The Call of Sacrificial Worship

“And Gad came that day to David and said to him, “Go up, raise an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.” So David went up at Gad's word, as the Lord commanded. And when Araunah looked down, he saw the king and his servants coming on toward him. And Araunah went out and paid homage to the king with his face to the ground. And Araunah said, “Why has my lord the king come to his servant?” David said, “To buy the threshing floor from you, in order to build an altar to the Lord, that the plague may be averted from the people.” Then Araunah said to David, “Let my lord the king take and offer up what seems good to him. Here are the oxen for the burnt offering and the threshing sledges and the yokes of the oxen for the wood. All this, O king, Araunah gives to the king.” And Araunah said to the king, “May the Lord your God accept you.” But the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. And David built there an altar to the Lord and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the Lord responded to the plea for the land, and the plague was averted from Israel.”

~ 2 Samuel 24:18-24

Let me provide some background before we dive in:  David was the king of Israel, when for the first time all the separate tribes of Israel were united as one kingdom.  However, the Lord grew angry with Israel because in their hearts, they were beginning to rely on the size and strength of their army rather than depending on Him. As a result, God justly inflicted Israel with a “pestilence” that claimed 70,000 lives and in doing so, removed Israel’s false idol from them.  In response, David’s heart was convicted about his misplaced faith, and he cried out to the Lord in repentance, pleading for mercy on behalf of his people. So, David was instructed to go to this guy, Araunah to buy the land and necessary animals. This dude, who is totally caught by surprise, offers David the land and the animals as a free gift out of respect for the king.

Now, let’s halt right there for a second.  I don’t know about you, but I love free stuff.  The vast majority of my wardrobe is comprised of free clothes that I have acquired from different jobs, camps, fundraisers and hand-me-down sessions.  My policy typically is, if it’s free and legal, I’ll take it!  But, David has a different focus than just taking advantage of a bargain.  David recognizes that this is bigger than just a deal between two men; it’s something between him and God.  He replied...”I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing” (v. 24).  The king could have just taken this free stuff, but he refuses because David knows it is a part of his worship.  

In that moment, David makes an important connection between the cost of his worship and the quality of his worship, implying that if he took Araunah’s generous offer, he would fail to fulfill his call to repent through worshipping the Lord.

Now, I know we are over building altars and burning things as worship for the most part here in the 21st century, but David’s example raises a challenging question,to me at least: How often do I go about thinking that I am truly worshipping God but am unwilling to sacrifice my time, money or comfort to do so?

I have realized that nowadays, we can fall into this cultural norm:  Convenience trumps sacrifice - in our relationship with Jesus, or any relationship, for that matter.  Whether it’s with God, a spouse or any person we may come in contact with, it’s the social trend to make personal comfort and convenience the priority.  Now, let me clarify that when I say “worship” I do not simply mean when we gather for ninety minutes every week. I’m talking about the Biblical definition, which includes every aspect of our lives (1 Corinthians 10:31).

I know as a Christian and as someone called to vocational ministry that it is easy to treat our service to God and worship of Him like we culturally treat any other job.  Where we tend to do the minimum, cutting corners along the way instead of striving to go above and beyond.  One thing that breaks my heart is the excuses that have become acceptable as a result of what is in essence an idolatry of comfort within the American Church.  We often allow the busyness of our lives to “disqualify” us from serving or stepping up to lead in the Church.  Now, I’m not saying there are absolutely no reasons why someone wouldn’t be able to justify taking it easy, but the truth of the matter is that in a lot of places, worship is being cheapened because of a “stingy” attitude toward God.  Whether it’s with tithing, how we invest our time serving or making personal preference a priority in our spiritual lives; it is shocking how easily we can water down living for Jesus without even realizing it.

  We need to intentionally pursue the same kind of heart attitude that David had.  Yes, it’s difficult and will push us outside of our comfort zone. But, from what I’ve experienced and witnessed both in Scripture and in the lives of others, there is a greater freedom that we can discover when we give up the idols that hinder our worship of the One who is actually worthy of it. 

