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When God Shows Up

When God shows up, well thought through plans, transitions, and service elements go out the window.

When God shows up, the planned worship songs turn into spontaneous songs of response to God moving.

When God shows up, the sermon gets cancelled.

When God shows up, individuals find themselves waist high in water wearing their Sunday best.

When God shows up, you run out of baptism towels. 

When God shows up, your 16 planned testimonies and baptisms turn into 36 professing Christ and proclaiming His Lordship!

When God shows up, you have to start planning more testimonies and baptisms for the following week.

Not only is that what happens when God shows up, but that is what happened at my church starting this past weekend! We have been crying out to the Lord for His manifest presence in worship. We have been holding high the truth of God's Word and boldly articulating the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And we have been noticing a harvest of souls among adults and students in our church.

Sunday, God showed up.

As we worshiped in the 11:00 service, hearing the Gospel and salvation stories of 16 followers of Christ obediently stepping out in baptism, my Pastor stepped up and spontaneously opened the door to anyones heart that might be being affected by their stories. 

People started moving. Emotion was in the room. Tears of joy filled worshipers eyes. Tears of brokenness filled sinners eyes. New stories were being born, bold declarations began to unfold, and our youth pastor's toes were getting wrinkled from baptizing people for so long! 

We were all simply following the Spirit's lead in the service. Singing when we needed to respond, speaking when we needed to speak, and intently listening to all the different stories centered around the only saving story. 

Jesus.

Jesus changes lives.

Praying that the Lord continues to move mightily in our church, and praying for those who have stepped forward to proclaim Christ as they begin to walk with Christ and be discipled. We are continuing next week, and continuing to seek first the kingdom of God. 

"But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you." ~1 Corinthians 14:24-25

What's the Point of Living?

I was tucking my daughter Reese into bed the other night, and we were having a great conversation about heaven. She's been intrigued by the topic lately, asking all sorts of questions about heaven and seeing Jesus and all of that. Another thing that we do a lot at bed time are "Would You rather Questions?" My kids love them, and it's hilarious to me. 

Anyways, in the middle of the conversation, Reese said, "Would you rather live here or live in heaven." 

My mind immediately went to Philippians 1:21, and I was faced with the dilemma of preaching a sermon and answering my curious five year old in a way that she could understand. So I did the best I could to explain that heaven will be a place that is better and unlike anywhere we could ever go. It's better than here, but because God is still using me here on earth, I am so blessed to be here and spend my days being her daddy and helping her understand why she needs to love Jesus with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength. 

Heck yeah there were a few tears! She cried. I choked up. Then I changed the subject with a genius "would you rather be eaten by an alligator or a lion?" Something to that effect.

Anyways, I've been thinking about that question ever since. For sure living in the hope of Jesus, heaven is the better place to be. But Paul, explaining the tension he felt in the "would you rather" question, made a case for why it was hard to leave his current home; And it didn't have anything to do with His comforts, or His possessions, or His familiarities...It had everything to do with His mission.

In verse 22 He says, "If I am to remain in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me." Paul's purpose in living, was seeing people come to Christ. Sure he had to make a living, sure he had responsibilities, but nothing was going to get in the way of Him proclaiming Christ, and seeing fruit for the Kingdom of God. 

And so comes our challenge. What are we living for?

All of us, whether in full time vocational ministry, or full time "secular work place" ministry....it's all ministry! Like Paul, the only reason God still has us here on this earth is to help get His name and His fame to all those who are not following Jesus. Do you think about that when you go about your day? When you drive to work? When you go home to your family? 

Praise God that he has given me a wonderful family, but above my enjoyment of their company, my mission needs to be that my kids know and love the Gospel of Jesus.

Praise God that he gives us jobs to provide for our earthly needs, but above the next deal, or the next step in success, or the next promotion, needs to be the evidence of Christ in Me, the only Hope of Glory!

When we are willing to "LIVE IS CHRIST," like Paul said, the Lord will open doors. Those doors may demand sacrifice, they may demand hardships, but on the other side is fruitful labor for the kingdom if we are willing to be used. 

When we reach our real home in heaven, this life will have been so short. While I'm here, I want to run hard and I want to be used. I want to see my kids love Jesus, and help aid as many people as the Lord wills to become the worshipers He is seeking.

What's your context? What are you living for?  

EASTER 2015

Easter weekend this year at my church was such an incredible celebration of Jesus. God is really moving at my church, Harvest Bible Chapel. Actually, about this week mark 6 years that I've been Worship Pastor at Harvest and more than ever we are seeing the Lord just grow our number, ignite passionate worship, and we are seeing so many people respond to the Gospel. It is His doing, and It is marvelous in our eyes.

