Am I serving God?

I had the privilege of going to a small group last night and listening to Peggy, one of our churches leaders, speak (actually I know that God wanted me there last night). Peggy talked about serving values and why we serve God and how we go about doing that, she also had many amazing stories that she shared with us. What really hit me the hardest, there were a couple of things that perked my ears but this was the biggest, is her question of “are we prepared for Sunday mornings when we come into church, are we prayed up for it?”
I use to think I was prepared for Sunday mornings; I get to church a little early so that I can go around and talk with many of my friends and then I go into the big room and worship God through music, tithing and the message. Sounds pretty good right? Wrong! I was making it about me. I wanted to talk to my friends; I wanted to worship God for me alone. I wanted MY seat and I even got a little upset last Sunday because someone moved MY bulletins in MY seats and they sat in MY spot. I didn’t know who those two people were who so rudely stole MY seat. See all of the “MY” there? My. What a selfish word. I didn’t think about who those people were, I didn’t introduce myself to them and I am guessing I probably didn’t have a very warm and welcoming look on my face. What if these people were new to church or at least new to Blue Ridge? Did they know God and if they didn’t they sure would not have seen Him too clearly in me at that moment. Some body of Christ I was acting like at that moment. God may have had them there because He wanted me to meet them and talk with them. I hope they were not visitors looking for an excuse to not come back because I very likely could have been the reason they chose.
I don’t serve on Sunday mornings; no car parking, kid community or greeting but I am a part of the church and I am representing the church and while I do not have an assigned place to serve on Sunday mornings I am always serving my God and savior. I don’t pray during the week for Sunday service, true many people come to Christ throughout the week but Sundays are the biggest gatherings of people in one spot who are drawn by God. I pray that God will use me and I often make myself available but often I am very selfish on Sunday mornings. I have a new outlook on Sunday service now. I will come prepared for the spiritual warfare that will be taking place and I will open my ears for God to speak to me. I will let Him lead me to where I will sit and who I will talk to and stop thinking just about me. I will serve God by serving others and I pray that people will see God through me and if I seem to be closing off Gods light I ask that my fellow believers will tell me, no matter how harsh the words may seem. This is a battle for lost souls, who cares if I have to sit in a different seat this week.

Happy Birthday

December 25th marks the day we celebrate Jesus Christ’s birthday. My son asked if Jesus is 2,008 years old this year (out of the mouths of babes). The bible tells us that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning”1 and a few verses later that “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”2 So Jesus has always existed but this year we will celebrate the 2,008th birthday of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the day that the eternal God put on human flesh and came down to us, being born in a manger over two thousand years ago. “While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”3 God left His throne in Heaven to come down to us and was born in a manger. A manger? The God who created everything humbled Himself and was born in a manger because there was no room for God in the inn.
No room for God, oh how often is that the case with us? Thanks for coming God but there is no room in my life for you, why don’t you just go wait over there. Is your life too full for God to have a place to stay in you? Is Christmas too full for Jesus to have a place in it? Christmas is a day of celebrating the birthday of Jesus Christ. He came to us! His birthday and yet He was the gift. The bible says “but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!”4 Don’t be afraid there is good news, a great joy, a savior –the long awaited messiah- and this gift is for everyone. The gift is for all who will receive it, but you have to open the gift to have it. What good is a wrapped gift sitting in the corner collecting dust? Sure it may look nice over there and maybe that is what you want from God. You like to look at the wrapped gift He has given you but there is no room to open it in your life right now so you will keep it under wraps. That’s insane! You have to open the gift to enjoy it, to use it.
This Christmas let us celebrate the birthday of all birthdays; the birthday of Jesus Christ leaving Heaven and dwelling among us to redeem us. While you are exchanging gifts this year with one another don’t forget whose day it is and the meaning behind it. And don’t forget to give Jesus a gift this year. After all it is His birthday, isn’t He the one who should be getting presents? I say we should all write down something we are going to give to God this year. Maybe it’s something that is holding you back from fully devoting your life to Him. Perhaps it is the forgiveness of someone who has wronged you, maybe its money, time; an addiction, your marriage or maybe it is your life. If you have never given your life to God what better time then now, what better place then here? This is why Jesus came here. Maybe it is time you open your gift from Him.