In the case of this story, the plague inflicted on Israel was lifted from them and David’s act of sacrificial worship was the last glorious memory of his reign.  It makes me wonder what kind of burdens or afflictions we have in our lives, whether physical, emotional or spiritual, that might be lifted if we responded to God with lives of sacrificial worship.  What would happen if we refused to offer God that which cost us nothing?

10 Daily Prayers from the Psalms

Barry Lawrence

The book of Psalms was the prayer book for the Old Testament saint. The Psalms are filled with examples of the Psalmist seeking God. Below are ten prayers that I attempt to pray on a regular basis in my life.  I would encourage you to pray these individually and with your family.

1.      

       Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, let your glory be over all the earth. Psalm 57:5 

This is a big picture prayer. This is the goal of all that God does. One day the glory will fill the earth when Jesus returns and shines as bright as the sun, and peoples from every tribe, tongue, and nation will rejoice. But today, in every square inch of this earth, may his glory spread starting with my life.

2.      Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:12-13

This is a prayer expressing the desire that all my words and motives would be pleasing to the Lord who is worthy of all praise. Give me words saturated with your gospel and dripping with your grace to others. Give me a heart that points to you as my Treasure and obeys you wholeheartedly.

3.      Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my thoughts. And see if there is any grievous way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way. Psalm 139:23-24 

This acknowledges the reality that although my new heart desires to please the Lord, I am still in my sinful flesh and need the light of God on my life to rout out indwelling sin. Praying this prayer is dangerous as God uncovers sin in my life, but wonderfully liberating as we run back to the cross.

4.       Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 

I constantly need his cleansing in my life and a reorientation of my heart to seek God. This prayer naturally follows God searching my heart and pointing out sin in my life.

5.      Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17 

Unless God is empowering and blessing me today, nothing will last and have eternal impact. I am not looking just to do big things for God, but I want him to help me be faithful in the little things as well so that I will have a lasting impact for his glory.

6.      Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I might walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. Psalm 86:11 

The Christian life is obedience God has called me to follow. But the heart is the key. There are constant battles in my heart between the flesh and the Spirit. Knowing that I am prone to wander, this prayer is a cry to have a united focused heart, to fear the Lord and obey him, bringing glory to his name.

7.      My soul melts away with sorrow; strengthen me according to your Word. Psalm 119:38 

This prayer may not apply all the time in my life. But there are others in difficult situations for whom can pray this prayer, discouraged and weary, who can only be strengthened by the promises of God in Christ.

8.      But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your name say continually, "Great is the Lord!" Psalm 40:16 

This prayer keeps me in awe of the great salvation so that I exult in Christ alone. This is my heart for my family and for Journey. This is my desire for the millions still unreached that by his grace they would love Christ and be glad in him.

9.      Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations. Psalm 82:8 

This prayer is both a comfort and reminder. When I pray this prayer I am reminded that justice will be served in this fallen oppressive world when Jesus returns, that he will reign forever and ever and I will reign with him. Come Lord Jesus!

10.  Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and faithfulness. Psalm 115:1 

This is the ultimate and foundational prayer of any Christian. All glory to God alone. The basis of this prayer is that he loves me forever and will be faithful to all the promises that are in Christ.

The Power of Right Meditation

(Steve Matson – Lead Pastor)

I am currently reading a book that I just picked up at a conference – Dangerous Calling by Paul David Tripp. I came across the following insight and immediately thought about its relevance to our study of I Peter and the topic of being purified and strengthened through times of suffering.  So I offer to you these words of insight looking into Romans 4.  I hope they will be of encouragement.

“Romans 4 tells us something very significant about Abraham’s heart.  Think about it: when you and I are called by God to wait for an extended period as Abraham was, often for us our story of waiting is a chronicle of ever-weakening faith. The longer we have time to think about what we are waiting for, the longer we have time to consider how we have no ability to deliver it; and the longer we have to let ourselves wonder why we have been selected to wait , the more our faith weakens.  But not so Abraham.  We’re told in this passage that during this time of protracted waiting, his faith actually great stronger, and the passage tells us why.  Rather than meditating on the impossibility of his situation, Abraham meditated on the power and character of the One who had made the promise.” (page 65)

Waiting expectantly to see what God is going to do

Waiting expectantly to see what God is going to do

Years ago The Lord laid on my heart to launch a serving ministry for 5th & 6th graders and the 4:12 ministry was born.  The name "4:12" is taken from 1 Timothy which says "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." 

