Today's Word

[Judy Harder]

Today's Word for Pastors...

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. - Psalms 18:2

Today's Preaching Insight...

"S" Is for Settled In

A friend reminded me recently that several decades ago, children in the earliest grades of school were given one of three marks for their achievement: outstanding, satisfactory, or unsatisfactory. Children frequently compared their results, telling how many O's and S's they received from their teacher. They never bragged, of course, about any U's. For most children, getting an S for satisfactory was just that --satisfactory. S might also stand for "settled for." If a student becomes content with a satisfactory effort, he will rarely apply himself to earn an O for outstanding.

The same is true in life. If a person becomes content with what is average, minimally acceptable, or satisfactory, she will rarely exert the effort or work toward something truly excellent or outstanding. In the vast majority of cases, the longer a person remains satisfied with a string of S marks in her life, the more she becomes complacent about life. Going through the motions to achieve satisfactory results becomes the norm.

(To read the full article by Charles Stanley, "How to Reach Your Full Potential," click here)

Today's Extra...

The Christmas Harmonica

"Thanks for the harmonica you gave me for Christmas," Johnny said to his Uncle Rodney the first time he saw him after the holidays. "It's the best Christmas present I ever got."

"That's great," said Uncle Rodney. "Do you know how to play it?"

"Oh, I don't play it," Johnny said. "My mom gives me a dollar a day not to play it during the day, and my dad gives me five dollars a week not to play it at night."

[Judy Harder]

Today's Word for Pastors...

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
Luke 2:4-5

Today's Preaching Insight...

Redemptive Sermons

In his new book Christ-Centered Worship (Baker), Bryan Chapell includes a chapter on sermons that begins with a reminder of the need for expository preaching. Then he continues: "But we need to be clear that the preacher's concern should not only be instructive. God is active in His Word, convicting the heart, renewing the mind, and strengthening the will. This means that preaching is not simply an instructive lecture; it is a redemptive event. If we only think of the sermon as a means of transferring information, then we will prioritize making the message dense with historical facts, moral instruction, and memory retention devices that prepare people for later tests of formal doctrine or factual knowledge. Such tests are rare. And most persons' ability to remember a sermon's content in following days can devastate the ego of a preacher whose primary goal is the congregation's doctrinal or biblical literacy.

"The needed reordering of priorities will not come by emptying the sermon of biblical content, but by preparing it for spiritual warfare and welfare. Our primary goal is not preparing people for later tests of mind or behavior, but rather humbling and strengthening the wills of God's people within the context of the sermon. Because God is active in His Word, we should preach with the conviction that the Spirit of God will use the truths of His Word as we preach to change hearts now! As hearts change, lives change -- even when sermon specifics are forgotten (Prov. 4:23). ...

"The preacher's obligation to transform as well as inform should compel us to ensure that our sermons are an instrument of God's grace as well as a conduit for His truth." (Click here to learn more about Christ-Centered Worship.)]

Today's Extra...

FEAR

In 1991, Michigan's Timid Motorist Program assisted 830 drivers across the Mackinac Bridge that is five miles long and 200 feet high. The drivers were so scared of heights that they couldn't drive their own cars. The same year, more than a thousand motorists received assistance at Maryland's Chesapeake Bay Bridge -- also 200 feet high and four miles long.

David Jeremiah writes: "In spite of their destination being in plain sight and a history of the bridges being safe, the drivers were paralyzed by fear. The same thing happened to the nation of Israel when they were ready to enter the Promised Land. The land was in plain sight, and they had a history of God meeting their needs; but only three people in the entire nation were willing to exercise their faith and enter the land: Moses, Joshua, and Caleb. The rest said, 'We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we' (Numbers 13:31). That generation of Israelites never reached their destination. Instead, their fear paralyzed them in the wilderness where they died.

"If you can see your destination and have experienced God's faithfulness in the past, don't let fear destroy your freedom." (Turning Point Daily Devotional, 9-2-09)

[Judy Harder]

Today's Word for Pastors...

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. " - Micah 5:2

Today's Preaching Insight...

Standing on the Word
We instructed staff members to go to the classrooms and offices in the building where they would be working and write Scripture verses on the concrete floors. I said, "Someday soon the scriptures will be covered with carpet. But I hope you will always remember what you have written today. And what we do today will be a visible reminder that we are always to stand on God's Word."

I believe the greatest reason God has chosen to bless Southeast Christian Church and thousands of other evangelical churches around the world is that we have been serious about upholding the absolute truth of God's Word. In a very real sense, we've continued to stand on the Word of God.

[Judy Harder]

Today's Word for Pastors...

"Look at the nations and watch-- and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. - Habakkuk 1:5

Habakkuk 1:5Today's Preaching Insight...

