Joy Indeed... Unity and our Christmas Eve service

In 1 Chronicles 12, David is bringing together his army who will eventually help make him king over Israel.  Verses 38-40 tell us that the men came with "a perfect heart" and were "of one mind" and in the end, their people brought supplies and food and "there was joy indeed in Israel."

The concept that strikes me is that they came with "a perfect heart" AND "were of one mind."  Earlier, in verse 33 it says that they helped "with an undivided heart" or literally, "not with a double heart."  

These people came together with one purpose, one goal, and one vision in mind and they did not waver in their hearts.  They didn't complain, they didn't back-bite or seek division but they came with focus and agreement.  

Thinking back on our Christmas Eve service (and other special events that we've done as a church), I am amazed at how God brings us all together having different talents, abilities, and gifts, yet He provides that ability to have "a perfect heart" and be "of one mind."  He does this through His Holy Spirit's leading.

I watched as artists, carpenters, actors, vocalists, instrumentalists, and helpers of all kinds came together with one heart and one mind to create a masterpiece of excellence.   And, as that was happening, God was bringing others to us with supplies and food!  

I believe that where there is unity, there is anointing.

Psalm 133:1-3 (whole chapter)

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!  It is like the precious oil upon the head, coming down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard, coming down upon the edge of his robes.  It is like the dew of Hermon coming down the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing--life forever."

 Israel experienced "joy indeed" as they worked together toward a common goal.  

To God be the glory!

Pastor Jennifer

Praise Continually in Our Mouths

  Proverbs 29:20 says, "Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?  There will be more hope for a fool than for him." 

  Despite how small the tongue is, James tells us that it is the most difficult thing to tame, in fact, no one can tame the tongue.  That's why James also says that "everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger" (James 1:19).

  Many times we are tempted to say exactly what our first thoughts are when someone says or does something to hurt, offend, or disagree with us.  The tongue is our first weapon of choice at times.

  We are warned in the scriptures that our words can either make or break our lives.  Ouch!  I wonder what words I have spoken along the way that have caused destruction?  I shudder to think.

  James also says that "from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing.  My brethren, these things ought not to be this way" (James 3:10).  Blessings and curses from the same mouth?  How fickle we can be at times.

  The Psalmist writes in chapter 34 verse 1, "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth."  When God's praises are continually in our mouths, our tongues will be prepared to speak blessings rather than curses.   We'll be ready with our weapon of God's Word-- truth and life-- rather than using our tongues as weapons of destruction.  

  My prayer today is, "Father, help me guard what proceeds from my mouth.  Let it be praises and not curses; edifying and not condescending; loving and not spiteful; calm and not arrogant; uplifting and not offensive; understanding and not defensive; pure and true.  Let Your praises continually be in my mouth."

  In our own power, we cannot tame our tongues but with the help of God's Holy Spirit, we can choose our words wisely.  We can be slow to anger, quick to forgive, and quick to offer a good word. 

  Sing a song of praise and bless someone else today.

Pastor Jennifer

What can we learn from a man like Gideon?

The book of Judges chapters six through eight (go ahead and read it) tells the story of an unlikely hero, Gideon.  When the angel of the Lord appeared to him, he addressed Gideon by saying, "The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior." Gideon's response to that obviously shocking greeting was "...I am the least in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father's house."  Despite his comment, the Lord went on to encourage Gideon, "Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat Midian as one man."

Gideon doubted his abilities.  Based on his personal assessment of himself, he doubted God's call on his life-- even when an angel of the Lord was standing in front of him--duh!!    How often do we doubt God's greater call on our lives because of our own assessment of who we think we are, can be, or cannot be. 

The Lord went on to use just 300 Israelites (and 300 trumpets) to chase thousands upon thousands of Midianites and Amalekites.  The enemy's army was counted to be "as numerous as locusts" and "as the sand on the seashore" according to Judges 7:12.  The Bible says that the enemy's men actually turned on each other.

What armies are you facing today?  Do your problems seem too numerous to count, too overwhelming to conqueror?  Because of these issues, do you find yourself doubting the call of God on your life?  Many of us do.  With God at our sides, He fights our battles for us.    It's through Him that we are able to overwhelmingly conqueror (Romans 8:37).   

Let's learn from Gideon.  He didn't feel worthy, adequate, or able, but he went for it (after some questioning and testing).  Through the entire process, Gideon had to trust God.  Imagine how he must have felt starting out with an army of 32,000 and then God cutting it down to 300?  I would imagine he thought, "God, what are You doing?  Do You realize what we're up against?"   The amazing thing is that yes, God did know what Gideon was up against, but He didn't want the Israelites to think that they had won on their own ability.  God wanted the glory for this victory.   There is no humanly possible way that 300 men could defeat myriads.   They had no choice but to trust God, go for it, then praise Him for the victory. 

As you face your enemy army, O valiant warrior, pray and ask God to go before you.   You can do it because He is able.