March 28, 2013 - What My Obedience To God Costs Other People

They laid hold upon one Simon . . . and on him they laid the cross. — Luke 23:26

If we obey God it is going to cost other people more than it costs us, and that is where the sting comes in. If we are in love with our Lord, obedience does not cost us anything, it is a delight, but it costs those who do not love Him a good deal. If we obey God it will mean that other people’s plans are upset, and they will taunt us with it – "You call this Christianity?" We can prevent the suffering; but if we are going to obey God, we must not prevent it, we must let the cost be paid.

Our human pride entrenches itself on this point, and we say – I will never accept anything from anyone. We shall have to, or disobey God. We have no right to expect to be in any other relation than our Lord Himself was in (see Luke 8:2-3).

Stagnation in spiritual life comes when we say we will bear the whole thing ourselves. We cannot. We are so involved in the universal purposes of God that immediately we obey God, others are affected. Are we going to remain loyal in our obedience to God and go through the humiliation of refusing to be independent, or are we going to take the other line and say – I will not cost other people suffering? We can disobey God if we choose, and it will bring immediate relief to the situation, but we shall be a grief to our Lord. Whereas if we obey God, He will look after those who have been pressed into the consequences of our obedience. We have simply to obey and to leave all consequences with Him.

Beware of the inclination to dictate to God as to what you will allow to happen if you obey Him.

….Oswald Chambers (My Utmost For His Highest)

March 27, 2013 - Clutch

John 19:38-42 (Jesus Burial)
 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus—but secretly because of his fear of the Jews—asked Pilate that he might remove Jesus’ body. Pilate gave him permission, so he came and took His body away. Nicodemus (who had previously come to Him at night) also came, bringing a mixture of about 75 pounds of myrrh and aloes. Then they took Jesus’ body and wrapped it in linen cloths with the aromatic spices, according to the burial custom of the Jews. There was a garden in the place where He was crucified. A new tomb was in the garden; no one had yet been placed in it. They placed Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation and since the tomb was nearby.

Being deemed “Clutch” in the world of athletics is one of the highest praises and characteristics an athlete can have.  Every team values that clutch quarterback who can take the team down the field with less than a minute left on the clock; or that star basketball player who wants the ball in his hands when the clock is running down; or the baseball player who you just know will save your team from elimination with one swing of the bat. Not all have “it”, but everyone wants it.

Wikipedia defines clutch as: "In American sports terminology, "clutch" means performing well under extreme pressure. It often refers to high levels of production in a critical game, such as Game 7 of a best-of-seven series, the last hole of a Major Championship golf tournament, or the final minute(s) in a close match. Being "clutch" is often seen by sportswriters and fans as an innate skill which some players have while others do not."

In John 19 we have two underdogs who enter the story of the Cross: Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. They were underdogs in the sense that there is not much else mentioned about them in the Bible except for the remaining moments of Good Friday. Joseph was a member of the Sanhedrin, the same counsel that pushed the decision of Jesus’ execution off to Pilate. Most say that Joseph wasn't there at the trial...but I know where he was. The Cross. When the game was over, and the "good guys" had, by all fleshly accounts, lost the battle and war to sin, Joseph stepped up.  Scripture tells us that he boldly went to Pilate to request the lifeless body of our Savior.  Talk about clutch! To have the "clutch gene" one must also have a dose of guts and courage. Joseph had it.

While those closest to Jesus (The 12) were already hiding in a room, afraid for their lives, Joseph was taking Jesus off a tree. He cleaned him, bought expensive linens in which to wrap his broken and tattered body, and sacrificed. We ignore the sacrifice. The Tomb. Yep, that tomb wasn't originally intended for the "King of the Jews".  It was intended to serve the burial needs of Joseph and his family. Never used. Freshly completed. But there's a catch.  If Joseph used this tomb for Jesus, it could never be used by Joseph's family because it was against Jewish law to use a tomb for more than one family. But the clutch gene took over in Joseph. He realized that the Passover was the next day and immediate action needed to be taken.

Nicodemus saw the same need that Joseph saw that day. Nicodemus, the Pharisee who is criticized for only seeing Jesus at night, who didn’t know what it meant to be "born again," played the role of Robin to Joseph of Arimathea's Batman. Risking his own reputation and well being, he bought expensive perfumes for the crucified Jesus.  Nicodemus had even stepped up earlier in Scripture and saved Jesus while he was being questioned and harassed by his brethren.  Nicodemus had the clutch gene as well.

The greatest thing about these two men is that they were clutch for Jesus on Friday. They stepped up when no one else would. They sacrificed money, time, energy, reputation, life and legacy for Jesus and gave Jesus, our Jesus, a dignified burial. They were clutch for Jesus not just Sunday when the tomb was empty and scriptures were fulfilled but on Friday, when all seemed lost and everyone else had all but given up.

Are you clutch? Will you lay it down for Christ? Even on Friday? When it's not popular or trending on Twitter? How about when you come out from behind your laptop where you’ve been on Facebook "liking" everything Jesus that you see?  Will you step up when it counts? Are you willing to make a sacrifice that may cost you financially, socially, even physically?

