6 Things I Learned In My 20s

It is true.
My 20s have come to an end.
As of today, I begin my fourth decade as a human being on this earth.

I've been thinking a lot this past week about the last 10 years. What did the Lord teach me in my 20s? God has been gracious in so many ways, and yet much of it was not how I expected.

Here's 6 things I learned in my 20s.

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1.
An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. (Proverbs 31:10)

Not everyone learns this in their 20s. That's ok. I was engaged at age 20 and married at 21 to my best friend. She has followed me, encouraged me, challenged me, held me up when life was heavy, allowed me to hold her up when life was heavy...It's amazing to me how God provides the strength, words, and faith for one, when the other can't find them, and vice-versa. I've learned so much from loving and living with my beautiful bride for 9 years, and honestly, it only gets better. I love you Nicole.

2.
My way's not always God's way, but God's way is better than my way.

If I've learned anything over the last 10 years, it's that God has a plan, God never makes mistakes, and He is intimately and intricately involved with the deepest facets of our hearts. Growing up, my favorite bible-verse was Proverbs 3:5-6. In the last 10 years, I've struggled at times to trust in the Lord and not lean on my understanding. Those are the cloudiest times I can think of. My own understanding can bring confusion, discontentment, and questioning, while trusting in the sovereignty and direction of our loving Father brings peace, joy, and gratitude. I wouldn't have chosen certain things, and I even have questions about certain things that will probably never be answered until heaven, but I see God's hand in every turn, decision, and path. "God doesn't always give us what we ask for, but he gives us what we would have asked for had we known all that he knows." ~ Paul David Tripp

3.
Good things come on the other side of the valley.

You know that verse in James that talks about counting your trials as joy, because they produce steadfastness and ultimately a more complete child of God? I get that more now. There are things that the Lord has for us, that He won't give us until we get to the other side of the valley.  God is interested in making us more complete. He is a shepherd, and sometimes this dumb sheep needs found when he wanders off, or corrected when he does his own thing, or carried when the path is the hardest...But the Lord has constantly led me to still waters, restored my soul, and I know He is preparing me for the table he prepares in heaven, where my cup, and my joy will overflow for all of eternity. "I lift my eyes to the hills, for where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth" (Psalm 121:1-2).

4.
Competence + Character

Look, I'll admit now, I thought I knew more than I actually did when I was in my early 20s. I had a big vision, I had a lot of passion, and I was even pretty good at some of the things I wanted to do with my life. Praise God for schooling and experience and gifting and talents! But, competence will only carry you as far as your character let's you. God wants competent, passionate, kingdom builders who have the character of Christ. Character is built in humility; understanding that you may not have it all together. The wisdom of older believers and leaders has been invaluable in my life. Their sharpening, their counsel, their prodding, and their time has provided so much guidance and shaping to who I am and who I want to be for the glory of God. God's Word and accountability are two of the greatest assets to anyone seeking to grow in the likeness of Christ.

5.
There are advantages to disadvantages.

I'll speak from my experience as someone in vocational ministry, but I think this can apply to anyone trying to follow the Lord. There are things that our family has decided to live without, in order to follow Jesus the way we want to. There are sacrifices the Lord asks us to make, and they're not always easy things. In fact, some things are for sure an advantage, and praise God for those things. But when God asks us to give up something or sacrifice, what is too much for him to ask? Sometimes, what seems to be a disadvantage, is actually an advantage in the kingdom of God. I'm learning to find the kingdom value in the things I would call disadvantages. It is there that God never disappoints.

6.
Every personal dream or accomplishment is shattered in comparison to loving and leading your kids to Jesus.

I'm telling you, if there is one thing that will start to jerk the tears from my eyes, its my kids. I love them. For whatever reason, God in His grace saw fit to entrust three little ones to my wife and I in our 20s. Having children challenged me in my commitment to the Gospel, and the simplicity of it's message. My wife is so much better at helping our kids understand spiritual things, but I have learned much about delivering God's truth to little ears. And for my older two, I have a few very distinct moments I'll never forget where the Lord was clearly convicting them, and drawing them to himself. I have seen the Holy Spirit working in their hearts and on their conscience in some of the most tangible ways I've ever experienced. It's in those moments that their child-sized faith challenges my own. I am far from done navigating the depths of my children's sinful hearts with them, but I believe and see the Lord working on them and it stirs a response of worship in my heart like nothing else. "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth" 3 John 1:4. Let it be so Lord!

