Today was one of those days when, after an initial responsibility I had to fulfill, I had the opportunity to study hard, work out, pray, read, or just rest….
And even though it makes me feel guilty to say so, I chose the latter.
“Resting” is something that’s referred to a great deal in scripture and it’s something that God promises to those whom He loves.
Somehow in our culture` we’re made to feel guilty if we rest when in fact most of our bodies, souls & spirits are saying “please give me more!”
And so, the next time you have a block of time that’s a little bit flexible, consider the possibility of just resting. It revives the soul and makes room for God to speak to a much more refreshed heart.
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
The Power of Faith
I had a meeting today with one of our team members who could not escape the reality that faith is the primary weapon that we have to attack those things which seem impossible to us in the natural realm.
Scripture is overflowing with illustrations of men and women who faced impossible situations that had no logical solution apart from the power of God moving by faith.
In the story of Nehemiah and the story of rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem, the primary narrative ends with the confirmation that the people were in “fear of the Lord” because they new that what had taken place could only have happened because God had done it.
That’s what faith says. It reaches out and lays hold of a better future because God is at work doing what only He can do.
If you’re facing something today that seems bigger than you or out of the realm of you possibly making it happen, remember that you have been given a gift of faith. (see Romans 12) Since you have this gift, use it and exercise it toward a specific purpose. Remember that faith needs an object and a specific goal. Faith isn’t just general “believing.” Faith is God’s word in action toward a specific purpose.
The really exciting outcome of dynamic faith is that it does move mountains, defeat armies and bring victories that couldn’t happen any other way!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Scripture is overflowing with illustrations of men and women who faced impossible situations that had no logical solution apart from the power of God moving by faith.
In the story of Nehemiah and the story of rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem, the primary narrative ends with the confirmation that the people were in “fear of the Lord” because they new that what had taken place could only have happened because God had done it.
That’s what faith says. It reaches out and lays hold of a better future because God is at work doing what only He can do.
If you’re facing something today that seems bigger than you or out of the realm of you possibly making it happen, remember that you have been given a gift of faith. (see Romans 12) Since you have this gift, use it and exercise it toward a specific purpose. Remember that faith needs an object and a specific goal. Faith isn’t just general “believing.” Faith is God’s word in action toward a specific purpose.
The really exciting outcome of dynamic faith is that it does move mountains, defeat armies and bring victories that couldn’t happen any other way!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Seed Time and Harvest
One of the things that is incredibly mysterious and equally wonderful about walking in the kingdom of God is that we live in seasons of “seed time and harvest.”
I recently had lunch with a person that I had invested in quite a number of years ago concerning things of the kingdom. At that time, he really wasn’t interested and though he was polite, went his own way.
Life had its ups and downs for him but recently things have really changed! His heart is soft, he’s hungry and open to hearing what God wants for him and literally is pursuing the things of God that he just had no time for in years past.
You never know when it’s “harvest time” in someone’s life! That only comes when you’re available to them and willing to ask the question.
Again, our responsibility is not to make people change but to give them the opportunity to hear the message and to respond.
I’m flying pretty high today because seeds that I planted over 20 years ago are now coming to harvest!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
I recently had lunch with a person that I had invested in quite a number of years ago concerning things of the kingdom. At that time, he really wasn’t interested and though he was polite, went his own way.
Life had its ups and downs for him but recently things have really changed! His heart is soft, he’s hungry and open to hearing what God wants for him and literally is pursuing the things of God that he just had no time for in years past.
You never know when it’s “harvest time” in someone’s life! That only comes when you’re available to them and willing to ask the question.
Again, our responsibility is not to make people change but to give them the opportunity to hear the message and to respond.
I’m flying pretty high today because seeds that I planted over 20 years ago are now coming to harvest!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Monday, February 16, 2009
R.D.
It was a bit of a shock to me this morning when I read that my friend R.D. Summers, a local “oldies” DJ, died quietly in his sleep on Sunday.
I got to know R.D. over the last 5 or 6 years as the North Way Starlight Car Cruise grew in popularity and he often talked about us on his program on Sunday nights. More than that, I had several lunches with R.D. over the past few years where I took a risk and shared about Jesus and His desire to know each of us in a personal way.
Candidly, I’m not sure where R.D. was in his faith, but at least I have the hope that he heard that message and somehow responded in his own way.
Friends, we never know when someone we know or care about will leave this earth. All we are responsible to do is to tell others what we’ve discovered (that’s the meaning of the word “witness”.)
I wonder if too often we’re more concerned about negative reactions than we are about God-less eternities. Let’s all ask the Lord for increased boldness in these days, motivated by love and shared in humility.
Blessings in Jesus,
Pastor Jay
I got to know R.D. over the last 5 or 6 years as the North Way Starlight Car Cruise grew in popularity and he often talked about us on his program on Sunday nights. More than that, I had several lunches with R.D. over the past few years where I took a risk and shared about Jesus and His desire to know each of us in a personal way.
