Don't Do God's Plan on YOUR OWN. Lessons from 2011

Here's a hard lesson on how to avoid sabotaging God's plan in our life. Believe it or not, we can often be our own worst obstacle in fulfilling God's purposes through our lives.

When we've heard from God and have confirmation that God is speaking and leading, we often become so zealous that we can sabotage His desires.

Abram (who became Abraham) was given a clear promise from God - that from his old age he would have a son, and this son would be the father of nations.

In Genesis 16, we read the story of how Abram and his wife Sarai took this promise into their own hands. Sarai encouraged (what was she thinking) her husband to "go in to" her handmaiden Hagar, so that she could bare a child for the couple. Ishmael was the son of this attempt at self-fulfilling God's promise.

The result of self-fulfilling God's plan is an Ishmael. While Ishmael did become the father of nations, his people became a major problem to the promised nation of Israel. God did fulfill His promise through Abram and Sarai, by giving them a son in their old age. Isaac was born to Sarai and became the father of the Jacon (name changed to Israel) and Esau.

Psalm 127:1-2, "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain."

Another biblical example is the burning bush of Moses and the parallel in John 15.

What attracted Moses to the burning bush was that it burned but "was not consumed." It wasn't the fire, but the unquenchable fire. The fire burned because, instead of the bush being the source, the presence of God was the source of the fire.

Here's the KEY- if God is the source of the fire and purposes for our life, then we will "burn" will holy passion and purpose. The moment we become the source of the fire - harder work, longer hours, more energy, fleshly ambition - the fire will consume the source. If we're the source, we won't burn for long, will get "burned out." Trust me, no one is attracted to a heap of ash, but to people who are on fire but not consumed!

In John 15, Jesus teaches that a branch only produces fruit when it is attached to the vine, and apart from the vine it cannot bear any fruit, let alone sustain life. If we are to produce the fruit of righteous, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, along with the fruit of effective ministry, we MUST be connected to the life of God through personal relationship with Jesus.

Apart from constant connection with God, we will dry up, burn out, and birth Ishmaels. Don't try to fulfill God's purposes in your own strength.

Let's get back to a dependency on God and desperation to know Him and stay connected to Him.

I Had to Get Away BUT It's Great to Be Back

My family and I just returned from vacation and sabbatical, and I must say that it's great to be home. We had a blast!

We enjoyed the beach, lots of family time, campfires, and lots of grilled food. We also listened to nearly the entire Chronicles of Narnia series on CD while we drove 3,700 miles.

But there's nothing like coming home... to your own bed and to your own church family. There's nothing like falling into my own bed, and similarly, it's the best feeling to return to our loving Lifehouse family!

Here's why I had to get away...

• to get refreshed. When we began planting Lifehouse back in '03, I knew I wouldn't get Sundays off and would rarely get a vacation day. For 3.5 years I didn't miss Sundays, which meant no extended vacation. This was a necessary sacrifice. However, if it goes on for too long, it leads to burn out. I take a few weeks in a row so that I can get refreshed from the rigors of ministry.
• to get family time. My family sacrifices for ministry along with me, most of that means they give up daddy-time. So, vacation allows for much needed time for me and the girls.
• to get perspective. We enjoy visiting other churches and ministries while we're away. We get to see what others are doing, experience being renewed by worship and preaching. And it's a great reminder of how it feels to be a guest at church. I take notes on sermons, talk with members and pastors, and try to learn as much as possible during these visits.
• to get recharged. A few years ago, a mentor challenges me to take a chunk of time off during the summer, speak less, so that I would be a better preacher. This seemed crazy, but I respected his opinion, and now, I can honestly say that I am a better pastor, leader, and communicator because I take time-off. Not preaching every weekend gives me a chance to recharge and recalibrate. Plus, I have a great charge to get back to preaching. Honestly, sitting and listening at Lifehouse yesterday, Pastor Brian did a great job, but I'm chomping at the bit to get back to preaching! Can't wait until this Sunday!
• to take a sabbatical. What's a sabbatical. Time off, but not just vacation. Time to read, pray, study, learn, and write. Last year and this, I took significant time to read leadership, inspirational, and theological books. I took time to focus in prayer and worship to God. And I had time to write. Hopefully, someday this will translate into a book!

Just a few thoughts on why I take time off and to let you know how excited I am to be back! Can't wait to speak this weekend. Also, pumped about our upcoming launch of life groups, Friend Day, kick-off of "God Exposed" and the launch of Lifehouse- Hedgesville (the New Church on the Block).

Enjoy the journey

As Americans, as leaders- we're results-oriented. I'm guilty. Too often, I allow my emotions, attitude, and happiness to rise and fall based on the results that I get or see. I want instant results in church, in other people's lives, in ministry, in preaching, and even in myself.

But that's not how we were designed nor how ministry life works. I (and we) need to learn to enjoy the journey. It's not about arriving but embracing each moment. Wise elders have spoken these words into many parents, and Laura and I have taken it to heart,

"Don't wish away the moments when you're kids are young, even if it's difficult and you're tired."

"Don't complain about the fingerprints on the windows- someday they won't be there and you'll wish they were."