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Well, there you go. Those are 6 things I've reflected on from my 20s. I for sure have not arrived, and I look forward to what the Lord does in the years to come. This is no time to slow down. I pray the Lord grants me the energy to run hard for him for as long has He sees fit, and I pray my life would be nothing but an arrow, pointing others straight to Jesus.

For His glory. For His fame.
Soli Deo Gloria || Glory to God Alone

No Place Like His Presence

The Lord keeps teaching me something. He wants our availability. He wants our flexibility. He wants our greatest desire to be His presence. Sometimes when God moves it's inconvenient. Sometimes when God moves it throws off our plans. Sometimes when God moves it's out of nowhere. But the important question is, when He chooses to move, will you choose to wait and worship and linger in His presence as long as He sees fit? Or do you bail? Sure life moves and life happens, but there is no place like His presence, and He desperately wants to move in extraordinary ways, among those who desperately seek Him with all their heart, even when it's not convenient.

This weekend at my church, Harvest Bible Chapel Granger, the Lord moved. My Pastor preached on worship, and at the end of the Saturday night service spontaneously told our congregation they were welcome to leave, but that we were going to continue worshiping for a while. My band wasn't even planning on staying through the message that night, because they weren't needed at the end of the service. They have families, and plans, and babies, but they made room and made themselves available. After the service ended Saturday, we worshiped the Lord through song for an extended 45 minutes. Almost everyone stayed, and the Lord was really moving. The people's response to the truth that was preached was so passionate. More passionate than at the beginning of the service...The fire was fueled in hearts, the Lord was on the move, and it was a beautiful time in song, prayers, and scriptures. 

For Sunday we rearranged the entire service to have the majority of the singing at the end. Really special moments in the Lord's presence with our church. I prayed with a couple at the end of one of the services who were in tears from meeting with the Lord. There is no place like His presence. 

Lord, let me be available to your service, to your presence, and to Your Spirit when you move.

OneCry Fort Mills SC

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It was a really special time in God's presence this week. 7 services in 4 days, Gods people came hungry for His presence...God met us in the perfect way in each gathering. Truth proclaimed, sweet sweet times in corporate prayer, soul stirring times in worship...There seemed to be so much sensitivity to the Spirit of God who was beautifully leading us as we gathered. This team of young worshipers served so faithfully and I saw their passion and spirit renewed and refreshed. Gods strength was shown as the teacher faithfully pressed thru His weakness of a lost voice. There was a unifying spirit in the room each night. There was a reassurance from the Lord, as tired people came to serve and left moved and motivated. These are things I sensed, and things that are hard to comprehend unless you were there.

I'm convinced more and more that every opportunity to really seek the Lord and His presence corporately is worth every effort. God wants to be in the midst of His people, but He needs His people to move towards Him desperately, fervently, passionately, boldly, sacrificially, broken, humble...etc.

I don't think the Lord started a massive revival...yet...here in Fort Mills SC. But I believe He delightfully sent a fresh wind of His Spirit among those who went out of their way to seek the presence of the Lord.

God be praised.

Build Your kingdom.

TURN. PRAY. UNITE.

OneCry

Sunday Morning Thoughts

Last night, at Elevation Church, I worshiped Jesus with an incredible band at 110decibels.

This morning I led an 8:15am traditional service in Southern Gospel Hymns.

At Elevation, people were dancing, singing, shouting, and loud.

This morning at First Baptist Church, a 70+ year old woman, seated at the back, had her eyes closed, head raised, and hands open and out as we sang acapella, the hymn Holy, Holy, Holy.

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God transcends culture, preference, music, churches, age, demographic, "hipness," "stuffiness," etc...

He is jealous for the hearts of HIS people. He looks for worshipers in every "worship" gathering, and He meets them right where they are, as they look to Him.

Where the Spirit is, there is freedom. I basked in that freedom last night at Elevation Church, and this morning at First Baptist Church's 8:15 traditional service.

God is great and greatly to be praised. 

OneCry Oxford

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Sitting in an airport reading testimonies of how God worked in people's lives at OneCry conference this week. I am really blessed to get to serve Jesus and His people for a living. It's extremely humbling...While I got to minister and pour out some this week, I took in so much. Here's some takeaways:

1.

God is working far beyond what I can see. His presence in people's lives goes far beyond my own finite judgment.