So this year we started the weekend with two Good Friday services. As busy of a week Holy week becomes for me, my heart is so gripped and overwhelmed by the events leading up to the cross and then Christ's resurrection. For Good Friday, we focused our hearts on the Cross of Jesus, His death, and weight of the wrath that was poured out upon Jesus because of our sin. You can't have the empty tomb without the cross of Christ, so this is an opportunity in our weekend to be impacted by our own sinfulness and the perfect man that we killed. It was an impactful evening. 

Leanne Vite Photography 

Sties Design Agency

Sties Design Agency

THEN, CAME SUNDAY.

It literally took me 3 days to come down from the joy and excitement and passion of Easter Sunday at Harvest. And it goes so beyond the happenings of that morning. The Lord has just been moving within our congregation and there was such a joyful spirit in the room that day and worshipers came to celebrate. Many responded to the Gospel and we are planning a lot of baptisms in the near future! Easter Sunday felt like the Lord just poured out his Spirit on a people who have been passionately pursuing Him, and I've been so humbled to hear stories and see with my own eyes worshipers being shaped and made. 

That is the real success of the day, and what gets me fired up in ministry. Now I'll tell you about the awesome celebration we had. Harvest, at least my church, isn't really super "flashy" when it comes to our services. Meaning, we don't have a lot of special effects or things going on for worship. There's a band up there but the house lights are always up and we're not trying to produce a show, but simply trying to steward our opportunity to worship with God's people in the best way we can. But if there is any day that deserves an all out celebration, it's Easter Sunday, because that's obviously the day our culture chooses to really look at and recognize the resurrection of Jesus.

So when our production guy said we were going to do lasers, I just sort of laughed and said "cool." Then we got a week out and he said, "I just had a meeting with the laser guy." I didn't know He was serious a while back when he brought up lasers. Then before long we were all on board with it, and I never even saw it until the day before Easter Sunday. SO, we were about to do 3 services with a lot of elements, but one being a high powered laser, run by an awesome guy that we've met through renting stuff. When I asked where he typically uses this laser, he responded, "not church. To be honest I do a lot of raves." haha.

So long story short, we did 3 services Sunday morning, and I think all of us were shocked at how flawless and impactful every element was in the service, and the spirit of joy and dance and jubilation in the room was amazing. God was so glorified, and I know that not based on a bunch of emotion, but because of the conversations I have had with those who were there. As cool as the elements were that made up the "fun" of this service, our object of worship was Jesus, and His word and His Gospel were faithfully upheld by my Pastor. God deserves our celebration, our attention, our joy, and our hearts. 

Sties Design Agency

Sties Design Agency

Sties Design Agency

When God Forsakes His Own

“As Jesus prayed, “deeply distressed” in the Garden, Mark used the synonym “troubled” “a Greek word which refers to a feeling of terrified amazement. In the face of the dreadful prospect of bearing God’s full fury against sin, Jesus was in the grip of terror. Jesus’ sorrow was so severe that it threatened to cause His death at that moment. His anguish had nothing to do with fear of men or the physical torments of the cross. He was sorrowful because within hours the full cup of divine fury against sin would be His to drink.” ”
— John MacArthur in "One Life To Live"

Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane often impacts me greatly within the happenings of Holy Week. It has been on my mind a lot this year, as I've had a lot of conversations with people who are going through trials or hardships of their own. For any of us who have gone through a time where it seemed like God was far off, or distant, or even not answering our prayers, it is comforting to know that we are not alone in our struggle. 

In Matthew 26:36-46, we see a degree of loneliness and struggle and even pain that surrounds Jesus and the weight of what He was about to face. Have you ever felt like no one cared about your current situation? Jesus certainly did, as his closest friends continually fell asleep while he asked them to keep watch and pray! Have you ever felt like God was not heeding to your request or answering your prayer? It's safe to say that Jesus' prayer was not answered the way He probably preferred, as he asked the Lord 3 times to remove the cup from Him. Have you ever felt like the weight of your trial was too heavy to bear? Jesus did. In the garden He cried out in agony and sorrow as drops of blood poured from His head.

It is the moments in our life, exactly like Jesus' experience in the Garden, that it is easy to think "God is not near," or "God has abandoned me," or "Why would God forsake me." It's hard to believe that God will never leave us nor forsake us, when everything seems to be falling apart and the end is no where in sight. Thankfully Jesus gives us a great example in His struggle as He cries out, "Not as I will, but as you will." That's where it gets hard isn't it. But Jesus perfectly shows that to honor God is far greater than to have our own way, even in the hardest of situations.

