What I read: This week has been an exploration of various Psalms. In fact, tomorrow’s reading on Psalm 136 is what the message will be on for Sunday. 

Scripture passage that popped out to me: Ps 130:3-4, “LORD, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? 4 But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you.”

Reflections: these psalms are by various writers, many of which were sung by the people of Israel as they made their way towards Jerusalem. As you read these, you get a real feel for their humility and dependence on the Father prior to the celebration of each of the festivals. It’s even likely that Jesus and His family sang some of these psalms as they ascended to Jerusalem! 

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Read this word from Paul Tripp in his Wednesday Devotion:

Have you ever been in the middle of a difficult season and someone says to you, ‘Hang in there!’ Maybe you’ve said it to a friend just recently yourself. I think we mean well with phrases like this, and our aim is to encourage our friends or loved ones, but let’s be honest: ‘hang in there’ doesn’t actually do much to lift our spirits or strengthen our resolve. If I can be even more honest, sometimes I think we say ‘hang in there’ because we’re…

Source: Hang In There

5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. Romans 8:5

Last night, I had a vivid, realistic dream, the type of dream that only comes on occasion. I dreamed that I was outside in a field preaching a message and that there was a crowd of thousands of people from many different people groups. As I spoke, I was also being shown on a large screen behind me, and I was sharing the gospel of Christ and how to live a life in the Spirit. One of my sons was also in the dream, and he was holding a camera as I walked around sharing the Word of God.

Suddenly, a man in the crowd asked me a question. He simply asked me how he too could serve God with his spiritual gifts. I responded, “First, you have to know Jesus, and then you have to find out how God has gifted you. Beyond that, find your passions and serve God in that way.” He nodded and seemed to understand, and I woke up.

I told my wife about the dream, and being the ever practical one, she asked me what I thought it meant. I told her that first, God is doing something amazing and will keep on doing it, and second, I just need to keep doing what He called me to do, to live for Him and serve Christ with the spiritual gifts that He has given me. Such a comforting, encouraging thought!

Without a doubt, all Christians are called to do the same. We are to live and serve our Lord as we walk in the Spirit. In fact, you cannot separate the two. If you are Christ’s, you will serve Him because of a love for Him- there is no such thing as an inactive Christian! This is because when your mind is set on godly things “in accordance with the Spirit,” then you will reflect it by loving others, living in peace, showing patience and kindness, being gentle, and having self-control (Gal 5:22-23). Simply put, if you live a life centered in the Spirit, you will do what He says.

Jesus said as much, when in Luke 6:46 He asked the question, “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” and then proceeded to compare those who heard and then acted on His words to a house that was built on a solid foundation. As the Pharisees showed, talk is cheap, and a true ambassador for Christ is not just a person who “talks the talk,” but also “walks the walk.” We thus walk worthy of the calling (Eph 4:1), not by human power but by the power of the Spirit. This is a powerful testimony of a changed life in Christ!

Go. Walk worthy of the calling. Serve in the way that He has called you with the gifts that He has given you in the Spirit. Live for Christ, under the conviction of Christ. And as you walk in Him, and do what He says to love God and love others, you will indeed glorify Him now and for eternity.

Pastor Fran

Fasting is a discipline. It is a time to get serious about prayer and intimacy with the Lord, turning aside from the usual routines in order to seek God’s direction and power. When you fast from food, you are reminded that you are dependent on God’s daily provision, and even the growling of your stomach will serve as a reminder to stop for the moment and pray.

We see multiple examples of fasting and prayer in Scripture, so this is a biblical, spiritual work to draw you close to God. Our church, First Baptist Church of Mt Healthy, is having a church wide 48 hour fast for this very reason: to seek God’s vision, guidance, and provision as we grow in our love for Him and the community we are located.

That said, here’s some items to keep in mind as you fast:

• Fast Secretly. No one needs to know that you are fasting. Even though we are fasting church wide, there’s no way to know who is and who is not fasting. This is a discipline that’s between the Lod and you. Jesus said as much in Matt 6:18.
• Fast Regularly. Let this be a steady, ongoing discipline that you do on your own every so often. Make sure that it’s a regular practice, as long as it’s not relegated to a cold, ritualistic activity that loses focus (Luke 18:9-14).
• Fast  Purposefully. So often, we do practices without really understanding the reason and the purpose for them. Be sure that when you fast and pray, that there is a purpose to this time of intimacy. In other words, don’t just do it because others are doing it. Make it a memorable, faith growing experience.
• Fast Wisely. not everyone can fast meals because of health reasons. If you are diabetic or have other health conditions, consider fasting something else. One good type of fast might be to have a time of no screens such as cell phones, TV, or computer. The point is to place God first and grow closer to Him, not to put your health in jeopardy.
• Fast Willingly. nothing that is done for the Lord should be forced upon an individual. For example, the discipline of giving to the Lord is something that has to be done willingly and not begrudgingly. Likewise, there’s no difference in the example of fasting and prayer. Don’t just do it because one of your leaders says you must do this, especially if you think this is what makes a “good Christian” and failing to do it makes you a “bad Christian.” Such thinking is actually unhealthy and contrary to the concept of grace.
• Fast Joyfully. When you fast, be joyful. There’s nothing worse than a person fasting and being grouchy about it- believe me, I know this from experience! As a guy who loves to eat, I get a little grouchy when I skip a meal. As a result, I have to really watch how I act, think, and speak to those closest to me. Kind of self defeating otherwise, right? Instead, follow Jesus’ commands in Matthew 6 and wash your face, showing joy instead of mourning.

There you have it. As you fast and pray, keep these things in mind. I’d love to hear other ideas and warnings. Any thoughts?

Pastor Fran

“Something is wrong with a philosophy that relegates God and His Word to a subordinate role in the church. It is clearly unbiblical to elevate entertainment over biblical preaching and worship in the church service. Sadly, some actually believe that their salesmanship can bring people into the kingdom more effectively than a sovereign God – a philosophy that has opened the door to worldliness in the church” (John MacArthur, from his book Ashamed of the Gospel).

If you are a pastor, teacher, or church leader, remember that for life change, the Word of God is more powerful than anything we can say or do.