Each year I pray about where The Lord would have us serve in April.  This year I especially  felt Him guiding us to where we should serve.  Friday night we would be serving Mission Share by doing a "mini-Flower City" at their building, and on Saturday we would serve alongside Father's Heart at Charity Bible Church in the city.

In preparation for the trip, I visited Mission Share to see what type of jobs they would like us to do.  One of the things Tom Hakes wanted us to do was paint.  I envisioned the 5th & 6th graders painting, so I had over communicated to the parents that the children should arrive on Friday wearing clothes and shoes that were okay to get paint on them

This year I went into this trip with my eyes wide open, waiting and expecting to see God at work.  I believed this is where He wanted us, and I wanted to see Him at work and join Him.  The Lord knew my desires to stretch the team and to bring Him glory.  In my mind I fast forwarded to the trip and tried to understand how The Lord was going to stretch the team and show Himself while we painted.  I really felt that was where He wanted us, so I knew He would be glorified.

Friday night Tom Hakes from Mission Share joined us for dinner at Journey.  At the end of dinner he mentioned that we were not going to paint.  Instead he had cleaning for us to do.  I told him that was fine, we would do whatever would bless him the most.  He said, "What would really bless me the most is helping to put in the community garden for Mission Share."  I told him we could do.  He was concerned about the rain, and that the children might get muddy.  I love how God puts pieces together and we are able to see it!  He knew what our night would be like when I first visited Mission Share and was told we would be painting.  I told Tom that, since we thought we were going to paint, all the children were dressed to get dirty, and God would hold off the rain!

We went to put in the garden. The Lord held off the rain until we were done, and THEN He let it rain.  The children saw the power of prayer, and the rain watered the garden and weighed down the hay.  Praise God!

I could tell you so many amazing stories about that night, and Saturday and how The Lord orchestrated so many things. However, if my eyes had not been open and looking for Our Lord, I probably would have missed His Hand at work at many of these areas.

This trip blessed me because I went into it excited about  what The Lord was going to do.  The Lord is faithful.  He showed us big things.  So, what have you been praying about?  Have you felt a leading from The Lord?  Open your eyes wide and expect to see The Lord at work, and then join Him.  He may put plans in place for you to "paint", just so you will be available to serve Him somewhere else, for His Glory.

I pray that you would be blessed by seeing The Lord at work.  When this happens, I pray that it would bring a smile to your face to know how much He cares about the little details of your life, and that  you  will willingly trust Him in faith with the big details of your life.  I also pray as you plan your day, that you will be open to the Holy Spirit who will lead you and guide you to do His Perfect Will, and you will rejoice in Him as your "painting" opportunity changes for His Glory.

Creating the Reserves You Need

Creating the Reserves You Need

The Twelve were about to begin their internship.  As they gathered together, Jesus, their supervisor, provided instructions, paired them up, and sent them out on their practice tours so that they might gain some practical ministry experience.

After preaching and ministering to the people, the apostles returned to their rendezvous and reported to Jesus every detail of what they had done and taught.  The Gospel of Mark preserves and records this reunion of twelve interns and the Master and offers some insight into the pace they apparently maintained while ministering to the masses:  So many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat. (Mark 6:31)

Sound familiar?  Of course it does!  Missed meals due to crowded schedules are commonplace.  Considering the demands of ministry and the pace of life, it would seem safe to say that the Twelve were familiar with finding themselves short on resources and reserves.

Now notice our Lord’s prescription for their problem of being so busy that they did not even have a chance to eat.  (Mark 6:31)   Jesus, the Great Physician, took out his prescription pad and offered them the following remedy:  Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”  (Mark 6:31)

As many of you know, Campus Crusade for Christ highlights the following truth:  God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.  It is also true that God loves you and has a wonderful pace for your life, a pace that will allow you to maintain some reserves rather than try to run on empty.