The Emblem of Sacrifice

Baptists and most other evangelicals are not into the veneration of relics no matter how we value the work of Calvary. I think it was Conner's way of saying that it is not the blood as such but the dying that brings life.

When the angel told John those in the heavenly vision had "washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb," he was saying there is power in the death of Christ to do what no other power in the universe can do. The white robes do not make anyone pure; they are emblematic of that purity and personal holiness that comes only from the sacrifice of Christ. White is throughout the Book of the Revelation an emblem of holiness.

To read the full article, "White Robes and Palm Branches" by Austin B. Tucker, click here.

Today's Extra...

Two divers found a strange treasure in the River Wear near Durham Cathedral. They found a stash of coins, medals and religious objects. To whom did this treasure belong? They were the possessions of the late Michael Ramsey, former archbishop of Canterbury. This spot in the river was very near where Ramsay served and later retired in 1974.

[Judy Harder]

Today's Word for Pastors...

When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. - Matthew 2:10-11

Matthew 2:10-11Today's Preaching Insight...

Turning Life into an Adventure

There are reasons life becomes just one long bore.

In my opinion, the foremost reasons are: (1) people have lost sight of who God made them to be and what He designed them to do; and (2) as a result, people are not actively, intentionally, and purposefully pursuing what the Father has planned and desired for them.

If you truly want to pursue and reach your full potential, then you must face up to these two truths:

Truth #1: God has placed more within you than you realize.

Truth #2: You likely have settled for the life you have now.

To read the full article, "How to Reach Your Full Potential" by Charles Stanley, click here.

[Judy Harder]

Today's Word for Pastors...

O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Psalms 139

Psalms 139 Today's Preaching Insight...

What if you're a leader...who's not a visionary? I used to believe that a visionary was by definition one who stayed on the cutting edge of society, alert and ready to catch the next cultural wave. I've always had a problem, however, seeing the wave, let alone catching it! Let me give you an example.

A couple of years ago, Mel Gibson made a movie, "The Passion of The Christ." Chances are, your congregation bought rolls of tickets, climbed aboard a bus (or a fleet of buses), and went to see the movie. Why? Christian leaders considered the excursion to be a fresh means of deepening faith and a culturally savvy tool of evangelism. After all, our generation is visually oriented, having grown up on a steady diet of TV and movies. It was the visionary thing to do.

But I didn't have the vision. Somebody else thought of it, not me. How depressing!

Then there was the time our church bought another building. We definitely needed it. The benefits of having another building were obvious. But I didn't suggest that we buy it. I hadn't even thought of us buying more property.

Then there was the M.O.P.S (Mothers of Pre-schoolers) ministry. Wonderful program. It's not only been a big help to the young mothers of our community; it's exposed them to the Gospel. Sure wish I'd thought of it!

About now you're wondering whether this is the church custodian writing. Nope. This is the preaching minister writing. And now you're asking, "What in the world are you, Mr. No Vision, doing in such an important position of church leadership?" Believe me, I've asked myself that question many times!

What is "vision," really? If it's being able to see where you're going, I must confess that often I can't. Neither do bats, I'm told. Yet somehow they manage to get where they're going—even in the dark. God gave them the ability to do so. He's done the same for all the people He's chosen to lead. "Blind as a bat" is but one way to describe many of them!

Take Moses, for example. Was this a man with a vision of liberty, aching for a chance to tell old Pharoah, "Let my people go?" As a matter of fact, he argued with God over his qualifications for the job (Exodus 4:1)!

(To read the entire article, "So You're Not a Visionary" by Gary Robinson at Preaching.com, click here)

Today's Extra...

Health

Satchel Paige was a baseball legend. His promotion to the major leagues was delayed because of the infamous color barrier. He came to the majors at the age of 42 and pitched in a game when he was 59. Here were his rules for staying young:

Avoid fried meats which angry up the blood.
If your stomach disputes you, lie down and pacify it with cool thoughts. 
Keep the juices flowing by jangling around gently as you move. 
Go very lightly on the vices, such as carrying on in society. The social ramble ain't restful. 
Avoid running. 
Don't look back. Something might be gaining on you.

[Judy Harder]

Today's Word for Pastors...

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. - Philippians 4:6

Today's Preaching Insight...

Lord, Teach Us to Pray

I believe Jesus has something to teach us about prayer. The first thing Jesus has to tell us is that our goal in prayer is not to feel good but to do good. Doing good is the goal of Jesus. We need to understand that we have this turned around. Shallow Jabez pray-ers become spiritual couch potatoes, summoning God to run their errands while the world moves on toward hell. If you understand the prayers of Jesus, Jesus brings us in, gives us strength in season and out of season to do His work and His will. The only thing the disciples ever asked Jesus to teach them was to pray, "Lord, teach us to pray." I wonder why they did that.

