ConneXus Blog

Enduring 'til the End

2008-10-02T12:56:00.001-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

Text: Various

The subject of endurance is approached in many circles. I hear it especially often in the sports world: don't give up, make it to the finish line, never surrender. The objective of endurance is to stay on course; to recognize and declare that an end idea, product or goal exists and then determining to meet the objective to get there AND never quitting until you do.

Paul sets the ultimate and probably most familiar scriptural presentation of this Christian objective when he writes in Philippians 3:12, "… I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." He took hold of us to redeem us to refurbish us back into the form of our original creation - pure, perfect, holy, in His complete image. Paul writes in many other places, as do many other writers both included in the Bible and those who've written since, that the fullness of our refurbishment or regeneration will not be finally complete until we see Christ face to face in glory. But until then … we must endure.

Hardship comes -- endure! Trouble comes -- endure! Discouragement, disappointment, frustration, anger, set-backs, pit-falls, stops, starts, blessings, curses, on and on -- endure! Why? Because we know that our light and momentary trouble are achieving for us this eternal glory that far outweighs what we currently see or hear or feel. (2 Cor. 4:17)

In my moments even this week of trying to endure successfully I ran across the following set of verses. They have been an encouragement to me and I thought perhaps they may be for you as well.

2 Timothy 4:10 – Demas in love with this world has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica.

Mark 4:17-18 – They have no root in themselves and endure for a while… Others are the ones sown among thorns; they are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the delight in riches and the desire for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.

Matthew 24:12-13 – And because wickedness is multiplied, most men’s love will grow cold. But he who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come.

1 Corinthians 15:58 – Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Galatians 6:9 – And let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Hebrews 2:1 – Therefore, we must pay the closer attention to what we have heard lest we drift away from it.

Hebrews 3:12-14 – Take care, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called today, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we share in Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end.

Hebrews 10:35-36 – Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that you may do the will of God and receive what is promised.

Hebrews 12:1-2 – Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:13-14 – Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.

Romans 8:23-25 – Not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Acts 20:24 – But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may accomplish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

1 Thessalonians 1:3 – Remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 3:5 – May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

James 4:7-8 – Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it until it receives the early and the late rain. You also be patient.

1 Peter 5:10 – And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, and strengthen you. To him be the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Changing Perspective

2008-09-25T11:49:00.001-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

A man read an ad in the newspaper, "Hunting dog for sale, $2,500.00, but well worth it." He called the number and the man on the other end told him that he had to see the dog in action. The next morning they met and went hunting early. The dog flushed two birds from a clump of bushes and when they fell into the water, he walked on top of the water, grabbed the birds, and walked back on top of the water. The man was amazed, and bought the dog on the spot. The next day he persuaded his brother to go hunting with him. They flushed a couple of birds and the dog again walked on top of the water, retrieved the birds, and walked back to their boat on top of the water.

He asked his brother what he thought of the dog and the brother replied, "So, you bought a dog who can't swim." (source unknown)

Some people see the glass half-full and others half-empty, or at least that's what we are taught to believe. I hear it all the time, individuals using the "that's just the way I am" excuse to get by with negative attitudes and less than flattering talk. And if your words don't say it loud and clear than attitudes and actions many times speak volumes over what our voices could ever utter. Can I correct this in you? No. Can you correct this in me? Not a chance. Can we however, with the Holy Spirit's help make the decision to work on correcting this in our own lives? By all means, yes.

Perspective is the window that leads to transformation. In other words for transformation to take place in our lives we have to begin to look at something differently: maybe a situation, maybe it's a passage of scripture, maybe it's a crisis or something we hear presented by another party. Perhaps it's an experience or a song, but something in your mind takes captive of a passing idea and captures it for a second glace. In that moment, however momentary, you have the opportunity to choose to follow that new thought process and develop into something different or to disregard it and return to what you knew before.

The trouble is that our very own culture pressures us into making decisions based on what is easy not necessarily what is best. Take for example microwave dinners. Now I can testify, and honestly my husband can testify that I have tried almost every available frozen microwave dish available to man today. I cannot stand to cook; really I can't stand the time it takes to prepare a good home cooked meal. This is not to my benefit to share this, but for the sake of this truth, it is a great example. J Now out of all these frozen dinners, there are probably only two that are remotely worth ever spending the money on again. But what do I do week after week? Pick up a few things down various aisles for lunches, select my household odd and ends, and head straight for the frozen food aisle. I realize these forms of food do not provide me with the best value (either nutritionally or in taste) and yet, I select them because it's easy for me…and Stouffers is very grateful too! Often times when we're in a moment of decision, our bent leans towards what's habitual instead of what is right or good. What scripture tells us though is to take every thought captive. The necessity of capturing our thoughts is so that we can look at them, evaluate them, considering our perspective and if necessary change it so that we can continue to transform into the likeness of Christ. That is after all our goal. By the way, transformation should be a continually process also.

