northpoint notes

One of the values we established at the church several years ago was a commitment to prayer. That commitment has several expressions. One of those is participation in the National Day of Prayer. Personally, I will be involved in a community National Day of Prayer observance at noon on Thursday.

Our local church observance has 3 components:

• Beginning Sunday, our small groups will prayer walk with a focus on each of the themes. A group on Sunday will walk and pray near a local school – praying for teachers, students and the education system. On Monday another group will walk and pray in the neighborhoods around the church – praying for families. On Tuesday another group will pray near the county government buildings – praying for our government. Each theme will be covered by at least one group.
• Beginning Wednesday evening we will begin a 24 hour prayer vigil. People from the church have signed up for 1/2 hour blocks of time so that someone will be praying throughout the 24 hour period from Wednesday evening until our National Day of Prayer service on Thursday evening.
• We have set up prayer stations in the auditorium featuring each of the themes of the NDP. On Thursday evening, people will come and pray at each of the stations.

We began the year calling the church to pray and fast for 40 days for a greater harvest and that we would grow stronger in faith. We are seeing the results of those prayers.

We are looking to the NDP to launch another 40 days of prayer with a focus on Protection – from the attacks of the enemy, Provision, – for those without jobs and for the needs of the church,  Purity – that hearts would be kept pure before God, and Plentiful harvest- that we would continue to see people committing their lives to Jesus.

I was awake much of the night thinking/praying about the next steps. We just approved our first team of elders and a new structure for doing ministry. I thought of the detractors – not critical of the new structure but who are critical by nature. How can I help them work through the pent up anger that is displayed so critically of others. I thought of the new believers and those discipling them and wondered how we can do a better job. I thought of the needs in children’s ministry and small groups and began to be overwhelmed with both the opportunities as well as the seeming demands. Do we need better methods, better strategies, better programs. Then I read this paragraph by E.M.Bounds:

We are constantly on a stretch, if no a strain, to devise new methods, new plans, new organizations to advance the church and secure enlargement and efficiency for the gospel. This trend of the day has a tendency to lose sight of the man or sink the man in the plan or the organization. God’s plan is to make much of the man, fora more of him than of anything else, Men are Godd’s method. The church is looking for better methods; God is look for better men…What the church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy spirit can use  men of prayer, mighty in prayer. the Holy Spirit does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. he does not anoint plans, but men- men of prayer.

Lord – teach me to pray and to recognize those men of prayer you are raising up to touch the lives of others.

NOTE: E.M. Bounds died in 1913 – yet one would think he was writing for today.

It’s not my title. It’s the title of an article in the latest and what I hear is the last issue of Discipleship Journal. It was written by Paul Thigpen who teaches theology at Southern Catholic College. The article caught my attention because of its focus on God and on others. In Acts, the early church expresses itself with incredible generosity that flows from grateful hearts.

Paul Thigpen writes: “In many ways, gratitude is a matter of vision. We can learn to direct our attention to those things that draw us to appreciate God for who He is and what He has done. In that regard, here are a dozen ways to cultivate a grateful heart.”

1. Give thanks as a holy discipline.
2. Give thanks for small, ordinary things.
3. Look for hidden blessings.
4. Thank God especially amid adversity.
5. Focus on God’s purposes in your life rather than fears and worries.
6. Give your attention and care to others who are facing great difficulty.
7. Set aside time daily to express thanks to God.
8. Thank God publicly and corporately.
9. Try a voluntary fast from something you take for granted.
10. Keep a record of God’s faithfulness.
11. Show gratitude toward others.
12. Keep giving generously to those in need.

 I hear a lot of complaining about the economy, the government, education system, health care, joblessness, etc. In my own quiet time with the Lord this morning, I was reminded again of how blessed I am. Even though I could want for many things, God has met needs and has blessed more than I would have anticipated. I am thankful (today). Tomorrow or the next day I may whine a bit but the Lord will remind me of my blessings.

I received an e-mail this week from a man I met who lives in another country. The e-mail was a request for money. His business is in a slow season and he said he is in danger of losing his home.

