Daily Devotions

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Current Study: People Who Made a Difference         

Today’s Topic: Listen To Good Advice

Today’s Scripture:   Exodus 18:17-19  Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you.  

Seven years ago I was approached by a young man in our church who had an idea. He had obviously been thinking about this idea for some time. As it turned out, the idea was not his, but God’s. He was just the messenger.  He told me that he had been thinking about leadership, and how we should be training people for future leadership positions. He commented on how strong the current leadership was, but wondered what would happen if they were suddenly gone. Who would take their places? How would the church continue to move forward?

As he spoke, I thought about my own training for leadership. I wondered how I was ever deemed fit to be promoted to store manager in a major corporation at age 22. I reflected on the training that I had had gone through to earn that respected position. As I thought, he kept speaking. He shared the analogy of war. He had brought a picture he had printed of soldiers sitting in trenches in full armor, preparing to jump up and charge. He said these soldiers would be the next wave. They were ready to make their mark when the call came. Then he said, “The church needs to be preparing the next wave of men for leadership.”

As a result of that conversation, Next Wave was established. It has become a vital part of our ministry, and a passion of my heart. Its purpose is to train men to be ready for leadership. These men make a two year commitment that in some cases, like our present class, turns into three years. They meet every week for prayer, character development, theological teaching, and leadership training. Three years ago we had our first graduates. One of them is a Deacon in our church. One of them is our Youth Pastor. One of them had to drop out of that first class, but is back again and is already taking a leadership role in our men’s ministry. One of them has been a discipleship leader for new believers and currently serves on our building team. Not all of them chose to immediately involve themselves in leadership. Some of them are still growing and maturing, but when the time comes for them to answer the call, they will be ready.

Soon we will have another graduating class. Some of them are already serving in areas of leadership in our church. One is our worship minister. One serves in the worship ministry and leads one of our Connection Groups. One shows a passion for building relationships that will result in people coming to Christ. One is serving the Lord by making sure a person with disabilities is able to get to church on Sunday. One has a true servant’s heart for helping people. All of them are growing, and being prepared to be the next wave of leadership for our church.

Four weeks ago a new group of eight men started their two year commitment. I am excited to see what God is going to do with their lives, and how they will be used to minister to the local church. I am reminded of a quote from Amadeo P. Giannini, the founder of the Bank of America, who said, I leave everything to the young men. You’ve got to give youthful men authority and responsibility if you’re going to build up an organization. Otherwise you’ll always be the boss yourself and you won’t leave anything behind you.

Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, made a difference because he was willing to give advice. He told Moses that he couldn’t do it all alone, and that he needed to select, train and appoint leaders over the people of Israel. Moses needed to delegate responsibility to people who could be trusted to lead. I have come to the conclusion that the single most important role any of us have is to train those who will follow us. Parents are to train their children to carry on the values of God in society. Employers are to train their employees to carry out the goals of the company. Pastors are to train the people of the church to do the work of God. But we who have a tendency, for whatever reason, to be the boss, will have problems. We must learn to train and delegate. That’s the model that God has left for us. C.S. Lewis said, He seems to do nothing of Himself which He can possibly delegate to His creatures. He commands us to do slowly and blunderingly what He could do perfectly and in the twinkling of an eye. Creation seems to be delegation through and through.

So to the young man who reminded me of how I was trained for ministry goes my deepest gratitude. Thank you to the young man whose vision became the reality of Next Wave. He was a graduate of the first class, and is serving the Lord today as a musician in our worship ministry, in addition to being my personal encourager and initiator of great ideas. He was and continues to have the right to be my Jethro. Now I can be confident that I will leave something behind me. I am excited to see how God is going to continue to use John Rieland in leadership at our church. I can only hope that each of you has a Jethro like him, and that you will listen when God sends one to you to give you advice. In fact, maybe you are to be a Jethro to someone else. It will make a difference.

Pastor John

Daily Devotions

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Current Study: People Who Made a Difference         

Today’s Topic: Serving Makes A Difference

Today’s Scripture:   Matthew 25:35-40  “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”  Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?” The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”  

Three years ago, right after hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Spirit of God clearly directed me to lead our church to adopt a sister church in the storm-ravaged area of southern Louisiana. In the years since, people from our church have made multiple trips to the bayou to help rebuild homes in an attempt to introduce the owners of those homes to the Savior who can rebuild their lives. I want you to meet the pastor of the church we adopted, and see what a difference his life is making in the lives of people who have once again been devastated by two hurricanes this summer. His name is Jerry Moser, and his story was told in an October 2^nd article in The Baptist Message magazine. The article was entitled Sawmill helps pastor minister to needy, lost.