No one in history was ever more clutch for you than Jesus was at the Cross. Jesus was not the only one thinking about you on the Cross. The enemy of our souls was as well and thought he had you in his grasp. But Sunday came and the game was on! Jesus did more than walk on water, or turn water into wine...he conquered death. For you!

Your clutch moment for Jesus may be sowing seeds in the lives of your co-workers; your clutch moment may be being the prayer warrior mom who never gives up on her son or daughter who is now addicted to the world and straying away from not only you, but the Lord; or your clutch moment could be found in that moment of example when you do what Jesus would do, and someone is secretly watching and realizes that it is possible to live out their faith.

So, "Be Clutch" today, tomorrow, and until you are put into your tomb.  Others are counting on you to push the game into overtime for them the same way Jesus did for you on that fateful Friday, two thousand years ago.

…. Jeremy Barkley

March 26, 2013 - Have You Ever Been Humbled?

Scriptures to read:  Philippians 2:3; John 13:14; Matthew 20:28.

Have you ever been truly humbled?  I remember one time in particular that I was.  A group of about 20 men were attending a weekend retreat at Camp Jumonville and in our closing exercise for the worship time on Saturday night we held a foot washing service.  My immediate thought was I’m not doing that!  How can I wash someone else’s feet?  That was really going to take me out of my comfort zone.  Obviously, all I was thinking about was myself.  Boy did I need an attitude check. 

Looking closely at Matthew 20:28, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…”   When thought of in that way, it provides a whole new perspective.  John 13:14 says: “And if your Lord and teacher has washed your feet, you should do the same for each other.”  As we proceeded with the service, both washing a brother’s feet and having my own feet washed, I experienced a deep sense of humility that is beyond comparison.  It was deeply moving not only for me but the whole group.  Tears were shed and bonds were deepened. 

I want to challenge each of us (certainly me as well) that as we continue through this Lenten season that we keep in mind that we are sent to serve one another rather than to expect others to serve us.  Let’s look for ways to serve not only in our homes, but in our church and in our community.  It very well could turn out to be an experience you won’t soon forget.

Lord, provide us with the opportunities to be of service to You and to others.  Thank you for the example Jesus gives us.  

…. Bill Patrick

March 25, 2013 - Our World Needs a Breath of Fresh Air

When my granddaughter Anna was three years old, my husband and I happily went to visit our daughter’s family who lived in another state.  One afternoon while I was playing with Anna she went over to her toy box and returned with a smile on her face.  “Here Mamaw, this is for you,” she said as she handed me a little doll.  I thanked her and enjoyed our play times together for the duration of our visit. When it was time to return home I said, “Anna, here is your doll” as I tried to return it to her.  “No”, she insisted, “It is for you.”  How could I refuse this precious gift of love?  She was so genuine and sincere in her generosity that I could not refuse.  Over a decade later I still have the little doll, a treasured gift, given to me from her pure and unselfish heart.

Anna’s gift to me came in two steps:  1. She loved me.  2. She saw I had a need (I had no doll). When we get even a glimpse of the depth of God’s love through His Son Jesus, it seems that his gift of salvation is so great that it is hard to understand or believe that it can be ours. But what happens when we do accept this gift? Our life begins anew! When we do accept Jesus into our hearts, the gift of Salvation freely expressed to us is not to be kept safely tucked away, as I have done with Anna’s doll, but instead is to be the reason to enter into serving God and serving others.  Because He loved me so much, I am able to love others.  As little Anna showed me, Christian service starts by using the two step plan: 1. Love.  2. See a need. 

1.       Love: God loves me and sacrificially sent his own beloved Son, Jesus, to the cross in payment for my sins.  There could be no greater expression of love!   Acceptance of His love enables us to love others.  Philippians 2: 1-4 (The Message Bible Translation) says: “If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if His love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care – then do me a favor:  Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends.  Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top.  Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage.  Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.”

2.       See a Need:  Anna didn’t take into consideration that she may later miss her doll.  She simply saw my need and was able to fulfill that need by giving me her little doll.  Her heart of love moved her to action as she placed the doll into my hands.  No wonder the Bible tells us that Jesus loves the little children. Philippians 2: 14-15 (The Message Bible Translation) says: “Do everything readily and cheerfully – no bickering, no second-guessing allowed!  Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God.  Carry the light-giving Message into the night.”

Oh, how our world needs a breath of fresh air! People all around us are in constant need of the love of God which can only be expressed when Christians are moved by the Holy Spirit to see a need and then fulfill that need through love.  What needs do you see around you?  Does someone need a hug, food, shelter, money, a smile, a word of encouragement, a word of wisdom, help, transportation, acceptance, support, appreciation, compassion, empathy, the salvation message…or do you know someone who needs a doll?  May God move our hearts to action in serving others!         

                                                                                                                                                   

…..Lois Gilbert

March 24, 2013 - Humble King

Americans have a problem with entitlement. We seem to think we deserve just about anything and everything:

·         Our Big Mac better come out fast and piping hot because we are entitled to good service.

