Vision

The ability to see is precious. Some of the greatest inventions in all of history revolve around sight: the telescope and microscope. Wars are won and lost because one nation can see better than another and diseases are cured because scientists can see what is happening on a microscopic level. Therefore, it’s no wonder that the ability to see spiritually is such a precious ability. In the days ahead we will be talking a lot about God’s plan or vision for our church.

In John 1 we learn that Jesus brought light to a dark world. Interestingly, that didn’t necessarily mean everyone who stood near Him or talked with Him could see. It did mean that, for those who believed in Him, light was made available to them. Through Jesus, any darkness can be overcome. Spiritually speaking, the closer we are to Jesus the better we see God and therefore the better we know what to do in the world and with our lives.

As a pastor I have been told all my life how important vision is. I have been told “without vision the people perish.” Not to be one of the naysayers but I’ve never really bought that Proverbs 29:18 means vision in the sense most use it. First of all go to a search engine and put that phrase in and here’s what you’ll get:

“Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law.” (NIV)

“When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful.”  (NLT)

“Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.” (ESV)

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” (KJV)

The words used above are “revelation”, “divine guidance” and “prophetic vision”. In my mind these are speaking of the words of Scripture. I think the author is speaking about the Bible, not what I might think God is saying to me about my daily choices.

If you look at the verses above, you will see the author’s intention is that we are doomed if God does not reveal Himself to us through the Scriptures or if we do not listen to the Scriptures. We know literally that if God did not reveal Himself in Christ we would all be on the way to Hell. We know what this verse means because the writer is using parallelism, an Old Testament literary tool. The second phrase in the verse is “blessed is He who keeps the LAW.” So, by “revelation” the verse means the specific revelation of God (According to the Old Testament, not what He tells me in my quiet time). What this verse does not say to me (as people often imply) is that I need to come up with a fancy business model to sell to the church (often called a vision) and use it to motivate people, to get them excited and to raise money.

Now that I’ve scared all you leader types to death, I am not saying that you don’t need to have and communicate a clear vision (that’s leadership 101). What I am saying is this: don’t manipulate vision and never say “God said,” unless He said it. It is wrong for me as a leader to say God wants us to _____________, when the reality is that I just want to go do something. As a leader I know that the word “vision” can be a clever way to get what I want.

So how does a pastor hear from and lead a church to obey God’s specific will for them? How do I as a pastor know what TBC should be doing as we move forward? I believe the answer is Proverbs 3:15. (1) I believe I must have a close walk with God and be in the center of His will. (2) I believe our staff and leaders must have a close walk with God and be in the center of His will. (3) I believe the people of TBC must have a close walk with God and be in the center of His will. I believe when 1, 2 and 3 happen it is inevitable that God will lead us in the direction we should go.

Any other method is a man made business plan at best (By the way, churches make lousy businesses.) So as you hear me begin to talk about the vision I believe God has for us, what I mean is that based on my time with God and the hearts of our leaders and members I believe God would be pleased if we_________________. For me this usually does not mean “I have 100% certainty”. Rather, it means that what we are about to do is biblical, it will please God without a doubt and as best I can tell as a flawed man, it is what God wants us to do at this time. That doesn’t mean God never speaks specifically to me or to a church.

In fact, I believe God is helping me to see the things at this time that He desires for us. I believe He is giving us a clear vision. How do I know? Because, as best we can, I believe we are seeking after Him with all of our hearts and a dad always helps His children when they are seeking to obey (Matthew 7:8-11). If we lean not on our understanding but in all our ways acknowledge Him I believe He will keep His promise and direct our paths. (Prov. 3:5-6).

Jesus is…

Who is Jesus Christ? Thankfully He tells us.

Monday
NIV John 6:35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.

Tuesday
NIV John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Wednesday
NIV John 10:9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.

Thursday
NIV John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Friday
NIV John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;

Saturday
NIV John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Sunday
NIV John 15:1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.

Funday (extra day created just for this devotion)
NIV John 8:58 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”

What are you devoted to in 2012?