Busyness, ceaseless activity, and backing in and out of our driveways numerous times each day all conspire to rob us of the peace and rest that God has in mind for each and every one of us, each and every day.

John Lohman

Pastor of Family Life and Counseling

Fighting Future-Tense Fear

A common theme that has shown up in my conversations and thoughts recently is fear and anxiety – specifically, regarding the future.  In the spirit of transparency, I confess that I have been wrestling with my own “futuristic angst”.  For the majority its been concerning the future of the Church and my family's future as well. I have been trying to fight against this anxiety with the Truth as we are told to do in Scripture (easier said than done).  When I am anxious, the first Scripture that comes to mind is Matthew 6:25-34.

“(25)Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?(26) Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?(27) And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?(28) And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,(29) yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (30) But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?(31) Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’(32) For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.(33) But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.(34) Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

Now, what I have typically done in the past is read through the passage, gain some perspective, get to the promise in verse 33, and stop there.  It’s easy, at least for me, to kind of forget about verse 34.  But this time the Lord made sure I paid attention, and used it to speak to me right where I was.  I mean, how often are our fears expressed in the future tense:  How are we going to pay the bills?  What about retirement?  Is our relationship going to survive this?  Are my kids going to grow up to be delinquents?  What am I going to do with my life?  Etc.

If we are honest, nerve-wracking questions like these have run through each and every one of our minds.  Christ very simply answers them by saying, “Don’t worry about it; you need to focus on where you are now.  Enjoy today, endure your current battles and rely on me for the grace and strength to get though them.  Trust me with the future and depend on me in the present.”

The Lord then coupled that with Acts 1:7-8, where Christ tells the disciples right before He ascends into heaven:  

“It’s not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority.  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…”

There were three things that I gleaned from this passage concerning future tense anxiety.  For those of you who are or will struggle with anxiety (which is everyone), I think these will be helpful.

1.  It’s not our place to know.  As much as each and every one of us would like to know the details of our future, it’s just not our place to know.  Horoscopes and fortune tellers stay in business because of mankind’s desire to know the future, but we just need to accept the fact that we aren’t supposed to know.

2.  The future is fixed by God’s authority.  I know that, especially as Americans, we find this disturbing.  We are culturally conditioned to believe as individuals “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul”, as William Ernest Henley puts it in his poem, Invictus[S1] .  This unveils the true source of ALL anxiety and fear, not just about the future:  our distrust that God is truly good.  We can say the phrase, “God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good”, to the point where we sound like Charlie Brown’s teacher.  But the Word of God makes it very clear that God authoritatively orchestrates our lives.  The script was written before the foundation of the earth.  I realize that this may be a controversial topic in the Church today, but if we really look at Scripture with the ultimate objective of bringing glory to God, there can be little dispute when it comes to the extent of His Lordship.  The only question is do we trust him?  

3.  We are given a sufficient power source.  When the time comes that we have to deal with our destiny, we will be given sufficient power through the Holy Spirit and more than enough grace through Christ to cope.  If we just focus on the present, we can trust that although life may push us beyond our limits, we will never be pushed beyond God’s ability to empower us.

In conclusion:  anxiety and fear go hand and hand with the human experience, but, the more we trust God with the future and depend on Him in the present, the more rest, joy and overall fulfillment we experience in Christ during this life.  I know I may still be what some may call a “young buck”, but I’ve lived long enough to be able to identify the difference between the seasons where I am in the moment, dependent on Christ, and trusting the future to God’s Lordship, and the times when I am crushed by the compounding burden of my fearful distrust in God’s goodness concerning the future, while trying to live my present life according to my own logic and strength.

A sermon I would highly recommend if you are someone battling with anxiety or even if you’re not, is Sanctification:  Examining Fear and Anxiety by Matt Chandler.  Check it out on YouTube and invest the 46 minutes and 51 seconds (to be exact).  I know it really helped me to gain fresh perspective and a much needed reload of Truth for my own battle with future tense fear.