Small group or Sunday School class primer

One of the things that I think would be a BIG help for the people of OBC is to be involved in some smaller group of believers organized and prepared to share God's Word and to share life together. I came across some helpful suggestions if you are in such a group.

• Praying earnestly for God’s blessing on others, the leader and myself.
  
  
• Depending upon the Holy Spirit to illuminate the Scriptures.
  
  
• Looking to God to speak to me personally.
  
  
• Approaching the Bible in true humility, not to criticize but to be criticized by God’s Word.
  
  
• Avoiding preaching sermonettes to the group.
  
  
• Endeavoring to participate whenever I can in sharing thoughts or by asking questions.
  
  
• Not monopolizing the study in talking too much.
  
  
• Giving loyal support to the leader and encouragement to others.
  
  
• Being ready, with grace and humility, to agree to differ from others.
  
  
• Never discussing adversely the leader or other members of the group in their absence.

Stay in touch

I am grateful for those who read the blog. I also try to stay connected to people in some other ways, so FYI...

• You can reach me at Facebook
  
  
• I am also trying out Twitter. So far, I think it is pretty cool.
  
  
• Also, my email address is chill AT ogletown DOT org
  

Members Meeting last night

In case you missed the Members Meeting last night...

It was great to hear that our church gave over $10,000 to do work through the North American Mission Board. Awesome job! I am glad our church is prepared to give to the cause of missions!

In addition, we heard that we are in a favorable position to offer help to those who are in need in our church family (and extended) through our benevolence fund.

Our "Love Your Neighbor Initiative" which will involve bringing pillows and pillow cases (lots of them) on Sunday for the Sunday Breakfast Mission, is looking like an awesome opportunity for us to bless our community.

We also mentioned that as a result of our discipleship, membership classes, and most of all the Spirit's work, we are looking forward to Sunday, May 17, where several will be baptized and several will be presented who desire to join the OBC family. I cannot wait!

I mentioned that I am "recommitting" to some of my pastoral priorities...

• Ministry of the Word - I spend a good amount of time studying God's Word. I am appreciative of the privilege of doing that. I am trying to maximize my stewardship of God's Word, by preparing for Sunday morning (my opportunity to impact the most people in one setting). But, I am also committed to using my study of God's Word through many other means like Bible studies, counseling appointments, personal discipleship blog posts, etc. We don't do the body of Christ any good if we only 'intake' the Bible and don't pass it along.
  
  
• Prayer - I am committed to praying better for the congregation. I have to grow in my discipline. This week, I have prayed for many people in the OBC family by name. I am praying that God will grow me in that area, as I submit and obey.
  
  
• People - In a congregation our size, it can be difficult to know where to start in that, but I am committed to shepherding people. I love the family that God has called me to at OBC, and I am praying that God will open some doors for me to tangibly show it!
  
  
• Oversight - I recognize that part of my call and New Testament responsibility is to oversee the congregation. My prayer is that as I do the first 3 priorities well, God will open doors for me to do this one well, as well.

I am grateful for those who were there, and also for all those who care about how God is working at OBC.

Success is...

Success is often measured for us, isn’t it? If you get a certain GPA, you have had a successful semester. If you improve your time in a race, or improve your golf score, you can easily look at it as success. If you attain a certain position in a company, many will view you as successful.

But, a question might be, “What does a successful church look like?” Of course, we could look at some outward indicators like the number of attenders, size of the building, or even the amount that the church collects. And surely, those things have their place, but at the end of the day, I am not sure that God is overwhelmingly impressed with any of them.