To read the full article: "Jesus and Prayer: Programming the God Machine?" by William L. Self, click here.

Today's Extra...

Be Sure Your Sin Will Find You Out

In northern New Jersey, police picked up three suspected burglars who were believed to have left a crime scene with only $2 in change. How did the police find them? They left behind keys to their car. Police believe the suspects only got away with the money in a piggy bank.

How did the keys give them away? The police used the keys to set off a car alarm. The car had the registration in the glove compartment.

If the men turn out to be judged guilty, they will be living examples of the biblical principle, "Be sure your sins will find you out."

[Judy Harder]

Today's Word for Pastors...

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him.
Matthew 7:11

Today's Preaching Insight...

Preaching Someone Else's Sermons

At one pastors conference I attended, the issue of preaching someone else's sermon came to the forefront. One speaker openly stated that "he would preach better sermons, when someone wrote better sermons." At this same conference, another speaker gave an inspiring message that seemed to stir all in attendance. However, the problem was that I heard the very same message on Christian radio several months before by another well-known speaker.

The availability of these resources (Preaching Plagiarism) poses several questions that must be answered by those who minister in word to God's people. "Is it right to use someone else's sermon and pass it off as your own?" "Is it fair to the congregation?"

(To read the entire article "Preaching Someone Else's Sermons" by George R. Cannon, Jr. at Preaching.com, click here)

Today's Extra...

God

A missionary came up with a great strategy to share the gospel. He would go to a village, sit with the people around the fire and ask, "What has your god done for you?" He would listen as the people would tell him about their god. On another night, he would come again and ask, "What has your god done for you?" By the third night, they would extend the courtesy to him and ask, "What has your god done for you." This gave him the opportunity to talk about all that God has done for us. The gospel is not so much about what we have done for God, but what God has done for us.

[Judy Harder]

Today's Word for Pastors...

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:1-5

Today's Preaching Insight...

Trust the Story

Storytelling expert Steven James says that one of the keys to effective stories is to trust them to do their work, without trying to explain or analyze them for the listeners. He writes: "In nearly every book on public speaking and preaching I've read I see the same advice: 'Tell 'em what you're gonna say. Say it. Then tell 'em what you said.'

That might be a good way to teach someone how to bake a casserole, but it sure stinks when it comes to telling a good story. Maybe that's why Jesus never did it. Not once. Instead, he spoke in metaphor, story, and imagery that appealed to curiosity and imagination. He didn't preach 3-point sermons, he preached 1-point sermons — and most of the time he didn't even tell people what that point was!

Jesus rarely explained his stories, in fact only once in scripture are we told specifically why Jesus told a story (Luke 18:1), and only a couple of his story explanations appear. Jesus trusted his stories to do their work in the hearts of the people listening. This leads us to one of the great paradoxes of education: the more you explain a story the less impact it has. Think about it. Haven't you heard someone use a great illustration and then spend the next 30 minutes draining all of the impact out of it? We end up diminishing rather than expanding the impact of a story by explaining to people what we think it is supposed to mean.

I'm not asking you to leave your listeners constantly confused, just trust them more to connect the dots. Jesus trusted his story to do its work in the lives of his listeners. He almost always wrapped truth up in mystery. We can do the same."

(Click here to read the full article on Steven's website.)

Today's Extra...

Preaching

A stranger entered the church in the middle of the sermon and seated himself in the back pew. After a while he began to fidget. Leaning over to a white-haired man at his side, evidently an old member of the congregation, he whispered: "How long has he been preaching?"

"Thirty or forty years, I think," the old man answered.

"I'll stay then," decided the stranger, "He must be nearly done." (Steve Shepherd)

[Judy Harder]

Today's Word for Pastors...

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. - Colossians 3:3

Today's Preaching Insight...

'The Secret' Is Self-Centeredness

In a recent article about the book The Secret, pastor Mel Lawrenz writes: "The Secret, you see, is all about the self—it's for the self, obsessed with the self. Newsweek offers this critique: "On an ethical level, The Secret appears deplorable. It concerns itself almost entirely with a narrow range of middle-class concerns—houses, cars, and vacations, followed by health and relationships, with the rest of humanity a very distant sixth."

Professor Robert Thompson of Syracuse University says: "The Secret promises this heaven on Earth in one fell swoop by simply desiring something, by simply wanting it. It's amazing how we really are a nation of, at best, great optimists, at worst, real suckers."

What The Secret reveals is that so many people are so desperately unhappy that they will snatch up anything offering hope—or simply offering quick and easy wealth. My question is, who will be there to pick up the pieces when they discover that they bought into a lie? And who will help the people who believe that they brought every misfortune on themselves because they sent negative thoughts and feelings out into the universe like a human radio transmitter?

How different from the message of Jesus: The first will be last, and the last will be first. Lose your life, and you will find it."