Similar sentiments can be share about ministry:

Enjoy the journey- the hardships, the difficulties, the moments without. They make us appreciate the moments of victory and laughter and enjoyment.

Enjoy the climb up, the view is more satisfying and meaningful if it costs you.

In pastoring and serving people:

Enjoy conversations, love people, embrace moments of prayer and meaningful leadership development. Don't wait for them to arrive at a destination, it's about the journey.

Don't live to arrive at a desired destination, trust me there are no summits.

Every summit just reveals the next. So, if you're living to reach a point in life or ministry, and don't enjoy the journey, you'll waste precious moments and loose valuable memories.

God has given you TODAY. Embrace it. Enjoy the journey- the views, every person, each challenge, every obstacle, valley, and mountaintop.

Great Moments in Life

This past Sunday, May 29th, we got a chance to CELEBRATE! First and foremost, it was Laura and I's 12th wedding Anniversary! So grateful to have such a loving, supportive, and amazing wife and helpmate. It's been an incredible 12 years. Excited for many more ahead.

Next, it was Memorial Day weekend, so we took an opportunity to remember and thank those who have honorably served the USA. Thank you for offering your lives in sacrificial service to protect our freedom! We owe you a debt of gratitude.

Finally, I got the privilege of blessing and sending my "spiritual father". We had Terry and Jo Ann Broadwater at Lifehouse for all 3 services. Why? Terry just accepted the lead pastor role at Grace Community Church in Centennial, CO. So, I wanted to return to him a small portion of what he gave me as we started planting Lifehouse nearly 8 years ago.

Here's what Terry gave me when he invited me to come to Hagerstown to plant a new church:

• Gave me a chance- I didn't need someone to hold my hand and do all the work for me, but just a chance, a God-ordained, significant opportunity to matter for eternity,
• Believed in me- at key moments when I felt very discouraged and wanted to give up, Terry said to me, "I believe in, and in this moment, I believe in you more than you believe in yourself."
• He saw God's purposes in my life- he would continue to share with me, "I see you pastoring a great church that will grow significantly to impact this entire Hagerstown-region for God's Kingdom."
• Invested in me both personally and in my destiny- Terry spent time with me, every Wednesday morning for 5 years alone, and another 2 years with the other church planters. He took me on missions trips, to conferences, and invited me to speak in leadership settings. He also rallied Bethel to start by investing in us financially on the front end, and offer office space, and copiers, and borrowed rooms for meetings, etc. Words are nice, but actions make a difference.
• Stayed the course with me- Terry endured through times of tension, hardship, and discouragement.
• Spoke life into me- Terry took time to pray over me and for me. At times, he shared prophetic words that he believed he had received from God for me. This was like breath in my lungs.
• Set a great example- Terry should me what a pastor- warrior was like. I appreciate his example and passion to follow God by faith. He spoke my language and understand my passion.

On Sunday, I got the privilege of returning a little bit of that!! We invited Terry and Jo Ann up so we could pray over, bless, and SEND them out from Lifehouse. It was great to have Pastor Curt from Lifehouse- Bethel at our 1st service, to join in praying over them.

We challenged Terry with a verse that he has spoken over us many times- Philippians 3:13-14!

Terry, we love you and will miss having you so close. Thanks for the investment of your life. I'm confident that there are many young people who need these same investments in CO.

Lifehouse is full of spiritual "grandchildren" of Terry, and Lifehouse- Hedgesville could be considered his "grand-church". It's a honor to honor him! The Bible says to give honor to whom honor is due!

Is May 21, 2011 Judgment Day?

Several news stories have made these billboards and car wraps mainstream. Harold Camping and his Family Radio are declaring all around the world that THIS Saturday, May 21st, is Judgment Day.

So, are these predictions accurate and biblical? And how should people respond to this prediction?

Is this prediction accurate? NO. As Melody says, "Don't go Camping with Harold!"

But to answer the question, let's take a moment to break down why.

First, will there be a Judgment Day?
The Bible promises that there will be a Day of Judgment, and day when God will judge the wicked and the righteous. This is foretold in the Old Testament, and often called the Day of the Lord or the Day of Wrath (Joel 2:31; Ezekiel 13:5; Isaiah 2:12). Jesus was very clear about the coming judgment of God against sin and evil (Matthew 24-25), and then the apostles reinforced this teaching through their preaching and writing (Acts 10:42; 17:31; Romans 2:5-16; 14:10; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Timothy 4:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:5; James 5:7).

A Day of God's Judgment on both the righteous and the wicked is restated in the Apostle's Creed, "He will come again to judge the living and the dead."

What about the "rapture"?
This is a little more complicated, since the word never appears in the Bible, but is taken from the Latin word translated from the Greek in 1 Thessalonians 4:15- 17 where Paul states,
"According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever." (italics and underline added for emphasis)

Certainly, there is clear biblical evidence that believers of Jesus will be taken up to be with Jesus at some point in time, and that there will be a separation between Jesus-followers and the unrepentant. This separation will be the beginning of judgment on both the wicked and the righteous.

