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I’d rather have Jesus

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Imagine a house full of feasting, but its residents have no peace because of strife and fights. That is a life without Him. Imagine running vigorously, yet always missing your mark because your aim is off and your purpose is weak. That is a life without Him. Imagine Filling your life with everything you feel will bring you happiness, but it feels like you’re fetching water from a broken fountain. That is life without Him.

I often wonder – what causes people to walk away from God? The following usually come to mind:


Tribulations
“When tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, those who have no root in themselves, immediately they fall away.”

The deceitfulness of riches
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

Entangled and overcome by sin
“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.”

Offenses
“And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.”

Root of bitterness
“See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”

The list, you can imagine, is much longer than the above, and the potential for spiritual shipwreck is very real. That’s why the Hebrews writer warned his audience with much urgency. I also understand we have an enemy who’s bent on using everything in his tricky book to lead us away from Christ. The deceptions and temptations to entice and pull us away from Christ abound greatly. They’re real – and we know it.

But I think those who walk away from Christ, for whatever reason, have walked away from something very essential. A Savior’s love. Like my good friend Ron Freise said a few days ago, “We lose our first love when we lose sight of our first love’s love for us.”

They’ve forgotten their experience of being born from above -being born with an incorruptible seed. They have forgotten that they were once enlightened, have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost. That He has left an indelible mark on their lives.

I am tempted to ask the question, why did the Israelites constantly, time after time turn away from this all-sufficient, all-powerful God to useless idols and so-called gods; after seen Him miraculously deliver them and provide for them over and over again?


But I am reminded that I also do the same.

How deceived can I be to think I can live without Him? How deceived can I be to even fathom making decisions, doing ministry, raising kids, staying married, doing life without Him? How foolish is it for me to think I can achieve anything, accomplish anything create anything without the touch of His hand?

For I live and move and have my being in Him. And He alone holds the words of eternal life. Where can I go beyond His reach? Who can compare to Him? Like the song writer said:

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold

I’d rather be his than have riches untold

I’d rather have Jesus than houses or land

Yes I’d rather be led by his nail pierced hands

Than to be the king of a best domain and beheld in sins dread sway

I’d rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today

My Savior’s love is better, richer, purer, higher, greater and beyond measure. The applause of men and worldwide fame both pale in comparison. I cannot imagine life without Him. His plan for me is to have a rich, full and abundant life. .

Like a preacher man so eloquently puts it – this abundant life is “sufficient in quantity and superior in quality.”
That, I cannot afford to trade in for anything else.

Setting Precedents

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A few days ago a member of our congregation handed me a piece of paper with the numbers 316 written on it. I thought it was some prophetic reference to John’s gospel. But I quickly realized that it was a song request. Looking me square in the eye, and with all the humility in the world, she said, “pastor could you lead us in this song next week?”

You should know that my wife and I lead worship at our church from time to time. Not something I recommend, especially for the Lead Pastor, but sometimes in order for you to get where you really want to be, you’ll have to help build worship teams. So that is what we are doing.

So as a worship leader, what should you do if a member of your congregation comes to you asking to do a particular song?

Rule number one

As a general rule, your answer should be gracious and polite. You need to be sensitive to the need of the person asking. But, no matter the attitude (good or bad) behind the asking, your answer should be – No! Some people may ask in a certain arrogant way.

For example: Why don’t we do these types of songs? Why do we have to do those songs? Every other church is doing these songs, so why don’t you do them? On the other hand, you may get a very polite, very kind and sweet request. Just like the one I got a few days ago.

In either case, your answer should be – No! As a worship leader, you don’t want to start something you will not be able to sustain. So rule number 1 – graciously say no. Find the right words to say no.

Rule number two

Follow up with an explanation of why you are saying no. Don’t just say thanks, but no thanks. Besides trying to avoid setting precedents (having everyone in church bringing their special song request), you should make people aware that the process of establishing a worship set list is not that simple.

  • You spend time praying about which songs to sing each Sunday.
  • You choose songs that best fit certain themes for certain seasons or sermon series.
  • You follow the lead of your Lead Pasto – who actually is your boss.

Having said that, be thankful that they are trying to help you do your job (ministry), but do not promise that you will take into consideration their request.

Rule number three

Be sensitive to what the Spirit might be saying even through a rebellious child or a gentle servant. It is our duty to stay open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes He will surprise you by speaking to you in unexpected places. Be sensitive to what He is doing.