Notes 1. John 1:1(NIV) 2. John 1:14(NIV) 3. Luke 2:6-7(NIV) 4: Luke 4:10-11(NIV)

Christmas, X-mas or Happy Holidays

Many years ago this wouldn’t have even been a question or concern; December was the Christmas holiday season. Now amongst the outcry of intolerance December is mainly for Happy Holidays.

Season greetings, happy holidays and Winter break have replaced the word Christmas and we, those who call ourselves disciples of Jesus Christ, should be concerned. Those who do not recognize the deity of Jesus Christ will not be celebrating the birth of the messiah and yet many of them will be exchanging gifts on December 25th. Sadly many “Christians” celebrate Christmas no differently then anyone else. The 25th is filled with Christmas trees, gifts, stockings, Santa, elves, Rudolph, Frosty and an abundance of eggnog and yet little if no celebration of God taking the form of a man to live with us and reconcile us to Himself.

Many people will be out shopping this time of the year for the must have gift and yet so many are missing out on the only “must have gift”, one that is free to receive, one that cost the most from the giver and the one that only really matters. That is the free gift of Salvation given by the one who’s day of birth we have replaced with Santa.

I love this time of year, and I especially love the Christmas story. No, not the one where Ralphie convinces his parents to buy him a Red Ryder BB gun (I wonder how many of you immediately thought of this story when I said that?). I am talking about the Christmas story found in Luke chapter Two. There is no Santa Clause; no lamp made out of a leg and no Red Ryder BB gun in this Christmas story but there is hope. Hope for the weary and the lost. Hope for sinners to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. There is a reason for the season.

December 25th will come and go. Trees, stockings and tinsel will be packaged away until next year. Families will return home leftovers from dinner in tow. The must have toys and gadgets will be forgotten and discarded. School and work will resume and life will continue. But Christ will remain. Don’t X out Christ this Christmas. Isn’t it time to hold onto something that will last? Isn’t it time to celebrate now and forever that Jesus is King? I want to leave you with some lyrics from one of my favorite Christmas Carols; O Holy Night. This wraps up why this time of year is so wonderful to me.

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Noise

Ever been in a crowded room with everyone talking at one time? It’s enough to drive you insane isn’t it? Why that is enough to drive you crazy but a room full of people each playing a different musical instrument (I am basing this on the assumption that these people are actually talented and know what they are doing) actually sounds beautiful? I think the differences lie in the fact that with the music everyone is actually playing together and are in unison with one another whereas in the room with people talking they are each saying there own thing and each one gets louder then the other in an attempt to be overheard by everyone else.

I was in a class today and prior to the start there were about 20 people each having different conversations. I attempted to listen because the noise was just making my head hurt but no matter how hard I tried I could not focus on just one conversation, it was all just unintelligible noise. Immediately I got to thinking (as well as jotting down a few notes to use latter for this) and I realized that many of us have this same problem with God. We want to hear from God, we want to hear what He has to say so that we can act on what we have heard but far too often all we get is noise.

God speaks to His children; that is not the problem. His children can’t hear what God is saying; that is the problem. We have too many other voices competing with God, trying to be heard over Him, that we cannot distinguish what He is telling us. Work, family, addiction, pride, comfort and fear are just a few of the voices that raise the volume attempting to drown out Gods voice. If we do not learn to silence these voices or at least get them to play in unison with what God has to say, well; we may just miss out on hearing from God.

My BUT, your BUT

Woody gave an excellent sermon last Sunday; fairly humorous as well. He spoke on King Uzziah out of 2 Chronicles 26 with the key passage being verse 16a which reads “But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall…” One word; BUT. How our lives are filled with this seemingly nonchalant word.

I was going to go to church BUT I slept in. I was going to go visit my sick mother BUT there was too much cleaning to do. I wanted to spend more time with my family BUT overtime was more important. I wanted to go where God was calling me BUT life was comfortable. BUT, But… but!

Our “buts” can be simple things that just have a small effect or they may be quite large and keep us from living to the full potential that God has for us. What is your but that is holding you back from what God wants for you? I don’t know about you but I want to kick mine and see where God is going to take me.

I probably could have written much more on this but I think Woody did a great job and you should hear it first hand. www.blue-ridge.org