e-news for week of 9/12/10

What an uber cool worship experience this past Sunday, eh? In all the services the power and presence of the Lord was right there. Praise God!

Recently I had a conversation with a friend who was going through a period of spiritual darkness and discouragement. One of those spiritually dry seasons in his life. He started talking about his feelings, started talking about life circumstances, personal finances, personal struggles, discouraged about the church he’s serving in, and the like.

Lovingly, I said to my dear brother, “Wake up and snap out of it! You’re buying the lies of Satan. You’re looking for that greener grass. You’re being malcontent with all the blessings God has put in front of you. Stop copping out on other people’s short comings, other people’s discouragement, other people’s lack of faith; and like Joshua declare, ‘As for me and my house we will serve the Lord. Doesn’t matter what any other person or family or anybody else does, I am on the Lord’s side.’”

Frankly, I don’t know how God puts up with us. He gives us life, new life, salvation, provision, freedom, blessings, and the like. Catch this – we pay for our kids’ soccer teams, baseball teams, football teams, leagues, gym memberships, etc. while we have brothers and sisters in Christ around the globe languishing in hunger; all the while we whine about what we don’t have or why can’t I or we be more like….rather than thanking the Lord for the good, great and (un)common blessings that we enjoy daily. If you are reading this you are most likely reading with ELECTRICITY converted into LIGHT. Wow – talk about a blessing. (And if you are reading this off of your Blackberry, while you are driving, thank the Lord AND stop it.)

If you’ve lost sight of God, His blessings, and what He’s accomplishing, it’s sure not His fault. The CREATOR of the universe has revealed and is revealing Himself to you. If you’ve professed Christ as Lord – get over your feelings and trust God – advance His kingdom – live for His glory. Frankly, it’s not about you it’s about Him. This week make His story your story.

This week if you want to dial in ahead of time you can read 1Timothy 6: 11-16 (read the passages before and after it as well.)

The Lord has caused a great stirring in the ministry of Forum this fall. Jump on board and follow the Lord’s lead. Can’t wait to worship with you this Sunday.

Scott