You may never do a song that was suggested by a member of your congregation. But that does not mean you can never grab your guitar find a corner at church or in somebody’s house and lead them in that song they are longing to hear. Your job as a worship pastor is to feed the flock not just with sound, but with sound lyrics. Be a pastor to the flock by meeting them at the point of need.

By meeting people where they are in such a manner is a great way to avoid taking special song request from every member of your congregation and feeling the guilt of not being able to deliver.

When it come to being asked to do a particular song, Rule number 3 is a trend you want to set in your community

 

A Leader’s Conviction

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Almost every Sunday morning before I open the doors of our congregation, I say to myself, “These doors will always be opened, even for a thousand generation, until our Lord returns.”

Every time we receive an offering, sign a check to pay our church bills, I say to myself – “God will always meet our needs as a church.”

Sometimes I audibly say these words in front of the entire church, “our church has been around for more than 15o years. God has been faithful and He is not about ready to abandon us. I am completely persuaded that He who began a good work in us, will be faithful till the end.

  • Souls will be saved
  • New believers will be baptized
  • They will be discipled
  • They will grow and develop into fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ
  • And they will go out and multiply

I am completely persuaded! I refuse to allow doubt, fear, uncertainty, and anxiety to intimidate me.”

You know what? I am not backing down from those convictions.

Doors are going to get closed in front of you. People are going to say not to you. You going to get knocked down and rejected. What are you going to do about it? You’ll need to keep on keeping on. Get your hustle on. Arm yourself with some grit. Wrap yourself with some resilience.

Here is a list of some people who’s done just that: Enjoy!

  • “Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.” Isaiah 50:7
  • “A leader has the vision and conviction that a dream can be achieved. He inspires the power and energy to get it done.” — Ralph Nader
  • “A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go but ought to be.” — Rosalynn Carter
  • “A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd.” — Max Lucado
  • “Consensus is the negation of leadership.” — Margaret Thatcher
  • “Every person who wins in any undertaking must be willing to cut all sources of retreat. Only by doing so can one be sure of maintaining that state of mind known as a burning desire to win which is one of the essentials to success.” — Napoleon Hill
  • “I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure: which is: Try to please everybody.” — Herbert B. Swope
  • “If I have the belief that I can do it, I will surely acquire the capacity to do it, even if I may not have it at the beginning.” — Mahatma Gandhi
  • “In this world, a man must either be an anvil or hammer.” — Henry W. Longfellow
  • “Leadership does not always wear the harness of compromise.” — Woodrow Wilson
  • “Let him who would be moved to convince others, be first moved to convince himself.” — Thomas Carlyle
  • “My leadership began to take flight when I allowed myself to press people to change—whether they thanked me or cursed me.” – John Maxwell
  • “Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome.” — Samuel Johnson
  • “With the power of conviction, there is no sacrifice.” — Jim Rohn
  • “We will either find a way or make one.” – Hannibal
  • “From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” Matthew 16:21

Conclusion:

The wise husband will tell his wife, when she is baffled with fear and anxiety, and complains late at night – honey, everything is going to be alright!

The wise Parent will look square in the eye of a son or a daughter – you are going to make it. You will get through this heartbreak, tragedy, or setback.

The wise small church pastor up in the country needs to remind himself and his congregation – will not die. We shall live to declare the goodness of our savior!

The small mom and pap’s business on that lonely corner – we are going to make it. We will find a way.

Quotes from: Here

Let no flesh glory in His presence

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It was the summer of 2001, over 2000 worshiper had gathered on a beautiful Sunday morning. The musical group was up – ready to start worship. The lead pastors were standing behind the musical group (old school) up on the platform. Everyone of them fired up and ready to serve the congregation. Not to mention, they looked good in their suit and tie.

The atmosphere was charged with the supernatural presence of God, you could reach out and literally touch it. All eyes were on the King of kings until the worship leader turned around from facing the congregation toward to drummer who was immediate behind him.

It was a horrible sight to see, in an outburst of anger he scolded the drummer for missing a beat and not coming in where he was supposed to. From that point on, everything went downhill. The presence of God lifted and the expression on the pastors’ faces was nothing less than disappointing.

The worship pastor, well, that was me. I really don’t know what happened to me in that moment. Was I too concerned with the aesthetics and flow of the music? Was I in a performance mode? Was I just frustrated that my drummer wasn’t doing what we’d rehearsed all week. Did pride enter my heart.

Truth is, I really don’t know. It could have been any one of the above. All I can remember is me blasting my drummer in the middle of a Holy Ghost outpouring and seeing His presence sucked out of the sanctuary in an instant.  What really happened in that moment was me, instead of keeping everyone’s eyes fixed on Jesus, where it’s supposed to be, I placed it on myself, on my drummer and on the music.