So here is our challenge today – increase your toolbox. Changing your perspective takes effort, effort requires you to work at it, and working requires that you have the right tools. The Word of God will give you all kinds of new thoughts and ideas to consider changing your perspective that can result in transformation! What a glorious process!

Get the right perspective. When Goliath came against the Israelites, the soldiers all thought, "He's so big we can never kill him." David looked at the same giant and though, "He's so big I can't miss." -- God Can Make It Happen (Victor).

Return home and bless your family

2008-09-17T16:36:00.001-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

Text: 1 Chronicles 16:37-43

"David left Asaph and his associates before the ark of the covenant of the LORD to minister there regularly, according to each day's requirements. He also left Obed-Edom and his sixty-eight associates to minister with them. Obed-Edom son of Jeduthun, and also Hosah, were gatekeepers.

David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the LORD at the high place in Gibeon 40 to present burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of burnt offering regularly, morning and evening, in accordance with everything written in the Law of the LORD, which he had given Israel. With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the LORD, "for his love endures forever." Heman and Jeduthun were responsible for the sounding of the trumpets and cymbals and for the playing of the other instruments for sacred song. The sons of Jeduthun were stationed at the gate.

Then all the people left, each for his own home, and David returned home to bless his family."

This may seem like a crazy passage to look at today and yet there was something very important that stood out to me at the end. What we don't see here is all that came before this particular passage in the book of I Chronicles.

Prior to this passage, this book introduced us to historical records outlining the genealogy from the life of Adam through Abraham and then begins a more in-depth look at the person of King Saul, followed by David's story which finishes up the book. Through chapters 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 we're told about David's process to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. It was a lot of work! When we finally see the Ark arrive there's some celebrating and a prayer offered by David followed by … more assignments and more work. Now stay with me… :-)

I felt convicted today by the final verse of our text. Yes there was lots of work, and lots of people were assigned to do many different tasks and they had some seriously responsible duties and yet and the end of the day the people left, they went home, and David returned to bless his family.

Now how many of us can honestly say that after a long project, or even a hard days work that our priority is to return home to "bless our family"? I confess I'm usually pretty burnt out, and am thinking about dinner, perhaps what chores and tasks still need to be done at home (the 'more work' that lies ahead), but I'm confident purposing to have my mind set on blessing my family has not been a priority before now.

David is not our perfect example, we know he had hundreds of wives and concubines, had a man killed in fact so he could have his wife for himself, YET in Acts we learn that David was considered a man after God's own heart (13:22) He did do many things correctly and many things we should take note of. I think our passage is a great example of something that David did right. His priority in this instance was to leave His work at the office and go home to be God's arms to his family. I think we should aspire to such a challenge!

I wonder how it might change the dynamics in your home if you purposed to leave the office each day with the intend of blessing the socks off your family when you got home! Can you image what might happen if that was the intend of your entire family - that each one, whether leaving their places of employment, their tasks, their schools, that their intention was to be a blessing to their parents, siblings, spouses. This type of intention would radically transform the concept, no command of Jesus to love one another as I have loved you. (John 13:34)

Give it a try!

We Belong To Him

2008-09-04T11:29:00.001-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

Text: Psalm 100:3

"Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture."

It's difficult to believe or admit that the summer has finally come to its close. I know the calendar still shows a few days left, but for most of our lives, the freedom that came during these summer months has now returned to schedules, appointments, meetings and activities that will most likely keep most of us running from morning 'til night.

This has been one of the most intensive summers of my life - spiritually speaking - so it is more difficult to close the door on this particular season. At the beginning of the summer I remember sharing with the congregation from 2 Chronicles 7. It talked about the Lord's response to Solomon's request for the Spirit of the Living God to dwell in the temple that had been built. God's response was a resounding Yes - that He would dwell with His people, and that if they would humble themselves, pray, seek, and turn from doing wrong that He would respond! I can tell you FOR CERTAIN that God has been faithful to fulfill this promise for many of us today as well.

God is faithfully encouraging, inspiring, healing, reviving, blessing and challenging those who are seeking Him. I am one who considers themselves so blessed. As the Psalm says, "I KNOW that the LORD is God." I know there is none above Him. I know His ways are higher than my own and so I put my trust in Him. I know that "it is He who made us and we are His;" No other name in heaven or on earth, or under the earth that equals the greatness or glory of our God. And as His people, as "sheep of His pasture" - sheep who graze on His truth, His knowledge, His sustenance that there is no power that can come against us that will stand. We were fed by the truth of this word this past Sunday when we looked at Romans 8 and we were reminded again "With God on our side like this, how can we lose?" or otherwise stated "If God is for us, who can be against us?" We belong to the King of Kings, and the Lord of all Lords. We belong to a God who conquered death and who helps us to conquer in this life. We belong to a God who heals, a God who forgives, a God who pursues and a God who adores us fiercely. We are joint-heirs with Jesus and we can be victorious in this life with the help of the Spirit who is alive and working in us. But we must press-on; we have to stay the course; we must remember who's we are and that these "light and momentary trials are achieving for us a far greater glory".

Friends I'm believing that as this chapter, this season of our lives closes that there is an even greater one that lies just ahead. It is not too late to jump in the wave, the Spirit, the momentum that God is creating. Do whatever it takes to find your joy. Do whatever it takes to fuel and fan the flame in your soul. Christ is waiting to pour out His Spirit on You in a way like you have never known and He wants to do it for you, but you must desire it. Respond in obedience. Humble yourself before Him - He knows you full-well anyway. Pray - friends, pray continually, let His praise be always on your lips! Seek Him…whatever you have to do to get back your joy… do it! Turn from the stuff in your life you know is distracting you or robbing you. That's it. I know He will respond and meet you in this type of obedient behavior…

I love you - I'm praying for you!

Amazing days are still to come!

Get Serious About Godliness (Partial Article)

2008-08-28T22:52:00.001-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

Haven't you wondered from time to time how in the world individuals like Paul and Silas had the wherewithal to sing while bound in chains? How could Stephen remain so calm and focused to confront the Sanhedrin council knowing he would not escape them with His life? What gave Esther the courage to confront the King to save her people, the Jews—how could she be resolved to say, "If I perish, I perish" and her life be worth taking the risk? And then Paul, writing in Acts 20:22-24, "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." I believe their strength and dedication to the end was a direct result of their commitment to Godliness.

I want to define Godliness for you in this simple way. Godliness is devoting oneself to Holiness inside and out. It is devoting ourselves to purity and consecrating or setting ourselves aside for sacred use! In Paul's first letter to Timothy (who was a young pastor) he writes these important words: "Have nothing to do with godless myths (godless teachings or philosophies) and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly" (I Tim.4:7). Paul knew this was the key to enduring! He goes on to say that physical training is of some use but that training ourselves for godliness is profitable or good for EVERYTHING! This makes me think of the Olymics, having just come through the weeks of competitions and events that individuals spend years upon years training to participate in. While their medal may bring them prestige for the moment what will their efforts achieve for them after this life? This is the point Paul is making when he writes to Timothy. It's the things of God that will sustain and be useful to us both now and forevermore.

It is also our church leadership's desire to see you develop further towards Godliness. It is our responsibility and our privilege to help guide you down a path that leads to a Biblical understanding of these truths. This is the sole reason we have been obedient to alter our Sunday evening ministries: to help you develop your knowledge of the Word, the Lord, His character—your behavior and attitudes—in other words, to become more like Him. ROOTED ministries focus specifically at providing you with godly teaching that directs you towards Godliness through DISCIPLESHIP.

This is what we're asking of every person at New Hope. Commit to pursuing Godliness and commit to start that journey by attending one of the evening courses starting Sunday, Sept.14 at 6:00 pm.

Here's all you need to do to begin: 1) Commit to join one of the Sunday Evening 6-Week Study groups. 2) Pray about which course/group you should join. 3) Sign up for the course you've selected at the ROOTED table in the foyer. 4) Be faithful to attend and participate in the full program.

I trust that as co-leaders and ministers on the Worship Team that you will find great joy by committing to support this ministry on Sunday nights.

Dwell on these things…

2008-08-26T07:51:00.000-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

Text: Psalm 16:7&8
"I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken."

The Lord is good, even when things in our lives go horribly wrong.

I've been asking myself if the Lord is preparing me for something especially disastrous - seriously! Now, lest you find me suddenly pessimistic or worst, fatalistic because of this, don't get me wrong. I have no intention to dwell on it – however I confess it and now want to share how this fleeting thought has also encouraged me to feed, no gorge all the more on the WORD of the Lord.

I'm painfully aware, as are many of you, how quickly our joy can be diverted and our focus impaired by the circumstances of our lives. I too have fallen victim to distractions, good intentions, misguided dreams and emergencies that have derailed my spiritual progress, and still I know there is something, rather some one that sustains me beyond these present circumstances. 2 Corinthians 4:17 tells us that “our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” Perhaps your thinking your circumstance is literally not light or momentary.

I’m quite certain when Christ walked the Via Delarosa road carrying the weight of the wood upon His back, having just been beaten, flesh ripped open with wounds and blood being mixed with dust from the road He didn’t think His circumstance light or momentary and then again, compared to the glory He knew was ahead, I have to believe they paled in comparison. I’m convinced He put His mind on the ultimate prize; purchasing our freedom. I’m convinced He brought our faces to mind and thought of our joy, our peace, our eternal happiness, if you will.

We can take His example and apply it to our own lives this way. Many things in life are out of our control, but this one thing is perfectly ours–the thoughts we choose to dwell on. The giants may come knocking, the storms of life’s trials may come blustering by, the tide may try and pull you under but when they do how you choose to respond is what makes all the difference. If you choose to dwell on the circumstances that are beyond your control, what good will you be to anyone? Paul instructs us with such finesse to direct our thoughts towards things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy (Phil. 4:8). I believe with Christ’s help we too may be able to look at our present circumstances as light and momentary when put our thoughts on things above and beyond what we presently see.

God is in your fire too!

2008-08-14T13:36:00.001-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

Text: Daniel 3:16-18
"O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But Even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." (NIV)

It takes such amazing boldness and faith to believe and still trust even when we might not be rescued; even though we might be left in the fire. In these cases the only thing we can do is continue to praise and WAIT upon the Lord for whatever ultimate form of deliverance he wants to bring. We must learn to say as the apostle Paul did that "for me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." ( Phil.1:21) In other words there must be joy both remaining in the fire and/or deliverance from it.

I just want to encourage you to hold on...to be determined to wait upon the Lord. He is faithful and LOVES you madly.

Children of Light

2008-08-07T17:59:00.001-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

Text: Ephesians 5:8

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light."

One night the keeper of the lighthouse on a rocky coast was taken ill and was unable to attend the light any longer. Being unable to attend to the machinery of the lamp it malfunctioned and the revolving light stopped. A storm swept the dangerous coast and the lighthouse keeper's boy, a child, climbed up to the lamp and during the long hours of the stormy night turned the lantern with his own hands. In the morning, it was learned that during the night two vessels with seven hundred souls on board had been able to make the harbor by the aid of the revolving light that had been kept in motion by the often tired, but ever vigilant boy. Without knowing it, the faithful boy was the sole means of saving hundreds of lives, all because he was committed to keeping the light where it could be seen.

Are we as vigilant or desperate to keep our own lights shining?

What strikes me most about this story is the perseverance of the young boy. Not only did he see the need (that the light wasn't working), and go to work turning the light crank manually; by hand, but that he was resolved and committed to the task throughout the long hours of the night. I can only imagine what type of physical strength it would have taken for him to manually turn the mechanics of gears and chains that caused that light to turn for so many hours. He must have been in excruciating physical pain; literally exhausted, probably calloused and soar from cramping muscles that hadn't been used that way before.

Why did he make the choice to do that? And what caused him to be so committed despite the pain? Something internal! Whether you want to call it drive, a calling, or a feeling…that young boy knew that light had to shine and that he had to be the one to do it.

We too are called to be a light - a light that points the way so the safe harbor of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Many are drowning in the seas of sin all around us with no idea which way they should head to get home. You, with your life, have the opportunity to shine that may be their only chance for survival. It may cost you some time - some long hours of the night. It may cost you your physical strength - it may mean perseverance through pain. It may mean never seeing or hearing what resulted from your surrender - but the lives that are changed as a result of your commitment will be beyond this world!

Obedience or Performance

2008-07-30T12:16:00.001-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

My soul is so blessed today as I write. I have to share the level of excitement I still residually feel today from our corporate times of worship together these past several weeks. I have received several notes, emails and phone calls describing the ways that you have been experiencing personal revival and "perceiving the new thing" (Isa. 43:19) the Lord is doing in your lives, and as a result in our church.

That IS good news, and all glory goes to the Lord for it.

I believe and know there is power for living, working and witnessing available to each one of us IF we surrender our full selves to God and determine to respond obediently to what HE commands. I also believe that revival can be a life-style instead of an occurrence. There are no mistakes in God's timing, and for such a time as this I can only believe God has led us corporately to 2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land" (NIV).

Humbling, praying, turning and seeking are all attitudes that only come from obedient and surrendered lives. You simply cannot be humble and still pursue a personal agenda. A humbled spirit is self-LESS and Christ-FULL. Our instructions from the Lord are clear: to love God and love others and all the other instructions are based on these two (Matt 22:34-40). Praying requires deliberate and purposeful communication. A healthy prayer life consists of daily conversation with God at the least –Thess. 5:17 instructs us to "pray continually." Seeking the face of the Lord demands action. The word seek literally means to "go in search of'" or to "try and

discover". The final command is to turn from the our wicked ways, or more simply put, just stop doing those things you know you shouldn't do and INSTEAD do what Christ would do; act the way He would, respond, think and behave like He would. You may be thinking these things are easy to say, but harder to do. I struggle with that feeling, too.

Sometimes, in the church especially, we can get caught up in a lifestyle of playing Christianity; we look the right way, do the right things, sit on the right boards, make the right decisions, speak a language that suggests we really care and that our prayer life is up to speed–a verbiage that implies we are connected–and yet the real connection/power source is missing. Plugging ourselves back into the power of Christ takes effort, many times literal sweat, and certainly many tears, but living a life of obedience versus performance is what the Lord requires.

During the coming weeks consider whether the motivating factor in your Christian walk is Obedience or Performance. These next few ideas may give you a place to begin your evaluation.

Obedience is seeking God with your whole heart.

Performance is having a quiet time because you'll feel guilty if you don't.

Obedience is finding ways to let the word of God dwell in you richly.

Performance is quickly scanning a passage so you can check it off your Bible reading plan.

Obedience is inviting guests to your home for dinner.

Performance is feeling anxious about whether every detail of the meal will be perfect.

Obedience is following God's prompting to start a small group, Bible study or relationship.

Performance is reluctance to let anyone else lead the group because they might not do it as well as you would.

Obedience is doing your best.

Performance is wanting to be the best.

Obedience is saying yes to whatever God asks of you.

Performance is saying yes to whatever people ask of you.

Obedience is following the promptings of God's spirit.

Performance is following a list of man-made requirements.

Obedience springs from a fear of God.

Performance springs from a fear of failure.

Are you an intercessor?

2008-07-23T12:06:00.002-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

Text: 2 Chronicles 7:14

“IF my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (NIV)

The Bible commands that we be a people devoted to prayer. In fact I Thessalonians 5:17 calls us to the high order of praying continually. Jesus Himself modeled such a discipline for us when he taught us to pray in Matthew 6:9. Any church movement or pursuit requires a fuel that will "fan into flame" (2 Tim 1:6) the work of God in that place. There is no doubt in my mind that intercession, or prayer and petition is such a fuel to fan the flames of revival in our lives and therefore in our church today.

"Prayer is far reaching in its influence and worldwide in its effects. It affects all men, affects them everywhere, and affects them in all things. It touches men's interest in time and eternity." (E.M. Bounds) That is a pretty series statement as it suggests that prayer is a extremely powerful and far reaching! Do you believe prayer is that powerful?

If so, what keeps us from investing time and energy into the process of communicating with the Father? Personally I believe that Satan who "prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" will make every effort to keep your communication with God at a minimum; or non-existent. He knows there is strength when you call on the Name of the Lord. He also knows that you have been promised the ability to possess the strength and power of the Lord and He will go to great lengths to stand in the way of your relationship with God and any effort to multiply God's church. (Eph. 1:19-20)

When Satan attacks I Peter 5:9 tells us to "Resist him and stand strong in the faith." Larry McKain shares that "Satan has two basic weapons he uses against believers--he accuses (Job 2:2-4; Rev 12:10) and he deceives (Gen 3:1-6)." I am assuming you are as well acquainted with these tactics as I am, and still the Word tells us to resist and stand firm.

Often I find the best way for me to resist the devil is to either quote/read scripture or to sing a praise song to the Lord. When I really feel bomb-barded I call one of my accountability partners and I get tangible-verbal-physical support! These active steps help refocus my mind and put my thoughts back on things that are 'true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy' (Phil. 4:8)

Remember, the Lord commanded and taught that we should pray. Because of this I strongly encourage you, for your own good, well-being and spiritual development to work all the more on setting aside time to spend with the Lord. I also encourage you to find someone to be accountable to for this…we all need a physical flesh and blood representative of Christ on our side, and having an accountability sister or brother can mean the difference between forging ahead in victory or succumbing to destructive or unhealthy behaviors. Certainly, talk with the Lord about it, ask Him to reveal a friend you can partner with as you seek Him all the more.

A New Spirit - Holiness

2008-06-24T10:46:00.000-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worshp Arts Pastor

Ezekiel 36 (The message)

I'm not doing this for you … I'm going it for me, to save my character, my holy name … I'm going to put my great and holy name on display, my name that has been ruined in so many countries … then the nations will realize who I really am, that I am GOD when I show MY holiness through you, so that they can see it with their own eyes. For here's what I am going to do: I'll pour pure water over you and scrub you clean. I'll give you a new heart, put a NEW spirit in you. I'll remove the stone heart from your body and replace it with a heart that's GOD-willed, not self-willed. I'll put my Spirit in you and make it possible to do what I tell you and live by my commands.

