Contentment

First Timothy 6:6 (NIV)

“Godliness with contentment is great gain.”

In a world where hardly anyone seems to be content, what must one do to find both a comfortable and comforting place of contentment? What comes to mind when you think of contentment?

1- A small infant with not a worry in the world. No concern of where food is coming from… never a question of shelter or love.

*The world teaches us discontentment. The world teaches us to fear. The world teaches us to be suspicious of our neighbors.

2-Contentment is also personified in the little home of the elderly woman who graced my life from Gilbertown, AL. Her name was Ollie Lee Long. Sister Ollie as many would call her… but Mawmaw as most would call her. She had a humble little house. Nothing new or glamorous was positioned throughout the decor. In fact, the only thing new in the house was the last few bags of groceries that she had recently purchased, a drawer full of night gowns (with the tags still on) that she had received for the last several Christmases (she refused to wear them because they were “new”… and what she had was working just fine), also in the collection of new things was a stack of dish towels that she was modifying with her ball of yarn and a button to send home with every child and grandchild to hang on their refrigerator or stove door… Oh and there was one more new thing in her house… ME, the little “preacher boy” who married her great-granddaughter.

We always looked forward to going to Mawmaw’s house for Christmas. Not because of the big screen TV that would play our favorite football team’s game… Not because of the comfy, expensive furniture that we would fall into and relax… Not because of anything of the sort, because there simply was none of that in the house. We looked forward to going to Mawmaw’s house because there was a sweet sense of simplicity and contentment that embraced us from the moment we walked through the door until we left. Christmas at Mawmaw’s was about Family, Food, Fun, Friendliness… many of the things that provide contentment.

Babies and Sr. Adults… are they the only ones who can be content? It sure seems that way. We middle-aged people in the rat race find little or no contentment. We try to keep up with the Joneses (whoever they are). We try to outdo the Smiths (I know several of them). We try to get everything on our child’s Christmas list… no matter how much it costs, nor how long we will be paying for it, only to watch them tear open this package, lay it to the side, and move on to the next paper to tear. The constant tearing of paper leaves us no time or energy to be content. Contentment is not always conquering the next mountain, getting the next promotion, being invited to the party down the street… tearing paper… contentment is finding our place in Jesus and knowing that no matter what comes our way, Jesus Christ is our only place of solace and contentment.

Mawmaw was satisfied with Jesus, therefore other material things just didn’t matter.

Philippians 4:10-13  I’m glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you’re again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.

Mastered by the Master

Exodus 2:11 … Moses went out to his brothers and looked at their burdens…

You know the story how that on that fateful day, Moses saw one of the Jews being beaten by an Egyptian. This one of his brothers (“brothers” as in same nationality), there was a kindredness with this person because of their lineage. The Jewish people were slaves to the Egyptians and would be for a total of 400 years. At the moment of seeing this happen, Moses felt that he would be instrumental in the deliverance of the oppressed people, so in his misunderstanding of what God called him to do, he advanced on the oppressor and killed him. Moses was indeed called to deliver his people, but he was not the man for the work until he had learned communion with God… thus 40 years on the back side of the desert.

What has God called you to? In the beginning of all of our ministries, we see the great things that we can accomplish for God… and we can do it! But, in every case, there has to be a training and discipleship time that prepares us for our moment to shine. And Moses did shine, but he had to learn how to communicate with God, how to trust God, how to hear from God, etc. Let there be no mistake about it, when something supernatural takes place in your life and in your world, it is not because of you… it is because of the Supernatural God that has worked a great work through you.

When the spotlight is on you for your moment of destiny, you and God will not suffer a loss or a disappointment. He will not allow that! But, it is only because you have already spent time in the desert like Moses, in the winepress like Gideon, in the Den of Lions like Daniel… You and I must allow ourselves to be mastered by the Master.

He has called us to great things, and we will be part of those glorious times… when the Master says “it is time”.