·         We better get a big tax return because the government really owes us a lot.

·         We need to be recognized for our accomplishments and achievements.  We deserve it!  If not, it would be really rude.

·         We can do what we want and say what we want because this is a free country and I’m entitled to a happy life of freedom.

How strange is this King we see riding into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday! Paul explains in our daily devotion today how extraordinary Jesus’ actions were.

Jesus was God. Jesus is God. He will always be God. Yet he did not consider his divinity something to be flaunted or used for his advantage. (How different than today’s celebrities and athletes and politicians!) Instead, Jesus humbled himself and set aside the full and continual use of his powers as he took on the form of a servant. In fact, Jesus was so humble that he became obedient to death on a cross–the most gruesome and cursed way to die at the time!

But there was a reason for all of this: Our salvation! Jesus humbled himself so that he could take our place and pay for all our sins.

There were two results from this as well. First, Jesus did pay for all our sins, win forgiveness for us, and give us the gift of eternal life. Secondly, God exalted him above all others.

Yes, our King is so great and grand that come the Last Day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. Even the devil and all his demons and unbelievers in hell will have to bow and confess that Jesus is Lord and King of all on the Last Day.

Give thanks to Jesus that he humbled himself for you, and will be exalted and praised by you now and for all eternity!

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, it was for me and my sins that you humbled yourself to the point of death on a cross. You have taken my place. You have redeemed me. You have saved me. Give me knees that fall in humble adoration and lips that sing your praises, now and forever. Amen.

From the blog of Pastor Phil Huebner

March 23, 2013 - Comforting, Encouraging Word On Service

Reference:           Matthew 11:28-30, Isaiah 9:4

My Version

The Parable of the Talents has always made me uncomfortable. I am not visionary, not creative about how to serve God, not gregarious, boisterous, charismatic, or adventurous. I am often overwhelmed by the enormity of people’s needs and my lack of giftedness to meet them.  In short, I have always considered myself barely a one-talent servant, with no idea of what I could do with my measly inner resources.

Buying into the Lie

The problem was that my ideas of servanthood and of myself as a servant came from the wrong source.  I bought into the lie of Satan and the world, telling me that God is a hard Master, demanding of me things I could not accomplish due to my personality. I feared asking God what He wanted me to do in case He would demand service for which I was completely unsuited, something “out of my comfort zone.” Worse yet, He could leave it to me to come up with some form of self-sacrificing-enough service to count as good use of my scant talent.

Revelation

My life took an unexpected change of direction, which afforded me a new opportunity for large amounts of solitary time with Jesus.  The deepening intimacy of our relationship opened my eyes to the difference in my perspective and His perspective on service and servanthood.  What I learned at His feet caused a complete change in my understanding.

The Difference

·         God gives talents and gifts to bless not only others, but also us as we use them. God delights in our service, notices the smallest offerings done in His name, and tailors our talents and gifts to each of us so they can delight us as well.

·         God, through the leading and prompting of the Holy Spirit, gives us the ideas for service, which takes the pressure off and makes serving as easy as breathing. (Maybe not quite that easy, there is always a point of choice, do it or walk past it.) 

·         Service done God’s way is not heavy bondage.  His yoke is easy and His burden is light.  The Holy Spirit provides the energy. We will not bear fruit of bitterness, resentment, anger, and self-pity when He is carrying the load.

·         As we walk under His yoke, He gives us ever-increasing ideas for service, opportunities that do not feel like someone is trying to force a square peg into a round hole. He keeps adding to our talents and shows us how to use them. It is a delight to do many of the things we once feared.

·         We do not have to be a visionary. The vision is His.  It encompasses people, families, towns, and nations. We need only be faithful to do the tasks or say the words that He whispers to one’s heart.

The Reward

·         Contentment, hope, energy, excitement, purpose, and an ever-increasing amount of pleasurable work to do for Him that is light, easy, and designed specifically with you in mind.

·         Increased love for others and an expanded interest in the lost.

·         Sometimes outrageous faith to believe that what He inspires will yield a great harvest, yet unseen by us now.

Perfect Summary      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7Uj_B0KNgU

“If my heart has grown cold, there Your love will unfold as You open my eyes to the work of Your hand…

Oceans will part, nations come at the whisper of Your call. Hope will rise, glory shown,

In my life Your will be done.”    (Ben Fielding, Hillsong)

….Leah Marks

March 22, 2013 - Resting In God's Presence

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalted itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.    — 2 Corinthians 10:5

Jesus is an ever-present Help in trouble. No matter what may happen, Jesus is sufficient to provide whatever you need. Instead of imagining how you may respond to terrible things that could happen, draw your mind back to the present and take refuge in His Presence.  Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.  

God is like a mother hen, eager to cover you with His protective wings. As you snuggle under His wings, you will not only find refuge; you will also discover a growing ability to trust Him.   It is in closeness to God that you realize how trustworthy He is.

