Sticky Notes From Heaven

Lamentations 3:22-23 "[Through] the LORD's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. [They are] new every morning; Great [is] Your faithfulness."

Zephaniah 3:17 - "The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet [you] with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."


The other week as I awoke from sleep and started to get ready for work, I was in our computer room area and noticed a pad of sticky notes on the desk. Deciding I wanted to surprise my wife and bless her morning when she got up, I decided to write/draw "I love you" in different ways on multiple sticky notes. I then went about placing them in the house on areas that she would see but would still surprise her (bathroom mirror, computer monitor, Brita water container in the fridge, etc.). Now I am not the most romantic guy nor the greatest husband out there, but I wanted to once again let her know that I love her, this time through the creative use of sticky notes.

Upon driving to work, the Lord started to remind me of the "sticky notes" He often sets up for me to see and be reminded how much He loves me. These range from beautiful sunrises that promise a new day of blessings to the rainbow that promises no further global floods to cool breezes that remind me of the Spirit's work in my life, and ultimately the cross that displays His sacrificial love for me. Everywhere I look, if I will only take the time to look, I can easily find these "sticky notes from Heaven".

We can get so caught up in life and our stresses and problems that we tend to forget the great love God has for us. The very same love He showed by sending His Son to the cross for us and that great love displayed in while we were still sinners Christ died for us.

Instead of focusing on the "mountains" of worries around you, take time to pause and look for the sticky notes Jesus has placed around you to say "I love you". They won't be hard to find and they won't disappear.

My wife continues to keep my sticky notes up just so she'll be reminded of my love everyday as she walks around the house as well.

Does the Lord do "Better Works"?

Ever hear how one church is exploding at the scenes and hear how the Lord must be doing a "better work" or "greater work" over at that church? Or maybe a ministry is seeing great fruit and you hear that same phrase used? Or someone leaves the church to go some place where God wants to do a "better work"?

Can God do a "better work" than what He is doing somewhere else? Can God be better than what He is? Can God be "greater" than He already is?

Well for the latter questions, no, God cannot be better or greater than what He is right now because He is the best and greatest that He can possibly be which is far more than we could even comprehend.

So if He is perfectly complete, could He do something better/greater elsewhere than He is currently doing? Again the answer is no. He is either working or He isn't working. If He is working, then what He is doing is great. If man is doing all the work and trying to get all the credit, then God probably isn't working which is why there can be burnout and stress. If He's not working, examine why (sin, not seeking Him, carnal means of work, etc.?) then pray for Him to do the work and let Him do the work.

Now one may argue John 14:12 about "greater works" but one must remember that Jesus, incarnate in the flesh, could only be one place at one time, but with the Holy Spirit now "greater" works can be done because He empowers believers to do works everywhere.

We also must remember that we compare things based on man's interpretation of greatness. For instance, we may say a megachurch ministry is a greater ministry than a congregation of 50 people because we see the numbers. Yet, if God is at work in the lives of that small congregation, then great things are equally going on. We must not judge success by numbers but by fruit. A huge congregation with shallow lives isn't a "great" thing at all.

So if you are doing ministry and not seeing the numbers but are seeing lives changed & fruit grown, even if it is in just a handful of people, God is doing great things in your midst. Do not be discouraged but praise the Lord for the good He is doing. If you are doing ministry where you may not see the fruit right away (such as children's ministry) and you are dependent on the Lord, seeking Him in all you do there, then have faith that God is doing a great work. Don't look for numbers to determine greatness - for the most part, people can bring numbers into the doors by silly promotions or stunts - for large numbers don't equal large fruit.

The work God has given you right now - be it full time ministry, a normal job (but where you strive to be a light to the world in that job), "simple" (as people may call it) service in the church (cleaning, parking lot attendant, etc.), a great father/mother to your kids, etc. - is the great work He wishes to do through you.

He does not work "greater" elsewhere if He is working right now. Don't give into comparisons because God doesn't judge based on man's assessment of situations. You serve the Lord and let Him do the work. If you are letting God use you, then He is using you in a "greater" way than you can even imagine!