I hope you can find comfort in the truth that Jesus felt the way you may feel or how I have felt before. In fact, the truth of God's steadfast, never leaving love is most perfectly seen at the cross, where His perfect, only begotten Son He forsook that we may never be forsaken. It was upon that cross that Jesus cried out "My God, My God why have you forsaken me!" And it was in the forsaking of His own Son, that God made a way for us to be His children, whom He will never leave or forsake. 

When God forsook His own, He not only lifted Him to a place of abundance and Lordship 3 days later, but He made plenty of room for all who would repent and believe in Jesus Christ. Find comfort amidst your trial today. You are not alone. Jesus has been there; Jesus was forsaken that you might have life; God is working in your trial, even if you cannot see. 

Our Efforts For God's Presence

I have gotten some pretty awesome opportunities lately to lead worship for different events, or retreats, or gatherings. Some have been at large churches, some in living rooms, and some added events at my own church. When it comes to services or events outside of the normal weekend church services, it always takes extra work, extra planning, extra thought, extra time...etc. And at the end of all of them, I've felt pretty tired, but extraordinarily filled up.

So I've been thinking about this for a while now and the Lord continues to show me that if we are willing to move, to make effort, to draw near to Him, He will always make our efforts worthwhile. 

What I mean is, I think about these extra events or extra services; the people that come to them are coming on their own voluntary decision. Most people, at least that come to church, have Sunday mornings worked into their regular schedules. But how many plan to drop everything to attend a prayer meeting, or a conference, or bible study, etc...For sure the number will always be fewer in regards to a Sunday morning service. But in the midst of the "fewer," who take the time to go and meet with the Lord, God always shows up; to fill hearts, to bear burdens, to provide supernatural rest, to convict, to change, to shape, to energize.

In the several different settings that I've been apart of lately, I have not once left feeling like I hadn't met with the Lord. 

I'm reminded of the truths in God's word. Jesus says on several accounts:

  • John 15:4 "Abide in me and I in you."
  • Mark 1:17 "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men."
  • Matthew 11:28 he says to them, "come to me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest."
  • John 7:37 and he cried out, "if anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink."
  • Mark 6:31 "come away by yourself and rest a while."

On all accounts, there is a constant and a challenge. The constant is, Jesus has all that we need, and is always ready to meet with us, do something in us, and even use us. The challenge is for us to move. For us to "Come to Him." And I keep seeing it happen, when people sacrifice time to go and be with God, He always shows up and fills up! 

James 4:8 says, "draw near to God and he will draw near to you." 

For sure this all can happen on a personal level. For sure we can draw near to the Lord on our own and should. My conviction is simply, why don't I more? Because sacrifice is hard. The extra effort is hard. The rearranging of my schedule is hard. 

In the moments of my extra effort, or my sacrifice, the Lord has been continually teaching me that there is no place I'd rather be than in His presence, and convicting me of the times I haven't taken the initiative to go to Him. 

Can you relate to what I'm saying? How has the Lord shown himself to you, when you've taken the initiative to draw near to him? 

Rushing Kills The Wonder

I often marvel at my two girls when they stare in awe at things. I have pics like the one above, of them staring at things; whether it be into the dolphin tank at an aquarium, or out a window to a massive city, or at the screen where there new baby brother or sister is being shown in the ultrasound room....etc. 

Regardless of what they're staring at, I marvel at the wonder that fills there hearts. Amazement, curiosity, joy, questions...these and the like fill there widened eyes and little minds. And it doesn't matter what's going on around them. They are content to just sit and stare. 

I believe there was a time in my life when I frequently stood wide-eyed and fascinated at everything around me. As I've gotten older, it's gotten easier to rush from one thing to the next. To hurry. To get so wrapped up in the schedule, that the seeing gets diminished.

As my kids marveled at the aquarium the other day, and my tight-scheduled, lame-O, gotta-get-to-the-dolphin-show-early self was taking us from exhibit to exhibit, my wife said something to the effect of:  

RUSHING KILLS THE WONDER!

I love and need that reminder!

Sure there are things to be done. Sure we've "been there, done that." But man do I need that reminder at times.

One thing we will never fully know in this lifetime, is the greatness of our God. The Bible says that God's greatness is unsearchable (Ps 145) in all the earth. When was the last time you stopped and wondered at God's greatness? I mean really just sat and stared, wide-eyed and curious at the beauty of how our God operates towards His children, or how God lavishes love on the sinner or how God meets our needs, even to the most minute detail? 

