Wisdom

Waiting on God can be hard at times, but I think I am learning that as I wait on God to reveal His direction for our life, I don't have to do it and be bored or impatient. I have been waiting on God for quite a while now to answer some prayers we have and to reveal to us the direction He wants us to go. I have been learning that as we wait, we can do so actively by pursuing wisdom and understanding. I have never claimed to know everything, although I sometimes act like it, but one thing I do know is this. I have learned that as I wait on God, I can miss a lot if I obsess about His answer. I miss the journey that takes place as I wait, and the discovery of this truth is priceless in terms of the difference of having lived it or having endured it.

As I begin to understand the process and try my best to live it, every moment of it, every opportunity of it, I begin to understand a little more about myself and by doing that I gain wisdom. If God were to just answer our prayers the instant we asked them, I believe we would end up like spoiled little children that didn't appreciate what they had been given. But by waiting for it, working for it, trusting that it will be His best for you, you begin to appreciate and cherish the moments and opportunities that come your way that will prepare you for the answer. Regardless of what God's answer is for us, I can trust that it is His best answer, for me, for my family, and for those around us.

I love God, I love His gifts to me and my family, I love the opportunities and moments He blesses us with that teach and stretch us to rely on and trust in Him more. I know that his answer and His will for our lives is His best for us, and that is something that I am looking forward discovering in His time.

Colossians 1:10-12 (New International Version)

10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[a] to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

Faith

One year ago this week, my life was turned up on edge and shaken around a few times. It has changed the course of my life and I am the better for it.

For the better part of 13 years, I have been leading worship as a volunteer through music and arts in local churches. Over these years I have had the growing feeling that God was calling me to full-time ministry. I eventually went back to school to get a degree in Christian Ministries and will eventually obtain my bachelors in Biblical Studies. My passion for full-time ministry dwarfs almost everything else in my life except my love for God, my wife and my boys. I currently serve on staff part-time as the worship and arts director at a local church, and have been there for almost 4 years. I enjoy very much what do when I am able to do it, and am blessed to have made so many friends and built so many relationships there. I also work full-time as a welder at a local welding shop, so balancing church and work, family and school has me very busy.

I spend countless hours buried in the basement office doing homework, planning services, practicing songs, goal setting and keeping up communications with those I need to direct and stay in contact with, not to mention doing all my schooling online. I love what I do for the Kingdom, I really do, so much so that I am willing to uproot my family and move to where ever God leads us next. I believe to the core of my being that God has been preparing us for the great things He has in store for me and my family, and one of the things I am learning, very painfully, is that my timing is not His timing.

Last June in 2009, I served as the Executive Producer for our denominations National Conference. During the conference, I met the pastor of a church from another part of the country who liked the job I did during the conference. He mentioned to my wife how he was going to be looking for someone to do that for his church on a weekly basis. One thing led to another and within a few months he and I were talking more specifically about it via email and facebook.

Fast forward 7 months to February 2010, and we are making our first trip out to visit the church, see the town and the people; and get a feel for if we think we could raise our family there and live in that part of the country while serving on staff full-time. We enjoyed our trip very much, and we were very excited for what the future might hold. We had spoken about making several more trips out to visit as well as taking our boys for a vacation there. Fast forward another 2 months to April 2010. The economy had been in the tank and it finally caught up with the church. Behind budget and looking at cutting staff, it didn't seem feasible for a new position to be put into the budget.

At this point Lisa and I are asking each other questions like, "why did things go this far only to be put on hold?" "are we putting all our eggs in one basket?" "should we be looking in other places as well for full-time ministry to see if God might have something else in mind?" We figured that if we tested waters else where, and all the doors were shut, then we were to wait for this other church and for God's timing there.

So I applied at several churches that had positions open that matched my skill sets, passions and desires for ministry. Everyone of them came back as a closed door. That process felt good in terms of having some confirmation one way or the other. So it became evident to me that God wanted us to wait on something.To some this process appeared like I was trying to change my situation and run ahead of God, pouncing on every opportunity that came my way in hopes that it would provide happiness or answers. What they didn't understand is that it was a process that I had to go through, it was prayed about, it was on purpose and not a flight from things as they were, but a way to purge all other options, also to make sure I wasn't looking at things with mono-vision.

So where are we now? Same place I was when I started this process, waiting on God. I'm OK with that. Sometimes I feel mad at God for not yet allowing me to be in full-time ministry doing what I love, what I am passionate about. And I get jealous when my school buddies get hired into the church full-time, but at the same time, I feel so very happy for them, because they feel what I feel. I wonder at times if I will ever get the opportunity to serve in that capacity. It causes questions of doubt in my mind as to what God's plans are for my life. I dream about how I could be spending my time meeting with people and talking to them about God's love for them, setting up creative services for the weekend, creating new and fresh ways to convey the Gospel to the community and change the world with the message of Jesus Christ. Am I wrong to feel this way? Am I wrong to want this in my life?

I know the answer, it's been stamped in my head...God's will, God's timing is perfect. I know that, I believe that, and I wouldn't want it any other and this is why. I know that if God sends me somewhere and I go, then He will resource everything I need to accomplish the mission He has given me. He will give me everything I need both physically, mentally and spiritually. I believe that, so I guess my prayer tonight is, God please help me in my unbelief. Help me to trust in you more, to know that you are working and I just don't see it. You know what's best for our life and I don't need to know right now, I just need to know that you are God, you are good, and your way is the best way.

