A Thought on Worship

The other day as I was preparing for worship, I asked myself this question…Why do I worship Jesus?  Now, I know what some of you may be thinking…’aren’t you a worship pastor…why are you asking yourself this?’  YES…I am.  I think it is healthy for one to ask themselves why they worship, so they are continually thinking about what Christ did.  Jesus died a brutal death for me; therefore I should have no other choice than to worship.

Here’s why I worship:

I worship Jesus because He is my victory.  I have been through many battles in life where I don’t see how I made it.  There were many times when I wanted to give up or give in to the situations that were surrounding me.  Yet I can look back and truly say that God was with me the whole time fighting for me.  I am reminded of the verse in Deuteronomy 1:30, ‘The LORD your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes…’.  If God is the same God yesterday as He is today, then God will fight for you and cause you to be the Victor…not the victim…(I stole that last line from Joel Osteen lol)…wait, I just wrote lol…

Jesus conquered the freaking grave!!!!!!  I want to encourage you to worship our Victorious Savior.

I’m really going to get into some hot topics over the next few posts on this subject matter.  I hope to blog more than once-in-a-when-I-feel-like-it…

Here are some interesting posts you should check out:

The New Church Tradition:  Worship

Suggestions for Today’s “Relevant” church

The Bread of Life

I’ve been stuck on the life, death, and resurrection of Christ lately…God has really been revealing Himself to me in many ways on this subject matter.

Each night Merinda and I pray The Lord’s Prayer over Jude…which he can say by himself.  I was saying it one night and I believe I had a revelation when I got to the ‘give us this day, our daily bread’ part.  Jesus said it like this in John 6:35, “I am the bread of life, He who comes to me will never go hungry…’

As I say this prayer each night I think…Give me this day, our daily bread…or, give me my needs, give me the necessities of life, give me this, give me that…and before I know it I have a huge ‘to-do-list’ for God with just the simple words of, give me my daily bread.  But I think there’s something more to this.  I think Christ was saying I am the bread of life and when you pray, pray that you will eat of my bread, daily.  In other words…give me You, Jesus, the bread of life that was broken for all of humanity.  Fill me with the life of Christ…fill me with your spirit…so that I will never go hungry.

So when I pray the Lord’s Prayer I pray it like this in my spirit…”Father in heaven, holy and righteous is Your name.  Let your kingdom come and let Your will be done in my life and on earth just as it is in heaven.  Today…live inside of me and give me new life that is only found in You, Your daily bread.  Forgive me of my wrong doings as I forgive those who have done me wrong. Save me from the trails of this life and deliver me from evil.  The kingdom, power, and glory are Yours forever.  So be it!

-Matthew

Recommended song – ‘Your Love is Strong’ – Jon Foreman

Closet Cleaner

There are many reasons why I haven’t blogged:

1. Listening more to God.
3. Catch up on some reading.
4. We sold our house and moved.

While we were in the process of moving I was in awe of how much stuff we had in our closets.  We went from a big house to an average size apartment, so you can imagine how much stuff we either had to put in storage or in the garbage.  While I was cleaning out my closets the thought came to me about how many times I need to keep my inner closets clean.  You know…our mind, body, and spirit.  So many times I allow junk to creep in my life and before I know it I’m full of trash and cobwebs.

That’s exactly how those closets looked in my house.  There were things that I wanted to hold on to that had no value to me anymore.  I could never let go of them…but then I realized that in order to go to my new house I had to throw the junk in the garbage.

I think this is why the Bible tells us that we need to put to death all desires of the flesh in order for us to live according to his will.  When we clean our closets and die to the flesh we can allow God to fill our closets with His spirit and His blessings.

What are some things you need to get rid of in your closets?  (And if you still think I’m talking about the closets in your house, you need to catch up.)

Much Love-

5 Things You Should Say To Someone (Daily)

A couple of days ago I wrote about things you should never say, well today I am doing the opposite.  Here are a few things that should always be in your vocab.

1.  Get off the pity potty

We all know that one person who’s always complaining…whining…woe is me…I can’t make it…I don’t know what I’m going to do…bla bla bla…Seriously! Tell them to freaking shut up and move on.

2.  Nothing

You know that song…’You say it best when you say nothing at alllllllllll.’  I think most people are just looking for someone to listen to them.  At least that’s what I’ve found being in the ministry.

3.  I Love You

Come on…sound it out.  IIII  LLLOOO-VVVVVVVEEEE YYOOOOUUUUUU.  And I’m not just talking about your spouse, although, if you don’t tell your spouse you love them daily, you’re a moron.  Everybody needs to know that they are loved.

4.  I believe I can fly I mean…I believe in you

This can be one of the most valuable things you can tell a person.

5.  What can I do for you

This can be one of the most valuable things you can do for a person/stranger.  This is an action of Love…or going the extra mile for a person.  This is the greatest thing we as Christ followers can do for humanity.  Helping a person in need.

‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’  -Jesus (Matthew 25:40)

When is the last time you said one of these statements?

Peace-

Matthew

5 Things You Should Never Say

1.  I give up

We’ve all said this…but I’m glad Christ didn’t give up on the cross.  The phrase ‘I give up’ is an excuse to being lazy.

2.  Failure is not an option

Are you perfect?…if so, then I need to talk to you!  For the rest of us unrighteous people I think it’s a good thing to fail every-now-and-then.  It’s kind of like the old beating the dead horse saying…you know??? and if the horse is dead stop trying to ride it. Don’t spend your time, attention, and resources trying to keep something alive that needs to be buried.

3.  It’s not that bad

I say this at least 20 times a day.  If it’s not that bad, then it’s probably bad.  In fact, it probably sucks!

4.  It’s not my responsibility

If there’s a need, then get off your lazy butt and help.  When there’s work to do, don’t sit there and say, ‘It’s not my job to…’  Teams win…‘I’s’ don’t.

5.  I will never…

I said this about the ministry, but sometimes our plans are not what His plans are.

What have you said ‘I will never’ about and ended up doing?