Jesus is both your Rock and your Redeemer. Though impregnable in His vast strength, He became a vulnerable Man so He could redeem you from your sins. The more you take refuge in Him, the more aware you become of His overcoming, overflowing Love. In Him you are utterly safe, for He is your Rock of everlasting Love.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.    —Psalm 19:14

…. Georgia D’Angelo

March 21, 2013 - Chosen To Serve

Chosen:  I chose you, before you chose me. Ephesians 1.  We must never stop thanking God for the great gift of His Son, Jesus. He was sacrificed on the cross for each one of us. Jesus prayed for those who were crucifying Him. Luke23:34 “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” His prayer opened the way of salvation for each one of us.“ Because of His great sacrifice, the veil, (Luke 23:45) which separated us from approaching God directly, was torn. We now have access to God through our prayers and just talking to Him.  Ephesians: 1: 16-18. As we accept Jesus into our life and talk with Him, He fills our life with wisdom, knowledge, understanding and a revelation of who He is.

Romans 11: God has given each of us many gifts. We need to dedicate these gifts to serving Him while there is still time. God gave each of us the power of the Holy Spirit to reach out and touch the lives of others to bring them into His kingdom. God, through the power of the Holy Spirit will guide you. I recently saw a picture of Jesus reaching out His hand to a small child as she was crossing a stream with big rocks blocking her way. That child is each one of us. When troubled or making a difficult decision, ask God how to proceed. He will reach out to us. Jeremiah 32:17 “Nothing is too difficult for God.”  Ephesians 5:20 “Remember to give thanks to God.” Serving is a choice we make.

…. Margie Allen

March 20, 2013 - Serving

I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need. For he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrows.       —Philippians 2:25-27 (ESV)

I make my living by nursing others who are very ill back to health as a Registered Nurse in an ICU. My wife is also a Registered Nurse at the hospital so often our conversations will revolve around nursing topics or people who we have helped. I am very familiar with the methods and tools used to help people back to better health.

During the time that Paul was writing his letters to Phillipi in the first century there was not much around in the way of medical care so if you became ill it likely meant death would soon follow. Paul writes of the tender heart of Epaphroditus who becomes distressed not because of his illness but because he heard, that his church heard, that he had become ill. He knew that they would think that he had died and failed his mission.

The Church in Phillipi had sent Epaphroditus to Paul in Rome with money, messages and compassion to care for Paul. Epaphroditus falls ill Paul says and was even near to death, but God shows mercy.  If I saw Epaphroditus near death I would give him I.V. Fluids, Antibiotics, clean any of his wounds, give him medications to help his blood pressure, give him a ventilator or dialysis to help his failing organs. This man didn't have access to these treatments but he did have a relationship with Christ. This first century man experienced God's mercy and lived beyond illness. 

The text does not say Epaphroditus went shouting from the roof tops of his healing, but it does tell of his desire to continue to show Christ's love and serve. As we are preparing for Easter during this lenten season may our hearts be like Epaphroditus and be tender hearted and have an over whelming desire to serve our King and his people.

~Nate Bunnell

March 19, 2013 - Serving Others

Philippians 2:4-8; Matthew 28:16-20

Servanthood and Leadership

When the Lord calls us to mission – whether it’s on our knees, in the kitchen, the hospital, the farm, the school, in our Johnstown community or in another country – it’s always for people.  We expect to communicate through a new language or in a new style. We know there’ll be a new way of doing things and certainly a new culture.  Cross cultural work is thrilling prospect. But a Culture of Servanthood?

We often enter mission in positions of leadership, bringing knowledge, assistance and a time limit along with the Good News. We expect to be listened to. We know what we’re doing, we’re in control and have power; it’s our calling, our job.  But what are our neighbors’ values, perceptions, reasons, hopes and aspirations, interests and skills?  This is a truly essential part of serving. “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Phil 2:4)

There’s great empowerment when leaders can be learners and followers and not just teachers and directors. We are so attractive when we develop big ears for listening between the lines, enjoying the silence and taking the time to be with people, as people; when we have small mouths reserved for questions and affirmation instead of instruction and information.

 Illiterate women can teach us about feeding a family on $2 a day; people with disabilities have such a spirit of determination to pass on; communities without a voice in society can save our lives and demonstrate a magnificent code of consideration learned through survival. The Least become the Most.

Our respect and love – anything short of genuine is quickly discerned – belong to the Culture of Servanthood, are part of the Kingdom, part of Community, and part of being the Hands and Feet of Jesus.

 …. Kathy Griffith

March 18, 2013 - Serving at Home

Ephesians 5:1, 21-25

We are to serve with a happy heart; not with anger or frustration. The word “home” is somewhere you can go to be taken care of, be rejuvenated and catered to, a place where you are not judged – where you can be yourself and still be loved. Where there are no demands set upon you. A place of comfort.

There’s nothing more comforting than having an evening at home with my husband and both our daughters. However, with our oldest away at college those evenings become more infrequent and therefore more treasured.