Knowledge Puffs Up But Love Builds Up

"...Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies." - 1 Corinthians 8:1

A few weeks ago I read an article (won't mention the author or title as that would go against all I'm about to write) where the author was saying how a person with a certain theological base (again won't use specifics) could survive in a church that held a different theological base. The article didn't sit right with me because it almost came off like this: "You poor guy for suffering in a church ignorant of the truth. Don't worry though, use your intellegence and bring them along slowly and they will come around and see the light. Make sure you talk though with the leadership of the church first though before you change worship and stuff just in case they aren't enlightened enough to make the transition - if that's the case then it is better off you leave." Now I don't think the author meant for it to come off that way (and I may be a little harsh) but it did make it seem like the author's theological views were better than those that held different views (and when I mention views I'm not talking about the foundational, important, doctrinal views but those that are non-essential for salvation).

And that's the problem I wish to address here.

Now when it comes to what I believe theologically (and notice, I try not to place myself in a "box" of what I am [i.e. Calvinist, Arminian, dispinsationalist, reformed, etc.] because what I am is simply a "Christian", theology is what I believe) on non-essentials I would tell you something like this: I believe in pre-trib rapture, literal 1000 year reign of Christ, God is not through with Israel (the church has not replaced her), God is very much sovereign and yet man very much as free will (and how those come together I don't know, but they do!), all the spiritual gifts are for today (but all must be done decently and in order - too many extremes on both sides of the fence), and (though not theological in nature) I believe the best way to teach the Bible is teaching verse-by-verse through the Bible rather than topically. All of which I can "prove" biblically.

However, to think my views on things, or the church I attend views on things makes me more superior than another Christian is both false and divisive. Yes, I hold to my viewpoint for biblical reasons and believe there is a strong case for them, but that doesn't mean I'll look down on someone else for different views. It simply means I'll agree to disagree with you and continue on in sweet fellowship. When we divide with someone simply because they are Pentacostal but you're Baptist, or they are Reformed but you're Arminian, is divisive and I would even say sin. Knowledge leads to pride which is why when you are around another Christian talking about theological matters, make sure you are looking to love (which will edify/build them up) them first than simply bringing them over to "your side of things."

Same is true with preferences. Whether your church uses an organ & hymns or full band & contemporary worship, whether it is shirt & tie or casual dress, do not let that make you feel your church is somehow better than that other church.

But I digress.

The point is, feel free to hold to your views and have sound, biblical reasons for them, but don't let that cause you to look down on another Christian simply because they don't share the same views (now if they have false, heretical views that's a whole other story). Don't allow your knowledge of the Bible make you feel more entitled or better than someone who is not as "smart" as you.

Instead of drawing lines in the sand, let's look to partner together in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It's not whether they share your escatological or whatever-ical view that gets them to Heaven or not - it's whether they have "confessed with their mouth...and believed in their hearts" (Romans 10:9) that is the important thing. So yes, you can do ministry alongside another person of a different denomination (and should do so knowing you are equals in ministry whatever your viewpoints are).

If you're not loving, then all that knowledge goes to waste!

For the Lord or for our church?

The young people at Shively Christian Church, led at the time by Youth Pastor Dave Stone, were fiercely competitive with their neighbor, Shively Baptist, in all things, especially softball. They were also serious about their Christianity, faithfully attending the summer Bible camp led by the youth pastor. One week, the Bible lesson was about Jesus washing his disciples' feet, from John 13. To make the servanthood lesson stick, Pastor Stone divided the kids into groups and told them to go out and find a practical way to be servants."I want you to be Jesus in the city for the next two hours," he said. "If Jesus were here, what would he do? Figure out how he would help people." Two hours later the kids reconvened in Pastor Stone's living room to report what they had done.One group had done two hours of yard work for an elderly man. Another group bought ice cream treats and delivered them to several widows in the church. A third group visited a church member in the hospital and gave him a card. Another group went to a nursing home and sang Christmas carols — yes, carols in the middle of August. One elderly resident remarked that it was the warmest Christmas she could remember. But when the fifth group stood up and reported what they had done, everyone groaned. This group had made its way to none other than their arch rival, Shively Baptist, where they had asked the pastor if he knew someone who needed help. The pastor sent them to the home of an elderly woman who needed yard work done. There, for two hours, they mowed grass, raked the yard and trimmed hedges. When they were getting ready to leave, the woman called the group together and thanked them for their hard work. "I don't know how I could get along without you," she told them. "You kids at Shively Baptist are always coming to my rescue.""Shively Baptist!" interrupted Pastor Stone. "I sure hope you set her straight and told her you were from Shively Christian Church.""Why, no, we didn't," the kids said. "We didn't think it mattered."- Charles W. Colson

