Who serves you?

Yes, I know, this is a tough thing to grasp or answer, since “we” are all so humble & lowly. That is, we only serve others…  (cough, cough)! It’s amazing that people are not blinded by our glistening halos!

The intention of my question, is not to ask about being served in the church or the few hours that you are in deliberate Christian environments. I’m also not talking about possessing slaves/servants… no, no, no!  ”Who serves you?” is a challenge to consider who serves you: entertainment? satisfaction? enjoyment? life?

Is it the secular? Popular? Affluent? Or, even, liars??   - or, is it the godly?  Would the merchants at the mall, or your browser on the web, or the iTunes in your pod; ALL agree?

Like David, we must not allow the things of this world to serve us poison. Instead, we must ferret out criminals of our hearts, minds and soul - the Holy Spirit is key in this! Crawl out of the grip of death and really, truly LIVE! Yeah, it’s easy to just go with the flow of the world, thinking that we are untouchable and incorruptible – refuse such false bliss. We MUST deliberately choose to be separate. The devil is subtle – he doesn’t need you to worship him – he’s content with you thinking you don’t need anyone telling you what to do – he just serves you options, distractions & alternatives to prayer (OUR SOURCE).

I’m tired of the message in our culture that says to be a ‘cool or hip Christian’ you’ve got to embrace secular lifestyle (music, media, refreshment, etc.)… IF that’s cool, I’ll pass.

Friends, be aware, be awake and BE A WITNESS!
You have already won the battle in and through Christ!
Live like it, PRAY LIKE IT!

improving service, chilly

Q:  What is something that serves you that needs to be reconsidered?

With God’s help we will do mighty things,  for He
will trample down all of our foes. Psalm 108:13

BOOM! I have always LOVED this verse! There used to be an old song that we sang from this passage (it was taken, of course, from the King James Version). Check out the verse the way we sang it: Through God we will do valiantly, For it is He who shall tread down our enemies.

VALIANT! What a word!! I love it! Try to use it in a sentence maybe as an adverb:  ”valiantly” — No, no, no! You’ve got to do it with an English accent – try again! Brilliant!

Ok, back to today’s topic. Let’s look at the original Hebrew meaning for this amazing little word: Chayil. It’s definition means – force; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, and strength. Note: this word also pertains to all of you lady warriors — it’s the same word that is used for virtuous woman in Proverbs 31:10!  Then as we look further at today’s dictionary the word gains even greater definition: To be of worth; to be strong; possessing or acting with bravery or boldness; courageous; marked by, exhibiting, or carried out with courage or determination; heroic; (Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary). Are you valiant? My friend, THROUGH GOD, you can be – in fact, YOU MUST BE!

Here’s five characteristics of a valiant warrior:

1. one who acknowledges, with word and action, the holiness and purity of God (Habakkuk 1:13).
2. one who totally trusts in God  in ALL circumstances (Psalm 23:1-6).
3. one who prays continually with unwavering confidence (Hebrews 4:16).
4. one who gears up daily in the armour of the Lord (Ephesians 6:10-18).
5. one who faithful to the very end (Revelation 14:11-13).

It’s Time! Let’s BE Valiant!

living valiantly IN Him, chilly

Q: Which characteristic of  warrior needs most work IN you?

Rescue me from my rebellion, for even fools mock me when I rebel. Psalm 39:8

Now read that verse outloud a few more times… ha!

Can you relate or what? Ever wonder why God puts up with us? Here we find David asking God to rescue him from his own rebellion. It’s like saying, “Hey God, I’m an idiot – make me stop! … cause even bigger morons than me are hatin’ & mockin’ my stupidity!” 

AHHHH! This is painfully ironic… I have said & done equally stupid things (or worse). Then, I make a feeble attempt to pardon myself by saying (or thinking): “It’s always someone else’s fault” or “beyond my control”.  It’s gotta be so frustrating for God to hear all our excuses or watch our deliberate rebellion. I mean what keeps God from picking up a lightning bolt and throwing it from his thrown straight at my cranium?! He would be justified – I’ve deserved it lots of times. BUT HE DOESN’T! He loves me even when I rebel, betray, and fail (miserably)! And, on top of that, HE SAVES ME, HELPS ME, HEALS ME & EMPOWERS ME! He doesn’t leave us to live out our faith with just our human brain – no, He adds his Holy Spirit to our lives and that makes ALL the difference in the world.