I responded that I was not in a position to help and explained that the economy here is also bad. I mentioned the number of unemployed in our church as well. His response surprised me. He told me that hearing of others who have it as bad or worse than he does, did not help – did not make him feel any better and certainly didn’t meet his needs. He then asked that I not e-mail him again.

I was and am grieved at his response. I’m sure he sees most Americans as wealthy – at least having significantly more resources than he has and therefore having the ability to give assistance. However, any gift I could have given would not be sufficient to save his house.

In spite of his request that I not e-mail him again, I wrote a note apologizing for offending him and wished him well.

What has been lingering in my mind is, as a Christ-follower, “was there a better way of responding to this request for help?”

There is a Greek word in I john 2:6 that is lost in most English translations – the NIV says one “must walk” as Jesus did. The NASB says a person “ought to walk” as Jesus did. The Greek word is translated other places as “indebted.” Perhaps a more literal translation is that any one who “abides in Him is indebted to walk as Jesus walked.” How I view my relationship with the Lord impacts whether living like Jesus becomes an obligation or an expression of gratitude.

When I go to the bank and borrow money to buy a house, I acquire a loan that I am obligated to repay. There are specific rules about the repayment – a specific amount is to be paid every month that usually includes taxes and insurance on the property. There is a time frame in which that debt is to be repaid. There are penalties for late payment and for non-payment. Failure to pay the loan results in loss of the house.

Unfortunately some approach their relationship with Christ and their service to Him as obligation. ”I am a Christian, therefore I must go to church, pay my tithe, and avoid certain habits because I need to keep God happy with me. After a while it becomes burdensome (like repaying a home loan).

I remember an episode of the TV program M.A.S.H. One of the patients was very much aware that the surgeons had saved his life and he felt indebted to them and wanted to do everything and anything to pay them back out of pure gratitude.

Jesus has saved our lives – and dwells in us – He is continually redeeming the stuff the enemy has tried to destroy. I am indebted to walk as Jesus did – not out of obligation but pure gratitude. When I follow out of obligation, I tend to look for the minimum factor – what is the least I need to do. When I serve out of gratitude, I continually look for the maximum factor – what more can I do to reflect His character and bring honor to Him. I’m indebted.

I am looking at I John 2 for this Sunday. The phrase that leaps off the page at me is in verse 6 - “Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.” It seems then that His followers are to live out His values and priorities – but what does that mean? What are the implications of “walking as Jesus did?” Following are nine quick observations:

• Obedience to the father – He said only what the Father told Him to say.
• Unconditional love – for children – followers – detractors – critics
• Prayer – one cannot read the Gospels without seeing a lifestyle of seeking the father in prayer
• Compassion – responding to those in need – lepers – blind – lame
• Selflessness -there was a lifestyle of loving God and loving others
• Self-confidence – he lived in confidence in who He was as the Son of God – Messiah
• Disciple-making – he lived to equip a team of followers who would make disciples of others
• Focused living – He lived on purpose
• Spirit-filled – from the time of His baptism He lived in the power of the Holy Spirit

John says that if we live in Him we should walk as Jesus walked. Are the above descriptive of Jesus life (though some overlap)? Are there other keys? How is it possible for us to walk as Jesus walked?

I was with a couple of friends on Friday morning. We are studying the role of prayer in the Gospels and what we learn from Jesus about prayer – both in what He taught and what He modeled. In the sermon on the mount He told His listeners to “pray for those who persecute you.” It would be rare in North America to hear of someone being persecuted for their faith. We hear of it in other parts of the world but in North America we may be mocked or harassed or maybe looked over for a promotion but that is usually the extent of it.

Nevertheless, the principle still applies. We are instructed to pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5) whether that is an unkind word or a threat on life. As we began to talk about that bit of instruction a question came to mind:

“What am I to pray for those who persecute?”

