Sunday, March 1, 2025
Good morning church
When we entertain a concerning thought, it doesn’t take long before that concern becomes a worry. And if we keep entertaining the worry, it is remarkable how quickly it can lead to anxiety and even become detrimental to our physical health.
There are literally hundreds of Bible verses in which God says, “Do not worry!” and “Be anxious for nothing!” It’s almost like He knew we would be tempted to worry :)
As long as we live in this world, worry will try to inhabit our thought life. But that doesn’t mean we are helpless. We are well-equipped with an arsenal of weapons that the enemy cannot withstand, among which is our worship.
Joshua could have worried, but instead he shouted and blew trumpets.
The children of Israel could have feared, but instead they sent up Judah.
Jehoshaphat could have been anxious, but instead he appointed singers.
Paul and Silas could have stressed, but instead they sang hymns.
Every time, God showed up. And He still does!
Let’s not let our worry be louder than our worship. See you at church!
Sunday, February 22, 2025
Good morning church
When we read about the great men and women of God in the Bible, we can tend to focus our attention on their stellar victories, but forget that there were seasons of developing character, cultivating integrity, and building resilience in order to get to those triumphs.
We read about David slaying the giant, and his many triumphs in battle. But as we study his life in greater detail and consider his writings in the Book of Psalms, we begin to realize that what got him to those victories is what happened behind the scenes. David lived in relationship with God. It was during those years in the back forty, while doing the lowly task of shepherding, that the giant-slayer was developed. During those lonely nights under the stars, the worshipper emerged. And in the months of hiding in caves, a King was being matured.
The end result was a man who truly understood the sovereignty and faithfulness of God, and in both good times or hard times, he always offered up a heart of worship. And the victories followed!
May the same be said of us!
“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.” - Psalm 42:5
See you at church!
Sunday, February 15, 2025
Good morning church
Ephesians 5:18 tells us to “be filled with the Spirit”.
The literal Greek translation says, “be being filled with the Spirit”. The notes for this verse tell us that “such a Spirit-filled condition does not stop with a single experience, but is maintained by continually being filled.”
In John 7:38, Jesus says, “He who believes in Me...out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."
At its source, a river starts as a small stream. But it is continually being filled by rain, ground water, and other small streams flowing into it, building volume and intensity. A river greatly affects the landscape around it, forcefully uprooting whatever stands in its path; even carving rock into canyons and valleys. When its volume exceeds the capacity of its channel, the river overflows its banks, flooding the dry land around it.
If we are continually being filled with His Spirit, then this river of living water in us should be continually gaining volume and intensity to affect the landscape around us, forcefully uprooting the enemies in our path, and overflowing life onto the dry ground of other’s hearts.
The notes for Eph 5:18 go on to say... “The Spirit is to influence all aspects of our lives, overflowing in transformed relationships, dynamic ministry, and enhanced worship.”
Sunday morning at EN is a great time for some overflowing, Spirit-filled, forcefully-uprooting, enhanced worship!
See you at church!