Honk! Honk!
3-21-2024
To Honk! Honk!
If you’ve been paying attention over the past few weeks, you’ve probably noticed more birds in the trees, along with more and more geese returning from their winter away.
As you are probably aware, geese typically travel long distances together in a V formation, with one flying in front of the rest, designated as the leader. This formation serves to minimize wind resistance, making it possible for the flock to conserve energy.
Since the one in front is prone to tire from the burden of facing the wind alone, the group will rotate flight leaders from time to time. After the change, the one who has taken the lead – who had previously been moving in momentum with the rest of the group – now suddenly feels the full force of the strong wind.
This is where the honking comes in.
Ornithologists say that the geese honk during flight to support and encourage the one currently in front, as in: “We’re behind you. You’re doing a great job. Keep it up. We’ve got you!”
You and I need to honk a bit as well…..not at the person who doesn’t move at the crack of a green light, but at the ones we work with, those who are leading (especially those serving in an area new to them). Everyone from the janitor to the mechanic to the store clerk to the school teacher to……well…….everyone……they need a supportive “honk” whenever we can. They’re working hard, and we should be a people of encouragement.
When someone steps up to do their part, it’s not enough for the rest of the team to coast. Let’s offer up a honk or two in support of those who are making the greater effort. The writer of the New Testament book of Hebrews wrote this:
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
So, this is me “honking” at you……..I love you, church and I am so honored to be part of an incredible group of people who are making a difference in this world. Keep up the great work!!!
Beating Bitterness
2-23-2024
This past weekend we talked about overcoming bitterness, and I said that the only way to truly overcome is to extend forgiveness to those who hurt you. I also said that forgiveness can be a process. We prayed together on Sunday for many of you as you asked God to do a deep work in your heart and to help you extend forgiveness. But before we left, I also prayed that you would be able to forgive on Sunday, then again on Monday and Tuesday and…..well……you get the picture. I’m not going to ride this horse into the ground, but it’s Wednesday, so just one more mention. The Apostle Paul tells us this:
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
I think we all know that God calls us to forgive others, so let me offer a few steps that you can take that will help you let go of your pain, hurt, or bitterness.
First: Recognize that no one is perfect.
When we’ve been hurt, we tend to lose our perspective about the person who offended us. But we need to remember that we are all imperfect people.
Second: Relinquish your right to get even.
This is a hard one because, as I said on Sunday, the natural human response is to get even. It’s not the right response, but it’s the one that shows up first. Instead, trust God to confront the person who hurt you and trust Him to work things out for you. Choose compassion over your desire to retaliate.
Third: Respond to evil with good.
Getting even only brings you down to the other person’s level. Take the high road instead. The Bible says to treat your enemies with kindness. It’s nearly impossible to do this on your own. That’s why you need the love of Jesus to fill you up.
Finally: Refocus on God’s plan for your life.
Did they hurt you? Yes. But when you are focused on the people who hurt you, you’re actually letting them control your life. When you forgive them, you find the freedom to refocus on God’s purpose for your life.
Don’t go another day with resentment, bitterness, and unforgiveness in your heart. Begin making these choices, and move on to live the life God created you to live.
Here’s what I know: I know that YOU CAN DO IT!!! I’m praying for you!!!
Praying Through
2-17-2024
Our generation desperately needs to rediscover the difference between praying for and praying through. There are certainly circumstances where praying for something will get the job done. Short prayers before meals are great because, quite frankly, I believe in eating food while it’s still hot. But there are also situations where you need to get alone with God and refuse to let go until He answers.
Maybe you’ve never heard the term, “praying through”. Praying through requires consistency. It’s circling Jericho so many times it makes you dizzy. Like the story Jesus told about the persistent widow who drove the judge crazy with her relentless requests, praying through won’t take no for an answer. Far too many times we are guilty of giving up in prayer just when the wall is about to fall. We are always only one prayer away from a miracle.
Praying through also involves intensity. It involves gut-wrenching groans and heartbreaking tears. It’s the kind of prayer Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane. Praying through doesn’t just bend God’s ear; it touches the heart of your heavenly Father.