I stumbled across this little story and was quickly convicted & challenged by the simple truth that is in there. I think there are too many times where we seek to glorify the church fellowship we attend rather than the Lord. We don't make a conscience decision to do so, but we still do it. We either do it by trying to make our church look cooler/better/etc. than another church (thus competing with the Body of Christ) or like something similar to this story's point.

Here is a simple test (and activity) to see where our hearts are in this matter as well as a way to impact those around us, giving glory only to Jesus. It is an activity called "Ding Dong Ditch" I had learned about from a youth pastor from a church in New Mexico. Basically each person brings $1 to $5 and all the money is pooled together to go buy groceries for a needy family. Then those groceries are placed on the porch/by the front door of the home. The doorbell is then rung and everyone runs away and hides and watches from a distance the needy person receive the goods. Those who donated learn to give without receiving anything (even "thank you") in return. The other catch is you are not allowed to place any material with your church's name on it with the groceries (so if your tracks have the church's name, then type a letter explaining the gospel message and the reason for doing this, but don't sign it). Now if your heart (like mine is sometimes) is thinking "but we need to make sure they know it is from our church!" then you are seeking to glorify your church and not simply the Lord.

Let's get back to making sure Jesus gets all the glory and not our cool praise band, our casual dress policy, or our great programs that makes our church stand out better than your church. Jesus is the focus - not us!

Looking For Your Own Catch?

"And He said to them, 'Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some'. So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish." - John 21:6

Once again we find our famous fishermen, who have been toiling all day and night, without any fish to give them satisfaction of accomplishment (or food to fill their stomach's for that matter). Suddenly, they hear a command to cast their net on the right side of the boat. Last time they had heard something similar to this (Luke 5:4-5) they were skeptical (but obeyed) while this time, they simply obey. The result: a huge catch! The questions to ask ourselves are: What did these disciples do to make a great catch? What great thinking & intellegence did they possess to create such a great catch? What program(s) did they use to become fisherman with full nets?

The answers may surprise you: (1) they obeyed Jesus, (2) none, they obeyed Jesus and (3) none, they obeyed Jesus. Interesting huh?

Yet, sometimes we as humans are quick to take credit for our own "catch" or put stock in a "program" so we too can have a net full of fish of our own.

Be it in ministry or service the Lord has given you, you simply need to obey what the Lord is calling you to do. When you watch some other church with "full nets" and look to see what great attributes that pastor/leadership has or what program they may be using, you are not only looking at the wrong source but you are also possibly stealing glory from God! And if you give credit of your catch to your abilities or program, then you are more than likely stealing glory from God!

As churches, ministries, etc., let's simply obey Jesus doing what He calls us to do and stop trying to use our own ingenuity to get full nets. We also need to make sure we aren't comparing size of nets either - your "full" net may not be the same as someone elses "full" net. We don't get lazy in ministry but we can't think we're less "successful" simply because our net isn't as "full" compared to someone elses.

Remember, Jesus has everything to do with the catch - not you! Just obey.

Boldness Comes As We Share, Not as We Sit

"But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak" - Matthew 10:19

"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus." - Acts 4:13

"Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, " - Acts 4:29


There sometimes can be fear when it comes to sharing the Gospel with people. Christians will pray for boldness (which is good) but then wait until we feel that boldness to start sharing. Or we will wait until we have some clever presentation in our mind or are smart enough before we start sharing thinking this will give us the boldness we need. Having an idea of what you will say is not a bad thing either (though Jesus promised He would give the disciples the words to say and it's still true for us).

Action though is what is truly needed!

See boldness comes when we start to share not by necessarily waiting on it. As you start to speak, you'll find the Holy Spirit filling you with both the words and boldness needed to share. Having nervousness is not necessarily a bad thing in that it will hopefully draw you to Jesus for the strength needed.