When Peter was in prison, I assume the church was praying for his safety and his release. Paul asked the church to pray for him that he would have boldness to preach the word as he should. Jesus told the disciples to pray the Lord of the harvest to send workers. In what is referred to as “The Lord’s Prayer,” we are instructed to pray for His kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

He tells us to pray for our persecutors but doesn’t tell us what to pray.

Are we to pray that they will stop persecuting?

Are we to pray that God will bless them?

Are we to pray that they will have a change of heart?

Are we to ask God to forgive them “for they don’t know what they are doing?”

Are we to ask for all of the above?

Does this same instruction apply to our critics – everyone in leadership experiences criticism – some constructive and some that is hurtful and without basis. How do we pray for our critics?

I am not one who complains about the holiday worshipers – those who attend on Christmas and Easter and perhaps Mother’s Day. In fact I am truly thankful that they have enough interest, guilt, conviction, or whatever to attend on those Sundays. At least we, as a church, have the opportunity to share faith and show Christ’s love. Plus, it is encouraging to those who are faithful each week to see the church full.

I am thankful for everyone who walks through the doors because they present an opportunity for ministry. Having said that, I also grieve over those who do not return or who attend for a season and then move on. I have been in ministry long enough to know that many “church” people are transient – perhaps mobile is a better word. They shop for churches that meet their needs. The early church was also mobile – not so much by choice as by necessity. They were persecuted and wherever they went the Church spread.

The difference between our mobile constituency and the early church mobility is in mission. So many are seeking a place to fulfill needs rather than a region in which to fulfill mission. I believe in the Church – I believe it is strong and growing but the consumer mentality of so many believers makes local churches quite fragile. If the church doesn’t meet my needs I will go somewhere else.

I wonder how the impact of the church would change if people began asking, “is this church about fulfilling the great commission and if so, how can I be a part of creating a movement of multiplying disciples in this region?”

Easter was a great day – full church – decisions for Christ – all a part of fulfilling the mission. On Monday people were basking in the glory of Easter. Will we be about the mission this week? Will our people see that church is not a place to attend but a missional life to be lived and that God has given us opportunity to join with other believers in a local fellowship, not just to have my needs met but to unite hearts and prayers in fulfilling the great commission? It is as we engage in the mission that our needs are most fully met.

We are preparing a reenactment of the Matthew account of “Good Friday” – interesting name for such a dark day. We have read those verses from Matthew over and over in preparing for this special commemoration of those events. As I read them, it occurred to me that so much is still the same:

• Jesus’ offering of His body and blood for the sins of the world is still valid
• Jesus still agonizes over lost people
• There are still disciples who deny Him when times get tough
• Both religious leaders and secular leaders still try to crucify Him
• There are those who mock Him
• Many despise what He stands for
• Followers often fall asleep when they should be watching and praying
• Satan is still defeated
• Jesus still forgives

We celebrate because of what was accomplished and because the story doesn’t end on Friday. We celebrate because Sunday is coming when we get the rest of the story.

A man stopped in last week who is planning to open a Western theme bar and grill in a small, strip-type shopping plaza across the road from our church. He came with a request to rent our church parking lot for overflow parking on Friday and Saturday nights with assurance that the parking lot would be cleared and cleaned before Sunday morning.

The responses to the proposal have been varied:

• “It would be like condoning drinking/drunkenness.  I would not consider it.”
• “It would be too much wear and tear on the property.”
• “What would the community think – some might think it is good and some might think it is not good”
• “Don’t get personally hung up on the principle of giving a parking place to a person drinking alcohol.  I know a Nazarene who did more than provide the parking space; He actually PROVIDED alcohol at the wedding! (Of course, He later got crucified for it by the spiritual leaders on a hill outside Jerusalem.)”
• “I think the church should do it and provide designated drivers for those unable to drive home.”
• “Instead of the bar and grill providing a shuttle, could we provide valet parking?”
• “How much rent money could this generate? Could we make enough to pave the parking lot?”
• “I would plan to have lunch at the facility and attempt to build a relationship with the owner.”
• “What about the liability.”

This has been a fun discussion in our church community. How would you or your church respond?