Hold on to the pattern of right teaching you learned from me. And remember to live in the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. 14 With the help of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard what has been entrusted to you. 2 Timothy 1:13-14

Have you thanked Christ for rescuing you today? 

rescued, chilly

Q: What needs more help: your head or your heart? Explain.

So, as promised, here is that report card! I encourage you to take this card & your Bible (opened to Psalm 26) and spend time with God — allow Him to grade each category and then write the grade in the box next to each subject. Yes, it may be a bit painful — take a deep breath — this is NOT the FINAL GRADE!

You can bring those grades UP by submitting yourself to prayer, God’s Word and the Holy Spirit – the ultimate tutor! Let’s commit ourselves to strive for straight A’s.

*You can hear this message, and/or subscribe to
all messages, on iTunes. Simply click: iChilly 

Let’s begin the week committed to excellence
and with lots of exuberant JOY!

It’s homework time,
Chilly 

That’s how we should listen for God. Seems like today, however, we hear what we want to hear and ONLY when we want to hear. But, friend, that’s not how it works. God’s our Father – He speaks when He chooses – we must simply LISTEN and OBEY. And guess what?? God IS calling you!

God doesn’t just call “us” (Christians) … HE CALLS YOU. Many people today excuse themselves from applying and obeying God’s orders – yes, ORDERS! You see, His call for the believer is NOT optional – or when it’s convenient. In the New Testament the Greek verb to ‘call’ occurs about 150 times, and in most cases God is calling human beings… and, you are  human, right?

In the Old Testament God called Moses, Samuel and the prophets; in the New Testament Jesus called the Twelve and later Saul of Tarsus.

Today, although we may not see ourselves as prophets or apostles, He still calls us into His service. It is a wonderful fact that God cares about us enough to call us personally and individually. In the end, we must realize it’s not a person (pastor, priest, parent) who calls you, no, it is always God… it is ’He who called you’ (Gal. 5:8, 1 Pet. 1:15); and we are not just called to do what we feel like – when we feel like it – no, we are ’called according to His purpose’ (Rom. 8:28, Heb. 9:15).

Are you doing today, right now, what He has called YOU to do? Is your current life’s direction in agreement with Christ’s purposes? Do you live in an arena & atmosphere where you can fulfill the great commission (Matt. 28:19-20) on a daily/hourly basis?

Open up your heart & head — really listen (with desire to obey): GOD’S CALLING YOU!

Answer Him & begin the adventure,
Chilly

By the way: We are living in a culture & setting that can help you. IF you’re seeking the adventure of living in His Calling & purpose, maybe you should get in touch with me… Detroit is not for everyone but it may be for YOU. Adults (single & married) have moved to our city and joined our team. They now love and share hope with people of all ages in the toughest city in America. And graduates & young adults come each year to be a part of our Xmin Academy – post high discipleship & ministry training.

Either way, you’ve been CALLED - better get busy!

Today has been one of those days where I had the time to round-up all the wild thoughts & ideas that have been running through my heart & head; and try to make some sense of them! So, I simply wrote down words & phrases, in no particular order, and added a little commentary. It’s GOOD to know why you do what you do or believe what you believe.

So, here’s a sneak peek into my personal journal as I write out a few words or phrases that define (or, at least, should define) my life & mission:

