Don't Get Caught Up Looking Behind--PRESS ON!

I had a dream the other night that reminded me of a couple of things. I will not share the dream, because it was a vision from God specifically about the ministry I pastor. But two things about my journey I will share.

Don't Get Caught Up Looking Behind--Paul wrote, "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal..." (Philippians 3:13-14). Paul is talking about both failures and successes--don't get caught up looking behind at failures, bogging down in the quagmire of guilt, lack of confidence, sense of hopelessness. Don't get caught up looking behind at successes, bogging down in flesh-confidence, nostalgia, "good ole days" mentality. But, Press On to the goal that God has in store for you, as you live up to what he has already given you--living Christ-like lives, having a righteousness that comes from God, and a relationship with a Savior who gave his life for you.

The second thing, especially for church leaders: Love the Ones You Lead (and have a special relationship in Christ with)--Paul wrote, "Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!" (Philippians 4:1). Too often for church leaders, frustration sets in, because "people are not committed enough," or "people just don't get it," or "people don't change." Then that frustration turns into, "I don't care if they leave," mentality that in reality is judgmental and arrogant--not to mention unChrist-like. Frustration is a fact of life for ministry leaders, but it can never turn into a disdain or uncaring attitude. Paul never said, "I don't care if they leave," he loved them and sought to help them on their journey, encouraging them to Press On, showing them by example and instruction how to move forward.

In all of this, even though he says, "Forgetting what is behind," he always remembered from where he was called, his own journey, and in whom he relied, which is probably why he had a deep longing for those he led on the same journey, no matter where they were and how frustrating it might have been.

Philippians 3:1-21, "Finally, my brothers & (sisters), rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you...I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me...Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you...our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."

Silence Before God

We live in a society that doesn't like silence. Think about it, when at home is your t.v. on even when you are in another room? Why is that? Do you have earphones (headset) on listening to your MP3 player or iPod constantly, while running, walking, etc.? Is the radio in your car always on, or some kind of audio player? When with someone do you feel the need to say something after a period of awkward silence? When in your quiet time before God, do you really spend any quiet time without reading, praying, singing, or writing in your journal? Do you ever just clear your mind, kneel in silence and really listen?

Recently, during my special personal time with God, I have sought to really be quiet before him, clearing my mind, and truly seeking to listen. At first, the period of time I was able to do this was pretty short. My mind would quickly drift to my own thoughts and outside concerns. However, I am finding that the more I practice this the more I am able to listen for longer periods of time and with a higher sense of spiritual experience.

Sometimes in silence I hear God quite clearly, speaking loudly. Sometimes he allows me to experience peace and tranquility in silence without speaking. Sometimes he gently nudges me or speaking softly he whispers, "I am with you."

In a world like what we live in with all its busyness, noise, and distractions, real silence before the Lord is vital. We need to be able to clearly hear and experience him without any competing noise. Spend some real quiet time in silence before God.

How do we pray?

We just started transforming our Saturday evening service to a gathering focused on prayer and communion with God. The Saturday gathering will include praise, a word of encouragement and prayer. It is free-flowing and mostly unstructured. Communion is available on tables along with the tithing baskets to experience and offer at anytime during the gathering at the worshipper's discretion, hopefully when moved by the Spirit. Prayer is encouraged to be offered through the whole assembled time--intercessory, confessional, congregational, of adoration--a time to call on and cry out to God.

I am excited about this and have already seen and experienced some amazing blessings from God since we began going this direction on Saturdays. One of those blessings is hearing from people who have already been radically moved by what is taking place.

With all of this, comes a renewed spiritual battle by Satan and his cronies. He is not too happy with what we are doing--inviting God's Spirit, opening up to God's power and desiring to be used by God. Satan is never happy when one of God's communities of faith is ready to breakdown the gates of hades (death and hell), as God's empowered body of Christ. This means we must keep our eyes on Jesus, rely entirely on the Spirit, and pray earnestly to our Father.

What a tremendous time for us!!!

Psalm 18:1-3, " I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies."