Today's Word

[Judy Harder]

Today's Word for Pastors...

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
1 Peter 3:15-17

Today's Preaching Insight...

Holiness into Happiness

Holiness is a state of heart, mind, and soul. Holiness or sanctification or consecration is a process beginning at conversion to Christ and continuing until we meet Him face to face after the last breath; praying and laboring to be different from the world as increasingly transformed by the Word in Jesus and the Bible.

Embracing and emulating holiness does not provide an escape from the world, but it does provoke a passionate determination to be in but not of the world:

Necessity prevails over materialism.
Food provides physical fuel and personal pleasure but does not feed gluttony.
Sleep restores the body but is not an excuse for laziness.
Sex is celebrated in but not apart from marriage.
Money is a tool to serve God not selfishness.
Position, prestige, and power are instruments for advancing the Kingdom rather than personal desire.
Work and play balance but don't dominate each other.
Holiness is separating ourselves from the ways of the world by devotion to God's will as exemplified in Jesus and explained in the Bible.

Particularly, holiness is nurtured through spiritual disciplines: worship, prayer, Bible study, fasting, sacrament, silence, stewardship, and fellowship with believers.

The payoff of holiness is happiness.

(To read the entire article "Holiness = Happiness" by Robert R. Kopp at Preaching.com, click here)

Today's Extra...

Perfection, Excellence

Stradivarius violins are known as the best violins in the world. Famous musicians love to play them. These violins can be strong and powerful, soft and expressive, energetic and brilliant. Said one performer: "It's like a great race car. There's more power than you need, and it responds to the slightest touch." Antonio Stradivari was a master artisan who lived in northern Italy about 300 years ago. Many people have tried to imitate his unique way of crafting stringed instruments, but none have succeeded. That's one reason why "Strad" violins today are often worth millions of dollars.

Many would say that Stradivarius violins come close to musical perfection. Perfection is a rare commodity.
(Today in the Word, June 2007)

[Judy Harder]

Today's Word for Pastors...

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil-- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
Hebrews 2:14-15

Today's Preaching Insight...

The Healthy Church

What does a healthy church look like?

I. A Healthy Church Is a Devoted Church

Occasionally Luke stops to give us a glimpse of the progress of the early church. Here is our first, and here we may observe the marks of a healthy church — both then and now.

A healthy church is devoted to teaching. The early church "continually devot[ed] themselves to the apostles teaching." Their teaching was Christ-centered and biblically focused. There were thousands who placed there trust in Christ and desperately needed to understand more His nature and how their new relationship should affect their lives.

A healthy church is also devoted to fellowship. There was a real sense of community and shared values in this early gathering of believers. This wasn't just a pot luck dinner; these early Christians shared true intimacy and depended on their fellow saints.

A healthy church is devoted to celebrating the Lord's supper. A church that teaches Christ and lives Christ in community will long to remember His sacrifice.

A healthy church is devoted to prayer. This early assembly understand their dependance on God for all things. They knew the necessity of communing with the Giver and Sustainer of life.

II. A Healthy Church Is a Giving Church

As the author goes on he mentions that these early believers were in awe of what was taking place. There were many miracles validating the message of the apostles. The greatest miracle was the changed lives of those who placed their trust in Christ.

Can you imagine the scene? These people were giving away their possessions according to the needs of their brothers and sisters in Christ. They were experiencing the blessings of a community of faith truly dependant on God. What they once considered theirs was now understood as God's.

I know I'd do anything for my physical parents or siblings, but would I have the attitude of these early Christians towards my spiritual family?

III. A Healthy Church Is a Joyously United Church

"Day by Day continuing with one mind . . . ." We could learn much from the unity exemplified here. This wasn't grumbling submission to the majority; it was joyful fellowship with "gladness and sincerity of heart."

IV. A Healthy Church Is a Worshiping Church

This fellowship of believers was intent on praising God. Christ was the focus and desire of their hearts. The text says that they had favor with all people. Jesus said that we will know we're His disciples by our love for one another. And He taught that the greatest command is to love God with our whole being, and the second is to love our neighbor as ourselves.

This body worshiped God with their whole lives. They were devoted, giving, joyously united and worshipers. By the grace of God we have a wonderful legacy. May we do our part to maintain that legacy by continuing to develop these qualities of a healthy church.

(To read the entire article "A Healthy Church" by Jonathan Kever at Preaching.com, click here)

Today's Extra...

This Week's Laugh

Everything I Needed To Know In Life I Learned From A Jigsaw Puzzle

Don't force a fit. If something is meant to be, it will come together naturally.

When things aren't going so well, take a break. Everything will look different when you return.

Be sure to look at the big picture. Getting hung up on the little pieces only leads to frustration.

Perseverance pays off. Every important puzzle went together bit by bit, piece by piece.

When one spot stops working, move to another. But be sure to come back later (see above).

The creator of the puzzle gave you the picture as a guidebook.

Variety is the spice of life.  It's the different colors and patterns that make the puzzle interesting.

Establish the border first. Boundaries give a sense of security and order.

Don't be afraid to try different combinations. Some matches are surprising.

Take time to celebrate your successes (even little ones).

Anything worth doing takes time and effort. A great puzzle can't be rushed.

[Judy Harder]

Today's Word for Pastors...

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2

Hebrews 12:2Today's Preaching Insight...

Almost Isn't Good Enough

Almost... It's a sad word in anybody's dictionary. It keeps company with expressions like "if only" and (in the South) "near 'bout."

Almost is a word that smacks of missed opportunities and fumbled chances.

Tim KcKee was edged out for first place in the Olympic 400-meter race by two-thousandths of a second. He almost won a gold medal.

Max Lucado gives us these sad statements that revolve around almost:

"He almost got it together."

"We were almost able to work it out."

"He almost made it to the big leagues."

"I caught a catfish that was bigger than me. Well, almost!"

As they say, almost doesn't count except in horseshoes and hand grenades.

[The rich young ruler was] an "almost" kind of guy... In terms of disciples, he was the big one that got away. He could have been the powerful establishment figure who might have won half the Jewish power structure to Jesus. One day he met Jesus and hovered on the brink of commitment. He almost claimed Jesus as the Lord of his life.

But almost is not good enough.

(To read the rest of the article "Almost Persuaded" by Bill Bouknight at Preaching.com, click here)

Today's Extra...

Thanksgiving

There once was a poor, rural family who were greatly concerned because their little boy had not started talking. The family didn't have many resources to call upon, so the problem went on for a long time. One day, while the mother was making supper, she became overwhelmed and lost her concentration. She burned the meal. After she served the meal, the little boy tasted it and hollered, "I can't eat this. It's all burned." Shocked but happy, the mother hugged the child and asked, "Why haven't you been talking?" He said, "Up to now, everything has been OK."

[Judy Harder]

Today's Word for Pastors...

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
1 Peter 1:23

Today's Preaching Insight...

Worship in the Face of Threat

There is a certainty in the Word of God that whatever God says will come to pass.

Charles Campbell holds the distinguished Peter Marshall's Chair of Preaching at Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia. In November 2007, he visited Korea and toured as many sites as possible. While there, the guide took him to the base of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea, pointing upward to the hill's zenith. Atop that mountain was a small chapel where the service members gathered and worshipped. Campbell was a Presbyterian preacher, and Korea was the place where Knox Presbyterians had infiltrated the land with the gospel. The largest Presbyterian churches in the world were on that particular terra firma.

Campbell wanted to see this small chapel on top of this DMZ sight. Upon arrival, his attention was drawn to the way the pulpit was designed. To the back of the congregation was South Korea, and in front of the pulpit there was only glass. The congregation and the pulpit looked out on North Korea with its missiles or trained nuclear arms ready for battle at the command of their military leader. They worshipped, hearing the Word of God in the face of nuclear threat. That
congregation listened to God's Word uninterrupted, with the possibility of war commencing at any moment.

Campbell concluded there was nothing between the Word of God and the threat, oppression, tyranny and murders in North Korea. The only thing those worshippers had in the face of national threat were the promises, certainty and power found only in God's living Word.

(To read the entire article "A Baby in the Belfry" by Ralph Douglas West at Preaching.com, click here)

Today's Extra...

Mistakes, Teaching

A high school senior saw an inspirational advertisement on television about becoming a teacher. She called the number shown: 1.800.45TEACH. After a woman answered, the student immediately began talking about how she thought she had found her life's calling and asked if she could send her some information.

The lady who answered the phone asked the student what number she was calling. The student told her and there was a long pause.

Then the woman said, "You misspelled teach."

[Judy Harder]

Today's Word for Pastors...

Who has put wisdom in the innermost being Or given understanding to the mind?
Job 38:36

Today's Preaching Insight...

Priorities

"In 1988, Greg Simmons, a brilliant young businessman whose ideas helped revolutionize American life insurance, flew to New York to make a presentation to Board members of AT&T. It was a deal with a commission potential worth more than one million dollars. At the last minute, the AT&T CEO was delayed. He requested that Greg make his proposal the following day. Greg politely explained that was not possible. 'Tomorrow,' he said, 'is my daughter's fifth birthday. I promised her I'd be at her party.'

"For Greg Simmons, his daughter's birthday party was more important than a million dollar deal. I wonder how many big-time CEOs have played second fiddle to a little girl's birthday party. I also wonder if Greg had any idea he would die in a mountain fall a few months later.

"Priorities! At the time, some people said Greg's priorities were all out of whack. But when you stop and think about it, none of us knows when we might attend the last birthday party for someone whose love we value beyond price. I was Greg's pastor. He was my best friend. His example of well-placed priorities taught me a lesson I hope I never forget!"  (R. Leslie Holmes)

Today's Extra...

Flag, Patriotism

Henry Ward Beecher once said, "A thoughtful mind, when it sees a Nation's flag, sees not the flag only, but the Nation itself; and whatever may be its symbols, its insignia, he reads chiefly in the flag the Government, the principles, the truths, the history which belongs to the Nation that sets it forth." (from The American Flag)

[Judy Harder]

Today's Word for Pastors...

Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.
Psalms 79:13

Today's Preaching Insight...

Church 'Success'

People will call... and say, "How do I plant a church like NewSpring? I want to reach a lot of people." When we first started this church, that was never our goal. In fact, I still have 10-year goals we wrote our first year; we said, in 10 years if we can be reaching a thousand people, that would be a move of God and incredibly successful. I didn't even know what a megachurch was.

This is what I knew: Jesus had saved me. When He saved me, like He really saved me—He pulled me out of the pit. I knew I wanted everybody else to meet this Jesus that I'd met. I knew, or I really believed in my heart, that church was the avenue where people could meet Jesus and grow in their faith with Him. I began to look around at the landscape, and not all churches but many churches felt like they had fallen into this content pattern of "We kind of got things going."

That's not to say we're better than anybody, because that could happen here. That could happen anywhere—"OK, the bills are being paid and people are showing up, so let's just shut up and kind of do what we're supposed to do." I'm just not content with that. As I read the Book of Acts, even through the rest of the New Testament, I just believe the church was called to be a place where people could meet Jesus and continue to follow Him one step at a time.

[Judy Harder]

Today's Word for Pastors...

For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:32-34

Today's Preaching Insight...

Good Grief

n many ways our experiences with grief are all the same. We all go through the same stages of shock, denial and guilt.

First we say: "It couldn't happen."

Then we say: "It didn't happen."

Then we say: "Oh, if only I had . . . Oh, why didnt I. . . . do this or that?" We somehow feel responsible for everything. We take the whole thing on our heads. We even imagine we somehow could have leaped into the breech and changed everything, if only . . .
When an office-holder in Washington, DC died in 1917, a perennial office seeker hurried to the White House to tell President Woodrow Wilson that he would like to "take the deceased's place." The President answered, "If it's all right with the undertaker, it's all right with me."

No one can take the place of someone else in their death. But we dont have to. Jesus did it once and for all for all of us.

But no one can take the place of someone else in his life either. And when we experience a loss in our lives and have to go on living ourselves, we experience every emotion we know in that grief: anger, love, fear, hope, insecurity, abandonment — you name it. And we all have our losses. They come in many different forms. They come as separation, children leaving home, moving, conflict, job change, retirement, aging, disappointment. And these are all experiences in which we feel real grief, and all our strong emotions rise up in us and flow over us like the deep waters that Isaiah talks about going through.

And we wonder: If we start to cry, will we ever stop? Or will the flood tide take us with it. We hold back and hide our grief because we imagine that once we begin to really feel it, we won't be able to bear it.

Many people hide their grief for years, and it gnaws away at them from the inside. Then comes the torrent: 2 months later, 5 years later, 20 years later. But eventually our grief catches up with us, and we know that thing could, and did, happen, and there was nothing we could do about it.

You know the scripture story about Jesus' dear friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus. The 2 sisters had sent word to Jesus that their brother was dying. But Jesus had been busy and couldn't come immediately. By the time He got there, Lazarus was dead. And as Jesus looked at those people He loved and saw their suffering, He felt all the same things you and I feel when someone we love dies. And He wept. The people said: "See how He loved him." But others said: "If He loved him so much, why didn't He save him from this death?" And that's the question we all ask in that situation: If God loves us, why did He let this happen? Why didn't He get here sooner? And why wasn't our love enough to save this person?

"If only I had known," we say. But do we think Jesus didn't know? Do we really think the Lord didn't know all of that? Not a sparrow falls without the Lord knowing it. He knows the number of all our days, and He is there.

Now that doesn't mean things don't go wrong or that there will not be evil that effects our lives and our deaths. The Lord has told us that there is evil. But He has also assured us that before it even happens He has already overcome all of it and is able to bring good out of all of it for those who love Him.

He is there before and during and after. "As you pass through the deep waters, I will be with you, and they shall not overwhelm you." For the person who has died, no matter what the cause, there are green mansions on the other side, where the lawn is not so hard to mow. So let us be clear that when we grieve at the death of someone, we grieve mainly for ourselves, for our loss, because, as Paul said: "For me, to die is gain."

(To read the entire article "Good Grief" by Kathleen Peterson at Preaching.com, click here)

Today's Extra...

Thanksgiving
by Jimmy Gentry
Temple Baptist Church, Carrollton, Georgia

A church had gathered to pray for a needy family around Thanksgiving. The family needed food, and concerned folks from the church got together to pray for them. While the prayer meeting was going on, a young boy came and knocked on the door of the home where members had gathered, entered into the house and told them, "My father said to tell you that he can't come tonight to pray because he is too busy unloading his prayers at the Jones' house. He said to tell you that he is taking a side of beef, a sack of potatoes, a bushel of apples, and some jars of jam. He said he could not be here to pray, but that he has taken his prayers and unloaded them at their house."

Thanksgiving by way of daily thanks-living demands that we pray, yes; but it also demands that we "unload" our prayers at the doorsteps of those who are hungry, lonely and just plain without.

[Judy Harder]

Today's Word for Pastors...

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
Psalms 100:4

Today's Preaching Insight...

Daniel-like Consistency

The single characteristic of those who succeed in the challenges of life is [the] element of consistency. Joseph, in an Egyptian dungeon, did not give up. Paul, in a Philippian jail, did not give up. Daniel, in Babylonian captivity, did not give up. And God did not forget any of them.

So often in a culture that is crumbling like ours we're tempted to ask, "Where is God?" He was there with Daniel and He is here with us. Note the quote, And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand. (Dan. 1:2) Note that God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. (Dan. 1:9) Note that God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom. (Dan. 1:17). God was in control of every one of Daniel's circumstances and situations.

I love what the Bible says in Daniel 1:9, Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. When we establish standards like Daniel, God shows up on our side. Daniel had purposed in his heart. Daniel had made his choice. Daniel had set his mind. In the very next verse we find God intervening. It was not Daniel's stand that influenced the chief of the eunuchs, it was God Himself. Remember, God has the remote control in His hand. He can turn us up or turn us off. He can change our channel or mute us if He so desires. He is in control.

Many are prone to give up what they stand for when they're out in the culture. Some of us seem to be geared to think that if we do not compromise we might lose our position or even our promotion. Daniel had figured out who he wanted on his side. It was not his boss, it was his God. He knew the truth of Proverbs 16:7, When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

So, what is the point? If we're going somewhere in life we need to learn some lessons from our friend Daniel. Don't play politics. We should live our lives in such a way that they line up with the Word of God and please him in the process. And then we can watch Him work on those around us as he did in Daniel's day. It is not enough to simply be resistant if we're not consistent. Some start well but give up and go with the crowd around them.

Oh that we could grasp Daniel's spirit.

(To read the entire article "Don't Give Up... Be Consistent" by O.S. Hawkins at Preaching.com, click here)

Today's Extra...

This Week's Laugh

Picnic

Two good ol' boys are riding around looking for a place to have a picnic. One of them says to the other, "Hey, lets have a picnic over there under that tree."

The other good ol' boy says, "No, no, let's have it in the middle of the road."

They fought about this for the longest time and came to a decision to have it in the middle of the road.

Not long afterwards a car came speeding towards them, swerved off the road, and ran into the tree.

The second good ol' boy says, "See if we'd a-been over there we would be dead right now."

[Judy Harder]

Today's Word for Pastors...

I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.
Psalms 89

Today's Preaching Insight...

Mistakes Churches Make

In an article for Church Central, consultant Bill Easum writes about the most common tactical mistakes made by church leaders and notes they are usually "hallmarks of declining congregations." Here are four from his list:

1. Failure to combine evangelism and social justice into the fabric of the church. The entire debate between traditional and emergent churches stems from this failure. Any form of reductionism truncates the Gospel.

2. Putting a long section of announcements at the beginning of the worship service. It's like tuning into the beginning of a sitcom only to find all of the commercials loaded up front before anything else happens. Instead, begin worship with a rousing piece of music that says, 'Something great is going to happen here today.' If you have to do announcements, don't lead off with them. Please.

3. The lead pastor in a church under five hundred in worship does not personally contact first-time guests within 48 hours. I know much of the prevailing wisdom is people are more likely to return to your church if the laity visits them. It's just not so. Pastor, if your church is under five hundred in worship, visit your first-time guests within 48 hours.

4. Hiring Associate Pastors who are generalists rather than specialists. The day of generalists is coming to an end."

[Judy Harder]

Today's Word for Pastors...

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Psalms 19

Today's Preaching Insight...

What's Your BHAG?

Do you have a BHAG for your church or ministry?

In the online Open Forum for Small Business, Matthew May writes: "In the 1940s, Stanford University's goal was to become the 'Harvard of the West.' In 1950, Boeing wanted to become the 'dominant player in commercial aircraft and bring the world into the jet age.' Nike's goal in the 1960s was to 'Crush Adidas.' In 1986, Giro Sport Design wanted to become the 'Nike of the cycling industry.' And Wal-Mart, in 1990, wanted to become a '$125 billion company by the year 2000.'

"These are all examples of what Jim Collins and Jerry Porras called a BHAG--Big Hairy Audacious Goal--in their 1994 book Built to Last. According to Collins and Porras: 'A true BHAG is clear and compelling, serves as a unifying focal point of effort...It has a clear finish line, so the organization can know when it has achieved the goal. It is tangible, energizing, highly focused. People get it right away; it takes little or no explanation.'" (Read the full article here.)

What BHAG might you and your ministry team envision for your church or organization? What would be a worthy Kingdom vision--something that will only be possible with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit?

Too many churches never reach great goals because they never imagine they are possible. For churches with no vision, they aren't.

So what about your church? What's your BHAG?

Today's Extra...

This Week's Laugh

Accents

About a year ago my sister, who lives in Virginia, was talking with her four year old son, Brent.

He was asking her why all their relatives from Wisconsin talk funny and sound like their noses are plugged up.

"They think we have an accent," she replied.

"But they have an accent, right?" Brent asked.  "They talk funny."

"Everybody talks in different ways" she tried to explain.

"To them, we sound like we talk very slow and all our words are d-r-a-w-n out."

His eyes got big, and he whispered seriously, "Oh, no.  You mean they hear funny too?"