From The Pen of the Pastor

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Worship - Pleasing God

Today' s Reading: Genesis 4:1-16 (The Story of Cain and Abel)

vs. 3 - 7 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Then the Lord said to Cain, "Why are angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."

As most of us are aware, Cain did not heed God's warning and advice. He instead allowed his resentment to display itself in the murder of his brother.

As I have pondered this story in relationship to worship, I found a quote that has so resonated with me these last days. It is from Allen P. Ross' work on Genesis entitled "Creation and Blessing" . He expresses the expository idea of this passage this way.

Those who worship must have as their goal always to please God so that they will not allow sin (envy and hatred) to work its ruinous ways in their lives.

Worship that is not about pleasing God is dangerous! It opens our heart to so many destructive forces. Sin is afforded a significant opportunity.

Lord, examine my heart of worship. Search me and reveal the motivations of my worship that are not about pleasing You! I pray I would walk into my times of personal and corporate worship with a heart fixed upon you. I confess my attitudes of performance, obligation, and acceptance at times that get in the way and destroy my worship (and my life). I pray that same would be true of my worship in service. It's all about You. It's not about me.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Fearlessly Declare the mystery of the Gospel

Today's Readings: Psalm 2; Psalm 110:1-7; Jonah 2:2-9: Ephesians 6:10-20; John 11:17-27, 38-44

It sure was a cold morning out there at Silver Pines serving coffee and hot chocolate to the residents this morning. I sure appreciate the ministry, passions, and commitment of the team. Thanks Rob C., Ginny T., Amy C., Joseph & Vivian D. And of course, please continue to pray for Sharon M. We kept her out of the cold to protect her health.

The day was filled with staff meeting and planning. Even with all the challenges, I am looking forward to 2010. I pray for a freshness in listening and following His Spirit.

Ephesians 6:19-20 - Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mysteries of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Lord, give me the boldness to declare the mystery of Your Gospel.
I pray I would declare it with my mouth, through my actions, and in my attitudes.
I pray it would be declared in my relationships.
I pray it would be heard in my confession and experienced in my repentance.
I pray it would expressed in my values and my priorities.

Please don't allow me to shrink away from talking about it.
Please don't allow me to stop expressing it to others.
Please don't allow me to stop living it.
Please don't allow me to stop experiencing it.

Empower and embolden me to move beyond my fears.
I acknowledge my fear of rejection.
I acknowledge my fear of not fitting in.
I acknowledge my fear of not having all the answers.
I acknowledge my fear of the mystery.
I acknowledge my fear of being discovered for who I really am.
I acknowledge my fear of ridicule.

Lord, please allow me to move beyond these fears, to be emboldened by Your Spirit and impassioned with Your message.

I pray for the opportunities this week to fearlessly declare the mystery of Your Gospel with those I come in contact with this week. Don't allow me to miss the opportunity or be dissuaded because of the circumstances.

May I become Your ambassador as a pastor, a neighbor, a friend, a customer, a community volunteer, and a father. Please don't allow me to use any of my "chains" as excuses. Help me to see my "chains" as opportunity creators or as megaphones for the Gospel.

And don't allow in my declaration of the Gospel to remove its mystery. Don't let me try to resolve the mystery through making it connected to works or performance. Don't let me try to resolve the mystery by making it "anything for anyone". Let me guard its mystery through not trying to add to it or remove from it. And I pray that my life and experience would always validate the mystery Paul writes about.

I pray I and others would declare, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who has come into the world." (John 11:27)

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Actions of the Worshipper

Daily Readings: Psalm 66; Psalm 67; Colossians 3:12-17; John 6:41-47; Psalm 145

Psalm 66 - Some of the Actions of a Worshipper

Shout
Sing
Say
Sing Praise
Bow
Come and See
Rejoice
Praise
Come to Your (His) temple
Fulfill My Vows
Sacrifice
Let me tell
Cry Out

Psalm 67:3 - May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you.

Lord may I praise you this week with all my being and in many different and creative ways.