2.

My ministry, my gifting, my desires...they'll never go further than my own prayer life. Prayer must be the foundation, not the afterthought,  of any ministry.

3.

The 72 year old pastor of the church we were at seemed tired and worn from worship wars, disunity, and struggle, but was so evidently faithful, humble, and loving toward His sheep.  His example of God-initiated action and prayer drenched labor spoke multitudes to me.

4.

I was blessed by the questions and hungry hearts of the young people I had the opportunity to serve alongside and speak to. They pour out each week, to different cultures and types of churches. They were so respectful and honoring to the older folks of the church, as well as cooperative and excellent in their tasks.

5.

God can do anything in our messed up, seemingly godless culture. He is still moving all over, and He wants to revive His church more than any person on the planet. God works through available people, humble/repentant hearts, and extraordinary, desperate prayer. I'm leaning into these.

Do We Really Fear God?

Ezra 9:2
"The holy race has mixed itself with the peoples of the land…"

Ezra 9:9
"For we are slaves. Yet our God has not forsaken us in our slavery, but has extended to us HIs steadfast love."

Ezra 9:14
"Would you not be angry with us until you consumed us, so that there should be no remnant, nor any to escape?"

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There's such a Gospel-centric perspective happening here in this chapter of Ezra. I've been thinking about all day. Ezra saw the abomination of intermarriage happening in His culture. God, in justice, had every right to wipe out the entire nation, but didn't. God provided a remnant. A light in the midst of the darkness, that would one day bring forth His perfect Son.

But, even in this experienced mercy, Ezra cries out on behalf of His nation. Ezra repents for the sins of His people. And his repentance was not just a simple confession of sin, but an understanding that God could and in regards to His holiness, should wipe out the entire nation. Such fear of the Lord is seen as Ezra recognizes God's hatred toward sin, and His severe ability to execute justice. 

How often do you think about fearing God? Do you ever think about how God views your sin, or the sins of our nation?  God has every right to wipe our nation from the face of the earth, but in His steadfast, patient love, He has given us His only Son, even while we were slaves to sin.  

Though we've experienced His grace, there is no excuse not to fear Him!  If we could just gaze more tangibly at the Holiness of God, our actions, our conduct, our sin would be so much more horrifying to us, in light of His perfection. 

And one day we will stand face to face with God who hates sin. Hands down, the most shocking moment of our existence will be when we see God for the first time. The Bible doesn't speak of many who saw God, but the few who did had a similar reaction of FEAR. Isaiah cursed himself, John collapsed like a corpse, and Job says He despised himself and fell to the dust in repentance.  

Proverbs 19:23 says, "The fear of the Lord, leads to life." As we gaze at God in His holiness, and even as we experience His great mercy in Jesus, our fear of God should lead us to repentance, and spur us on to walk in righteousness. 

We should praise God for His mercy.
We should fear God for the current state of our nation.
We should be a light in this present darkness.
We should live for the day we will stand face to face with God.

Why You Should Guard Your Heart

I was privileged to preach at Harvest Bible Chapel Granger July 11/12. It was a joy to share some of the things that I'm passionate about, around the truth of God's Word in Proverbs 4. If you watch, I pray it ministers to you. 

Worship Leader Dad

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One of my biggest prayers and desires is that I would be a far greater worship leader in my own home than I am in my church.

I am so thankful that God has counted me faithful at this point in my life, appointing me to have some leadership within a church and a platform for pointing people to Jesus.  I am even more humbled that God would entrust me with 3 children and a beautiful, God-fearing wife.   

As a Father, and a husband, my greatest calling and role in this life is that I would be a worship leader within my own household, to my own little church.  

My dad was a steel-mill worker. Still is. But far more than that, he was a worship leader within our own house. He wasn't perfect, but he never claimed to be. And he always pointed our family to the Father who is perfect in all of His ways. 

Today in church, we invited Dads and husbands and men to join us in leading worship on the platform at my church. More than a fun service element, my prayer is that these men would hold the conviction that they have been entrusted as the worship leaders of their homes. That their hearts desires would be to point their families to Jesus. That dad's would lead children to become the worshipers that God is seeking. 

What a blessing God gives us in family. Husbands to wives, Fathers to children, siblings, sons and daughters. May our song go forth to the ends of the earth that Jesus is Lord, and he alone is worthy of praise!