• Love
  – this is a verb. let God’s love explode inside & out
• Always Learn Something
  – When I read the Bible, have a conversation, sit in an airport, etc — look, listen, LEARN!
• Fight for Hope
• –  nothing is EVER beyond Christ’s power.
• Kiss More
  – I will ALWAYS kiss my daughters AND sons (on the lips)! And, a confession, I don’t kiss my wife enough.
• Pray Hard
  – pray until something happens (PUSH). you’re never done until there’s joy!
• Play Hard
  – we need exercise & fun. do something that makes your heart pound every day!
• Embrace Transparency
  – being vulnerable protects you from living a double-life. BE real.
• Search for Potential
  –  God has made EVERYONE for a purpose. Find it! Promote it!
• Make Friends
  – in ministry, we are often warned about being close w/ people. I’ll risk the burn to gain a brother!
• Stay Curious
  – it’s amazing what you discover by simply wondering ‘why?’
• Be Merciful 
  – I need lots of mercy, so I give it out by the bucket full.
• Don’t Hate Work
  – there’s NO way around it, everything good requires lots of work.
• Choose Joy
  – Laugh more. No matter what  your situation is, you have Jesus! SMILE!
• Make Disciples
  – MUST be deliberate and OUTSIDE of ‘church duties’. Why? Jesus told us to do it!
• Journal
  – write stuff down! keep a record of your journey – it will keep you thankful, focused & sane. And, if you’re really daring, blog it!
• NEVER Quit
  – you’ll want to, ‘they’ will say you should, it will feel like it’s the right thing to do… DON’T.

I’ve probably missed a bunch of words or phrases. But, these were what I had written in my journal… What jumped out to you? Why? I’d love to hear your thoughts…

Also, feel free to steal ANY of mine (IF you’ll LIVE IT); and, in the comments, add one of your own.

a psalm of David, regarding the time David fled from his son Absalom.

O LORD, I have so many enemies; so many are against me. 2  So many are saying, “God will never rescue him!” 
3 But you, O LORD, are a shield around me, my glory & the one who lifts my head high. Ps. 3:1-3

“…everyone’s against me!” – “…it’s so unfair!” – “…why does this always happen to me?!” We’ve all felt the pressure & pain that comes with the attacks of others. Much of the misery we face, however, is brought upon us through our own selfishness or carelessness. We whine about many things simply because we’re consistently seeing the world around us ONLY as it pertains to our personal life & situation. This will create a miserable existence. Then, when things truly become difficult and our struggles are more than just petty issues, no one wants to hear about it.

Loneliness. Isolation. Despair.

This psalm is one of those “for real” battles… oh yes, David’s words here are for real. The pain here is intensified by the fact that it’s his own son leading the revolt against him. Some of you may deal with family members that are hatin’ on your Christian life or trying to make you look bad. Others may be feeling the hate from church or spiritual family… I’ve been there too (in some ways, I’m always there a little…). Seeking pity or sympathy never makes it better. And, trying to vindicate yourself will get ugly quick. Does this mean it’s hopeless? Of course not…

Learn from David – turn to the Lord and trust His leadership.

A shield on ALL sides of us, the ONLY One in whom we find Glory, 
and the One that gives us hope to lift our heads up high!

THIS IS OUR LORD!

*couldn’t resist the Captain America shield.

Q: What side of the shield are you on?

I once played the game: false humility, hidden pride and self reliance.
It was all religious excrement! Death waiting to be discovered. 

YOU did not torch me with vengeance or bury me in disgrace.
You filled the tub – washing me with grace & mercy. I’m squeaky clean!

Now I’m alive and living with joy. I smirk at my enemy; He’s exposed.
Inside of me there is a canon filled with laughter – look out sorrows!

Soon, the adventure will come to an end, ONLY to reveal a greater one!
Heaven replaces hope; Legacy replaces life; Power replaces pain!

Until then, BOOM! More explosive love & prisoners freed!
I fear nothing! I’m in the company of the One who spins the globe.

Look up, friends, grab Hope & cheer loudly. Join the radically redeemed!
Out-numbered? Perhaps. Out-loved? Never! Live eternity NOW!

Note: I challenged our church to write & share a Psalm this week.

Q: Have you written yours? IF yes, share the link below.
- also, feel free to comment about mine. Thanks! cc

One of the indignities to which pastors are routinely subjected is to be approached, as a group of people are gathering for a meeting or meal, with the request, “Reverend, get things started for us with a little prayer, will ya?”

It would be wonderful if we would counter by bellowing William McNamara’s fantasized response: “I will not! There are no LITTLE prayers! Prayer enters the lion’s den, brings us before the holy where it is uncertain whether we will come back alive or sane, ‘for it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a living God’.”   ~ Eugene Peterson

Q: What’s a BIG prayer that you’re praying today??

