Feasting in the Midst of Famine

Psalm 37 says of the righteous, "In the midst of famine, they shall have plenty."  It is a word of promise that should be comforting in these turbulent financial times.  When we listen to the news and talking heads we can grow increasingly anxious over what will happen in the future.  What we should be doing is giving thanks to God.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  Phil. 4:6 NKJV

You see, you may have no control over the circumstances or how they will affect your daily living, but you can control what you think about, what you feed on.  If you feed on things that make you worry, anxiety will be the dominant force in your life.

"Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes him glad."  Prov. 12:25 NKJV

While the world is experiencing a feeding frenzy and seems to almost be craving a new Great Depression, that should not be the dream or outcome of the believer.  But, unless you are following God's Word and plan, you will be right there with the world when the house of cards all comes crashing down.  Like finances, your end will be determined by what you invest.  Lots of adages spring to mind, but let it suffice to say, your thought life will determine your direction, thus you need to make sure you think about the right things.

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of a good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things."  Phil. 4:8  NKJV

Doesn't sound much like the evening news, does it?  This doesn't mean you can't watch the news, but it should not be allowed to dominate your thought life.  If you are going to overcome the circumstances of life in the natural world, you are going to have to learn how to tap into the supernatural so that miraculous things happen in your life.  This is not just for you, but so that you can be a blessing to others.

"Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness.  Delight yourself in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass."  Psalm 37:3-5 NKJV

Remember, "you are what you eat," and if your diet is 24 hour news channels, it is likely you will be filled with anxiety and depression.  But, if you feed on the faithfulness of God, His power, resources, and willingness to get involved in your life will be the thing that springs to the forefront of your mind.  Remember Sarah?  Past menopause, a geriatric, and married to a guy pushing 100, she is supposed to be giving birth to the family of faith and the nation of Israel.  How did she overcome her circumstance to become a blessing?

"By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised."  Heb. 11:11 NKJV

You see, miraculous things happen when you let your thought life rise to the level of God's realm.  Just like Sarah, when you feed on His faithfulness the impossibility of your circumstance becomes no more than one more opportunity for God to act on your behalf.  Then, in the midst of global famine, economic destitution, or international pandemic, you have an answer that supercedes everything available to those in the world.  If you will be what God has made you to be, if you will draw on the supernatural resources available to all who believe, if you will be a real Christian, a real believer, then you will have help for those in need and hope for those who are without.  You are the answer to the problem!

So Much To Do, So Little Time

We get so busy in ministry, have you noticed?  A service here, a meeting there, one to visit and another to counsel, sometimes it is difficult to keep it all in perspective.  As I travel I am reminded that there is more to this world than the little part of it I inhabit.  What a healthy revelation!

With the hurricanes and flooding in Galveston, how many Americans will forget the Haitians that have no food or shelter or place to go?  How many people will fill their fuel tanks for winter and forget those displaced by the war in Georgia?  They say the news cycle has been compressed to about 36 hours.  Once a headline has dropped from the screen it will quickly be forgotten.  How sad if we can be so easily "pushed by the wind and tossed."  Pastor, here is your chance to shine.  You can keep the perspective by keeping God's heart in front of the people.

What God cares about is PEOPLE.  In the race for President, God cares about people's eternal condition as well as their temporal state.  In the midst of the storm, He is still aware of every windblown hair on their head.  I have always loved Jeremiah 29:11.

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."

What encouragement we can draw from His words, but only if we have those who will come along side us and speak them into our lives.  Are you being a cheerleader for those around you?

Tuesday I was in Huntington, WV for the New Life Church (http://www.nlconline.org) Campmeeting.  What a wonderful time, a refreshing time, a time of inspiration and encouragement.  As Brother Mark Hankins ministered, I heard the Holy Ghost speak inside me and say,

"Where you are is the starting point, not the end.  This is not a stop along the way.  On this journey there is no reverse so let's get on with what is ahead."

It speaks to my heart and stirs in me a desire to finish the race set before me.  It should also be a word to each of us that reminds us that there is lots more to what is going on than what we have experienced.  As Rev. Jim Kaseman said recently,

"We need to focus on what God has commissioned us to do - reach the lost, train disciples - and know that God will supply everything we need to get the job done."

Let's not loose sight of our goal, not be distracted by the cares of this world, not be led astray by the circumstances that face us, but rather, let us rise with each new day and press on in our destiny to see the will of the Father done in the earth.

What keeps you in church?

As you may know, we travel around a great deal visiting churches of all kinds.  This week we were back with friends at Pittsburgh East.  The worship is, as always, tremendous.  The sermon was great.  The "Kids Stuff" presentation was powerful and inspiring.  After such a good day, I found myself pondering, what is it that keeps us coming back to a church.

We will tolerate mediocre preaching, children's ministry that is lacking, and off key music as long as we don't have them all at the same time.  But, we will tolerate a mediocre service IF the thing that makes church valuable for us is present.

Jesus said, "By this shall all men know that you are my disciples if you have love one for another."  A church where you know or at least feel you are loved is a church where you will find it easy to "stick."

I see this at PECC.  These are people who genuinely care for each other.  They love their pastors, cheer their membership, and seem like one big extended family.  It doesn't take very long to feel the love here.  Youth loving on the little guys, staff loving on "the sheep", congregation loving on the Father, ... you get the picture.

As I took in all that was going on around me, I thought, "I could be part of this church."  Apparently, others feel the same way.  The church is growing, the community is noticing, and the city of Pittsburgh will never be the same.

Three cheers to Pastor Lee and his staff, to all those who give of themselves in ministry, and to those who make up PECC for building a church that is salt and light in the Pittsburgh area.