Someone is Following You

Yesterday I opened our time of worship with the reading of Psalm 139.  I have read that Psalm countless times and referenced it in many sermons.  But when I read verse five yesterday morning, it jumped off the page with fresh comfort for my life.

Psalm 139:5 You go before me and you follow me.

Such a simple, short verse with such profound meaning.  There have been times in my life when it seemed to me that God was absent or very distant.  I’ve wanted to ask him, “Lord where are you?” I think this verse has settled that issue for me.

So going forward, when He seems absent, I will trust that He is going before me, preparing the way (Isaiah 45:2).  And I will be comforted by the promise that He is following me.  He is ensuring my arrival at my destination and protecting me from the attacks of the enemy.

And of course the reality is that He never leaves us.  Hebrews 13:5 says I will never fail you or abandon you.  

So go enjoy your Monday!  He goes before you. He follows you. He never leaves you!

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Rainy Days and Mondays

It’s Monday morning and everyone knows that Monday is the one day of the week that nearly everyone hates.  It’s back to work, back to school and back to reality.  We escape on the weekends for a few days only to hear Monday screaming, “I’m waiting for you!”

With the dread of Monday, at least here in Alabama, came heavy rain from the time we woke up.  No one likes a rainy Monday. The Carpenters knew it and wrote a classic.  Here it is for your enjoyment.  Rainy Days and Monday  You can thank me later!

One of the lines in the song is key for all of us on Monday and especially on a rainy Monday. “Funny but it seems that it’s the only thing to do. Run and find the one who loves me.”  And that’s my recommendation on this Monday.

Romans 8:38-39 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. ³⁹ No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I’m not sure what this verse does for you, but it gives me great hope and encouragement as I start this week.  Monday matters.  I’ll only get this day this one time in my life.  No rain, no trouble, no worries will hold me back.  The love of Christ will help me and keep me no matter what the week holds.

I hope you a great week!

The First Time in 14 Years

I can’t believe another school year is upon us.  It seems as though summer just began and yet fall is creeping around the corner.  But more than that, our family unit continues to grow and change.  And it happens so very fast.

Today, was the first time in fourteen years that I wasn’t needed to take my kids to school.  Chris graduated three years ago, so that’s been over for a while. But Carissa is now sixteen and can drive herself to school.  Kind of painful this morning when I watched her pull out of our driveway.

Two things for me to takeaway from this moment.

1. Life will not slow down.  James 4:14 says, “Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.” In my opinion, that is one of the truest statements ever written.
2. I will celebrate every moment.  Since I can’t slow things down, instead of being depressed, I CHOOSE to celebrate each moment, each phase and each year.

So for the first time in fourteen years I’m not needed to drive my kids to school.  I celebrate not being stuck in school traffic! I celebrate not starting my morning with road rage and increased blood pressure.  I celebrate my second cup of coffee at home instead of trying to find a to-go cup.

More importantly, I  celebrate that both of my kids are growing up into mature, contributing young adults.  I’m watching them spread their wings a little more every year.  One is looking to leave the nest at some point, while the other is just wanting to drive all over the place.

But it’s all good.  God is good.  I’m one blessed man.

I Refuse to Celebrate

No one loves a celebration more than me. For one reason, my celebrations usually involve food! I love finding any reason to splurge and head to a restaurant and indulge in good food, good fun and celebration. If I lose one pound in a week, I celebrate on the weekend with a big piece of cheesecake. No one has to convince me into a celebration.

With that said, there’s something I refuse to celebrate.  I don’t read Facebook as much as I used to but I can’t help but notice all the recent posts about end times and the judgment of God that is coming. There is a lot going on in our world and many things are pointing us to the end. I will be quick to add, judgment is coming. I believe the end is near. But I refuse to celebrate.

It seems to me and I could be wrong, that Christians can’t wait to see Christ return and make everything right that’s wrong with this world. I have been guilty of this before. And when I see some of the things that are happening, I am tempted to take that approach again. I do long for righteousness to prevail but I also long for salvation in the lives of many people who have not yet accepted Christ as their Savior. 

