Thursday, January 31, 2013
Always There
“Always There”
By Zach Wood
Psalm 139:7-10
The past couple of days I have been reading this passage from the book of Psalm.This prayer from David’s heart to God in this close, deep and personal encounter is beautiful.It clearly expresses how close God wants to be to us and how close He desires for us to be with Him.
I find it amazing how God knows every single thing about us.There is nothing we can hide from Him.He knows all.Even if you don’t tell Him, He still knows it.
Sometimes it’s hard when we go talk to someone about issues we are having and troubles that we are facing.Many people can try to comfort us and can understand some of the issues, but only God truly knows exactly how we are feeling and what we are going through.When no one else can clearly understand the exact, intimate details of our lives, He does.To me, that is a comforting thought.
When you go to Him in prayer and are just hurting and don’t know what to pray, He knows that hurt and will provide the comfort you need.Sometimes we don’t even need words.We just need to bask in His presence and let ourselves be filled with His presence.
I pray today and from this day forward that you will feel the presence of God in your life and working through you and in you to give you what you need.There is no place you can go to where God will not be.He is always with you, hearing every prayer and He is faithful and true.Kind of sounds like an old favorite Hymn, doesn’t it?Reach out to Jesus, He’s reaching out to you.
I hope and pray that each day, you will feel this closeness in your relationship with God.He knows you from the inside out.He will understand when others cannot.He will hear the cries of your heart when you don’t have the words to express them.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Why Are You There?
"Why Are You There?"
I think sometimes in our walk with Christ, we must really take some time to ask ourselves “why do I go to church”? Ask yourself “why am I there on Sundays”? This is not a question to bring any guilt to you at all. Many times through the Gospels, Jesus asks questions to separate the fans from the followers.
Here Jesus is in the height of His ministry and we read that large crowds were following Jesus because He was very popular and was working miracles. In John 6, He was providing a feast for this crowd from just five loaves of bread and a couple fish. In verse 2 it just says they were coming “because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick.” The main reason the crowds were showing up was because of the spectacle. They didn’t care as much about the teaching and the life changing lesson. They were there for the show.
So, why do you go to church? What is your “because”? Is it because you think the seats are comfortable, or you really like the music? Is it because you like the chit-chat and the friends your kids make? These things are great for awhile, but at some point the relationship must be defined. Why are you there?
Take a look at John 6:66.Jesus is talking about being the bread of life and what it means to follow Him.Many went away because Jesus says, “Let’s define what we’ve got here,” and what He offered isn’t what they wanted.
He wants there to be a point where you define the relationship. Why are you there? Because …? For Jesus, his because is that He wants to have a deep relationship with you.
This past Sunday, I started a new sermon series with my congregation called "Not A Fan" where it challenges us to ask ourselves if we are just fans of Christ and admirers or if we are truly committed followers.
So, this Sunday, when you walk into the doors of your church, ask yourself the challenging question, "Why am I here? Am I just a fan or am I a follower?
By Zach Wood
John 6:1-2
I think sometimes in our walk with Christ, we must really take some time to ask ourselves “why do I go to church”? Ask yourself “why am I there on Sundays”? This is not a question to bring any guilt to you at all. Many times through the Gospels, Jesus asks questions to separate the fans from the followers.
Here Jesus is in the height of His ministry and we read that large crowds were following Jesus because He was very popular and was working miracles. In John 6, He was providing a feast for this crowd from just five loaves of bread and a couple fish. In verse 2 it just says they were coming “because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick.” The main reason the crowds were showing up was because of the spectacle. They didn’t care as much about the teaching and the life changing lesson. They were there for the show.
So, why do you go to church? What is your “because”? Is it because you think the seats are comfortable, or you really like the music? Is it because you like the chit-chat and the friends your kids make? These things are great for awhile, but at some point the relationship must be defined. Why are you there?
Take a look at John 6:66.Jesus is talking about being the bread of life and what it means to follow Him.Many went away because Jesus says, “Let’s define what we’ve got here,” and what He offered isn’t what they wanted.
He wants there to be a point where you define the relationship. Why are you there? Because …? For Jesus, his because is that He wants to have a deep relationship with you.
This past Sunday, I started a new sermon series with my congregation called "Not A Fan" where it challenges us to ask ourselves if we are just fans of Christ and admirers or if we are truly committed followers.
So, this Sunday, when you walk into the doors of your church, ask yourself the challenging question, "Why am I here? Am I just a fan or am I a follower?