This week I received in the mail a special copy (both printed and CD) of a message that was presented by Nazarene Missionary, Linda Seaman to our Nazarene Church's General and District Superintendents' at their retreat earlier this year. I picked up the piece of mail several times before finally opening it. I guess I assumed it was just another bulk form letter of some sort. As I read some of her words I felt confirmed by the Spirit that this was a message for us today as well. She writes, "God needs to re-create us … not just our structure. We don't need yesterday's outpouring of the Holy Spirit… we need what our Creator God has for us TODAY! May He not pass us by! Be assured that if we fail to clearly and boldly preach, teach and proclaim this truth, He will raise up someone else to do it, because this is HIS TRUTH, not ours! May He have mercy on us and protect us from every being tempted to water down this amazing, life-transforming message (the message of Holiness) or to compromise our mandate to proclaim this BEST of all news."

Now go back to Ezekiel again and re-read the Lord's promise of outpouring. I believe this is as much a message of us today as it was then…can't you hear the Lord saying, "…I will show my holiness through you, so that they CAN SEE IT with their own eyes." We so often surmise that the manifestation of the Spirit cannot be tangible and yet here He declares that it (His Spirit) WILL BE SEEN because it will be seen in us. We will no longer look like Julia but more and more like Christ. Our hearts will be new and will be motivated to action and response because it is the Spirit of God working in us and through us.

"I have felt for some time that perhaps the church outside the U.S. and Canada would be used by God to revive us, but I keep coming back to our Creator God--we don't need what He's doing in Brazil, or the Horn of Africa, or India--(OR CHINA)--we need Him to do His work in us right here where we are in this culture! I keep saying, "Lord, when does intercession become vain repetition? Reveal Yourself to us in Your holiness, so that we will find You irresistible, so that our hearts will be desperate for You, so that our hunger and thirst will be deepened." I don't know how long it will be before God answers, but I am determined to hold on and intercede. I will not settle for empty altars, I will not settle for worship wars…I just pray God will give me the courage and the strength to continue to pray that the precious people of the "mature" church will no longer be cheated out of what God wants to do for us and through us, because He has fallen on us in the newness and freshness of His Holy Spirit." (Seaman)

What would happen if all of us would be called to such a dedicated posture of prayer, repentance and worship? Can't you see the revival that would ensue as a result of this type of commitment to devotion to the Lord our God? I challenge you to pursue and perceive the new thing God is trying to do through His people. I also challenge you to read and re-read the words of Ezekiel 36. It is God's desire to re-new His creation and He will do it, if we will allow it to happen.

A Prayer of Daniel (Chapter 9)

So listen, God, to this determined prayer of your servant.

Have mercy on New Hope Church of the Nazarene. Ace out of Who You are, not out of what we are. Turn Your ears our way, God, and listen. Open Your eyes and take a long look at our church, our church named after You. We know that we don't deserve a hearing from You. Our appeal is to your compassion. This prayer is our last and only hope:

Lord, listen to us!

Lord, forgive us!

Lord, look at us and do something!

Lord, don't put us off!

Your Church and Your people are named after You:

You have a stake in us!!

… Oh, God, we say again, for Your sake, do not delay, because Your Church and Your people bear Your Name.

Amen.

The Mission of the Spirit

2008-06-19T10:25:00.001-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

Though we were not able to focus on Pentecost during the month of May (May 11 was actually Pentecost Sunday) it is never too late or an inappropriate time to be reminded of the glorious work and gift that the Holy Spirit wants to bring into our lives.

Pentecost actually marks the day we celebrate the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in our world. It is a time of celebration and expectation for God to create something new in our lives, showing us new depths of maturity in our relationship with Him.

Acts 2 is one of the most popular passages of the New Testament. It is foundational to many different denominations, including the Church of the Nazarene because of its continuing work in our lives still today. What is important as we look at Acts 2 is that we approach it without preconceived ideas or interpretations and that instead we allow the Holy Spirit to bring us to fresh understanding and new perspective about what happened then, and also what the Spirit still wants to do today.