Instead of celebrating the coming judgment of God, I will celebrate the fact that “grace” is available today. That means there is hope for this messed-up crazy world. (John 3:16, Romans 5:15, 2 Corinthians 8:9)

Instead of celebrating the coming judgment of God, celebrate the fact that the most wretched, sinful, evil person can experience God’s forgiveness. And there’s still time for that to happen. That is worth celebrating.

Remember this. When the judgment of God happens and is fully come, many people, many of your loved ones will die and spend eternity in a place called hell. As the love of Christ matures in us, it should move us to weeping and grieving, not to celebrating the coming judgment of God.

Matthew 18:14 – Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

Sure it is frustrating to see the continued moral decline of our nation. Sure it is frustrating to think about our kids growing up in a world of great sin. But I don’t want the end to come and find me celebrating. Oh but for God’s amazing grace, I too, would be subject to His judgment.

Many will argue that their rants and posts are to warn people about the coming judgment of God. But I have discovered motivating people with fear only works momentarily. At least that is how it works in my life.

A better option might be helping them discover, understand and embrace the incredible display of grace given by Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary (Romans 5:8). Oh what a difference it has made in my life and will make in my eternity.

The ONE THING

I don’t usually post a blog on Sundays but with this being Easter Sunday morning I couldn’t help but include this little story from the life of famed journalist G.K. Chesterton.  It comes from Leonard Sweet’s excellent book: Out of the Question, Into the Mystery.

Standing on a London street corner, G.K. Chesterton was approached by a newspaper reporter. “Sir, I understand that you recently became a Christian. May I ask you one question?”

“Certainly,” replied Chesterton.

“If the risen Christ suddenly appeared at this very moment and stood behind you, what would you do?”

Chesterton looked the reporter squarely in the eye and said, “He is.”

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It Will Only Take Ten Minutes

The biggest weekend of the year for the church is hours away. Take ten minutes and consider doing these three things:

1. Pray for the weekend at COP and churches everywhere that lives would be changed forever.

2. Pray for the ministry teams that will be serving this weekend. From the parking lot to the nursery to the platform, every person serving will need God’s grace at work in their lives.

3. Pick up the phone and invite someone to one of the services scheduled this weekend.

Sunday is coming!

Very Sad News & The Best News Ever

As I am working on the Good Friday message this morning, I’m reading and reflecting on 1 Corinthians 15.

In the shortest summation of the gospel in the New Testament, the apostle Paul declared in 1 Corinthians 15, “What I received I pass on to you of first importance”—the most important fact in all of human history—“Christ died.”

All by itself, that is not good news. It’s actually very sad news.  But then Paul gives us the theological understanding of that event. He uses a profoundly important word, “for,” in order to move us from the fact to its importance in our lives. “Christ died for our sins.” That’s why it’s good news—the best news we’ve ever heard, the only hope we’ve ever had.

I simply can’t wait to share it with everyone this weekend.  My friends, that’s what makes a bad Friday a Good Friday!

 

Things to Remember Concerning Guests @ COP this Easter

This weekend is the biggest weekend of the year at COP. Your friends and family are more likely to attend this Sunday than any other Sunday of the year. And COP is a great place to spend Easter Sunday.

When inviting guests and sitting with and around them on Sunday, here are a couple of things to consider.