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Lose The Gavel
"Lose The Gavel"
By Zach Wood
James 1:19-20
I know this sounds like a silly question, but how many of us would walk into a store and ask to buy only part of a picture frame? Or how many of us would buy a painting and ask to only have half or just part of it? No, we want to buy the whole thing and see the whole picture. We don’t just break off half of it or part of it. We want the whole picture to look at. If we only buy half or part of it, then we can’t look at the whole thing. Makes perfect sense, right?
We do this in the way we view others and their situations. In a sense, we’re only seeing part of the picture and not the whole picture. Many pieces of the picture are not there and we just choose to react quickly and not see it. This is where most of us get into trouble.
We judge people before we even know who they are and what their situation is. We really do not take the time to listen before we get angry. This sadly tends to happen in churches today as well. People get immediately judged when they walk into a church building for worship. They are feeling very insecure and nervous already and then they end up dealing with people who glare at them right after they walk into the sanctuary.
One way we are judgmental, at least I know I am, is when someone is tailing me in traffic. As soon as this happens, boy do the assumptions and thoughts starting flying through my head! Why are they riding my tail so hard? Why can’t they just slow down?
How quickly we seem to judge people and get in our own world and forget what other people may be dealing with. We think what we want to think and do not give people the benefit of the doubt. We easily look at others and we fail to just stop and think that maybe they are having a horrible day or something bad has just happened to them or they may be dealing with multiple things and they are just ancy to get to their destination. We really have no idea what they are dealing with.
This is a powerful passage from James in reminding us that we need to become much better at listening to other people and their situations before we jump to conclusions and become angry. Listening is something we need to become much better at doing. If we take the time to listen and understand the whole situation and see the whole picture, we can learn to understand better.
Remember the next time you are tempted to judge someone quickly, lose the gavel and take the time to understand.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
He Makes All Things New
"He Makes All Things New"
By Zach Wood
2 Corinthians 5:17
This passage has been on my mind lately a lot. As we begin this new year, I take a look at the things I have done in the past year and also I think about all that God has done in my life to change me, challenge me and strengthen me.
I have had many hard times of understanding, but also many times of being totally awed at the wonderful things God has done for me and placed before me. More than anything, I've been so amazed at the wonderful and awesome things He has brought into my life that I never thought He would do.
As this new year begins, I am asking God not only to strengthen me, but to continue to mold me into His image. I am a new creation since I am in Jesus Christ. The old has gone, the new has come. The old things that used to be part of my life when I did not follow Christ I do not want to follow me or haunt me. Those things do tend to come back and haunt sometimes, but with Christ by my side, I have strength to overcome them.
Many of you make new years resolutions. Whatever those resolutions are or if you're not even someone who makes any, I encourage you to consider the things God has brought you from in your past to who you are now. Take some time to think about the old life you used to have when you didn't know God and now how He has changed your life and made you new. Not only think on these things, but take time to give God praise for all that He has brought you through.
Perhaps you are dealing with some serious struggles right now and you need strength just to make it through each day. Maybe your past has come back to haunt you and it's really tugging on you and pulling you down......again.....and again. If that's happening, you're not alone. Many around you are probably dealing with that as well. We are all imperfect and deal with tempting and haunting issues with our past. I encourage you to surround yourselves with others who will encourage you and help you in your walk with Christ. But, most importantly, rely on Jesus Christ and His Word to get you through.
God makes all things new in our lives. That doesn't mean we are not going to have struggles, but it does mean we have a Savior who is right there to help us through and carry us. We cannot live this life on our own. If we try, we will fail.
Let the words of this passage echo through your mind and heart as you begin this new year. If you are in Christ, you are a NEW CREATION. You are made new in Christ. Your past is in the past. When it comes back to haunt you, rely on God's mighty power to help you through and get it back in your past. He will strengthen you and make all things new.
By Zach Wood
2 Corinthians 5:17
This passage has been on my mind lately a lot. As we begin this new year, I take a look at the things I have done in the past year and also I think about all that God has done in my life to change me, challenge me and strengthen me.
I have had many hard times of understanding, but also many times of being totally awed at the wonderful things God has done for me and placed before me. More than anything, I've been so amazed at the wonderful and awesome things He has brought into my life that I never thought He would do.