With that being said after the girls are usually together for a mere 15 minutes there is somebody that has touched someone else or wore an article of clothing that didn’t belong to them*sigh* and there goes my Norman Rockwell vision of “family”.  Our family joke is that no matter how old they are when they are home they are perpetually 5 & 10 years old.  In my mind I have this fantasy of me being the doting, loving wife and mother; when I’m sure (depending upon the day) you could speak to anyone else who lives here and find out that they do not share this impression based on my actions.  Some days I feel that I have more than served my loved ones at home and I am an outright underpaid, overworked maid, chef, nurse, chauffeur, veterinarian, etc. (this list could go on endlessly).  Other days I defiantly go on strike; as though it is my entitlement for all I have done for them all their lives!  Whoooooa – stop!  Is this the Christ-like attitude I should have?  I don’t think so. 

Scripture states that we should:

Ephesians 5:1 - New Life Version (NLV)

5 Do as God would do. Much-loved children want to do as their fathers do.

Ephesians 5:21-25

²¹ Be willing to help and care for each other because of Christ. By doing this, you honor Christ. ²² Wives, obey your own husbands. In doing this, you obey the Lord. ²³ For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. It is His body (the church) that He saves. ²⁴ As the church is to obey Christ, wives are to obey their own husbands in everything.

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives. You must love them as Christ loved the church. He gave His life for it.

Exactly when did Jesus sit back and feel entitled?  When did the Son of God play the martyr?  Never.  That’s when.  So why do I feel that I can act this way sometimes?  What type of example am I setting?  It is times like those, when I am feeling resentful, that I have to step back and ask the Lord to help me regroup.  To count my blessings...the many blessings He has bestowed upon me.  To serve my loved ones with a happy heart and help them feel loved, at all times, in all things because God loves us at all times in all things. 

 Prayer:

Heavenly and gracious Father, thank you for the opportunity of being able to serve my loved ones at home, and in the world.  Thank you for fulfilling me with your constant and abiding love.  Help me to continue to share that love to my family and my neighbors, by having a willing heart to serve them, just as Jesus always served others. 

…. Tammy Fiffick

March 17, 2013 - Unworthy Servants

Today I’d like us to consider a hard passage; Luke 17:1-10. Take your time with it. If you can make the time, read it and re-read it several times throughout the day, and let it really hit you. It’s not easy to hear. It really challenges us to examine ourselves.

Jesus is speaking to His disciples here and He’s laying out some pretty strong stuff. He confronts them about not causing others to stumble; about forgiving even if the person does the same thing repeatedly – notice at this point the disciples interrupt Jesus to say, “Lord, increase our faith!” Then Jesus exhorts them about their faith! And finally – and most importantly for us today – He checks them on their attitude about their work in the kingdom.

In our human nature we tend to want to defend ourselves don’t we? Like, “But I do this good thing…” or “You never met________ (that person who always manages to get under our skin)…” or maybe, “I give this much to my church or charity…!” Is this what we signed up for? Did Jesus say, “Come, follow me and I will make you…unworthy servants?” Is He really asking this hard thing of me?

Well, yes. He is asking this hard thing of us. It is the very thing He asked of Himself and freely gave as He gave up all that He had to show us the way. Even more than that – He imparts to us the very nature that He asks us to adopt! So that human nature that would want to make excuses for why we can’t, can die in Christ, so that we can live in Christ with His very nature empowering us to live out that very life of service that He asks from us!

I know; that’s a lot to take in. But what it really says is, we can begin to say: “I went on this mission trip…it was only my duty;” “I gave this much to church…it was only my duty;” “I visited the sick and shut in…it was only my duty;” “I forgave that one who hurt me so deeply…” you get the point. Not as a way to degrade what we do, but as a personal check in our spirits for the humility that understands there is nothing we can do that Christ has not first demonstrated for us and gone before us to lay the path with His very life.

We can get so full of ourselves! Passages like this just help keep us grounded. Let this word do its work in you today in whatever way God desires as we all develop the servant mind of Christ.

…. Cheryl Keafer

March 16, 2013 - Serving One Another

Jesus was willing to give up everything to obey GOD and serve people.  We can do nothing less!

Moving to a Retirement Village was life changing.  We inherited a new family, people from all walks of life, varied backgrounds   and great diversity.  This is an opportunity to serve others in many ways, a smile, encouraging word or praying for or with them.  Young and old are valuable and can serve until the end of life as we know it.  The Bible tells us it requires a sacrifice of time.  Being Christ's follower means serving others even when they don't measure up to your expectations.  God created us to be his vessels,
clay pots or jars.  His focus was not on the container but on its priceless content--what we can do for others.

We His followers must be willing to serve in any way that glorifies GOD.  Maybe we can't wash feet, but we may be led to use the gifts GOD has given us in other ways.  Considering others interests and wellbeing over our own links us to Christ who was the true example of humility.

Whom can and will you serve today?

….Barbara Mangus

March 15, 2013 - Saved to Serve

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.   (Galatians 5:13)

We are all called to serve God by serving others. Some people think that pastors, missionaries, or church leaders are the only ones who can serve. People have the misconception that being “called” by God is something only missionaries, pastors, nuns, and other church leaders experience. But the Bible says everyone is called to serve God by serving others.