Years ago, at the president’s Easter prayer breakfast at the White House, several hundred religious leaders from across the country gathered. Before breakfast, a seventy-six-year-old African-American preacher who served alongside Martin Luther King Jr. in the civil rights movement said a prayer. While he prayed softly, his faith was loud and clear. He prayed with such a familiarity with the Father that it was convicting. It’s like his words were deep-fried in the faithfulness of God. After he said amen, one of the other pastors said to his friend, “I feel like I’ve never prayed before.” It was clear that this seventy-six-year-old pastor had an intimate relationship with God.
Today I want to invite you to that kind of intimacy with God through prayer. And let me encourage you to be a person who prays through. As the lyrics to Matthew West’s song say:
Don’t stop praying
Don’t stop calling on Jesus name
Keep on pounding on heaven’s door
Let your knees wear out the floor
Don’t stop believing
‘Cause mountains move with just a little faith
And your Father’s heard every single word you’re saying
So, don’t stop praying
There are higher heights and deeper depths in prayer, and God wants to take you there. It will involve more sacrifice, but if you are willing to go there, you’ll realize that you didn’t sacrifice anything at all. It will involve more risk, but if you are willing to go there, you’ll realize that you didn’t risk anything at all.
And just so you know……I’m praying for you!!!
Oh…….and here’s a link to Matthew West’s song, “Don’t Stop Praying”.
Jesus Changes Everything
1-30-2024
There’s a story about an evangelist who was preaching in a city in California and a gentleman walked up to him and said, “I would love to debate you.” The evangelist, recognizing the man as a well known atheist, said “Fine, but I have one condition”. The atheist said “What’s that?”
He replies, “You go find one person who has lost everything. They lost their family and all that they valued. They’re in the deepest, darkest despair because of drugs, alcohol, gambling or some other addiction. Find that person whom I’ve just described, who turned it all around when they found atheism. Find that person who found atheism and radical change, radical transformation came from it. Find that person whose life was completely changed, who became a new person centered in things that matter and they left behind their pain and depression because of atheism. You bring that person with you and I will bring a hundred people that had a radical change because of the Gospel. Then we’ll debate.”
The object of the story is that atheism can argue against God all day long, but atheism has never caused transformation in people lives and the gospel has. People ask where is the evidence of your God? It’s in the transformation!
1 Peter 2:9 says, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
Atheism can’t do any of that…….but following Jesus can!
One String
1-17-2024
Pastor Chuck Swindoll tells the story of the great violinist Niccolo Paganini, who was performing one evening before a packed concert hall, surrounded by a full orchestra. As he began the final piece, one of the strings on his violin snapped. In his genius, Paganini was able to continue playing the piece on the remaining three strings.
A moment later, a second string snapped. Paganini continued, playing the concerto on the remaining two strings.
And then a third string snapped, but still Paganini continued. He finished the piece, note for note, with one string on his violin.
When the performance was over, the crowd rose in thunderous applause.
Paganini, ever the humble musician, raised his violin and boldly proclaimed, “Paganini and one string!” He cued the conductor, the orchestra began to play, and he performed his encore, note for note, with one string on his violin.
It’s been a challenging 10 days here in South Central Iowa. Pipes froze. Cars wouldn’t start. The shovel got heavier with every load. Then the snow plow came through and filled the driveway back in. Today is the first day in awhile that we’ve begun above zero. Combine all of that and maybe you’ve been feeling like you’re “down to one string”. Or maybe you’re feeling like your marriage is down to one string, or your financial future is down to one string, or your hope is down to one string … and you know you’re no Paganini.
Here’s the good news.
One string is enough. God’s grace is that amazing. His power is that invincible. His love, that unstoppable.
If you feel like one string is all you have left — and maybe it’s about to snap, too — it’s time to stop trying to be one-man/one-woman show. Let God do in your life what only He can do. Here’s what David said in Psalm 55:
As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me. (Psalm 55:16)
If you’re down to one string, call on the Lord and keep playing friend! You have God’s orchestra right there with you!!