Some News Worth Reporting

Check this out:

http://www.salvationarmyokcac.org/

Where Have You Found Him

Wow! It has been a long time since I stepped up to the mic. For those who have been kind enough to keep checking back for a new post, let me first apologize for keeping you waiting. There are times when I feel inspired to write and other times that I feel wordless (if that is even a word). As I awoke this morning, I was thinking on a passage of scripture that will eventually become a sermon that I will preach. I have, for some time now, tried to preach out of my personal Bible study, rather than just looking for sermons from various locations. I must admit that as a preacher, the radar is always on and searching for some good material. My thoughts were focused early this morning on Elisha’s question in the early verses of 2 Kings… “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” This is coming from the lips of a young preacher who has faithfully served the man of God, who has been there to pour water on Elijah’s hands to refresh him, he has been there until the moment that a chariot of fire parted the two of them and took the Prophet into the heavens. Now he stands on the banks of the waters, with a mantle in his hand, on-lookers staring him down, needing a miracle to endorse his new found ministry. Those were the words from his mouth, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?”

Here are a couple of quick answers:

-He is sitting at the right hand of the Father interceding for me and you. He is interested in you gaining and keeping the victory in our lives so much that He will pray for us to succeed. Incredible!

-He is waiting to answer the difficult questions. He is the answer to all of our questions. He is the solution to all of our problems. He is the factor that is missing from our lives that will propel us from just getting by into supernatural abundance. He is not threatened by our questions. He is not sitting on the throne hoping that you do not ask him anything. He says, “Ask and it shall be given…” He is ready to be Jehovah-Jireh (The God who provides) in your personal life. Unbelievable!

We are the most fortunate people to have a God like Jesus Christ. This is certainly not the entirety of the message… If you have some good insight for me, leave it in a comment. Maybe you have a story about the unlikely places that you have found “the Lord God of Elijah”.

“Don’t Quit… Keep Playing”

I have a neat story that I would like for you to read… so here goes…

The folklore surrounding Ignace Paderewski includes this story: A mother, wishing to encourage her son’s progress at the piano, bought tickets for a Paderewski performance. They found their seats near the front of the concert hall. The mother found a friend to talk to and the boy slipped away. When eight o’clock arrived, the spotlights came on, and only then did they notice the boy on the piano bench innocently picking out “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” The master appeared on the stage and quickly moved to the keyboard. “Don’t quit—keep playing,” he whispered to the boy. Leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around the other side, encircling the child, to add a running obligato. Together, the old master and the young novice held the crowd mesmerized. In our lives, unpolished though we may be, it is the master who surrounds us and whispers in our ear, “Don’t quit—keep playing.” And as we do, he augments and supplements until a work of amazing beauty is created.

I have been thinking lately of just how big and awesome God is. (I know what you are thinking… that is an impossible subject to really get a grasp on.) But, in considering that subject, I came to a realization… God can be even bigger in my life if I will simply make myself more vulnerable to Him.

Has someone ever turned a light on in the pitch black room where you were sleeping? The light seems more brilliant because of the preceding darkness. The darker the darkness, the brighter the light is. And with squinting eyes, we try to comprehend the light.  This is an awesome story of contrasting power. Ignace Paderewski was an accomplished concert pianist. A large crowd paid to come and hear his masterful music… A young pianist with elementary skill played all he knew to play, and truthfully no one, except for maybe his mother would have paid to hear him play… but the two of them together captured the attention and heart of the whole crowd.

You know, God doesn’t ask anymore from us than that we play what we know how to play. We must do what we know to do. Sure, it is inferior to what is needed most of the time. Maybe all we know is “Twinkle twinkle little star”, but God requires that we get in position to do our best… and with us pecking away at the task at hand, He wraps himself around us and “Twinkle twinkle little star” begins to sound like,  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6Nk5mXJJLI

Hear the words of Jesus, ”My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” As long as I think that I am capable of doing something for the Kingdom of God, then I am limited in my effectiveness and success. But when I realize that I am weak and infirmed… and through that knowledge, give Jesus all the rights to my life… then and only then can real, supernatural power come flowing through my life. I have to become vulnerable to God, to see His strength perfected in my life. 