1. Pray. Spend some time in prayer and ask God whom you should invite. Go ahead and invite the person that keeps popping into your mind. That’s happening for a reason.
2. Offer to buy your guests a meal either before or after the service. Food makes for a great reason to connect.
3. Sit towards the middle of the row and leave the ends for our guests.
4. Some guests may be unwilling to open up too much. Some may have been hurt in church or they may be skeptical about God and church. Give them some space but don’t miss the opportunity to greet them with love and kindness.
5. When greeting our guests, let them know we are glad they are here. Ask their name and invite them back or to even sit with you.
6. Simply use words like “We are glad to see you.” “Thanks for joining us.” There will be attenders who haven’t been in a while. Don’t make them feel weird by using statements like “Where have you been?” “We haven’t seen you in forever.”
7. Ask them if they have any questions regarding the worship experience. If you can’t answer correctly, point them to an usher or greeter.
8. Be excited and speak positive about COP! It’s not the perfect church but it’s a great place of worship and full of friendly families.
9. Encourage them to complete the Connection Card and give it to a greeter on their way out.
10. Try to catch them one more time before leaving. Wish them a great week and invite them back to the next worship experience.
11. Realize that everyone will spend eternity somewhere. Let’s do our part to at least try and make that place heaven.

These are just a couple of suggestions to make Sunday a success. We want our guests to feel welcome and at home this coming Easter and every Sunday. Our intentional effort is important and could play an important part in ministering to people effectively.

There are invite cards at the Connection Center for you to share with your family and friends. Take several and reach out to as many as you can and let’s make this Resurrection Sunday the best ever at COP!   #Committed to the Resurrection

 

Pastor Mark

Fingers Crossed

Day 9 of 21 – by Pastor Holly Rogers

Matthew 21:22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.

As a child nothing was more exciting than Christmas Eve night. I would hop in bed, squeeze my eyes shut and will myself to sleep. I believed with every fiber of my being that a big fat man was somehow going to squeeze down my chimney and leave me, not just any present, but the exact one I had asked for.

Fast forward to 2013, no longer the kid with a messy face and tangled hair, I find that believing before seeing doesn’t always come as easy as it once did. Sometimes I feel like I send up prayers and cross my fingers in hopes that he is not too busy or that I used enough big words to impress the God of the universe. What in the world am I thinking?

Time and again in scripture, and in our daily lives, God proves himself faithful to answer our prayers. He was faithful to Abraham and Sarah in their prayer for a child, to provide for the Israelites in the desert, to heal the woman with the issue of blood, and He will be faithful to you as well.

Matthew 7:9-11 says, “Which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?  If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”

Today I challenge each of us to:

1. Believe in faith that the creator of all things loves you individually and cares about your concerns.
2. Know that you do not have to beg and plead with your heavenly Father, you need only to ask and believe-he will answer you.
3. Trust that no matter what the circumstances look like, God is in control. 

Moving Forward

Day 8 of 21

Exodus 14:13-14 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.  The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.  The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

It’s hard to imagine the fear that was racing through the minds of the Israelites as they stood with the Red Sea before them and the attacking army of Egypt behind them.  The future looked like a very impossible reality and the past seemed to be creeping its way back into their lives.  Forward seemed unlikely.

If I’m honest, I would have been afraid.  They had endured four hundred years of slavery to the Egyptians.  And even though that was not the life they wanted, they even acknowledged that at least in Egypt they had food and a roof over their heads.  Now it appears they may die.  They can’t go forward, but going back isn’t looking too good either.

And so it is in this crisis, the words of Moses from the Lord are a little easier to embrace.  Mainly because there is nothing left to do.  And so they stood firm and the Lord parted the sea and they moved forward on dry ground.  When the enemy pursued, they all drowned as the sea walls collapsed on them.

It’s called “being stuck between a rock and hard place.”  We have all been there.  It’s those places where there seems to be no right answer.  But I will at the very least say, forward is always better than backward.

And so today I choose to stand firm and trust the Lord.  Cling to these few truths.

1. There’s nothing to go back to.  We all know the old life is full of nothing but disappointment.

2. God has been faithful in the past.  I am confident He will remain faithful.

3. God is greater than your past.  Whatever is behind you and maybe even chasing you, God has brought you out of your Egypt and the Promised Land awaits you.  And the way there is FORWARD.  

I pray the Lord give you the ability to put some things behind you and may He give you strength to let them go.

FORWARD! It’s the only way to live!