I find this true everytime I go out on the streets of Russia (or where ever) sharing the Gospel - the more I share, the more emboldened I am to keep sharing. Can it be discouraging when people mock us or the "spiritual ground" is hard? Sure, but no surprises there as Jesus promised people would reject us as they did Him. However, you'll find fertile ground too and that is enough to make all the plowing worth it.

So if you're looking for boldness, don't sit waiting for it...go out and share!

From Russia With Love

Well this post wasn't written from Russia but definitely some thoughts the Lord laid on my heart while traveling to and from Russia. Anytime you go on a missions trip, it is a great time to reprioritize and relook at things of life simply because you have one single focus and it is to spread the Gospel. When you have to look to Jesus day in and day out for your strength and your focus, you can look on life with a clearer view. This post will be just that - a clearer view of what's important. It will be blunt and challenging but it will be fruitful if we take to heart what the Lord wants to share with us.

First off, a series of questions the Lord spoke to my heart about: Why is it we can take a week off from work for a missions trip but can't take an hour a week to pray with the body? Prayer services are the lowest attended services in the church today and if you can get just 5% to come out, you are doing well. We simply shouldn't be okay with that. Somehow though we justify our actions by saying we are tired or have had a long week or don't need to pray with the body. Acts 2:42 tells us that the early church "continued steadfastly...in prayers". So why is it we have no trouble leaving for a while to go share the gospel with people but we can't pray for an hour for those places that we went sharing? Now your church may not have a prayer service and if so, then continue (and if you're not, start) praying for the missionaries that are spreading the gospel and your brothers/sisters in Christ in other countries that you don't know personally. But specifically to those at CC Lynchburg, start coming out to Sunday night prayer! Unless you work on Sunday nights you don't have any excuse not to make it out to at least one prayer meeting per month (and if you are doing some sort of ministry [worship team, children's ministry, etc.] then be an example and come out more often). If you have children, take turns with the wife/husband so one of you can come pray. We need to be praying and there is power in corporate prayer. If you've been overseas on a missions trip, you know this to be true. Our time is fruitful because of the prayers of the saints back home so stop making excuses and come out and pray.

Why can we tirelessly serve overseas but can't make it to a Wednesday night service when we are tired? I have been guilty of this one from time to time and it's because our/my priorities are out of wack. Now true, one doesn't HAVE to go to church everytime the door is open to be spiritual or to grow, but the point is that we have no problem pouring our lives out while overseas and continuing on when we are tired; when it comes to going to church when we are tired back home, somehow it becomes a different story. I have heard people say they've had a long day at work and they just need their rest. Does the service (and Jesus in the service) not provide you the true rest you need? I no longer think this excuse is applicable anymore because when we use it we are saying church is a burden and that's dangerous territory. I simply look at my wife to another reason this excuse is poor - my wife works far harder than I do and most people. She stays at home and labors in love with our kids and she doesn't get a scheduled lunch break. She gets her break if/when the kids allow for one. And not only does she look after our two sons, but she does housework as well. And yet, after a tiring day, she still makes it out for Wednesday night service. If there is anyone I know who could deserve a "night off", it would be her but she realizes church is the place to be to find rest! Gene & Stacy Jackson are other great examples as they both work hard and then come and serve with children's ministry. There are plenty of other examples too, so we need to rethink what is important to us. Fellowshipping with other believers and hearing the Word taught should be high on our priority list. I think the Lord will sustain you and give you the energy to come listen. Even if you zone in and out because you have had a looooonnnnngggg day, you still are an example to others around you.

In conclusion, should you feel bad if you stay home for a Sunday night prayer or a Wednesday night service? Does it make you worse of a Christian? No and the point isn't to say you must be at church everytime the doors are open. However, we do need to reexamine our hearts and priorities. Don't feel bad for staying home now and again because sometimes your family simply needs you, but staying home should be the abnormal, not the normal. If you reading this and quickly are bucking at everything that was said and trying to justify your actions, odds are you are one of the ones who has misplaced priorities. Again, it is a heart issue and not a works righteousness issue but we hope to see you alongside of us praying on Sunday nights and worshipping on Wednesday nights (or at least doing it at your home church).

More to come on boldness in a later blog....