NIV Joshua 24:14 “Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

Sunday January 1, 2012
Worshiping (Exodus 20:2-6; Deuteronomy 6:5; Ps 86:12)
Private (Mark 1:35)
- Daily read the word and pray
Family (Deuteronomy 6:5-9)
Public (Psalms 100:4-5)
-Be at our corporate Worship Gathering on Sunday Morning or Wednesday Night

Monday January 2, 2012
Praying (Matthew 6:9-13)
-Commit to praying at least 14 minutes a week for our church
7 Prayers of Trinity Baptist Church:
1. Love and Passion for God (Deuteronomy 6:5-9)
2. Wisdom and Faith- The ability to see things as God sees them and then act (Hebrews 11:6)
3. Protection from Satan (John 10:10)
4. Unity (Psalm 133:1; John 17:23; Ephesians 4:3)
5. Growth- Salvation and life transformation (Acts 2:46-47; Luke 8:34-35 and Acts 4:13)
6. Holiness and Purity (1 Peter 1:15-16)
7. Provision (Matthew 6:11 & 25-34)

Tuesday January 3, 2012
Evangelizing (Matthew 28:18-20)
-Tell someone about your faith in Jesus or at least invite someone to TBC

Wednesday January 4, 2012
Discipling (Matthew 28:18-20)
-Participate in the training process to develop Christ-like leaders (Sunday Night)

Thursday January 5, 2012
Ministering and Fellowshiping: Small groups/SS (Acts 2:42-47)
-Play an ACTIVE part in a small group

Friday January 6, 2012
Serving (1 Corinthians 12)
-Ask God to help you find a place you can serve that matches the gifts God has given you

Saturday January 7, 2012
Giving (Malachi 3:10 & 2 Corinthians 9:7)
-Prayfully begin to give sacrificially (ten percent + God’s leading)

Family Devotions: December 18 – 25 (John Chapter One With Christmas In Mind)

Day 1

^NIV John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning.

Jesus existed with God before He was born. What do you think it was like the day Jesus left Heaven to come to Earth?

Day 2

^NIV John 1:3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

God used Jesus to create everything. We think of God as creator but the Bible says Jesus was His instrument in creation. What do you think it was like for Jesus to view His creation from the perspective of a human?

 

Day 3

^NIV John 1:4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. 

Jesus brought life and light into the world. In what ways does Jesus bring and give life and light?

Day 4

^NIV John 1:14a The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

Jesus came to live with us. Have you ever thought what it was like for Jesus to live with sinful people after being with God? What does it tell you that God wants to be with us? What does it mean here when someone wants to spend time with you?

Day 5

^NIV John 1:14b We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

No one can physically see God. If we want to know what God is like we can look at Jesus. It is amazing to think that Jesus embodies for us who God is.

Day 6

^NIV John 1:18 No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known. 

Jesus’ role was to make God known to us. How would we have known God if He had not loved us enough to come and reveal Himself to us?

Day 7: Christmas

Read the Christmas Story together Luke 2:1-20

Family Devotionals: Dec 11- Dec 17

Memory Verse:

^NIV Matthew 2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem ² and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

Text for the Week:

^NIV Matthew 2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem ² and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” ³ When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. ⁴ When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. ⁵ “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: ⁶ “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’” ⁷ Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. ⁸ He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” ⁹ After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. ¹¹ On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. ¹² And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. ¹³ When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” ¹⁴ So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, ¹⁵ where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out ofEgypt I called my son.”

 

Day 1

Which king was more powerful? Herod or baby Jesus?

^NIV Matthew 2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem ² and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

Day 2

The Magi had come to worship Jesus, a little baby boy. Why did Jesus deserve their worship?

^NIV Matthew 2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem ² and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

Day 3

Jesus was going to be a ruler and shepherd. What does a shepherd do?

“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’”

Day 4

God is in control of the stars, do you think Herod was going to be able to outsmart Him?

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

Day 5

Jesus deserves our greatest treasures. Do you have anything to give Him this Christmas?

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.

Day 6

Herod wanted to kill Jesus because He didn’t want Jesus to be king. Is there ever a time when you don’t want Jesus to be King?

When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape toEgypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

Day 7

Egypt was special because God delivered the people of Israel from Egypt. Now He would use Jesus to deliver them again.

 

So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, ¹⁵ where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

The Gospel Incarnate

It was a special treat to be able to share with our church family Sunday morning. The Lord has been continually working in my heart these past few months in the area of putting flesh to the Gospel message. I heard a friend say recently that the incarnation of Christ was not a complicated doctrine of how many parts divine and how many parts human, but rather it was a statement of Christ’s nearness to us. As we celebrate this season of the incarnation of Christ to humanity we need to remember that He has called us to an incarnation (to be wrapped in flesh) of the Gospel. James 4:7-10 describes this in three ways: Submission to God, a heart of repentance, and an attitude and perspective of humility. Thanks for all the encouraging words and affirmation these past few days; I’m blessed to be a part of such an awesome church family.

