Today I have talked to several people that seemed to be tired and lacking strength.  I have to admit that I am right there with them today.  I have slept too little this week.  If you’re like me it can be so hard for your mind to shut down when you finally get to bed. Today I could use some extra strength of mind, body, & soul.

2 Chronicles 16:9 (New International Version)

For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”

Did you know there was even a verse like 2 Chron. 16:9 in the Bible.  One that says that God is literally looking for hearts fully committed to Him in order that he can strengthen them?  That is crazy.  To think that God has nothing better to do on this rainy day than to roam around looking to to strengthening people’s hearts.

He does not strengthen just anyone.  He strengthens those who have hearts that are fully committed to Him.  For those of you are are not fully committed to Him, a strengthened heart is out of reach without committing yourself completely to Him.  Do you need your heart strengthened?  Then cry out to Him.  Joy can only be found by those who are strengthened by Christ!

Psalm 84:5 (New Living Translation)

⁵ What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord,

A phrase that Pastor John used to use a lot was “God’s favor”.  I have heard stories all my life about people having real life needs met in miraculous ways.  Some people might think they are circumstantial or even luck.  But we know that it is God meeting the needs of His children just as He promised to.

Philippians 4:19 (New International Version)

¹⁹And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Monday night our dryer died on us.  I called a friend to come over and help me take a look at it.  If I were to do it alone,  it would be reminiscent of a tool time episode and we all know how those ended…fire, explosion, & usually personal injury.  After a couple hours of looking at it, we decided that we could not fix it.

My first thought was not “God will meet your needs”.  It was more like, “Great, what are we going to do?  We can’t afford to fix it let alone buy a new one.”    While my friend Jim and I were trying to put it back together, his wife told us of a mutual friend who had recently moved and had left a dryer behind.  She recommend we call her and inquire about the drier.

So Tuesday morning in my office I called our friend that had moved.  Sure enough, they had two dryers and only needed one so they left one at the house.   When I asked what they were planning to do with it she simply said, “Do you need it?  We were just going to donate it”.  It was at that point that I was reminded about the verse in Philippians.  God was meeting our need for a new dryer.

Last night Jennifer and I drove out to their house and loaded the dryer into the van.  We took it home and got it installed, and celebrated God’s favor while doing some laundry.  Thank you Father!

I was reading my one year Bible this morning and one of the verses stood out to me.  It was Romans 1:17

Romans 1:17 (New Living Translation)

¹⁷ This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

There are just a couple things I want to point out about this verse.

1. Action:  “God makes us…”  So many times I have to remind myself that God’s love for me does not depend on me.  It is not by my works!  There is nothing I can do to be more righteous in His sight.
2. Stop:  Stop trying to make yourself righteous!  Stop trying to gain favor in the sight of those around you and stop trying to gain God’s favor…you already have it if you have accepted Christ through faith.
3. Surrender:  God cannot force you to be anything.  He will not mold something that is not mold-able. Mode-able = Surrender! Surrender yourself to Him.  Then He will mold you into a new creation.

Can’t wait to see how many people surrender today at Fellowship.

This weekend we wrap up our series entitled “Made”. Our Director of Student Ministries Ryan Geiger has done an incredible job challenging us to be molded into Christ’s image.  If you missed any of the messages be sure to watch or listen to them here.

As I think about this series I can’t help but think of the word “journey”.  Being made into the image and likeness of Jesus is a journey that lasts a lifetime.  Hopefully we are daily becoming more like Him.

This morning as I sat in my office listening to worship music the song “You are here” came on.  The phrase “The same power that conquered the grave lives in me, lives in me” was sang over and over.  It not only moved me but it reminded me of a I Corinthians 15 when Paul talks about the resurrection and how it drives everything he does.  I love how the Message paraphrases this.

^30-33And why do you think I keep risking my neck in this dangerous work? I look death in the face practically every day I live. Do you think I’d do this if I wasn’t convinced of your resurrection and mine as guaranteed by the resurrected Messiah Jesus? Do you think I was just trying to act heroic when I fought the wild beasts at Ephesus, hoping it wouldn’t be the end of me? Not on your life! It’s resurrection, resurrection, always resurrection, that under-girds what I do and say, the way I live. If there’s no resurrection, “We eat, we drink, the next day we die,” and that’s all there is to it.

The resurrection is not something that should be reserved for Easter.  It is the driving force behind us being MADE into His image.  So when you think you don’t have the power to change, remember that you by yourself do not.  But if you have the same power that raised Christ from the dead living in you,  life change really is possible.  So rely on His power.  Remind yourself that His power is your power.  It is the power that changes life and turns death into life.  And it’s all yours!

It has been a great day. Church, swimming with the family, AFV (America’s Funniest Video), and a refreshing time of worship online tonight with Fred McKinnon. Fred is a gifted worship leader who has recently begun to do live worship from his home. My wife Jennifer went to bed early so I thought I would get on and check it out.

It was amazing and one of the highlights of my day. It refreshed me! I found myself weeping and worshiping God! As a worship leader I get to experience worship a lot. That’s a given. I love worship! It is my passion! I feel most alive when I am on stage worshiping God. But I need to worship on my own. I need to be challenged and encouraged. I needed to be led into worship. I needed refreshed! I needed this!

Don’t let anyone tell you that God doesn’t move through the internet or online ministries. Tonight God used this time in great ways. Thank you Fred! I can’t wait for next week!! If you’re interested go check it out.

Below is an archived video from last Friday morning’s online worship.

As I was seeking God this morning in my office I came across this. What a humbling chapter for me. I know a lot of us are all about the service programming. I am. It’s what we do. It’s a good thing…it’s a great thing, when kept in perspective.
Leaders, as we continue doing what we do, day in and day out, remember these words that God spoke in Amos. Check your heart, your motives, your pretenses. True worship is without hypocrisy. As incredible as some of the production is, remember the heart and motivation that drives our programs.

Fellow leaders…Go get ‘em today. But get ‘em from a heart that is bent toward God and away from self!

21 “I hate all your show and pretense—
the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies.
22 I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings.
I won’t even notice all your choice peace offerings.
23 Away with your noisy hymns of praise!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.
24 Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice,
an endless river of righteous living. Amos 5:23 (NLT)

Well it is a big day here in Philly. The Vick haters are everywhere you turn. Personally I am excited to see Vick in an Eagles jersey. Most people are not, or at least here they aren’t. So why are we so opposed to giving this guy a chance?

There are guys in the NFL who have done much worse things including murder, and still are adored by thousands of fans. There is no question that the dude messed up. There is no question that what happened was cruel and awful. That’s an automatic. It was terrible.

Coach Andy Reid said that “America is a place for second chances.” That would make a good catch phrase or mission statement for a church. “Fellowship, a place for second chances…” Has a ring to it. Hopefully whatever church you attend or are a part of, could put their church name in that sentence. If not, I know it’s not a place I would want to go. I know that’s a pretty strong statement.  But isn’t the gospel at it’s very core about second chances?

In John 8 we see a great example of Jesus giving someone a fresh start.  A women had been literally caught in the act of adultery.  That’s a pretty big deal.  In some churches, that lady would be asked to leave.  In most churches she would always have that hanging over her head.  But Jesus the one that paid the penalty for that very act said he did not condemn her.  He then challenged her to go and sin no more.

When I think about that story I think about my own life.  I am so glad that God does not look at me and define me by my actions, both past & present.  He does not stand as my accuser but as my brother, friend & Savior.

Will Michael Vick every be accepted here in Philly?  Probably, the first time he scrambles for a big play.  Unlike God, we forgive in the sports world according to performance.  Good thing it’s not that way with Jesus!