BAYOU DULARGE, Louisiana – This verse (Matt. 25:35-40) fittingly describes the work Pastor Jerry Moser has been doing in the tiny south Louisiana fishing community of Bayou DuLarge for the last 26 years. With a portable sawmill, a knack for carpentry, and a giving heart, Moser has ministered to needy families on Bayou DuLarge whether they are a member of his tiny church or not. He is a beacon in a sea of despair and poverty. 

“Brethren helping brethren,” Moser said. “I believe it is what our Lord commanded us to do. Helping the most unlikely is how the salvation and righteousness of God is going to be revealed to the people of the world. I believe if the church is attractive enough to outsiders, and by that I mean if  people see how we love all men, care for our brethren, and help our neighbors in times of need, it might get them to thinking they may want to be a part of a church like this.”

Storms like Gustav and Ike – especially Gustav, with its high winds – are a boon for Moser’s sawmill ministry, providing opportunities for him to reach people in need. After Gustav, the pastor has devoted a large portion of his time to cutting up fallen trees. He also gets a number of calls from people offering him their storm-damaged trees. He takes all that he can get. Over the years, Moser has cut hundreds of thousands of board feet, and has put it to good use, either ministering directly to those in need or selling what he can to make ends meet for church and family.

“A lot of this lumber is used in helping the people in this community to rebuild after a storm,” Moser said. “With the price of lumber these days, it comes in handy, especially for those who don’t have a lot to work with in the first place.”

Over the years, Moser and volunteers from numerous churches in Louisiana and across the nation have helped the people of this community – mostly Catholic – to rebuild after each devastating storm.

“I can’t tell you the number of storms that have passed through here,” Moser said. “But each is an opportunity from God to reach lost people. When our church began this repair/rebuild ministry, at least three quarters of the people we helped after a storm were not saved,” Moser said. “Today, as we prepare to help the community rebuild and recover, two-thirds of the people we will help are members of our church.”

Moser, though, is concerned about how many will come back to rebuild.

“We are on a marsh island that is only 16 inches above sea level. It is slowly sinking into the Gulf of Mexico,” Moser said. “After Hurricane Rita in 2005, many people knew they had to get their houses raised up off the ground. We were able, with the help of a lot of volunteers from a lot of different churches, to get some houses repaired, rebuilt, or raised up on new foundations,” the pastor continued. “Those houses rode out these last two storms pretty well. But there were some that we were just not able to get to quickly enough to help get them up off the ground. These families were not as fortunate, and I am afraid some may not stay. They may move closer to the city [Houma]. I would hate to see them leave, but some are no longer physically up to the challenge or just don’t have the money to rebuild,” Moser said.

Regardless of how many make that decision, Moser, whose church building – Bayou DuLarge Baptist – sits on pilings ten feet off the ground, plans on staying and helping people to rebuild and recover.

“Our young adults may be the ones that need the most help,” Moser said. “We need to help them – we need to extend out our hands and help them get back up on their feet. Brethren helping brethren. It is what God wants us to do,” Moser said. “And it is what I plan to do as long as God allows me to do so.”

What a great testimony to the compassion of Christ. If you were to spend any time at all with Jerry, as I have, you would know that he is sincerely in love with Jesus and sincerely His servant. You would see the touch of Jesus on people’s lives who would never had known Him unless they had seen Him in person – in the person of Pastor Jerry. Lives that are lived with such a sacrificial spirit truly make a difference.

On October 24^th, several of us from our church and our community are planning another trip to the bayou to help with the rebuilding. We will be gone for one week, and we will work hard. But we will make a difference. Will you consider joining us, either in person, in prayer, or in financial support? Thank you. You are serving Jesus when you help, and it makes a difference.

Pastor John

Daily Devotions

Monday, October 06, 2008

Current Study: People Who Made a Difference         

Today’s Topic: Inadequacy

Today’s Scripture:  Exodus 4:13-16  But Moses said, “O Lord, please send someone else to do it.” Then the LORD’S anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he sees you. You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him. 