Micah

Family Devotions: December 4 – December 10

Memory Verse:
NIV Matthew 1:21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Text for the Week:
NIV Matthew 1:1 A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham:

NIV Matthew 1:18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”–which means, “God with us.” 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Day 1
Jesus was in Abraham’s family. Abraham was promised to be the father of a great nation and to have numerous children. You can read about the promise in Genesis 12:1-3.

NIV Matthew 1:1 A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham:

Day 2
Jesus was born by the Holy Spirit.

“This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.”

Day 3
God uses angels to speak to special people at special times

“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”

Day 4
Jesus was sent to save us from our sins. How does He save us from our sins?

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Day 5
How important is it that God wants to be with us. Why do you think He wants you to be with Him in heaven?

“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”–which means, “God with us.”

Day 6
How hard do you think it was for God to send Jesus knowing His Son was going to die?

Day 7
How hard do you think it would be for Jesus to leave Heaven and have to come here? What was He giving up?

Family Devotions: November 27-December 3

Memory Verse:
NIV Isaiah 9:6: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Context:
This week’s family devotionals are around Isaiah 9. The book of Isaiah is dealing with the disobedience, exile and restoration of the people of God. In Isaiah 9 we read of the hope our Messiah, Jesus, will bring into the world. As we get ready for Christmas this is a wonderful text on which to dwell.

Text for the Week:
NIV Isaiah 9:1: Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan– 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. 4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. 5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Day 1
After bad times when we get punished Jesus provides a way for things to be good again if we will follow Him.
NIV Isaiah 9:1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan—

Day 2
Jesus helps people come out of darkness. Darkness can never beat light. How grateful would you be to have light if you didn’t have any?
2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.

Day 3
Through Jesus, God wants to bring us joy. How does knowing Jesus bring you joy?
3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder.

Day 4
Jesus brings us freedom from sin like being freed from a physical enemy. Have you ever been held down? It’s a bad feeling. This is the feeling of being able to move freely.
4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. 5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.

Day 5
God sent Jesus to be born for us. Is it important to remember that Christmas is about the birth of Jesus?
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Day 6
Jesus is a Wonderful Counselor! What is the job of a counselor?
Jesus is Mighty God! Jesus is God and He is powerful!
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Day 7
Jesus is Everlasting Father! What does everlasting mean? What does it mean that He is our Father?
Jesus is the Prince of Peace! What is peace? How does it affect us?
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

My Spiritual Appetite

Have you noticed that sometimes your appetite changes? There are things I never liked that I like now and some that if they’re cooked certain ways I love but can’t stand if they are made a different way. Thanksgiving and Christmas are my very favorite weeks of the year. I love friends and family, sports and yes I love to shop. This year will be special in a different way though. As we come off 20 days of sacrifice my heart is attached to some things more and some much less than usual. I feel my passions have changed in a good way. I don’t think I realized how worldly I had become until I began to give up the world and dwell intensely on the Word. One thing I’ve been doing is memorizing the Word much more frequently. It’s been a joy to get back to memorizing passages of Scripture and dwelling on them. Whatever it is that God has shown you, I hope that as you reflect on your days of sacrifice you don’t return too quickly to your normal routine. I hope your spiritual appetite has changed.

NIV Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God– this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is– his good, pleasing and perfect will.

NIV Psalm 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

Thankful to be able to Sacrifice

We are 3 days from our sacrifice service. There are people who have fasted these last 17 days. Others have sold things they loved and others have given in ways we will never know. As a man sows that is how he reaps according to the Scriptures. I have been reflecting on how much I have really sown over these last few years. I want to be a man who looks back and has given everything. I don’t want to get to the end of my life and have a bag of seed. I want to have crops of righteousness. Sometimes I don’t sow because I’m foolishly scared the seed will run out. However, the bag of seed is endless if we are planting for His glory. I am thankful God has worked in my life these last 17 days. I am thankful I have the rest of my life to sacrifice for Him. May God bless you as you sacrifice everything for Him. And I pray that this offering would be immeasurably more than all we could ever ask or imagine!