So What? There will be a point in time when God judges all mankind, and Christians are hopeful and expectant of a moment when they will be raptured to meet Jesus and receive their eternal reward.

At some point, time as we know it, will cease and the end will come.

Will it be May 21, 2011 at 6pm PST?
Probably NOT! I say probably, simply for the same reason why Harold Camping is wrong, because we do NOT know! If I claimed to know for certain that Jesus was NOT coming back on that date, I would be in as much error as Camping is for claiming that Jesus will return at that point.

The Bible is clear about trying to predict the Day of Judgment or the Rapture. Jesus clearly stated,
"He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority."
Acts 1:7.

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,[a] but only the Father." Matthew 24:36. Jesus was teaching about the end of times, and made it clear to his listeners and followers that they should not speculate on dates and times.

Harold Camping is just making this stuff up? Okay, I've got to be a little brutal here. If you read his stuff, then compare it with even the most basic Bible study and apply an ounce of logic, it's obvious to all that his calculations and prophesies are absurd. Better writers and research than me have spent considerable time laying out the error of his ways, so google and you'll find plenty who debunk his calculations for a variety of reasons (here are a few links: COG site, overview of Camping, and here). But here are a few thoughts specifically regarding Camping and his "research":

• he's been wrong before and won't admit it (prophesied the same thing in 1994), and he is among a shameful group who have done so and obviously been wrong,
• he believes that he's the ONLY one who has received this revelation- that's code for "cult". When your "truth" or "prophesy" requires special revelation in order to re-interprete what the Bible and what is blatantly apparent to others, you're wrong.
• he and his followers claim to be the only "true believers" and that this understanding has been given to them. The Bible makes it clear that true believers are those who put their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, through Jesus' death and resurrection on our behalf. That's all that's required! You don't have to believe in nonsensical calculations to be a believer, in fact that might very well illustrate a lack of true understanding and faith in God. See it for yourself in his book (full text available), writings, and commercials.
• his calculations and mathematics are off. Camping states in his writings that he has "learned" the true dates of the creation, flood, etc. Basically, what that means is that he made them up, because they fit conveniently into his projections. His dating is faulty and significantly off.
• his calculations are based on nonsensical "numerology". Camping associates numbers with meaning, then uses those numbers with his associated meanings to create equations to prove the conclusions that he has drawn. Example: 1978 = 2 x 23 x 43; 2 symbolizes those who are to bring the Gospel; 23 symbolizes wrath; 43 symbolizes judgment. He made these meanings up. Some numbers in the Bible do seem to have significant meaning and are consistently see as a pattern to reinforce that meaning (7 = completeness; 40 = suffering). However, these are never used to generate prophesies or predictions, and are only helpful for illustrative purposes. Additionally, Camping randomly takes numbers that he's added meaning to, then multiplies them, squares them, and in many other ways manipulates them to come up with a still inaccurate date of 5/21/2011.

How should Jesus-followers respond to this prediction?

• View Camping as a false prophet according to Deuteronomy 18:22 and 2 Peter 2:1-3,

"But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping."

• Live urgently and without shame, remembering that the "day is short" and judgment is at hand, since life is only a "handbreadth" and a "vapor." Second Peter 3 gives clear instruction on what to do in these moments: beware of false prophets, remember God's promises and judgments, urgent share God's message.
• Share the message of salvation of Christ with everyone without being ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God to salvation for all who believe. In fact, conversations about judgment and end-times may give you an opportunity to share Jesus with people (however, don't try to scare them into believing)
• Point people to JESUS- He is TRUTH!

How should everyone else respond to this prediction?

• Obviously, Campings predictions give lots of fodder to atheists and naysayers who want to slam Christianity and disregard their faith and faithfulness. These are like black-eye moments on the church and Jesus-followers across the globe. However, faithful Christians should rest in God's faithfulness and not be intimidated by those who mock or slander the true Church because of some false prophet. 
• BEWARE- recognize that the clock will stop one day, time will end, and there will NOT be a second chance. While it probably won't be TOMORROW, it will be A tomorrow! Jesus said that he would return like a "thief in the night", when people are not ready or expecting Him.
• So, be ready and expecting Jesus' return. If you are not ready, simply put your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, confess that you are a sinner, and received His forgiveness and salvation. 
• For more info on becoming a Jesus-follower, check out this incredible website: www.jesus.net/

Hope you found this meaningful and fair from a Christian and biblical perspective.

Stop Trying to Save Face

My confession- I've done it. When I fall or do something dumb or humiliate myself. I try to recover. Pick myself up and act like nothing happened. Never mind that there is blood dripping down my need or that I really did just trip over my own feet. The higher the stakes, the higher the tendency to "save face".

That's why I deeply appreciate the role model in Bible of the life of David. In 2 Samuel 6, he models for a key principle in life and leadership about how we need to stop trying to save face.

Here's some context- David has recently taken over as king of Israel after long run for his life from his predecessor and father-in-law, King Saul. David has also decide to bring the "ark of the Covenant" (the place where God's presence resided for the nation of Israel) into the capital city of Jerusalem. They brought the ark in with great festivities, religious pomp, sacrifices, and celebration. After celebrating, David came home to his wife...

Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, disrobing in the sight of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!” 2 Samuel 6:20.

She saw David's worship and love for God as a vulgar humiliation before the people. He was supposed to act dignified and regal. How much pressure do we get to act and perform in a certain matter? How often have we allowed expectations to change our attitude of worship?

David said to Michal, “It was before the LORD, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the LORD’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the LORD. 2 Samuel 6:21.

His response- "I don't serve you or obey what anyone else thinks. I exist to honor God." Who are we trying impress? We will worship them.

"I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.” 2 Samuel 6:22.

David is willing to be humiliated in the sight of God. No one does this to him, but he willingly recognizes that he is nothing before God, and considers it a privilege to worship God.

David also deeply understands that when a person humbles themselves before God, then God honors them. When we are willing to be humiliated before God, only then can God use us to bring Him great glory. Since, only then can God trust us to not attempt to take the glory or desire attention. We read this principle many times by several authors- Job 22:29; Ps. 138:6; Prov. 3:34; Matt. 23:12; James 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:5.

When we give glory to God and are willingly humiliated before God, interestingly we gain honor and are viewed with greater respect.

Where do you turn when you're not getting your way?

In life, sometimes things don't go our way. In those moments, we are all forced to "trust" something.

Where do you turn? Most people fit into two categories- pride or blame.

If pride, then a person puts their trust in themselves. They trust their:

• abilities,
• power,
• position,
• intellect,
• money,
• people-prowess- charm, manipulation, etc.

If blame, then a person believes that others are at fault for their out-of-control situation in life. They trust:

• others are powerful and they are powerless,
• that their life is beyond control,
• that they are a victim.

Where do Jesus-followers turn when situations don't go our way?

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. Psalm 20:7–8.

For those who love and fear God, the only option is to turn to Him and trust His power, providence, and provision in times of struggle and when situations seem beyond our control.

God is all-knowing, sovereign, and good. He knows the beginning from the end. For those that place their life in God's care, He cares for them.

It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. Psalm 118:8.

Dear Jesus-follower, don't take measures into your own hands. Rely on God's wisdom, His purposes, and His best for your life. Trust that He sees the bigger picture and has our life under His control. When we take control and either trust ourselves or trust other men, we aim toward destruction.

The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Psalm 118:6.

Purpose of Doubt

“Faith which does not doubt is dead faith” -Miguel de Unamuno

Many contend that we shouldn’t doubt, that doubt is some how the enemy of our faith.

However, doubt isn’t our enemy. God is big enough for our questions and doubts. The Bible deals with people who struggled with doubt and hard questions head on:

“I cry out to you, O God, but you do not answer; I stand up, but you merely look at me… when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, then came darkness." Job 30:20, 26, NIV.

Many biblical heroes of the Faith doubted and struggled with dry season in their journey with God! Men like Abraham, Moses, Gideon, Elijah, Samuel, John the Baptist, and even Jesus’ disciples.

David expressed, under inspiration of Holy Spirit, his doubts and spiritual dryness.

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? 2 O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent." Psalm 22:1-2, NIV.

Circumstances led to doubt. Experience trumped belief. Pain darkened his faith.

So, if doubting isn’t unbiblical or an indication of a lack of faith, what do we do with it?

We Walk by Faith.


How? To Walk by Faith, Explore Your Doubts.

God doesn’t correct doubt and spiritual struggle, but teaches His followers to embrace these seasons as part of their faith-journey.

We’re not robots programmed on how to think nor lemmings in a mindless religious cult. Jesus' called us to make "disciples" which means literally "students".

Investigate, study, explore. (see 1 Peter 3:15-16)

When hard questions arise, don’t run from them, allow them to drive you to deeper exploration of the Bible, heightened understanding of truth, and an emboldened faith. The greatest struggles in doubt forge our strongest convictions.

To walk by faith, trust.

"All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: 8 “He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.” Psalm 22:7-8, NIV.

But faith isn’t just a blind belief. Faith is substance. Faith is active.
How do we demonstate trust? In a bridge? We are willing to rely on it and put our life into care. This trust is earned and learned. Observed and experienced.

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17, NKJV.

Faith grows as we hear and read God’s Story in the midst of scar stories.

We are invited to trust what we discover to be trustworthy- that Jesus is the Son of God.

To walk by faith, obey.

LORD, I praise you in the great meeting of your people; these worshipers will see me do what promised. Psalm 22:25, NCV.

The word “faith” in Greek is means both to trust (rely on) and obey. Not just belief, but my dependence on truth produces action.

And in Hebrew, there is no separation between knowledge and action. To" know" means to live accordingly. We often “know”, but don’t respond. Faith means that my actions match my beliefs.

God’s story intersects with our story, and the scars of Jesus heal our scars.

Share YOUR Story

Just kicked off a sermon series called Scars (read more here, listen here), and as we go through the Book of Psalms, we've been invited people at Lifehouse Church East to share their Scar Stories.

And that's what we're inviting you to share. Go to scar-stories.com, and browse others' stories and share yours.

