Worship Spotlight 3/21/11

I have friends who are runners; some have even trained for marathons. I say they have “trained” for it because you don’t just go out and run 26 miles and expect to finish the race. First they make the decision to run; then after they succeed at some distance running they plan to work toward the goal of competing in – and hopefully finishing – a marathon. It takes planning, dedication, discipline and time.

When it comes to your walk, your work, your worship – have you set goals? Where do you want to be 6 months from now when it comes to your relationship with God, with others in your church family, with regard to your level of commitment and service? What about your level of worship? Just like those who run, we must train ourselves to become what we desire to be. It will take some thoughtful pondering and searching to truly evaluate ourselves. “Where am I at spiritually?” “What is my level of knowledge of scripture?” “Where do I feel God calling me?” “How do I feel led to serve?” “Do I struggle to let myself surrender in my worship of the Lord of heaven and earth?” “What can I do to work toward those goals?”

Just like marathon running it takes planning, dedication, discipline and time to fulfill these dreams we have for ourselves and our church. But it starts with each one of us striving to be more today than we were yesterday. Will you look back at the end of 2011 and say, “This is the year that I really grew!” or will it just be more of the same? You have what it takes! Now, what will you do about it?

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (CEV) “ ²⁴You know that many runners enter a race, and only one of them wins the prize. So run to win! ²⁵Athletes work hard to win a crown that cannot last, but we do it for a crown that will last forever. ²⁶I don't run without a goal. And I don't box by beating my fists in the air. ²⁷I keep my body under control and make it my slave, so I won't lose out after telling the good news to others.”

This is a Good One by Susan Shull

What's That in Your Hand? by Theresa Zuber

After seeing the burning bush that was not consumed by the flame and hearing the voice of the Almighty God speak to him – Moses still was not convinced that HE could be a part of God’s plan. (Exodus 3 & 4) “What if they don’t believe me? What if they don’t listen?” Moses asked God. Seems like a valid question. “Okay God – I hear your plan – but what if it doesn’t work – then what?” You see, Moses realized that he was not a public speaker. He had not been leading his tribe around and making big decisions. He had left Egypt because of conflict – so what made God think that he, Moses, was the man for the job? Confronting Pharaoh with this request to free the Israelite people seemed like an ill-fated plan. So, when Moses questioned God, God simply asked him a question – “what is that in your hand?”

Then God proceeded to show Moses that He can use whatever it is we have for His greater purposes. Whether it is a staff that he turns into a snake (Ex 4), or a slingshot he uses to slay a giant (1 Samuel 17), or the jawbone of a donkey (Judges 15), some bread and fish (Matt 14), a fishing net (Luke 5) and the list goes on and on.

So my question to you is – what do you have in your hand? A hammer? A musical instrument? A Bible? A plate of cookies? A telephone? Don’t assume that you haven’t got the words or the wisdom or the talent to do great things. All it takes is a willing heart and some faith! God is able.

Eph 3: ²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Worship Spotlight by Theresa Zuber

When visiting other churches I have often noticed that numerous people take
notes during the sermon. I have thought – “that’s a good idea. We should
encourage OUR congregation to do that.” You see, I learned long ago at a
work seminar, that writing helps us remember the content. Rereading (also
reading aloud) helps to use different parts of our brains to assimilate the
information – thereby increasing the likelihood of remembering the subject
matter.


What subject matter is more important to our daily life – our eternal life-
than God’s Word as it is proclaimed and explained to us! How often have you
pondered a scripture mentioned but could not remember where it is found? How
many times does a phrase or a scripture strike a chord with you – but if it
is not noted, slips away – forgotten.


*Psalm 119:133 “Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule
over me.”*

*
*

I must say that although I thought it was a good idea – I only began doing
this myself recently. However it has helped me to focus more, to remember
more and to capture those scriptures or phrases that God wants me to ponder
over. I know there are already a few at SACC that take notes – thank you for
your example. I want to challenge others to join in. Did you know that you
can worship God as you listen to a sermon? *Psalm 119:97 says “Oh, how I
love your law! I meditate on it all day long.” *What could please him
more? Sounds like worshiping to me. You see, it’s not about the music.


Seek Him – and he will be found*. *

*
*

*Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your
heart.”*

*Psalm 119:58 “I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me
according to your promise.” *

Thankful Thursday!

Thankful Thursday

I am so thankful for a heavenly father who loved us so much he sent his only son to die in our place. It is a gift there for the taking. I hope you enjoy this beautiful song by Chris Tomlin.

Worship Spotlight by Theresa Zuber

How do contentment and worship work together? Are you content with your worship? Or do you wish it was more? Or different? Ah…. It’s sort of a trick question. You see – worship is not about YOUR level of contentment, comfort, desire. Worship is about the Creator, the Almighty, the Holy One. Worship is about giving glory and honor to the King of Kings. When we worship we should take the focus off ourselves and our desires and preferences – and totally pour our attention on the all-deserving Lord of Heaven and Earth.