As this new year begins, I am asking God not only to strengthen me, but to continue to mold me into His image. I am a new creation since I am in Jesus Christ. The old has gone, the new has come. The old things that used to be part of my life when I did not follow Christ I do not want to follow me or haunt me. Those things do tend to come back and haunt sometimes, but with Christ by my side, I have strength to overcome them.
Many of you make new years resolutions. Whatever those resolutions are or if you're not even someone who makes any, I encourage you to consider the things God has brought you from in your past to who you are now. Take some time to think about the old life you used to have when you didn't know God and now how He has changed your life and made you new. Not only think on these things, but take time to give God praise for all that He has brought you through.
Perhaps you are dealing with some serious struggles right now and you need strength just to make it through each day. Maybe your past has come back to haunt you and it's really tugging on you and pulling you down......again.....and again. If that's happening, you're not alone. Many around you are probably dealing with that as well. We are all imperfect and deal with tempting and haunting issues with our past. I encourage you to surround yourselves with others who will encourage you and help you in your walk with Christ. But, most importantly, rely on Jesus Christ and His Word to get you through.
God makes all things new in our lives. That doesn't mean we are not going to have struggles, but it does mean we have a Savior who is right there to help us through and carry us. We cannot live this life on our own. If we try, we will fail.
Let the words of this passage echo through your mind and heart as you begin this new year. If you are in Christ, you are a NEW CREATION. You are made new in Christ. Your past is in the past. When it comes back to haunt you, rely on God's mighty power to help you through and get it back in your past. He will strengthen you and make all things new.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Trust In His Sufficiency
"Trust In His Sufficiency"
By Zach Wood
James 1:2-8
Christmastime is a memorable time of year.However, I cannot help but think of people who also really struggle during this time of year.I’m not at all trying to put a damper on all the wonderful celebrations that go on this time of year, but I just want to point out today that this time of year is very difficult for people.
Sometimes God says no to taking away the pain and promises to be our sufficiency.He wants us to completely trust in Him, even though we have no clue what He’s doing, because He wants to use the pain we’re going through to produce something new and strong within us.
If you are struggling this time of year, take comfort in knowing that you have a wonderful and loving Heavenly Father who loves you and is holding you tight. Trust in His sufficiency even if you don't feel that He is near. He is and He will guide you and lead you.
By Zach Wood
James 1:2-8
This is a wonderful time of the year for celebrating with family, friends and loved ones.There’s just something about this time of year that lifts many people’s spirits and puts them in a joyful mood.
Christmastime is a memorable time of year.However, I cannot help but think of people who also really struggle during this time of year.I’m not at all trying to put a damper on all the wonderful celebrations that go on this time of year, but I just want to point out today that this time of year is very difficult for people.
Many people this time of year struggle for various reasons.Some struggle from losing a loved one around this time of year and miss them terribly.Others may have negative family memories that have happened in the past.
Perhaps some trials and tribulations have affected you recently and it’s taking everything in you to keep up your Christmas spirit this year.You know you need to hold onto God and His promises, but you are still struggling.Perhaps you may not be dealing with this personally, but someone else in your family could be or someone that you know well is dealing with this.
One thing we all need to realize is that we come to a point in our lives where there are some serious trials and it takes all that we are and every ounce of strength just to get up in the morning to live another day of life. The reality of life is sometimes very hard to swallow.This world is a harsh place, but we serve an Almighty God who truly understands the pain we go through.
The testing of your faith produces perseverance.We mature when we grow through the trials and our faith is strengthened. We all experience these trials in life.There’s no escaping them or even when they happen.When I think of trials in life, I cannot help but think of the Apostle Paul when he talks about the thorn in his side in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.One thing we all need to realize is that we come to a point in our lives where there are some serious trials and it takes all that we are and every ounce of strength just to get up in the morning to live another day of life. The reality of life is sometimes very hard to swallow.This world is a harsh place, but we serve an Almighty God who truly understands the pain we go through.
Sometimes God says no to taking away the pain and promises to be our sufficiency.He wants us to completely trust in Him, even though we have no clue what He’s doing, because He wants to use the pain we’re going through to produce something new and strong within us.
If you are struggling this time of year, take comfort in knowing that you have a wonderful and loving Heavenly Father who loves you and is holding you tight. Trust in His sufficiency even if you don't feel that He is near. He is and He will guide you and lead you.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Why Do We Worship? (Our Approach To The Throne)
"Why Do We Worship? (Our Approach To The Throne)"
By Zach Wood
Romans 12:1-2
One reason is because God is Worthy to be Worshiped and Adored.Another reason is because of what God did for us in sending Christ to die for us. Are we going to continue to be consumed by the duties of our daily lives, or will we realize that our ways are nothing compared to what God wants to do with us and through us?
