Thoughts on Christ and His Word

In studying for my message last Sunday entitled " Getting God’s Best Through Submission" I came across a fascinating passage that clearly showed how God wants us to submit to our human authorities, even when they are mean and difficult to live with. In Genesis 16 I found that Hagar was being "mistreated" (v.6) by her mistress and owner Sarah (Abraham's wife). So Hagar runs away into the desert to escape from Sarah and regain peace and freedom. However, on the road to freedom "The angel of the LORD found Hagar near a spring in the desert" (v.7) and he gives her a wonderful promise about the son she would soon bear. But he also gives her a command I'm sure she didn't appreciate: "Then the angel of the LORD told her, "Go back to your mistress and submit to her ." (v.9) What I found fascinating was that the word "mistreated" (v.6) and "submit" (v.9) come from the same Hebrew word in the original text. The Heb...

Timothy and I were reading the Word together the other day and we read an interesting passage: Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. Psalms 77:19 Alongside this verse I had written a note that read "Sometimes God leads us through some rough times in life where we don't even see His footprints. But He is there." I have gone through many times where the "mighty waters" felt they would drown me. But even though God was leading me down paths I had not traveled before and through storms so frightening I could not see Him, His loving arm pulled me through and left me a better man than I was before. God is always more interested in building our character than in our comfort.

As I sat this morning reading Psalms 72, I noticed for the first time that it is a prayer of David for his son Solomon and his upcoming reign. For Solomon he prays for prosperity, long life, that he would be a blessing to his people and that the people would bless him in return: 15 Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him. May people ever pray for him and bless him all day long. 16 Let grain abound throughout the land; on the tops of the hills may it sway. Let its fruit flourish like Lebanon; let it thrive like the grass of the field. 17 May his name endure forever;may it continue as long as the sun. All nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed. After reading this I stopped and prayed for each one of my kids. May they prosper in this life, may they be a blessing and be blessed by others, may they live long and healthy lives, and I added one thing David may not have thought was too important - may my children marry a man and three women who love G...

I read an awesome prayer from David this morning - "Summon your power, O God; show us your strength, O God, as you have done before." Psalms 68:28. So I decided to act upon this verse and claim it as mine as I prayed for things that are in my heart. So on July 12, 2007 in a park in Cherokee County, Georgia, I prayed that God would show his power and strength on my behalf (as He had done before for Moses and Joshua). My prayer is that: The Rock Woodstock would reach 250 people in attendance before December 31, 2007 We would get $7,000 for the KSU Ministry We would get $50,000/year for staff and special projects We would get more staff to fill key positions of ministry in the church Launch the Web Church within a year Obviously, it would take God's mighty hand and power to see these prayers become a reality. But the same God that parted the Red Sea and kept the sun still so that Joshua could defeat his enemies is the one I am counting on to come through for me and ou...

I have a friend who doesn't master the English language yet (and probably never will) who once said to his wife "Honey, there is a lot of humility in the air tonight." Of course he meant "humidity". But since there is a lot of "Humility" talk in the air of The Rock Woodstock I will share that I found another powerful verse in Proverbs that captures a important aspect of humility. Proverbs 13:13 says: " He who scorns instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command is rewarded." The message is simple - respect and submit to wise instruction and commands and enjoy rewards OR disregard and laugh at instruction and PAY FOR IT. Smack your heard against the proverbial wall. I too must remember to listen carefully to instruction and counsel of others. I think sometimes as a pastor or seasoned parent I can come to think I have all the answers. I don't. I know God will test me to see if I am remaining humble - listening to sound advic...

Prov 12:1 says "he who hates correction is stupid." As I read this verse this morning I was reminded of the new series we are preaching on at the Rock: "Greatness - The Way Up is Down". Jesus said "...whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all." Mark 10:43-44 So if we want God to exalt us and be men and women of influence, we must humble ourselves (bring ourselves low) in our relationship to God and others. Prov 18:12 reads "Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor." What does a humble man look like? At a minimum a humble man: is Teachable (allows others to mold his life) is a Servant (serves others both physically and spiritually) is Submissive (submits to proper authority - both divine and human) Puts Others First (doesn't grab the biggest and best slice of pizza first) Seeks Advice (doesn't think or act like he's a "...