch in where needed. You serve in the lowly places. You don't mind getting your hands dirty. You don't mind being last. And because of this you might be surprised to know that you know more than lots of pastors, lots of Seminary students and (pretty often) me. Thanks for being people who allow me to cast an idea out over the living water of this congregation and see how it flows, grows and morphs into a really good plan. You are so much smarter that I am about many things!
Thanks for being servant-minded, seeking the best for God's use of the people and facilities of this place called Abbeville UMC. Thank you for getting Philippians 2, having the mind of Christ and hearts of humility! Randy
Some of the congregations I have served in that 20 years haven't challenged that assumption of knowledge. It is interesting that the congregations that felt they were most intellectual were actually the ones with the least actual and practical Biblical knowledge. Those having one (maybe the best) leadership trait, humility, were the ones with the most real and actual grasp of the Bible. Those that thought they knew the most knew the least and those that thought they knew the least actually knew the most. Sounds a bit like "the last shall be first and the first shall be last" [Matthew 20:16]. Go figure, God was right yet again!?
What I am saying is this. Many of you have an air and attitude of humility. You pitch in where needed. You serve in the lowly places. You don't mind getting your hands dirty. You don't mind being last. And because of this you might be surprised to know that you know more than lots of pastors, lots of Seminary students and (pretty often) me. Thanks for being people who allow me to cast an idea out over the living water of this congregation and see how it flows, grows and morphs into a really good plan. You are so much smarter that I am about many things!
Thanks for being servant-minded, seeking the best for God's use of the people and facilities of this place called Abbeville UMC. Thank you for getting Philippians 2, having the mind of Christ and hearts of humility! Randy
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