Waiting isn't my strong suit, but I do love and need to learn how to serve more humbly and lead more effectively. I decided that while waiting on God and his timing, I can at least learn more about leadership, teaching and music, and all the other areas of ministry I enjoy. Therefore; we decided that we will leave where we are serving now, and I will place myself under leadership and folks who have been where I am, and have gone where I would like to go. I have prayed for wisdom and sought wisdom from Godly men whom I respect and trust about this decision, and it seems like a wise move both in terms of ministry and career. I have no doubt that this new chapter in our lives will stretch us and allow us to grow even more. I am excited about what the future might hold. I will continue to be prepared in and out of season and available to God to use as He pleases. Here am I, send me!

Psalm 86:11-12
"Teach me Your way O LORD, and I will walk in Your truth; grant me purity of heart that I may honor you. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify Your name forever"

The Gathering

On any given Sunday morning, you will find people gathering in their local church for worship. As we come together and begin to focus on God, we engage in what is called the Gathering. It is the first of four foundational walls of biblical worship. In the Gathering, a conversation starts between God and his people, and its specific purpose is to help us focus our hearts and minds on Him so that we are ready to receive the word of God.

As the conversation begins, God speaks to us as we listen to scripture being read, the lyrics of the songs being sung, or as we watch the scripture being interpreted through dance or drama. Then we begin to respond in the conversation with a spirit of celebration and thankfulness for who God is and what He has done, not only in our lives, but those around us.

As we progress in this conversation with God, His words and our response become more focused on Him. We intentionally bring our full attention to rest on God the Creator. Now we are ready to receive the spoken word through the sermon or message spoken by the pastor. As we come together for worship this Sunday, come knowing that God wants to speak to you, He desires to have a conversation with you that will help you to understand Him better and love Him more.

The Lamb Slain

Revelation 5; 7:9-17

5:6-7
"Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders... 7He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9And they sang a new song:
"You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased men for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth."


My first observation is that the Lamb (Christ) is able to walk up to God who is sitting on the throne, and take the scroll from his right hand. This is significant because it shows us God's approval of this slain lamb, and it shows us of the lambs strength. Who can take something from the hand of God but God Himself. This is yet another indication and reminder that Christ, the slain lamb, is indeed God.

My second observation is that of the worship that is happening in heaven around the throne of God. In the presence of God, every knee bows, there is no option. All the angels and elders and creatures fall to their faces and worship the LORD, It is an all consuming worship.

As we think of Jesus Christ, we need to remember and be reminded that Christ is God. Who can remove the separation that God placed on humanity but God Himself! As I think of the picture of worship that is given here, it serves as a reminder that when we worship God, it ought not to be on the basis of whether or not we like the music, or the atmosphere, it ought to be based on who God is. His Holiness, His righteousness, His love for us and His working in our lives.

If we choose to let silly things like music, lighting, atmosphere, and others around us, get in the way of worshiping God, the creator of the heavens and the earth. The God that created YOU and gave YOU LIFE, then it really isn't worship at all.

"Worship is the quickening of conscience by His holiness: the nourishment of mind with His truth; the purifying of imagination by His beauty; the opening of the heart to His love; the surrender of will to HIS purpose - and all of this gathered up in adoration, the most selfless emotion of which our nature is capable and therefore the chief remedy for that self-centeredness which is our original sin and the source of all actual sin."

William Temple


Revelation 5

The Scroll and the Lamb

1Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" 3But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."

6Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits[a] of God sent out into all the earth. 7He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9And they sang a new song:
"You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased men for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth."

11Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12In a loud voice they sang:
"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!"

13Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:
"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!" 14The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.

The Great Multitude in White Robes

9After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10And they cried out in a loud voice:
"Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb." 11All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12saying:
"Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!"
13Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?"

14I answered, "Sir, you know."

And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15Therefore,
"they are before the throne of God
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.
16Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat upon them,
nor any scorching heat.
17For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd;
he will lead them to springs of living water.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

"Your God"

I had the pleasure of visiting a local church for Sunday service this morning, and as we were getting ready to pray, we were directed to prepare our hearts for prayer. In the process, the leader said this and I quote, "as you get ready to pray, prepare yourself however you do to go to your God." Now how I took this was to say that however I view God in my own mind, I was to prepare myself to go to Him, whatever that might look like. I am hoping that isn't how it was intended, but it got me to thinking.

How many times do we tend to look at God in a way that makes us feel better about our position or our condition? In times of distress, do we look at God as a tender loving God that will certainly not allow us to go through trials and tribulations? In times of great prosperity, do we tend to see God as Ok with us because life is so good and I'll bet even often times, we forget about Him, because there hasn't been a "need" to go to Him.

We need to be careful about doing this, because God is who He says He is. We cannot make God into something He is not. We must not assume Him to be anything other than what He says in His word that He is. If we do, we break the first and second commandment:

"ONE: 'You shall have no other gods before Me.'

TWO: 'You shall not make for yourself a carved image--any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.'

There are literally hundreds of references in the Bible where God says "I AM..." He tells us who He is, we just need to pay attention and stop assuming who He is. When we assume or try to make God something that He is not, we form in our mind an idol, a false God. This is why it is important we come to know the character and nature of God, who He says He is.

We should not be under any allusion that we each have access to our own God, or that we even have a deal with God that allows us to live our lives as we choose. There is but ONE God, He is the same yesterday, today and forever. We either choose to serve Him as HE is or not at all. It is not God that changes, we do.