In all that you have been called to do, never allow yourself to give up and quit. Hear the words of the Master, “Don’t Quit… Keep Playing”.

Volunteers!!!

Thanks Volunteers!

Oklahoma has just closed out our 2009 Prayer and Praise Conference in Oklahoma City. It was a powerful encounter with God. Our Heavenly Father truly revealed Himself in a powerful way through The Word and through mighty demonstrations of His Spirit. We are grateful for the life-changing experiences that God Almighty has provided.

Along with the might of God being impressive… so was the volunteer force that provided assistance in every area of the Conference. From the IT personnel, to the kitchen staff, from the nursery and children’s workers to the ushers… everyone did an exceptional job. Servant leadership is the only model of leadership that we have in the New Testament that truly works! I want to say a heart-felt “Thank You” to everyone who pulled together to form an army of volunteers that made every guest and every faithful feel like this was certainly the greatest Prayer Conference yet! Dr. Raymond Culpepper and Bishop Randy Hamon did a stellar job bringing a word from God that enlightened, encouraged, and excited the faith of every person in attendance. Praise God for the Oklahoma Bishop and First Lady, Dr. and Sis. Brewer! They really know how to put on a Holy Ghost meeting. I am honored to be a part of such a wonderful state and a wonderful state team. I am blessed and I shout it out from the rooftop… “THANK YOU!”     

Return ‘09

The average church-goer will paint you a gloomy picture that dipicts ALL of the middle-aged people as being flaky and absent from today’s churches. Statistically, there is reason to believe those accusations… but this past weekend, a greoup of 18 to 30-something year olds gathered for a ground-breaking retreat called Return 09: A Weekend to Encounter God. This is the 2nd year that the Churches of God in Oklahoma put an emphasis on what has been called the “Good-bye Generation”. The entire weekend drove home the message that this generation is vital as it relates to the present and the future of the Lord Jesus Christ’s Church. The power and presence of God was certainly present with conviction and with rejoicing. One of the highlights of the weekend was when we all took the opportunity to travel to the Johnson Church of God and spend time together connecting on a personal level. Sharing together in a time of fun and games. In all of the sessions there was a tangible presence of the Lord, causing deep commitment to take place. I personally want to thank the Return Committee for putting together this awesome time of inspiration… I can’t wait until next year!

“I Love You, Mama”

It was a windy, kind of chilly day… the ground was damp, as we walked along a long dirt road. The dirt road was identified by the two ruts made by a vehicle… a row of grass was growing in the middle of the tire tracks… but we had parked by the fence back at the farmhouse and were walking the nearly ¼ mile to an old forgotten family cemetery. The mood was quiet with very little talking. Even though there were several family members, it was still a limited crowd of only about 20 people. My dad had in his hand a little gray box. As we walked, I could smell the fresh cut grass… I could smell the soil that had been interrupted by the tractor that had removed the brush and the fallen trees from the area where those little stained markers were that bore my family history. My grandmother had a fear of being buried. As a child, her family had gone to the beach, and there her brothers and sisters buried her in the sand with her head only sticking out of the sand… it was all fun and games, until they ran off and left her as a prank. Because of that she was terrified of being buried. Three months before this walk to the cemetery, she learned that she had cancer… aggressive colon cancer… and it didn’t take long. Her requests were… No flowers, only one long-stem rose will accompany her into the crematory… and now we were doing our best to carry out the rest of her requests. You see, she only had one living child, my daddy… but she had another child that lived to be about 6 hours old… and he was there. Her parents were there and other family members too. Three graves together… my great-grandparents and my uncle Johnny. Her request was, to have her ashes poured out on her baby’s grave and on her parents graves… So my dad, the only logical one to carry out the request, pried the top of the gray box off, opened the plastic bag that held my grandmother, and began to scatter her ashes onto the ground. As we stood there in unblinking silence, the next thing that my dad did will forever be engraved upon my mind and heart… He took the last few ashes, poured them into his hand, pressed his lips to those bitter ashes… and with a clear and unbroken tone he said, “I love you, Mama”… and gently cast them onto the ground.