On Sunday, February 7th, 2010, I preached at Sojourn for the first time in many months due to continued struggles with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It was a joy to stand before my family and share with them from Psalm 32. If you would like to take a listen, you can click the following link: Psalm 32: The Joy of Being Forgiven
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I came across the following in a devotional I am reading. It is an excerpt from Hannah Whitall Smith’s The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life.
Years ago I came across this sentence in an old book: “Never indulge, at the close of an action, in any self-reflective acts of any kind, whether of self-congratulation or self-despair. Forget the things that are behind, the moment they are past, leaving them with God.” This has been of unspeakable value to me. When the temptation comes, as it mostly does to every worker after the performance of any service, to indulge in these reflections, either of one sort or the other, I turn from them at once and positively refuse to think about my work at all, leaving it with the Lord to overrule the mistakes, and to bless it as he chooses. I believe there would be far fewer “blue Mondays” for ministers of the Gospel than there are now if they would adopt this plan; and I am sure all workers would find their work far less wearing.
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As I have been on an illness sabbatical, God has been teaching me tons and dealing gently with my heart. I’ve been blessed reflecting on the following prayer so I wanted to throw it on the blog for others to see and reflect upon.
A Soldier’s Prayer
I asked God for strength, that I might achieve,
I was made weak, that I might learn to humbly obey.I asked for health, that I might do greater things,
I was given infirmity, that I might do better better things…I asked for riches, that I might be happy,
I was given poverty, that I might be wise…I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men,
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need for God…I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life,
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things…I got nothing that I asked for– but everything that I had hoped for,
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.I am, among all men, most richly blessed!
(Written by an anonymous soldier)
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This is a sermon I preached on August 30, 2009 at Sojourn about Job’s friends and how they were “miserable comforters.” The gospel empowers us to respond to those who are suffering in a radical and heart engaging way and that is what this sermon is all about.
“Miserable Comforters” Job from Sojourn Community Church on Vimeo.
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The following 2 videos are for Sojourners who desire to start up Learner Groups in the weeks and months ahead. The total time for both videos (Part 1 and 2 put together) is about 15 minutes. So if you are interested in leading one of these new groups, you can do the following:
(1) Watch the videos. (2) Shoot me an email at clewis@sojournchurch.com and I’ll send you an application to fill out. (3) Set up a time to chat with me and then we’ll talk about rolling out your Learner Group.
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For some time now, my mom has had the following A.W. Tozer quotation on her fridge. It came into my mind this morning while I was meditating so I wanted to share it with you.
A real Christian is an odd number anyway. He feels supreme love for One whom he has not seen, talks familiarly to someone he cannot see, expects to go to heaven on the virtue of another, empties himself in order to be full, admits he is wrong so he can be declared right, goes down in order to get up, is strongest when he is weakest, richest when he is poorest, and happiest when he feels worst. He dies so he can live, forsakes in order to have, gives away so he can keep, sees the invisible, hears the inaudible, and knows that which passes knowledge.
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Every 6 months or so, we get away as pastors to pray together and soak ourselves in the Word. Last week we went to the woods to pray, meditate, converse and eat.
We walked through 1 Timothy together and pointed out many wonderful truths and encouragements from this letter that Paul wrote to his beloved brother in Christ.
One section that stood out to all of us follows:
15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:15-17).
The phrase in verse 16 that jumped out at us all was “unlimited patience.” We talked about the amazing grace of God and how those who have truly realized the amount of patience God has for them have much relational grace towards others.
When we find ourselves getting short with others or even ourselves, it is an important to be reminded of the patience God has. As Paul thinks about God saving him, the worst of sinners, he can’t help but break into praise in verse 17. Soak in these truths today and meditate on the patience that God has shown you in your life and to others in your life.
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I came across the Jonathan Edwards quotation yesterday and wanted to share it.
Edwards writes of his experience with God at some point,
The appearance of everything was altered… Prayer seemed natural to me as breath by which the inward burnings of my heart had vent.
What a beautiful picture! Though prayer does not always flow so freely from us, it is the invitation of our God to talk to Him and to listen to Him. It is God’s invitation to truly “be” with Him. I know when I am able, by His grace, to see Him more clearly, the appearance of this world and my circumstances change. I am able to view things more clearly and my prayers do flow more easily. I must remember that God is good, I am His, and He is in control. I don’t have anything to prove in prayer so I can come resting in the finished work of Christ on the cross. Open access is now ours through Jesus.
God, may you light our hearts on fire to truly know You and burn for you. Amen.
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I just turned 35 and I have an almost 2 year old. I didn’t know if I would ever have children, but I have longed for kids for years. I am now blessed with one and would love a handful more.
Thomas is one of my greatest joys in this world. My heart aches (in a good way) when I see his joy as he runs up to embrace me when I come home. I literally could sit and watch him play for hours and do the same thing over and over again to see him laugh. I love my son and I am a thankful 35 year old man.
God has been tugging on my heart as I’ve watched Thomas lately. Thomas will grab his shapes out of toy box and put them through the right hole. The star shape goes through the star hole, etc… I always cheer when he figures it out and I always encourage him when he gets frustrated. This isn’t rocket science, but I do swell with heart felt pride seeing my son figure things out and simply try.
I’ve imagined lately how God views us, His precious children. God is the One who created everything – the massiveness of the Universe, the small sub-atomic particles, the flower, our souls, and the list goes on. The mathematics that describes how the whole universe is held together – He made that up.
Here I sit, a pastor who is 35 years old. I struggle so much. I long to know God more and to point others to Jesus. My attempts are often like trying to put the star in the star hole. Even if I accomplish something, it is only because God gave me the opportunity and the gifts to achieve it. Everything I have is from Him. The interesting, heart-warming, life-altering thing is that He delights in us. He delights in His kids and my love for Thomas is just a small shadow of what our Heavenly Father feels about us. He knows what is best for us and it is Him.
Be encouraged as you read Zephaniah 3:17 and know that, if you are a child of God, this is how He feels about you. And if you don’t know Jesus personally, the call goes out to you today.
17 For the LORD your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.*
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
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I have been thinking about this George Mueller quotation a lot lately.
There was a day I died – died to George Mueller, his opinions, preferences, tastes and will; died to the world’s approval and censure, died to the approval or blame of my brethren or friends; and since I have studied only to show myself approved to God.
It seems like I have to go through daily deaths. I have to die to the approval of people and seek to follow the convictions that God has outlined in Scripture and laid on my heart. I sometimes have to make decisions where all parties involved are left unhappy. I have to die to the draw to be “great” in the world’s eyes and seek to be a servant of all. Some days I don’t die to myself very well.
God invites all of us to sit before Him and cast our cares onto His lap. He cares for us. Consider what things you need to die to and then remember, God never calls us to do something He won’t empower us to do. Sometimes death is a slow process and some things we will never be free from fighting while in these present bodies. Always remember that His mercies are new every morning and this battle is worth waging.
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