Serving does not save us; rather, we are saved so we can serve.

 The Apostle Paul says: "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free." Before you serve God, you have to be saved. Until you have felt His grace and have been changed, you are chained by your sins (habits, pain, baggage, etc...) and not able to fully put others first. If we serve out of the wrong reasons, we will be unfulfilled, tired, and even bitter.
We have many reasons for not serving. The interesting thing is that all of these justifications boil down to one! We are selfish. We will say we do not have the time to serve because we are "too tired" or "not enough time." It is because we are not following the Lord. We are too self-absorbed.

God is more interested in your heart not how well you serve. You are a reflection of Jesus’ love when you are serving others.
Ask yourself, am I serving out of love? If you are not, then ask God to change your heart. Ask God to show you where He is working and go serve!

…. Matt Price

March 14, 2013 - General Surrender

Philippians 2:4-11

⁴ Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: ⁶ Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something  to be grasped, ⁷ but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!

⁹ Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Jesus made a general surrender to the Will of God, a once and for all, global surrender to His Father. “He made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” (vs. 7). Any utter and complete surrender to another is like signing a blank check and giving it to the other party. It is like saying, “I completely and unconditionally surrender. You tell me what I must do.”

As Jesus, or you and I for that matter, make a surrender to God’s, His Will, and His Kingdom, the day will come when the amount will be written in and a specific action step of obedience will be required. Notice the action step Jesus was required to take, “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (v. 8)

As I consider the many, many ways and times Jesus, the Son of God, must have had to surrender to His earthly situation, I wonder which was the most challenging.

·         First breath?

·         Surrender to parents’ authority?

·         Spending 30 years at home?

·         Leading slow and unbelieving disciples?

·         Attacks by religious elite?

·         Gethsemane?

Let’s not forget Gethsemane. Luke 22:39-45 records, “Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. ⁴⁰ On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” ⁴¹ He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, ⁴² “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” ⁴³ An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. ⁴⁴ And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. ⁴⁵ When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.”

Why the anguish? Death? Yes, but it must have been more than physical death. Suffering? Yes, but more than bodily punishment. Jesus would experience for the first time, moral and spiritual separation from His Heavenly Father. On the Cross Jesus cries out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”

Isaiah 53 describes the anguish of Jesus, the suffering servant. “But the Lord was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief… As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My servant will justify the many, as He will bear their iniquities” (53:10-11)

God had a purpose in the suffering and death of His Son that we might be justified, forgiven, reconciled to God. Jesus willing gave Himself up for you and me. How do we repay such love and sacrifice? By loving God in return. We show our love for God by receiving His love and serving the Lord, one another, and the World.

During this season of Lent and especially throughout the Daniel Fast, let us remember Jesus, Jesus’ humility, and Jesus’ obedience. Let us make our own surrender to God. As we hear God’s voice and as God’s gives us opportunity, let us walk in obedience.

…. Pastor Randy Bain

March 13, 2013 - Spend Time with Jesus

Scriptures to read Phil 2:3-8

An excerpt from a hymn written by Kittie J. Suffield reminds me of Philippians 2:

            Does the place you’re called to labor, Seem so small and little known?

            It is great if God is in it, and He’ll not forget His own.

            Little is much when God is in it, Labor not for wealth or fame.

            There’s a crown and you can win it, If you go in Jesus’ name.”

As a new Christian, reading the Gospels, it seemed to me that Jesus just walked through an area performing healings, deliverances, etc. randomly as He saw fit.  Reading more deeply I discovered that throughout His ministry, from His baptism to Gethsemane there were several times recorded that He drew away to spend time with His Father and gain strength from the Holy Spirit before performing these “random acts”.   Although as we learn in Philippians 2:6-8 Jesus was God, we also learn that He did not consider this something to hold up to the world.  Instead He humbly followed the will of His Father, even in the inglorious act of being crucified.

God is always seeking those who are ready to do His will.  But as Jesus did, we need to seek Him daily to discover what that will is going to be for that day and to receive the Holy Spirit’s anointing to accept His will for the day.  He may call us to an inglorious task, or something that will take courage.  He may ask us just to do a small kindness for someone:  a ride, or picking up something at the store.  He may call us to daily intercession for the Church.  Some of these acts  may seem insignificant, but nothing that God asks us to do is ever unimportant.  Although God does call people like Billy Graham or Mother Theresa, many of those He calls are never known to the world and yet they are used in mighty ways by Him.  We will often never know this side of Heaven how our little acts have been used by God or how far reaching the effects of those ministries can be.  Often times, God uses ordinary people in every day situations to reach unbelievers who would never step foot in a church, through the simple acts He calls us to perform. 

If you have a desire to serve God with the attitude of Jesus, spend time with Him daily in prayer and He will meet you there and give you direction.  There is no greater joy than cooperating with God’s will in our daily lives.

…. Mary Alice Cloukey

March 12, 2013 - Motives of the Heart

“He will bring to light what is hidden in the darkness and wiull expose the motives of men’s hearts.”