Candidly, I’m not sure where R.D. was in his faith, but at least I have the hope that he heard that message and somehow responded in his own way.
Friends, we never know when someone we know or care about will leave this earth. All we are responsible to do is to tell others what we’ve discovered (that’s the meaning of the word “witness”.)
I wonder if too often we’re more concerned about negative reactions than we are about God-less eternities. Let’s all ask the Lord for increased boldness in these days, motivated by love and shared in humility.
Blessings in Jesus,
Pastor Jay
Friday, February 13, 2009
Our Valentine
It was tempting for me to consider the possibility of not talking about Valentine’s Day since it’s certainly not a biblical holiday, nor is it one that everybody seems to celebrate with the same amount of anticipation!
On the other hand, what better thing can we do than tell someone (or a number of people) that we really love them and appreciate them being in our lives?!
I trust that you’ll step out of the ordinary and remember the people that others might forget. There are hundreds and hundreds or people who are alone this weekend and would love to hear from you whether through a phone call or a visit or maybe some other kind of expression of love.
In the end, God’s word is clear that love is what abides and its only love expressed that really changes people.
Let’s allow Valentine’s Day to be a time when we celebrate the joy of being loved as well as giving love to those that God has put into our lives. What a great gift!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
On the other hand, what better thing can we do than tell someone (or a number of people) that we really love them and appreciate them being in our lives?!
I trust that you’ll step out of the ordinary and remember the people that others might forget. There are hundreds and hundreds or people who are alone this weekend and would love to hear from you whether through a phone call or a visit or maybe some other kind of expression of love.
In the end, God’s word is clear that love is what abides and its only love expressed that really changes people.
Let’s allow Valentine’s Day to be a time when we celebrate the joy of being loved as well as giving love to those that God has put into our lives. What a great gift!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Thursday, February 12, 2009
The Phone Call
It was about 11:30 this morning that I got “the phone call” that you never want to get that one of our elders had been taken to the hospital with chest pains and shortness of breath.
As of the time that this blog is being posted the doctors are fairly confident that nothing serious has taken place but that the initial “jolt” that someone that I care about and know very well is in a potentially life-threatening situation always brings me back to a reality check.
We spend so much of our time dealing with frustrating details, don’t we? In the end, life is so precious and relationships are so important I wonder why we don’t spend more time investing in people and thinking less about other things that are surely going to mean so much less to us as time goes on.
In the mean time, let’s continue to pray for this elder and others in need, such as Jason Gregg who we are asking God to heal by the power that He demonstrated when He rose again from the grave!
If it’s been a while since you’ve had any of those kinds of “calls,” be thankful and remember to pray for those who today will get such news and find their world turned upside down. That’s when we really need each other!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
As of the time that this blog is being posted the doctors are fairly confident that nothing serious has taken place but that the initial “jolt” that someone that I care about and know very well is in a potentially life-threatening situation always brings me back to a reality check.
We spend so much of our time dealing with frustrating details, don’t we? In the end, life is so precious and relationships are so important I wonder why we don’t spend more time investing in people and thinking less about other things that are surely going to mean so much less to us as time goes on.
In the mean time, let’s continue to pray for this elder and others in need, such as Jason Gregg who we are asking God to heal by the power that He demonstrated when He rose again from the grave!
If it’s been a while since you’ve had any of those kinds of “calls,” be thankful and remember to pray for those who today will get such news and find their world turned upside down. That’s when we really need each other!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
The Need for Hope!
As the warm temperatures of this mid-winter thaw sweep over our area, almost all the snow is gone and once again I can imagine myself walking outside and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation unencumbered by heavy layers of clothing, gloves and a hat!
Likewise, I know that hope is important for people who are in the midst of difficulties. One of our young members, Jason Gregg, is fighting a long battle to overcome some complications from surgery in a local hospital. There’ve been times when he just hasn’t had anything left to fight with, except for the people around him who continue to believe that the Lord is going to deliver him. In those circumstances, hope can rise up from others who are near you or from the Holy Spirit himself who is within you!
Hope is essential for everything that we do. Whether relationally, physically, financially or in terms of our dreams, hope is the “fuel” that enables us to trust God despite what circumstances say.
And so, when the snow returns or when things get difficult, I’ll continue to place my hope where it belongs; in Jesus’ blood and righteousness!
Pastor Jay
Likewise, I know that hope is important for people who are in the midst of difficulties. One of our young members, Jason Gregg, is fighting a long battle to overcome some complications from surgery in a local hospital. There’ve been times when he just hasn’t had anything left to fight with, except for the people around him who continue to believe that the Lord is going to deliver him. In those circumstances, hope can rise up from others who are near you or from the Holy Spirit himself who is within you!
Hope is essential for everything that we do. Whether relationally, physically, financially or in terms of our dreams, hope is the “fuel” that enables us to trust God despite what circumstances say.
And so, when the snow returns or when things get difficult, I’ll continue to place my hope where it belongs; in Jesus’ blood and righteousness!
Pastor Jay
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