God wants to transform us through worship.When we truly worship, we experience a complete transformation of our hearts and minds into more of what God wants us to be…..just like Jesus Christ.
Our approach to the Throne of God should consist of our hearts being willing to lay down a sacrifice of who we are completely and allowing God’s transforming power to surge through us to reveal more of who He is. God’s ways and thoughts are so much higher and mightier than ours.We worship Him because His thoughts and ways are so much higher and better than we could ever imagine.His majesty is in such splendor that we could never experience the absolute fullness even if we tried to through our whole lives.
With all these things God has done for us, how can we not realize the opportunity He provides for us to come before His Throne?No more heavy veil to lift to go into the Holy of Holies and no more only being able to give the High Priest your prayer matter. We should desire to worship because of the beautiful relationship God provides for us to have with Him.We were created in His image to be a true worshipper.
Isn’t it wonderful that God has chosen us to be His servants, created in his image, to praise him and live our lives as a continual sacrifice for Him?If we agree that it’s wonderful, then why aren’t we living it? Where is our daily remembrance and motivation to follow Him?Is Sunday morning worship going to fill us for the week?
We worship Him because of the Mighty and Loving God He is.When we make the decision that we want to approach His Throne with our hearts totally and properly focused only on Him, then we have the access to opening the floodgates.
By Zach Wood
Romans 12:1-2
One reason is because God is Worthy to be Worshiped and Adored.Another reason is because of what God did for us in sending Christ to die for us. Are we going to continue to be consumed by the duties of our daily lives, or will we realize that our ways are nothing compared to what God wants to do with us and through us?
God wants to transform us through worship.When we truly worship, we experience a complete transformation of our hearts and minds into more of what God wants us to be…..just like Jesus Christ.
Our approach to the Throne of God should consist of our hearts being willing to lay down a sacrifice of who we are completely and allowing God’s transforming power to surge through us to reveal more of who He is. God’s ways and thoughts are so much higher and mightier than ours.We worship Him because His thoughts and ways are so much higher and better than we could ever imagine.His majesty is in such splendor that we could never experience the absolute fullness even if we tried to through our whole lives.
With all these things God has done for us, how can we not realize the opportunity He provides for us to come before His Throne?No more heavy veil to lift to go into the Holy of Holies and no more only being able to give the High Priest your prayer matter. We should desire to worship because of the beautiful relationship God provides for us to have with Him.We were created in His image to be a true worshipper.
Isn’t it wonderful that God has chosen us to be His servants, created in his image, to praise him and live our lives as a continual sacrifice for Him?If we agree that it’s wonderful, then why aren’t we living it? Where is our daily remembrance and motivation to follow Him?Is Sunday morning worship going to fill us for the week?
We worship Him because of the Mighty and Loving God He is.When we make the decision that we want to approach His Throne with our hearts totally and properly focused only on Him, then we have the access to opening the floodgates.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Who Are Your "Go To" People?
"Who Are Your 'Go To' People?"
By Zach Wood
Psalm 1:1-3, Proverbs 15:22
By Zach Wood
Psalm 1:1-3, Proverbs 15:22
The first verse in Psalm 1 hits the nail on the head.Where do we go we need advice?Every one of us has times when we must seek out counsel from others as to what is good to do and what God would have us do.Hopefully, we do not just go to anyone to seek advice.This can be the very beginning of a painful and sorrowful road.
We are blessed if we choose to seek out the right people whom we seek out counsel.You wouldn’t walk down the road with a huge problem on your mind and just stop any person walking toward you and ask them advice.You would think that’s probably absurd.However, many of us choose people that will not give us good advice and counsel.
My experience has been that I have just a handful of people that I know I can rely on and go to for Godly advice and direction.These people I know will pray for me and give me some very helpful direction.
If we make our choices to gain advice and counsel from unwise and ungodly people, we will have a treacherous path ahead of us.
Sometimes, we do not even go to people for advice face to face, we’ll go online to read advice from others or we’ll watch TV of a popular talk show to glean wisdom.We have to be very careful here.We absolutely cannot look for the easy way out of our situations and problems.We need trusted sources of advice and wisdom.
It is my encouragement to you, that when you need solid advice and wise direction, to find Godly sources that you feel and believe will help you in your relationship with the Creator.
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