—1 Corinthians 4:5

As I considered servanthood and my journey, some lessons came to my mind.  One important lesson I have learned has to do with my motives for service.  This lesson has both convicted and stretched me over the years.  The question I start with is this:  When can a seemingly selfless act of service actually be a selfish and self-serving?

My personality type is that of a Sanguine.  According to Tim LaHaye (Spirit Controlled Temperament) Sanguines are by nature “warm, buoyant, lively and fun loving.”  Sounds familiar.  “Sanguine’s naïve, spontaneous and genial nature opens doors and hearts to him.”  Now all this sounds good – but there are downsidesL, you can ask those who live with us. . . a little unorganized, procrastinate a little.  Another downside is our desire to please people and thus have them like us.  This darker side of my personality has led me to constantly examine my heart as I serve.  Are my actions self-centered?  Am I serving those who will appreciate me in return?  Am I serving the Lord or seeking to please those around me and gain their praise?  I should only be seeking to turn eyes to Christ, not to myself.

“Be careful not to do your act of righteousness before men to be seen (or liked) by them.  If you do you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 6:1

This is a strong word of caution as I seek to build the Lord’s kingdom – or mine.

Contrast this with:

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider other better than yourself.  Each of you should look not only to your interests, but also to the interests of others.”  Philippians 2:3 - 4

Maybe your motives are different – pride, guilt, duty, self- righteousness?  On the other hand, are our motives pure?  They should not like that of the Pharisees for their reward on earth is all they will receive.  These questions have prompted me to daily ask myself are my motives for myself in any way?  I daily pray that I can see the needs of the hurting and do what I can.  Lord, let me decrease so that you may increase.

“If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.”  Isaiah 58:10

…. Celeste Sprankle

March 11, 2013 - God Works In Us To Change Our Attitudes

Have you ever taken a Spiritual Gifts Survey? The survey that I've taken lists one of the gifts as service. I can think of many in our congregation who consistently exhibit this gift of service. They are there at the drop of a hat when there is a need. I have taken the Spiritual Gifts Survey a few times over the years, and the gift of service has never been on my list. Does that mean I should not serve? In Philippians 2:5 I read that my attitude is should be the same attitude that Jesus had, and He took the humble position of a servant. (What? Me? Be a servant!?! But that's not one of my spiritual gifts!)

Philippians 2 is filled with instructions that could possibly turn my little me-myself-and I world upside down. It says we are to agree wholeheartedly with each other, love one another, and work together with one heart and purpose. (Verse 2) (How can that be? Surely God cannot expect me to agree that person whose views are totally opposite from mine. How can I work with one heart and purpose with that team member who is so stubborn and unbending?)

Verse 3 says, "Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others." (Okay, I think I can work on this one, but I do really want everyone to like me... is that so bad?) "Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing." (Well, sure, I can be interested in other people and what's going on in their lives, but am I not supposed to look out for number 1, me? Surely God doesn't really mean that I'm supposed to think of everyone as better than I am. Does He? What about all those people whose lives are a wreck? Like the homeless... or drug addicts... or thieves... or... could He?!?!?

"Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing, he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. And in human form he humbled himself even further by dying a criminal’s death on a cross." (Now wait just a minute! My attitude... the same as Jesus' attitude? Humbled position of a slave? Death on a cross?  Me... like Jesus? What???)

Oh, I get it now, I don't actually have to sell myself into slavery or die on a cross. It's about my attitude. It's about the choices I make. I choose to serve. I choose not to act entitled, even though I am a child of the King of kings.

But how can I do this? How can I change my attitude? I can't do it by myself; it's just too much for me. Lord, what do I do? I want to do what Your Word tells me, but I'm just so...ME!)

"For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him."  (Verse 14) (So I don't have to do all this changing by myself, what a relief! Lord, I need an attitude adjustment, that's for sure, but with You working in me—in my heart, in my mind, in my attitude, in my life—and giving me the desire to obey You, and the power to do what pleases You, I can see the possibilities. I can make the choice to serve you, and You will be with me, helping me to serve You with the same attitude that Jesus had. Thank You! In Jesus name. Amen.)

…. Kim Baker

March 10, 2013 - A Mother's Request

Matthew 20:20-28

It seems pretty obvious  that mothers not only give birth to a child,  but that there is in God’s plan for them the deep desire to have – and hope for them- a successful future, whatever that may be.  Such a one was the mother of Zebedee’s sons, named James and John.  She, too, wanted the best for her sons, and since this teacher named Jesus had chosen her sons to be among his twelve disciples, and talked of a future kingdom- maybe, just maybe- he could be influenced to place her boys in high position next to him.  But she didn’t understand Jesus’ message.

As she knelt before Jesus, having brought her sons with her, she pleaded, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”

Jesus responded with, “You don’t know what you are asking,” speaking to the sons.  Continuing, he questioned, “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” they answered, without understanding. 

Jesus went on to affirm prophetically, their over self confidence.  Of course, the other ten disciples were “indignant” at the request.