We all have scars. And we all have scar stories. A fall. A fight. An accident. A surgery. They tell of antics and heroics, tragedies and near-misses, adventure, stupidity. These stories become more dramatic as time distances us from the pain of the moment; we almost relish retelling a good scar story by enhancing it with sound effects, emotion and animation.

There are, however, other scar stories. These are the stories we avoid telling and revealing, stories of deep, internal scars that still evoke pain, fear, worry, regret, shame or guilt. Unlike most physical scars, these scars never quite heal. Their sting remains and the wound re-opens unexpectedly. Just when we think we are over it, something can trigger the event. And “WHAM!” We are back in that dark moment of depression, grief, devastation, or doubt.

These stories leave us feeling alone and isolated, and we tell ourselves that no one could ever understand what we’ve been through. We tell ourselves, “I’ll never recover. God isn’t here for me, and even if he is, He doesn’t care about me.” But Isaiah 53:5 declares, “By his wounds we were healed.” Yes, past tense. God’s story intersected with our story, and Jesus’ scars healed our scars. He offered healing before we even experienced the wound.

However, in the church, many of us prefer to act like we have it all together, like there aren’t festering wounds and haunting fears deep in our heart. Like the waiting room of the ER, the church is a triage center for spiritual and emotional brokenness. The members act like doctors so others won’t see their need for the Great Physician. But let me expose the brutal reality- we ALL have our scar stories. We ALL need Jesus!

In 2010, the members of Lifehouse Church East began to publicly share their scar stories with each other, and found healing, hope, and comfort. People began to realize they were not alone. They realized that many people have walked through a similar scar story, and for those still struggling with doubt, fear, depression, or darkness, they could find encouragement from those who walked the path before them.

We pray this website will be a place where you can find encouragement and healing as you walk through your own scar story. Browse other people’s stories or perhaps consider sharing your own. Allow yourself to be honest. Admit that you’ve struggled, doubted, and suffered. Be transparent, be vulnerable, and believe that Jesus’ scars can, have, and will heal your scars.

So what’s your scar story?

How the Enemy Attacks- Plot 6

Finishing up this series on how the enemy attacks those who follow God and His purposes, we examine the final plot against Nehemiah, as He works to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

First, let's recap the previous plots:

1. The enemies first attack - friendship and flattery.

2. His second line of attack is just the opposite - insults and ridicule.

3. If these fail, he'll come at you with threats and discouragement (which both lead to weariness).
4. The next set of attacks are internal. They are Selfishness and Strife.
5. When we are faithful and become strong, the enemy comes at us with Seduction and Slander.

Nehemiah 6:10-14 tells the story of the enemies' final attacks against Nehemiah, as he works to complete the "great work" of God. These strategies are the late-stage, final attempt of the enemy to destroy God's work in and through our lives. He knows that if these attacks fail, we will stay the course, complete the work of God, and God's purposes will prevail. These are desperate times for Satan, which call for desperate measures. At this point, he pulls out the stops, and uses anything and anyone to destroy us.

One day I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home. He said, “Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and let us close the temple doors, because men are coming to kill you—by night they are coming to kill you.” Nehemiah 6:10, NIV.

The enemy of God, so also an enemy of Nehemiah, hires a friend to betray and try to intimidate him. Shemaiah locks himself in his house as a ruse of his own personal fear for life, and ask for Nehemiah to come. Then, he gives a false report and tries to get Nehemiah to betray his convictions and Cause, and in fear, cower from finishing the work of God.

There's the enemies tactic:

• betrayal- use those close to us to lie and bear a false message,
• intimidation- the message of the betrayal is intended to intimidate us away from following Jesus and doing the work of God,
• betrayal of the Cause and convictions- personal betrayal with an intimidating message can lead to internal betrayal of our own values, convictions, and betrayal of the Cause of Christ.

How did Nehemiah respond?

But I said, “Should a man like me run away? Or should one like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!” 12 I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had prophesied against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would commit a sin by doing this, and then they would give me a bad name to discredit me. 14 Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, because of what they have done; remember also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who have been trying to intimidate me. Nehemiah 6:11-14, NIV.

The antidote to Betrayal and Intimidation from the narrative and response of Nehemiah:

• Recognize our position- "should a man like me...?" If Christ is in us (Gal 2:20) and for us, then who can be against us (Rom. 8:31)? We are bought by Christ through faith in the cross and His resurrection (1 Pe 1:18-19), and empowered by His Spirit (Acts 1:8). Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4). We are more than conquerers through Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37). Convinced that Jesus-followers should not run away from intimidating reports? Good!
• Be Selfless- "should one like me go into the temple to save his life?" Nehemiah recognized a critical element about serving God and HIS Cause- it's not about ME! The Cause is about God and His Kingdom. Our suffering, even death, is not necessarily bad, and it is not our place to attempt to preserve or protect our own life. We are workman and servants of God. We do His bidding and will. He is responsible for our protection and He will accomplish His work in and through us.
• Discern the lies- "I realized that God had not sent him..." Nehemiah quickly recognized that fear and quitting are NOT from God, therefore, Shemaiah must be a false witness hired to betray. When someone says something that stirs fear and it makes you feel intimidated away from following God and His purposes, this is NOT from God BUT from the enemy!
• Don't betray the Cause or Convictions- the enemy will use anything or one to betray and intimidate us away from following God and His purposes. Anything or anyone that tries to get you to hide from your calling or God's purposes through your life is being used by the enemy. They are sent to intimidate you from staying the course and fulfilling God's purposes. Cause and Conviction are absolutes in our lives. We must never flatter or shrink from our faithfulness to sharing and showing God's love and communicate the hope of the gospel.
• Hide in God's presence- the one irony of this strategy, was that Shemaiah tried to get Nehemiah to cower in fear by running into the temple of God. While it would have been fear that motivated Nehemiah to physically hide in the temple, Nehemiah did follow that guidance. He fell headlong before God's presence and hide himself under the safety, wisdom, and courage of God. Instead of running for our lives from God, run to God. Run into the shelter of His love, power, and presence.

How is the enemy trying to intimidate you? What is he using in your own life or relationships to betray you away from following God's plan for your life?


Fired up,
-Pastor Patrick
www.lifehousechurcheast.org

How the Enemy Attacks- Plot 3

Jesus-followers are in a very real battle, not against people or politics, but against the enemies of God (Ephesians 6). If you follow God and His purposes, then you will be opposed by God's enemies.

The principles of how these enemies attacks and the antidote to those plots are found in Ezra and Nehemiah, which Lifehouse studied in January, as we went through the Unquenchable Series (subscribe to our podcasts). Here are a series a lessons about spiritual battle, that I didn't cover in that sermon series.

1. The enemies first attack - friendship and flattery.
2. His second line of attack is just the opposite - insults and ridicule.

When these attacks fail, the enemy comes at you with threats, discouragement, and weariness.

His goal is to leverage your exhaustion and fear against you -  to get you to quit without actually having to go to battle. Read Nehemiah 4, where the enemies are strategizing in anger,

“They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat."
Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.”
Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.”
Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.” Nehemiah 4:8–12, NIV.

The enemies threatened the Jewish people from the outside, and stirred up fear. In the midst of the threats, the people were already growing tired and discouraged.

When you are faithful to doing God's work and obedient to His purposes in your life, guess what? You get TIRED and DISCOURAGED and face THREATS! The enemies of God don't want you to follow God, and they certainly don't want you serving Him and building His Kingdom.

So, what do we do when we get weary, discouraged, and face threats?

"I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” 
When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to his own work. Nehemiah 4:14–15, NIV.

Nehemiah rallied the people and encouraged them to muster their strength. How?

• He reminded them that GOD IS FOR US! And if God is for us, who can be against us? See verse 20, Nehemiah states, "God will fight for us!" Awesome!
• Then, he challenged them to NOT be AFRAID. If God is on our side, whom shall we fear?
• Then, he challenged them to BE on GUARD. While working for God, we must guard our hearts and recognize that the enemy is constantly strategizing to destroy us.

See how the enemy uses both external and internal strategies?

• Threats from outside, 
• Fear, discouragement, and weariness from inside. 

Finally, Nehemiah was able to recognize the enemy! We have both an external and internal battle. We must fight on both fronts- outward threats and internal fear and discouragement.

In the face of these strategies:

1. Recognize the enemy- both external and internal.
2. Rely on God, He will fight for you and don't be afraid.
3. Rally your strength.
4. Be resilient- stay the course and keep working.

How is the enemy trying to threaten you to quit, while victory is so close at hand?

How is the enemy using your own emotions of fear and discouragement to weary you? 

Where do you need to stay the course?

How the Enemy Attacks- Plot 2

When you are obedient to God and His purposes, then you are also in opposition to God's enemies and those that the enemy uses to strategizes against God's Kingdom. Great! It's assured by Jesus in the Bible that Christian will face persecution, hardship, and attack. Satan will oppose us when we pursuing God and build His Kingdom. The principles of how the enemy attacks and the antidote to those plots are found in Ezra and Nehemiah, which Lifehouse studied in January.

The enemies first attack - friendship and flattery.

His second line of attack is just the opposite - insults and ridicule.

When friendliness and flattery don't work to slow you down or stop God's work in your life, then expect mocking and insults.

Here's some humor to illustrate this second plot of the enemy.



Now, for a less sacrilegious example straight from the Bible,


When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?”
3 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, “What they are building—if even a fox climbed up on it, he would break down their wall of stones!” Nehemiah 4:1-3, NIV.

Do you notice the patter when you read? Sanballat and Tobiah were angry, so they ridiculed the people, mocked Nehemiah, and made fun of their "great efforts" and belittled them.

Plot 2 - what does the enemy hope to accomplish through insult and ridicule?

• to discourage us,
• to make us feel like failures,
• to make us doubt God and His power in us,
• so that we'll give up and stop working for God's Kingdom.

Nehemiah's response and our principle to overcome the enemy's strategies?

Hear us, O our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Nehemiah 4:4, NIV.

The antidote to Plot 2?