But, I do think when God looks at Ogletown, He is pleased to see…

• A child growing in their understanding of the God who loves them more than they could imagine
• A small group or a Sunday School class experiencing a level of authenticity or transparency that they have not had before
• A person using their gifts to serve the body of Jesus Christ, sometimes when no one is looking
• A couple who decide to follow biblical commands of hospitality, and open their homes to neighbors as well as to brothers and sisters in Christ
• A teenager who ends up choosing to do what is right, despite the ridicule or embarrassment for not going with the flow
• Parents who have chosen to do the hard work of shaping their child’s heart, and who do so even when it isn’t convenient
• People who gather early on Sunday morning to pray (and those who pray throughout the week for our body as well)
• A college student boldly and lovingly sharing their faith
• A family who begins to develop a heart that makes them love their neighbor in tangible ways
• A person who sees their business as more than something to enhance their earthly security, but rather sees it as a platform to share God’s grace
• A student who takes an extended period of time in their lives (with a measure of personal sacrifice) to invest it in the lives of others
  

These things are happening at Ogletown, and I believe God is pleased. It seems to me that success can manifest itself in 100 different ways, and sometimes it is hard to measure. But, I take great comfort in knowing God sees all, and is working out His perfect will in our lives. Are we perfect? Far from it! Are we successful? I think we are, at times, but there is always room to grow. Are we dependent on Him for everything we need for life and godliness? You can rest assured we are.

More questions for meditation

Here are some more questions I got from the book Open Heart, Open Home. These questions also aid in meditating on God's Word.

1. Is there a warning to heed?
2. Is there a promise to claim?
3. Is there a prayer to echo?
4. How can I see my own experience reflected here?
5. How can I apply this Scripture to practical, everyday life?
6. How can I turn this verse into prayer?

I would add one more question that I think is essential, and that is "Where is the gospel found in this passage?" In other words, even in the Old Testament, the groundwork is being laid for belief in the work of Jesus Christ.

300(+) times

What is God's most frequent command to His people? He gives it over 300 times from Genesis 15:1 to John 14:27! What is it?

"DO NOT BE AFRAID."

Meditating on Scripture

Meditation can sound intimidating. We often put it in a category of "things we might do at a yoga class." And yet, Scripture speaks of meditation in a normal, real way, without some spooky sense to the word. Listen to what the Psalmist says

I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. - Psalm 119:15

I was reading a book called Open Heart, Open Home, and it suggested some questions for meditation.

1. What is the main truth of this verse?
   
   
2. What other Scripture can I find to illuminate this verse?
   
   
3. Is there any word or part of this verse that I do not understand?
   
   
4. Is there a command or word of advice here to obey?
   
   
5. Is there a good example to follow?
   
   
6. Is there a sin or mistake to avoid?

I will share some more Bible meditation questions another day.

Weighed and found wanting

Daniel 5 seems to end in an ominous tone. Verse 27 mentions that King Belshazzar was weighed in the balances and found wanting.

It is clear that God is the judge and His assessment is the only one that matters. Before I am too quick to say "That's what pagan kings deserve," I have to realize that in God's eyes, my life apart from Jesus is weighed in the balances. It has fallen short of God's glory. I have not pleased Him or honored Him. Truly, in the righteousness category, I am found lacking (or wanting).

But, then Christ comes. He lacks nothing in the righteousness category. He identifies with me in my sin. He experienced worse judgment than Belshazzar did for my sin. So, that now, according to Romans, he is just and the one who justifies. He is my greatest advocate. I am not left to experience the wrath of God or His judgment.

I receive life.

Back to Daniel 5

Everything but the kitchen sink. That is what a friend reminded me of when it describes the things worshiped in Daniel 5.

What is striking is that while the gods of stone, wood, iron, bronze, silver, and gold are praised (4,23), the God of Heaven is starkly absent. At lease He seemed to be in the first part of the evening. The end of the evening told a different story.

Verse 23 reminds us in that chapter that God is a God who sees, hears, knows, and holds our life in His hands.

Have you praised that God this morning?

More thoughts on Daniel 5

I preached yesterday and alluded to Daniel 5. When I read these verses they sounded eerily familiar.

Acts 12:20-24 Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food. On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last. But the word of God increased and multiplied.

Kings come and go. Pride still ruins completely. The gospel also stills go on with great power.