As I read a commentary by Mark Denrickson on this subject a few weeks back he stated the importance of considering the "community aspect of the presence and gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is no mistake that Christ's follwers 'were all together in one place'. (v.2)". He drew my attention to the fact that the coming of the spirit was not presented as an individualistic phenomenon, but instead that Luke used plural words in this passage like "they," "them," and "all" when he wrote about the outpouring of the Spirit. "The gift of the Spirit that imediately follows is also community-centered. The coming of the Sirit results in the ability to speak in other languages, so that members of "every nation under heaven" (v.5) could hear the story of "God's deeds" (v.11) in their own language." What an amazing event to think that infact the first gift of the Spirit is one that results in the inclusion of … everyone! The purpose for the outpouring of the gift was so that men would come to know Christ in their own language. This then emphasizes again the great commission as it was presented to us by Christ Himself that we would 'go into ALL the world making disciples'; that the grace of God was for all humanity (to the ends of the earth, v. 1:8).

So then, what comes as a result of this gift of the Holy Spirit?

First, I believe, is transformation in our own lives. When we invite the Spirit of God to take control of our personhood, we surrender our will to be right and the Spirit who will guide us into all truth and knowledge works in our lives transforming us more and more into his likeness. The working out of our salvation many times includes fear and trembling [moments of uncertanty, frustration, temptation, process, unbelief, wrestling with understanding, wrestling with our own desires or what-ifs]. The Holy Spirit becomes our guide but we still have the remembrance of prior behaviorly patterns, comforts, habits and perspectives that require time and adjustment to overcome. Thank God with His help however it is possible to no longer be controled by these past patterns.

Second is that, as we are transformed more and more into the likeness of Christ the world sees less and less of our humanity and instead more and more of Christ's glory working in our attitudes, behaviors and actions. We see the world more through the perspective of God's lenses then we once saw through our own. We see needs, desperation, hunger and sin where as before we didn't. Likewise, we develop a passion not only to recognize these needs in ourselves and others, but the great love of God working in us enables us and empowers us to respond to the area's of need we see. In other words, when we are saturated with the love of Christ (it fills us), we will overflow with HIS kind of loving actions, attitudes, behaviors, thoughts, words, deeds, etc.

Now then, if this gift of the Spirit works in us individually how much more should it work through us corporately? Christ's primary method of delivering His message of salvation to the world was and still is through the Church. The mission of the Spirit is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Being this, what if again we moved beyond an individualistic interpretation of Acts 2 and called our congregations to be filled with the Spirit? Not a blessed me to feel good church, but a bless me with an intent to bless others church. With the Spirit brings new and refreshed vision, and scripture tells us that "where there is no vision[no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish;" Proverbs 29:18 AMP.

Let's be a church with vision. Let's be a church that passionately desires the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in our corporate body. Let's fullfill the mission of the Spirit and go into the world with the fresh fire of God on our lips, our hearts, our minds and actions. Let's join together and commit this summer to seek the Lord in a new and fresh way with a passionate desire to be blessed with intent to be a blessing!

A Perfect Father

2008-06-11T16:57:00.001-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

"The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him." —Proverbs 20:7

My father once admitted to me, "When you were growing up, I wasn't there as much as I should have been."

I don't really remember it that way. Besides working his full-time job, he was gone some evenings to direct choir practice at church, some times to visit in parishioners' homes or make hospital calls. Occasionally I would see him across the street in his office working late at night to prepare for Sunday services. But for all the significant (and many small) moments of my life—he was there.

For instance, he was always cheering on the sidelines at basketball & volleyball games, piano recitals, singing competitions, encouraging my creativity and challenging me to go hard and give everything my best effort. In so many little ways, he has always let my brother and me know that we are important to him and that he loves us very much.

Watching my father love, care and provide for my mother in such a tender way still teaches me today what unselfish love really looks like. My dad isn't perfect, but he's always been a dad who gives me a good glimpse of my heavenly Father. And ideally, that's what a Christian dad should do.

At times earthly fathers disappoint or hurt their children. But our Father in heaven is "merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy" (Ps. 103:8). When a dad who loves the Lord corrects, comforts, instructs, and provides for the needs of his children, he models for them our perfect Father in heaven.

How blessed are the children
Who in their fathers see
The tender Father-love of God,
And find their way to Thee. —Johnson

A life lived for Christ is the best inheritance you can leave your children.

Happy Father's Day!

Poured Out To Be Filled Up!

2008-05-28T11:07:00.001-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

"A man was lost in the desert and was near death for lack of water. Soon he came across a pump with a canteen hung on the handle and a note. The note read as follows: "Below you is all the fresh water you could ever need, and the canteen contains exactly enough water to prime the pump."

It takes GREAT FAITH to pour out the whole contents of the canteen for a promise of unlimited water.

What would you do?

In the Bible, the Apostle Paul says, "But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you." Philippians 2:17 NIV

How many Christians have enough faith in God to give their all for Him?