• in face of discouragement, prayer and worship!
• when feeling like failure, depend on God's strength rather than our own!
• in face of doubt, endure by faith! 
• in face of temptation to quit, NEVER GIVE UP! If it's God's work, then it's worth all sacrifice and any price. Endure hardship until the end!

Prayer is the antidote to worry and fear. Trust God, depend on God. Hand the situation over to Him. Read Psalm 36-37 to hear King David's response when he faced this attack of the enemy.

Why does the enemy attack in this way?

There is pride, selfishness, and genuine evil in the world. Someone people genuinely don't like it when others are about God's Work and care about His Church and His people. Nehemiah explains why his enemies opposed him.

When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites. Nehemiah 2:10, NIV.

The lesson in the "why"? When you are about what God is about, care about what God cares about, and are passionately engaged in the Work of God, don't take attacks PERSONALLY! Understand that the enemy of God will attack anyone that is doing the Work of God. The attack is against God and His Church not against you specifically.

Resetting Your Default Mode

Maybe it's a bad habit, an attitude, a fear or worry. Maybe it's going back to an old relationship or replaying a bad memory. Maybe you revel in a past regret or that mental recording of what 'someone' once said to you.

We all have a default mode.

In crisis, stress, or discouragement, we often revert back to our default mode. Uncertainty, spiritual dryness, and loneliness can all trigger our default mode.

And it needs to be reset.

Computers and most electronics  have this safety, emergency feature 'reset default' to factory settings. At times, in crisis or ruts, we must reset our default mode. Once we realize that our default patterns are not God-pleasing, we invite God to conform our will and transform our thinking to a default mode of WORSHIP and PRAYER.

Faith VS Fear

It would make great reality TV, but no one would sign up to have their faith tested. Would you be a contestant on Faith versus Fear? Here are some indicators of how you'd be tested.

You might be controlled by fear if you think:

• Ambition: The journey of a thousand miles sometimes ends very, very badly.
• Despair: It's always darkest just before it goes pitch black.
• Limitations: Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.
  
• Mistakes: It could be that the purpose of your life is only to serve as a warning to others.
• Wishes: When you wish upon a falling star, your dreams can come true. Unless it's really a meteorite hurtling to the Earth which will destroy all life. Then you're pretty much hosed no matter what you wish for. Unless it's death by meteor.
• Potential: Not everyone gets to be an astronaut when they grow up.
  

The above were taken from www.despair.com. Now, you know I have a dry sense of humor.

HOWEVER:

• Faith knows that darkness, pain, hurt, and hardship are the pathway to greater revelation of who God is and how He works in and through our lives.
• Faith sees those moments, not as an end BUT as the front end of a miracle.
• Faith sees risk through the eyes of God's power and Spirit, which is limitless and all powerful.
• Faith chooses to believe rather than plunge into fear, worry, and doubt. 
• Faith wrestles with deep emotions of anguish, fear, doubt, frustration, and despair BUT is not overtaken by them. How? Not through self-inspiration, but through TRUST in God. Faith allows God to overcome through us.
• While fear worries, faith prays!
• Faith does not look to God to avoid suffering BUT to discover my joy in Christ goes deeper than suffering, lack, or hurt.
• Faith does not ask for comfort BUT learns that Jesus-followers have a peace that surpasses all discomfort in this lifetime.

Okay, not preaching, just explaining from personal experience. Maybe we've all been entered into the reality show of life called "Faith versus Fear".

What are your faith vs. fear stories?

Lesson #8 from 2010: DON'T EAT!

I enjoy eating as much as anyone, especially meats and sweets. But there are seasons when we must learn to NOT eat. First, you can watch this guy to learn why you shouldn't eat "ghost peppers". But I'm not writing about avoiding foods that will light your intestines on fire, but about a critical principle in life and ministry.

DON'T EAT YOUR SEED.

If a farmer started with a single seed, what would he do? Cultivate the soil. Bury the seed. Water. Fertilize. Weed around the growing seed to protect it. At harvest, the seed might produce100 or 60 or 30 fold. Then what? Does he eat the entire harvest? If so, what will he plant in the spring?

A wise farmer knows to only eat what he must, so that he can sow even more seed in spring, and expect an even greater return the next harvest.

What's the point?

In ministry and life, we have a choice: enjoy the moment, eat our "seed" of financial resources and time OR only use what we must so that we can invest our finances and time into more fruitful ministry and the Cause of Christ.

Christ called us to be "good and faithful" AND to allow the grain of wheat to fall to the ground and die. When we follow the example of Christ, and willingly give up our life and agenda for Christ, our life (seed) produces a harvest- some 100, 60, or 30 fold.

Jesus promised, "If you are faithful with little, you will be entrusted with much. But to those who are not faithful with little, even what they have will be taken and given to those are already have much."

Are you eating away the little seed you have or are you investing it into what matters for eternity?

Lesson #10 from 2010

It's not the BIG plans but the LITTLE steps that matter.

Here are a few sub principles that undergird this one:

• under promise, over deliver. And when we can't deliver on the promises or expectations we've given, we must come to you and tell you honestly, and explain why.
• set realistic deadlines, eventually they arrive.