What I learned that day was this: Whether thing go great or completely wrong during worship service, my goal as a worship pastor/leader is to stay focus on what truly matters. Worship must be Christ Centered.

Everything we do in our services must be to lift the name of Jesus up, not just to hit the right notes and come in on the right cue. Let no flesh glory in the presence of the Lord. Because,

It is not how well we sing; how well we play or how well we sound that matters. It’s about how well we decrease, so that He can increase.

Once we get that razor-sharp focus about why we do what we do in worship, nothing can take our eyes off Him. Everyone, from worship leader to the drummer must come prepared to cast aside his crown. Because worship is all about Jesus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thy Will be done!

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I know you’re good
But this don’t feel good right now
And I know you think
Of things I could never think about
It’s hard to count it all joy
Distracted by the noise
Just trying to make sense
Of all your promises
Sometimes I gotta stop
Remember that you’re God
And I am not

Hillary Scott – Thy Will

Wherever you are, be all there

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I love pastors, I’m one of them. There is nothing else in the world I would rather do with my life then serve God and the people He allows me to reach. Like every body else, pastors and pastor’s wives sometimes experience intense times of temptations. One of the biggest temptations pastors and pastor’s wives face is the lie that life and ministry is better elsewhere.

If I/we were in a bigger or better Church/City/Environment I would use my gifts or flourish in the ministry

Too many pastors and their wives let the dust settle on their gifts and calling when they find themselves in a not so “ideal place.” Instead of working with God, they sit back and fold their arms throwing pity parties and complaining all through their tenure. By the time they get to the end of their ministry in those “not so ideal places,” they come to a sad reality that they’ve wasted all their years doing nothing, learning nothing and accomplishing nothing.

Somebody is going to have to break it to them one of these days. Maybe it’s today! If you are looking for a comfortable place to serve the Lord; the convenience that comes to those who serve in a king’s palace, you may be in the wrong line of work.

Thing is, God is not even concerned about making you comfortable. He is more concerned about a lost and dying world. And the thing that breaks His heart the most, is the attitude of a servant of His who’s more in love with an ‘ideal place’ to serve, rather than with the plight of a lost a dying world.

When will the sacrifice of “those who did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death” move you? When will the ministry of those gone before you – those who gave up everything just for you to hear about the Love and mercy of Jesus – mean anything to you? What is it going to take – to break your heart for the people, community and region you serve? When are you going to allow God to manifest His glory through your life and ministry?

These are questions we must all answer every day.

Let me leave you with this thought from Jim Elliot. I want you to think hard about it:

“Wherever you are, be ALL there.”

Are you all you can be for the Lord where He’s has placed you? Join the conversation.

Micah’s Declarations

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Don’t spend your day singing the blues? My oldest daughter stepped into the car on her way to school the other day, singing her blues: “I am having a bad day.” I had to tell her that sometimes we have to remind ourselves; speak to those negative FEELINGS that are shouting at us in ALL CAPS the things God says about us. I promise, it won’t be long until things come into alignment with the Word of God.

Let Micah’s declarations become your confession:

I’m filled with power,
I’m filled with the Spirit of the Lord,
I’m filled with justice
I’m filled with might
I’m filled with boldness
Micah 3:8

Monday Night Meditation

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Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.

Praise God for His intrinsic attributes

Praise God for His infinite holiness

Praise God magnificent power

Praise God for His eternal life

Praise the Lord God Almighty

He who sits on the throne – alone is worthy to receive glory, honor and praise

For He created all things and by His will and for His pleasure we exist.

Praise God!

What fits you

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Have you spent your life trying to fit in, fit into places, fit into styles, fit into ministry. Are you trying to be something you’re not so that you can feel valued, feel seen, or even being relevant?

Well, you don’t have to be something or somebody other than yourself. God has found something special, and He has put it together so that it fits you… You are uniquely gifted, positioned, called. So step into what fits you.

Because, when something fits, you’ll never want to take it off for something that was made for someone else.

When David face Goliath – he had two choices.

  1. To face Goliath in an armor that did fit.

  2. Or, face the giant with exactly what God made for him.

We know the end of the story. David went and slayed Goliath just as God had equipped him.

The sooner you stop pretending to be like others – the sooner you’ll begin slaying your giants in the armor that fits only you.

So, what is it going to be like this year? The same old – same old? It’s time to rise and go in this might of yours!