Jesus, then, taught all of these a lesson that we, too, must understand: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”.  Some persons- even in churches- like to “lord it over” others.  Certainly somebody has to be in charge, but there is a major difference between being in charge and “Lording over” others.

Pastor Randy will refer to John 13 in his sermon on March 10, where Jesus humbled himself and washed the feet of his disciples.  Peter didn’t like that idea, thinking this should be the other way around- they washing his.  But Jesus told him, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me”.  Here, Jesus spoke not only about his example of humble servanthood, but even more importantly by using “you” rather than “your feet”, he referred to sinful attitudes that so easily beset us.  We need to be “washed” repeatedly by the Holy Spirit as we humbly confess our wrong attitudes.  As we continue our fast in this season of Lent, let’s search our own hearts, asking the Lord to help us discover our own sinful attitudes; let’s repent, and then, serve others, following Christ’s example, and with the Holy Spirit’s help and guidance.

…. Pastor Don Beam

March 9, 2013 - Desiring to Be Like Jesus

Desiring to Be Like Jesus

Philippians 2:4-7, “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. ⁵ Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: ⁶ Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, ⁷ but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”

We might paraphrase verses 4 and 5 as, “We should not only seek things for ourselves but for others. We should seek to be like Jesus in every way.” As I consider my own life, I recognize that I do not always act with the same obedience that Jesus did, but even when I do obey, I do not do it with the same attitude that Jesus had.

Two other verses immediately come to mind as I think about fasting and the attitude and character of Jesus. Matthew 6:33 tells us to, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” A second verse is Romans 12:1, “Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodes as living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.”

In this Daniel Fast, I am seeking to be like Jesus in every way. I desire to be like Him more than I desire earthly food. By fasting, I am demonstrating that desire by offering my body as a living sacrifice, a spiritual act of worship.

As you join the rest of the Oakland Church body in the Daniel Fast (to whatever degree you are called), may the Holy Spirit reveal any area where we have been disobedient to God’s voice. Let us further ask the Holy Spirit to reveal where we are lacking in the character and attitude of Jesus was well. May the righteousness, peace, and joy of God’s Holy Spirit be ours in abundance as we seek to grow into the servant nature of Jesus.

…Randy Bain

March 8, 2013 - This Changes Everything

HAVE THIS MIND

I’ve often said that there’s one passage of Scripture that if I consistently applied it to my life then everything about how I live would change.

I’ve frequently written that I also think the same passage is a primary reason many people find it difficult to follow Jesus, because this passage is so convicting and calls for such radical sacrifice.

I’ve regularly thought that this same passage summarizes my prayer for the ultimate result of my parenting—that my children would choose to live out this one passage.

What’s the passage?

Philippians 2:1–11:

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

IMAGINE THE INSTEAD OFS 

Imagine if the life and death of Christ—his self-sacrificial giving—were the model we followed every day in every relationship . . .

·         How would we relate differently to others if instead of seeking (demanding) that they encourage us, comfort us, and love us, instead we lived to encourage, comfort, and love others because we already have Christ’s encouragement, comfort, and love?

·         How would we relate differently in our homes—with our spouses, parents, and children—if instead of insisting that family members thought like us, we sought to understand, empathize with, and be one with our family members?

·         How would we relate differently at work and in church if instead of seeking our own agenda, we did nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility considered others better than ourselves?

·         How would we relate differently with our friends and with our “enemies” if instead of looking out for “number one,” we each looked not first to our own interests, but to the interests of others?

·         How would our attitudes toward others change if we maintained the mind of Christ and did not demand equality, but made ourselves nothing, serving others, sacrificing for others, and humbling ourselves before and for others—even to the point of laying down our life for another?

THE FLESHLY OBJECTION

Our flesh objects, “That’s not fair. I’ll only give like that if the other person is willing to give the same amount!”

I’m eternally grateful that Christ did not think like that. If he had, then I’d still be dead in my sins, because he would not have chosen to die for my sins.

IT’S NOT ABOUT ME

I’m preaching to myself here. This passage is eating me for lunch. That is, it’s convicting me deeply about how self-focused I’ve been instead of being Christ-centered, Christ-like, Christ-empowered, and others-focused.

Through Christ’s power, I want to live like Christ for Christ’s glory.

Through Christ’s power, I want to put others first, just as Christ sacrificed himself for us.

MY STATEMENT OF FAITH AND PRACTICE

Churches and parachurch groups create a statement of faith and practice that summarizes what they belief about Christianity and how Christians can reflect Christ as they live the Christian life.

For me, Philippians 2:1–11 has become for me a summary personal statement of faith and practice.

In Philippians 2:5–11, I find my statement of faith: an incredible summary of what I believe about Christ’s birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and eternal glory.

In Philippians 2:1–5, I find my statement of practice—a radical summary of how I believe I should live the Christian life through Christ, like Christ, and for Christ as I serve others.

YOUR TURN

How could this one passage, Philippians 2:1–11, change how you live your life and relate to others?

…. from the blog of Bob Kellemen