Our corporate worship is a time when we come together to lift our praises in unison – giving our adoration to Him who is worthy; to the God whom we were made to worship. It’s a time when we as a church can stand together to say we acknowledge who He is and what He has done for us – unworthy as we are.

So where does contentment come in? When we are in a place of contentment in our lives, it allows us to more freely pour out our love, our thanks, our appreciation, our adoration, our all-out surrender of our desires – in exchange for His desires for us. Without distractions of worldliness – we are more free to worship Him rather than focus on ourselves.

The God who has no beginning or end, who holds the universe together, who is mysteriously three persons in one God – this AMAZING God wants YOU-all of you: your worship, your attention, your friendship, your obedience, your life. Being a Christian is not about Sunday mornings. God wants a deeply personal relationship with you – every day. The best way to prepare for Sunday is to make every day a day of worship.

Luke 6:45b “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”

Bless Others, Bless Yourself by Susan Shull

Walking with Christ is the most interesting journey! The Lord amazes me time and time again with the blessings of the Christian life. Those blessings often come at unexpected times and from unexpected places. For me, they have often come because others have stepped out of their comfort zones and taken a leap of faith.

Donna Woods has been journaling and writing her prayers for years. These written prayers are a legacy to her children and grandchildren of her Christian life. A few years ago, Donna listened when God tugged on her heart and taught an Introduction to Journaling class on Wednesday nights at church and began organizing journaling retreat.

I thought the cabin sounded really interesting and I like to do new things, so I signed up, never intending to really do anything with it. We headed to Olney on a wintry Friday afternoon and stayed in an adorable cabin in the middle of the woods. We were only a few miles from home, but it seemed as if we were states away. We talked and ate, talked and ate, and eventually settled in with our journals. Donna introduced many types of journaling and then we grabbed our brand new notebooks and pens and began. We put our prayers to paper, following the acronym ACTS- Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supposition. The words flowed and we wrote until our fingers were about to fall off, and I loved it!

God was also speaking to Julie Short during this time. Julie had discovered after the death of her only child, Kyra, that writing was one way of coping with horrific grief. While attending a Christian writer’s conference, Julie began to sense a need to encourage others to use their words for God’s glory. So, as the journaling class ended, a writing class began, using Write His Word by Marlene Bagnell as our guide. We have been writing ever since.

What fun this has been! Each of us has grown in our individual Christian walks, and we have bonded in a great way. We are learning that words-even our words-can have an impact on others. Each of us has been through some typical and not-so-typical life experiences, and we hope to use the lessons we have learned to help others. We know first-hand the comfort, solace, and encouragement that a sincere word can bring.

None of us may ever write a bestseller or even write something that is read by more than a handful of people. That isn’t the important thing. Perhaps our story will encourage others who are feeling a nudge from above to step out and use their talents. Just one or two people can bring so much joy to the lives of those in their sphere of influence. I am so grateful to Julie and Donna for enriching my life.

Don’t cheat others out of the good things God may have for them by being afraid to follow his nudging in your life. You may be the person God uses to start the snowball that changes everything for an individual or the world. One thing we know for sure, Christ has given the Body of Christ the gifts needed to overcome the “wisdom” of this world.

Maybe God will use you to write something that will make a difference to men and women searching for meaning in all the wrong places. Don’t hold back your gift from those God is waiting to bless when you share what he has given you.

For Such a Time as This by Donna (Ensign) Woods

I was created...for such a time as this.

A God-given moment...I shall not miss...

So many times God said "NO"

When a different direction, I was to go.

Rocks that made me stumble and fall

Because...flat on my face...I could hear Him call !

...Preparing me, so I wouldn't miss

Such a time as this.

He often allowed my broken heart.

To give me strength for a brand new start.

No such thing as "coincidence" or "luck"

...As I wade through life's mire and muck

...Equipping me...so I will not miss

Such a time as this.

Injury, Illness and Disease...

To toughen callouses on my knees

All part of God's wondrous plan

...A stairway to Heaven for mortal man.

For such a time as this

I do not want to miss.

Those fiery trials I must endure

Result in blessings...I can be sure.

...A beggar on the street...

Pricks my heart and moves my feet.

The cries of a friend in need

Provides the soil to plant a seed.

God prepares me...so I will not miss

Such a time as this.

All things work together for good

...In God's time...just as they should.

Creating a detailed history

For a perfectly planned destiny.

For such a time as this

I do not want to miss.

Though Satan labors to destroy

...He can never touch my eternal joy !!

He can never stand between God and me

...Or remove the blood that set me free...

My Savior's feet, I kneel and kiss

...For such a time as this !!