Committed to praying big & bold,
Chilly

You call yourself a hero, do you? Why boast about this crime of yours, you who have disgraced God’s people? 2 All day long you plot destruction. Your tongue cuts like a sharp razor; you’re an expert at telling lies. 3 You love evil more than good and lies more than truth… 4 You love to say things that harm others, you liar! 5 But God will strike you down once and for all. He will pull you from your home and drag you from the land of the living… 6 The righteous will see it and be amazed. They will laugh and say, 7 ”Look what happens to mighty warriors who do not trust in God. They trust their wealth instead and grow more and more bold in their wickedness.” 8 But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I trust in God’s unfailing love forever and ever. 9 I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done. I will wait for your mercies in the presence of your people. Psalm 53

Revenge, vindication, retribution, vengeance, justice, and more… ugh!  Ahhhh, we’ve ALL wanted it, asked for it and dreamed of it! No one should be allowed to get away with hurting people, being insensitive, lyin’ like a rug, cruelty to kids and, especially, messin’ with God.  Yeah, yeah, yeah – I know, we all want to act like we only speak those “praiseworthy” statements found in Psalms but IF we’re honest, we get frustrated, ticked off, upset, hurt, heartbroken, bitter (and worse) - and when we do… LOOK OUT! Can you imagine IF others could hear our thoughts? Ouch.

In this psalm, David throws down and lets it ALL out.  Right away, let me say something important: IF you’re gonna get mad and blow up (verbally), do it with God ALONE.  It IS possible to get angry and not sin — what a relief!  Look how the Message puts it: “Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry – but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry” (Ephesians 4:26). When you get angry in God’s presence it won’t last long because you will gain His perspective and understand “Who” is THE vindicator: God, and no one else. Plus, IF He deals too swiftly with the “wicked” – He’ll have to deal with our own wickedness… think about it. Can we trust His justice (and mercy)? Are we willing to wait for His timing? Is it possible to move forward when we don’t see God dealing with the issue?

Ok, back to the psalm — so, why is David SO worked up?? Two words: Absolute Evil. It’s shocking when we witness undiluted wickedness – it takes your breath away, fills your stomach with knots, dries out your mouth and burns with heat in your face & fists. David saw this when Doeg and Saul absolutely wiped out the priests of Nob for giving some bread and sword to David. Doeg’s evil was simple political manipulation at the expense of the lives of the innocence. King Saul’s guilt rested in using brute power to massacre the harmless. David was once Saul’s guard, worship leader and military hero. Saul was also once a man of God. And now… ?!! A merciless butcher totally blinded by jealousy & rage.

So, what absolute evil have you seen? Probably some pretty horrible stuff… I’m truly sorry.
 But, please remember that in the presence of absolute evil we MUST believe in absolute truth!

Let’s break down Psalm 52 into a simple outline:

• What evil is.  (1)
• What evil does.  (2-4)
• What does God do? (5-7)
• What should we do? (8-9)

Let’s focus on the last 2 verses (our part) and observe the “4 I’s” of David:

1. I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God.

   - David refocuses on peace & grace – in times of turmoil fight the urge to hide in solitude; instead be found in God’s house.
2. I trust in God’s unfailing love forever and ever.
 
   - Rather than be blinded by pain, see clearly through love – our only hope is not in governments, or even Christian organizations, but in God Himself.


3. I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done. 

   - Never forget what God has done and who God is!  IF God never did anything but save us it would be more than enough (but He does more).
4. I will wait for your mercies in the presence of your people.
 
   - Lastly, David commits himself to wait upon God for what comes. The waiting speaks of confidence in God’s timing and plans.
- During times like this, surround yourself with people of faith not gossips or others equally offended.
   -

My friends, we live in difficult times and we are surrounded by so much abuse, pain and treachery — yes, absolute evil. It’s during such times when your heart cries out for things to be made right and punishment for those who choose to harm, hurt & harass.  Let me remind you, again, that there IS absolute truth. His name is Jesus. Tell Him everything and then trust Him enough to place it ALL in His nail-scarred hands. He will help you forgive and release you to resume the life He has called you to live.  He will love you back to reality.

Choosing to trust, Chilly

Q: What jumped out to you in this study? How will you apply it?