There are lots of big dreams and bold ambitions buried among the tombs of cemeteries. Why? There is a great divide between dreaming and doing the necessary action steps everyday to arrive at that dream.

Big dreams and bold initiatives feel illusive and unrealistic. And they are, especially if they're God-size and God-led. Those kind of Kingdom- dreams should scare us and leave us feeling like we will fail if God doesn't intervene. But should we sit around and wait for God to accomplish His dream in our life? NO!

How are we responsible to live out the BIG dreams of God in our life?

1. Pray and listen to God to receive God-sized dreams that will accomplish His purposes for our life, and advance His Kingdom rather than our agenda.
2. Develop clear strategy to accomplish this dream, set objectives and timelines,
3. Develop measurable, realistic, actionable small steps that daily move you in the direction of fulfilling the strategy of the dream. Attach reasonable timelines AND deadlines to these action steps.
4. JUST DO IT! Every day we must do the hard work of acting out our dreams by taking action and laboring. 
5. Prayerful seek out the resources (people, finances, etc) needed to accomplish the objectives of the dream.
6. Share and give away every small "win" or victory along the way. Give God ALL the glory! No matter how hard we've worked to fulfill the dream, God gives the increase and produces the results through us.
7. Adjust the strategy and action steps as needed but NEVER loose sight of the BIG dream. When you fail, don't give it, it was just a good lesson in achieving the ultimate dream.

Dreams are lived in the little, daily steps. We only make it to the mountaintop if we're willing to pay the price in preparation, pain, hiking, and enduring.

As a reference, read Collin's, Good to Great, chapter on the Flywheel Principle or a brief overview here.

Every little step leads in a direction.

Are you taking small steps toward God's purposes and plans for your life? Or are you stepping one direction but dreaming in another? 

Lesson #12 from 2010

I'll take some time each day to blog lessons I learned (many the hard way) from 2010. Starting with #12:

Transparency trumps failure. When, not if, we mess up, admit it candidly, take responsibility, then move on.

Biblical mandate for this principle: Isaiah 11:2-3, "

The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. His delight is in the fear of the LORD..." (NKJV)

I've never made any pretense of being perfect or fearless. However, when I mess up or fail, it can still be very disillusioning to those I lead. That fear of leaving people demotivated and disillusioned can keep many pastors and leaders back from being honest about their shortcomings, failures, and poor decisions. But I learned in 2010, regardless of how sizable the failure or painful the unmet expectation, just admit it.

During a particularly difficult season at Lifehouse, I had a choice, as I was preparing for our annual business meeting, where I was going to present that things did not work out like I had vision-casted that they would. Be the leader I was taught to be and act like I had it all figured out and just cast new/ different vision, hoping people won't figure out that we've dramatically changed course OR candidly share my mistakes, what I've learned, what I am certain God is speaking to us, and transparently invite people to follow in spite of my humanness.

To my surprise, Jesus-followers are more gracious with transparent, honest leaders than we give them credit. People are looking for vulnerability among leaders more than stoic, I-have-it-all-together-and-figured-out charades.

Thanks Lifehouse for giving me a deeper faith in God and the Church.

In what area do you need to choose transparency over saving face?

Who we are under pressure

When we're under pressure, what comes out of us? Our best? Our worst?

The truth is that our truest self is revealed. What we truly are is squeezed to the surface. Under calm and comfortable circumstances, we can hide our intentions and weak character. But in the thick of battle, our character is exposed.

Do you like what pressure reveals about who you are?

Trials, hardship, and pressure are not sent by God, but are used by God to expose weakness and sin, so that we can grow in our faith and Christ-like character by repenting of sin and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our heart.

We may not like it, but trials and hardship are our greatest teacher. Here's how Charles Spurgeon wrote about this topic in his commentary on 1 Peter 1:7 "The trying of our faith..."

"Faith untried may be true faith, but it is sure to be little faith... Faith never prospers so well as when all things are against her: tempests are her trainers, and lightnings are her illuminators... no faith is so precious as that which lives and triumphs in adversity."

How is the Holy Spirit trying to develop your character today?

In what areas has pressure revealed sin or weak character of which you need to repent?

Celebrate! Our faith is growing stronger and our character more Christ-like!

Unexpected Encouragement

Last night, we sat and did our family devotion (thanks Pastor Lori and Jamie for the study guide from Sunday). The key verse to memorize was 1 Peter 5:7, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (NIV). Good thought! So, we went to the passage to read and discuss: Psalm 112. As I'm reading it to my girls, I had a moment where I realized it was more for me than for them. About halfway through I paused and said, "I really needed this tonight."

Here's it is. Love how God looks out for those who love, fear, and trust Him.

Praise the LORD! How joyful are those who fear the LORD and delight in obeying his commands. 2 Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed. 3 They themselves will be wealthy, and their good deeds will last forever. 4 Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous. 5 Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly. 6 Such people will not be overcome by evil. Those who are righteous will be long remembered. 7 They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them. 8 They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly. 9 They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor. 10 The wicked will see this and be infuriated. They will grind their teeth in anger; they will slink away, their hopes thwarted. (New Living Translation)