It happened in a small church during Vacation Bible School.  The teacher says she will never forget what happened. Her class was interrupted on Wednesday about an hour before dismissal when a new student was brought in. The little boy had one arm missing, and since the class was almost over, she had no opportunity to learn any of the details about the cause or his state of adjustment. She was very nervous and afraid that one of the other children would comment on his handicap and embarrass him. There was no opportunity to caution them, so she proceeded as carefully as possible. As the class time came to a close, she began to relax. She asked the class to join her in their usual closing ceremony. “Let’s make our churches,” she said. “Fold your hands together. Here’s the church and here’s the steeple, open the doors and there’s…” The awful truth of her own actions struck her. The very thing she had feared that the children would do, she had done. As she stood there speechless, the little girl sitting next to the boy reached over with her left hand and placed it up to his right hand and said, “Davey, let’s make the church together.”

There isn’t one of us who doesn’t relate to feelings of inadequacy. I don’t even want to start trying to count the number of times I have backed away from an opportunity because of doubt and fear that I was not capable, just like Moses. But God has people prepared to step in and step up. People who will be strong where we are weak. People who will encourage us. People who will put their hands together with ours and accomplish the work of God.

God himself did that with each one of us when we were in our worst state of inadequacy. When we were incapable of changing the condition of our lives in relation to sin, God sent Jesus to step in for us and step up to the cross. Jesus became our eternal Advocate. He stands before the Father in heaven and continually represents us. (1 John 2:1) As a part of His advocacy program, He has sent His Spirit to dwell in us as our ever-present guide and helper. Just think, there is never a reason to feel inadequate, because the fullness of God dwells within us and empowers us to accomplish our unique purpose in the body of Christ. Because we have an Advocate we are adequate!

The VBS story told earlier is a great parable of how we are to come together in the Body of Christ as advocates for one another. Somewhere, probably closer to you than you think, is a person who feels inadequate. They feel handicapped. They feel unneeded. They feel unable to participate and contribute. You can make a difference. You are God’s advocate to them. And something amazing happens when you reach out to help them – you will find them helping you as well. Moses needed a spokesman. Aaron needed direction. Together they conquered a nation.

There’s no telling how much God can accomplish through people who get connected. Hearts will be made glad when people see you making a difference. Inadequacies will be overwhelmed by partnership. People will see and hear God.

So today, let’s change the statement of Moses by adding two words – “O Lord, please send someone else to do it with me.” Then be willing to be either Moses or Aaron. Together we can make a difference, because we have an Advocate who makes us adequate.

Pastor John

Daily Devotions

Thursday, October 02, 2008

Current Study: People Who Made a Difference         

Today’s Topic: God’s Rescue Mission

Today’s Scripture:  Exodus 3:7-10  The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey. And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

Moses made a difference because he was willing to rescue people from injustice. As a young official in Egypt, he stepped in and rescued one of his countrymen who was being beaten, and he killed the tormentor. Although his known people did not understand his actions and rejected him, his desire to rescue those in need did not cease. Later, in another land, he rescued some women who had come to water their father’s flocks but had been driven away by other shepherds. Moses was a man who saw injustice and took steps to rescue those caught in its bondage. God knew Moses was the man to accomplish a dangerous rescue mission. So he sent him back to Egypt to bring His people out of slavery and direct them to the Promised Land.

Years ago, the coastal communities of England established rescue stations where men prepared to assist ships that had crashed on the rocks. During one particularly terrible storm that swept the Atlantic and hurled huge waves upon the coast,  a ship was thrown on the rocks. It was a dark night, and the storm rose higher as the night deepened. Fires were kindled all along the shore, if by any means to help those who were needing help. The lifeboat was manned. Out through the breakers and into the storm they went to the rescue. When they returned, a man named John Holden, who stood upon the shore, cried out, “Do you have all the ship’s company?”

The rescuers answered, “All but one man.”  

“Why did you not get him?”

“Well, our strength was nearly gone, and we knew if we stayed any longer we would have all been lost to the sea.”

Then John Holden said: “These men who have been to the rescue are nearly exhausted. Who here will go with me to rescue the one man?” Six sturdy fellows promptly came forward. Then John Holden’s mother threw her arms around his neck and said, “John, don’t you go! Your father was swallowed up by the angry ocean, and your brother William went to sea two years ago and I fear that he is lost, too, for we have not heard of him since. You are the pillar of my life and my only dependence. Who will care for me if the sea swallows you also?” Then John Holden, with a firm, strong grasp, removed her arms from his neck and said to her, “There is a man drowning out there, and I must go. If the sea should swallow me, God will take care of you; I’m sure He will.” Kissing her cheek, he turned and stepped into the lifeboat.  They pushed out into the breakers and rowed to the wreck. They found the man still clinging to the rigging, and, getting him into the boat, they pulled back to the shore. As the boat neared the shore, someone shouted, “Have you found the man?” “Yes,” answered John Holden, “we have him, and it is my brother William.”