Wonder often takes a back seat, when our "devotion" time or our "personal" time with the Lord becomes just another item in the day's agenda. It's hard! It takes time! But certainly God is awe-inspiring enough, jaw-dropping enough, and mind-blowing enough to stop and notice! 

Rushing kills the wonder. Don't rush past the moments in your day to notice God at work. Like the dolphin tank did for my little girls, God can stir all the emotions of joy, curiosity, questions, and more in anyone that takes the time to stare in wonder at their creator. And where there is wonder, there is reason to worship! 

Slow down. Take time to stop. To notice. To wonder. To worship.   

The Song Of The Righteous

Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous.

Psalm 118:15 

Great security. Great restoration. Great comfort. Great peace.

All of the above come from resting in the sovereign care of Jesus.

For every song of lament, God provides a song of praise; in this life or the next. For to rest in His care is to know His steadfast love. Our lament might seem unending; perhaps unbearable; yet in the Lord it is only a fraction of eternity. Often what we see as evil, wrong, or godless, the Lord will use to turn affections toward Him. After all, He is in control. Even the most God-opposing, Anti-Christian army will one day bow their knee and declare Jesus is Lord. The song of the righteous overflows from the heart that willingly bows; the death of the unrighteous is confirmed in their unwillingness to bow. Jesus is Lord; of this life and the next. For all who choose Jesus above themselves, our most pain-staking lament will forever be answered with songs of everlasting praise.

Sorrows last for the night, but joy comes in the morning. 

Prepare For The Battle

"Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis has been an intriguing read for me lately. A particular chapter in the book has me thinking about the importance of clarity and intentionality in ministry. The book is written from the perspective of one demon training his younger protege demon. The younger demon named Wormwood is assigned to an individual who comes to know Christ. The "more seasoned" demon encourages Wormwood with these words as he tries to bring down the believer in His new found faith:

“One of our great allies at present is the Church itself. Do not misunderstand me. I do not mean the Church as we see her spread out through all time and space and rooted in eternity, terrible as an army with banners. That I confess, is a spectacle which makes our boldest tempters uneasy. But fortunately it is quite invisible to these humans. All your patient sees is the half-finished, sham Gothic erection on the new building estate. When he goes inside, he sees the local grocer with rather an oily expression on his face bustling up to offer him one shiny little book containing a liturgy which neither of them understands, and one shabby little book containing corrupt texts of a number of religious lyrics, mostly bad, and in very small print. When he gets to the pew and looks round him he sees just that selection of his neighbours whom he has hitherto avoided. You want to lean pretty heavily on them. Make his mind flit to and fro between an expression like ‘the body of Christ’ and the actual faces in the next pew....Keep everything hazy in his mind now, and you will have all eternity wherein to amuse yourself by producing in him the peculiar kind of clarity which Hell affords.”
— C.S Lewis

Lengthy quote I know. And remember it's from a demons perspective, so it's not necessarily accurate theology in regards to this believers new security in Christ. 

But what got me thinking was how much is competing for the attention of people. There is in fact a spiritual war going on, and the devil wants anyone that steps foot into a church to be distracted; Distracted from the truth that their life is hidden with Christ on high; Distracted from the vertical adoration that belongs to Christ; AND for certain the devil doesn't want any unbeliever to be intrigued by the message of the Gospel. 

So Screwtape encouraged Wormwood to distract his patient with the church itself! With the songs that were being sung, with the content that was being handed out, with the people that were in the next row, etc...

Maybe this is only challenging to me because of my current profession, but it can be applicable to anyone who is trying to challenge others with the Gospel. For me as a worship leader, and someone who works very closely with the content printed and put in media pieces, I want clarity of the Gospel, and intentionality behind the "why" to be so important.

Clarity- The main thing should always be the main thing, and the main thing is the Gospel. Our message, our content, our worship is all very closely tied to the clarity of Christ's redemptive work on the cross in light of our sinfulness. 

Intentionality- Everything we do should have a purpose. In my case, it's choosing songs to sing at our church, writing content for videos or print material, providing direction for transitions or service elements...etc. All of these things can either become a distraction or a vehicle. For example, we sing a lot of songs, but there's a lot we don't sing because it's important that the song fits our purpose, and has clarity in it's message. Hopefully through thoughtful preparation, biblical clarity, and a desire to offer our best to The Lord, people's minds can be fixed on Christ. 

There will always be distractions, and there will always be a spiritual battle for our attention. This has been challenging for me to think about whether I'm aiding the battle for the good or the bad. I find it so important regarding ministry and those gathering to worship Christ.  Do our attempts to minister aid distraction or act as a vehicle to worship?