This is the heart of the Christian walk…to walk by faith and not by sight. How are you doing in the area of faith? Are you walking in total surrender or do you still have one hand over your eyes with your fingers spread just wide enough to allow you to see? It is not an easy thing and yet yielding our will to that of the father's is what we are called and asked to do…what's better is that this area of total surrender is what produces the best product in our lives. Just as in the case of the water in the opening story…we've been given what we need to get started, but we must surrender what we have in order to gain more.

Do it with all your might

2008-05-21T14:06:00.000-06:00

By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol (the place of the dead), where you are going." --Ecclesiastes 9:10 (AMP)

Our God is so faithful. He has uniquely equipped all humanity with indispensable gifts and useful characteristics. These gifts and graces work together to form His church and to carry His message of Love into the world.

I struggle the same as you with being as motivated as I should to do tough kingdom "work". Sometimes it requires getting dirty, being messy, and inconvenienced. Sometimes it requires moving out of my comfort zone. Sometimes it requires sacrifice of my time, even my energy, sleep or finances. Sometimes God's work requires plain old sacrifice on my part in order to help bring benefit to someone else. Sometimes it requires taking a backseat. Sometimes it means receiving no credit, applause or even a thank you. Sometimes the work hurts…it hurts so bad…and yet I know, and I believe you know, we should still do the work with all our might!

Is it tough to break away from the solace of our comforts? Absolutely. Is it hard to drop our own agenda's and put others needs and even wants ahead of our own…Jesus knew it would be difficult for us, and it is one of the reason's He sent the Holy Spirit to help empower us to do these things we are otherwise unable, in ourselves, to do.

When you find it is hard to do the work God has called you to do, call on the Holy Spirit to help you. He will be faithful.

Are You Abiding?

2008-05-13T12:07:00.001-06:00

By Oswald Chamber

Taken from My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers.

___________________

During our staff prayer and communion time this week we read through the following reflection. I thought Chamber's words were eloquently linked together in such a powerful way that it was worth passing on to you this week.

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"Abide in Me." John 15:4

The Spirit of Jesus is put into me by the Atonement, then I have to construct with patience the way of thinking that is exactly in accordance with my Lord. God will not make me think like Jesus, I have to do it myself; I have to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. "Abide in Me" - in intellectual matters, in money matters, in every one of the matters that make human life what it is. It is not a bandbox life.

Am I preventing God from doing things in my circumstances because I say it will hinder my communion with Him? That is an impertinence. It does not matter what my circumstances are, I can be as sure of abiding in Jesus in them as in a prayer meeting. I have not to change and arrange my circumstances myself. With Our Lord the inner abiding was unsullied; He was at home with God wherever His body was placed. He never chose His own circumstances, but was meek towards His Father's dispensations for Him. Think of the amazing leisure of Our Lord's life! We keep God at excitement point, there is none of the serenity of the life hid with Christ in God about us.

Think of the things that take you out of abiding in Christ - Yes, Lord, just a minute, I have got this to do; Yes, I will abide when once this is finished; when this week is over, it will be all right, I will abide then. Get a move on; begin to abide now. In the initial stages it is a continual effort until it becomes so much the law of life that you abide in Him unconsciously. Determine to abide in Jesus wherever you are placed.

http://www.myutmost.org/06/0614.html

The Church: the Body of Christ

2008-05-07T15:13:00.001-06:00

By A.W. Tozer

The universal Church is the body of Christ, the bride of the Lamb, the habitation of God through the Spirit, the pillar and ground of the truth. The local church is a community of ransomed men and woman, a minority group, a colony of heavenly souls dwelling apart on the earth, a division of soldiers on a foreign soil, a band of reapers, working under the direction of the Lord of the harvest, a flock of sheep following the Good Shepherd, a brotherhood of like-minded men, a visible representative of the Invisible God. It is most undesirable to conceive of our churches as Works, or Projects. If such words must be used, then let them be understood as referring to the earthly and legal aspect of things only. A true church is something supernatural and divine, and is in direct lineal descent from that first church at Jerusalem. Insofar as it is a church it is spiritual; its social aspect is secondary and may be imitated by any group regardless of its religious qualities or lack of them. The spiritual essence of a true church cannot be reproduced anywhere but in a company of renewed and inwardly united believers.

Prayer

Father, thank You for the Church. Weak as I am and as my brothers and sisters are, we are members of the body of Christ. Your Spirit lives in us!

Scripture

And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
— Ephesians 1:22-23

Thought

That local church of which you are a part is one expression of the Church, the body of Christ. You cannot demand of other believers levels of Christlikeness and spiritual maturity that you yourself are not modeling. You are as much Church as are they.

http://www.cmalliance.org/devotions/tozer/tozer.jsp