The mission of God is the rescue of mankind. The human race has been hijacked and held hostage by the ultimate terrorist. God has already paid the ransom by sacrificing His own Son on the cross. But the terrorist has not informed the captives that they are free to go. They need to be rescued, and God has called us to man the boats. Only one thing is stopping us from accomplishing the rescue – we care more for ourselves then we do for the lives of those who are in distress. We are more like the mother than we are the brother who cared about another. And yet, when the needs of the other were considered first, the needs of everyone were met.

It is time for the people of God to participate in the mission of God. Someone made a difference in each of our lives because they were on a rescue mission. Whose life will you attempt to rescue today?

Pastor John

Daily Devotions

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Current Study: People Who Made a Difference         

Today’s Topic: Forgiveness Makes A Difference

Today’s Scripture:  Genesis 50:15-21   When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said. But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

What an incredible story. After all that Joseph had been subjected to as a result of his brothers’ sins against him, he forgave them. He didn’t hold a grudge. He didn’t seek revenge. He didn’t try to get even. Instead, he restored them and cared for them, providing for their every need. He built them back up through reassuring and kind words. He truly made a difference.

Forgiveness makes all the difference. We can make a significant difference in the lives of others if we will forgive them. But how is that really possible, given the hurts and sufferings they have caused us. We have been given a standard of forgiveness in Scripture. The Apostle Paul says to the church at Colosse, Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 

Whoa! That’s a pretty high standard. I’m supposed to forgive others the way Jesus forgave me? Yes! I’ll let you in on a key principle that I discovered just this morning – forgiveness is possible when we consider the purpose of God ahead of our own hurts. Let’s go back and look at the story of Joseph. One of the greatest statements about forgiveness in all of Scripture is made by Joseph when he says, You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Joseph made it very clear that his choices were not dictated by the choices of others, but by the purpose of God. He was not influenced by the hurts he had suffered, but by the things God was accomplishing through those hurts. As we said yesterday, he had his eyes clearly focused on the bigger picture.

When we learn to get our eyes off of ourselves and focused on what God is doing, we will be willing to endure any suffering for the sake of God’s purpose. That’s how Jesus was able to forgive us. Was he hurt by our sin? Did he suffer because of our sin? Yet he forgave us, because he was focused on the purpose of God rather than what He was suffering. And He did it before we even felt bad about it.

It would be appropriate to point out that there was a proper spirit in the lives of the brothers when they came to Joseph to ask for forgiveness. In fact, there are some great lessons to be learned from the brothers about what our attitudes and actions should be when we have wronged another person. First, they came with a full admission of their guilt. They knew they had wronged him. They admitted their sin. Second, they came with fear, which was an indication of their acknowledgment of their own guilt and the right of their brother to enforce any consequence. Third, they humbled themselves before Joseph. They were willing to receive whatever consequences were coming to them. They even suggested what an appropriate consequence would be. They were willing to be lowered to the position of slave to their younger brother. These elements should all be present in the life of a person who is truly repentant for their sin.

But I want you to notice something incredibly significant, not only about Joseph’s story, but about Christ’s as well. There was no need for those attitudes to be present for love to be expressed. Joseph said, Am I in the place of God? In other words, What right do I have to condemn you and hold a grudge when it is God’s place alone to judge the hearts of men? This was Joseph’s heart before he even knew what his brothers were thinking. Joseph did not allow his own hurts to come before his acknowledgment of God. God’s love had so permeated his heart that his hurts had been long before dissolved into forgiveness. God did the same thing for us. God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.(Romans 5:8)

Our hearts are like gardens. We choose what seeds to plant. We can plant seeds that will bear a harvest of righteousness, or we can plant seeds that will produce a harvest of bitterness. If we allow the weeds that have grown up around our good crop to remain, we will diminish our harvest. But if we will pull them up and discard them, we will increase our harvest of righteousness. Here’s a hint. When you’re pulling up the weeds, stop asking where they came from. We are truly not responsible for how the weeds of hurt and pain got into our lives. We are only responsible to use those weeds as a motivation to cultivate the good seeds so they produce a bountiful harvest. That’s what love does. That’s how forgiveness happens.

You can make a difference in someone else’s life today. Forgive them. Pull the hurts from your heart and look at the purpose of God. He’s saving people’s lives by forgiving them. Let’s join Him in that mission.

Pastor John