“Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.” Luke 1:78-79

The above verse are from an amazing prophecy from John the Baptist’s father, Zechariah. It’s a beautiful picture of what was about to take place in the life of John and then the Messiah, Jesus. This time of year is always special. After all we are celebrating one of the most incredible miracles EVER, the God of the universe wrapping Himself in human flesh and becoming one of His creations. Wow. I mean really...wow.

But (let’s be honest) how many times in the past month have we really sat in the quietness of our lives (if we even have any) and meditated on this fact? Yeah...not many times for me either. In fact, as the 25th draws closer and closer the stress level increases and the money decreases and the thought of the glorious God in a humble stable who will then go on to die to redeem mankind begins to disappear from our radar.

Now, before I find myself calling on all Christians to move our celebration of Christ’s birth to sometime in February...let me get to something that hit me as I began writing that last paragraph. This losing of focus during Christmas is not just a December issue...it effects the other 11 months too. How many times this past year did we get stressed and freaked out and find ourselves forgetting the One who bled and died so that we may have eternal life? In CM this is something that happens too...because after watching 20 hyper kids for two hours it’s hard to maintain the attitude of “I’m doing this for the Lord who loves me beyond measure” and rather it downgrades to “GET ME OUTTA HERE!!!!”.

This week in staff devotions pastor David mentioned the verse above and made the comment that while this verse was speaking of Jesus being the light of the world...our Lord then handed that off to us, as His church. We are to stand as a beacon of truth and love in the midst of a dark and hurting world. The only way we can do that is to focus on the One who provides the light. We produce nothing on our own, but when we are focused on the love of our soul we shine like the stars in the heavens and cause people to say, “they must have been with Jesus.”

So this Christmas as you fellowship with loved ones as well as tolerate hard-to-love ones focus on our Lord and what He has done. Don’t just see a manger scene and go “how sweet” but open the scriptures and soak in the amazing miracle of the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us. Immanuel (God with us) has come and He now sits at the right hand of the Father after conquering sin and death and calls us to shine with the brilliance of a billion Christmas lights to display His glory to a lost world. So celebrate Christmas this year with a renewed passion. May you all have a wonderful Christmas and thank you for being a light to the children we serve. You all are an amazing blessing to me and my family. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

So I was on twitter the other day and came across a very funny story from a guy named Jeremy Bell. I don’t know anything about Mr. Bell but he was writing a blog about a little incident that occurred with him, legos, and the SWAT team. You see, he had just purchased a lego set that was a realistic replica of a semi-automatic handgun. Someone must have spotted him through his window putting it together at work, because several hours later he hears his name being screamed down the hall and SWAT men tackling him and cuffing his hands.

In the end Mr. Bell shows them the lego gun and they let him go, but after I got done reading his story and looking at the cool lego set I starting thinking about something I read in K Magazine called, Redefining Maturity (by Sam Luce).

The fact is kids can spot a decoy a million miles away. If we are telling kids that Christ is amazing and that life committed to Him is awesome - it needs to be evident in our lives. In the article mentioned above it reads:

Perhaps [practicing the truths we teach] is the greatest gift we can give the kids under our care and ministry - a real life example that growing in Christ, indeed our spiritual formation, isn’t a plate of facts and knowledge but a dynamic relationship with Jesus that transforms and finds expression in the relationships and world around us.

Living examples - that is the key. All the teaching in the world is like a fake lego gun when it is not applied to our lives. But unlike that lego gun, a hypocritical life can do tremendous damage. The article goes on to mention that an important part of spiritual maturity is being able to feed oneself and includes a list of examples of ways to do this:

Read Your Bible - this seems like a big duh, but many times we get even too busy to read the very words of God. We all need to make sure this is priority in our lives.

Listen to Podcasts - I would also include getting into service or picking up a CD so that you have a steady diet of good biblical teaching encouraging and challenging you. As a servant in CM I know sometimes we have to double up & end up missing service, so make sure you get the podcast or CD .

Practice Transparent Faith - While we don’t need to air all our sins in front of everyone, being transparent about our faults and humanity helps bridge the gap between others. After all, it is only the grace of God that has saved us...not our super-spirituality.

Stay Connected - fellowship with like-minded believers who will encourage as well as inspire new ideas. This means beyond the walls of the church (ie: real life groups, servant fellowships etc).

As many of you know Pastor David is teaching is an awesome part of scripture that talks a lot about planting, watering, & God giving the increase. Of course, it is no coincidence that we had planned our servant appreciation week the week of all this planting talk. It’s also no coincidence that we are praying about the possible increase of a new building. So, whether you realize it or not - there’s a whole lot of growing going on.

I say all that because last night I was blown away by the shear volume of people who attended the servant dinner. I remember coming to my first servants breakfast and sitting in the 180 room enjoying eggs and grits, but last night we had a full youth sanctuary and overflow rooms filled with people who serve the Lord here at Calvary Chapel in many ways.

Today, though, I want to focus on you all who are near and dear to my heart - my CM servants. I say “my” because each one of you is part of this amazing family and so I count you as brothers and sisters. Each week I walk around the Children’s Ministry area and I am overwhelmed with the amazing things going on in the classrooms:

- The little babies & 1 year olds are being rocked and loved on.
- 2 year olds are sitting in awe as they learn biblical truths from puppets.
- 3’s & 4’s are listening to their teachers share Bible stories and fun crafts.
- Special needs children are engaged and sharing in the Christ centered environment around them.
- Kindergarten through 5th grade are laughing and learning as they watch skits, worship the Lord, and then dig into God’s word.

All of this is going on not one, not two, but four times a week. All that is made possible because you all have given of yourselves to minister to these awesome children. I know I may be biased, but I think CM is both the hardest area of service and the most rewarding area of service. That’s because in the same class you can have a child sitting in a seat upside down while singing Barney songs at the top of his lungs but then turn the corner and get a huge hug from a child who was impacted by your teaching. What a blessing.

1 Corinthians 3:8 says, “Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.” Each of you is building on the foundation of Christ, and our physical materials are paper, whiteboards, puppets, and crayons...but our other materials include a heart of God and a love for children.

I pray that the Lord rewards you each according to your hard work. Whether you see it or not, you are storing up treasures in heaven. After all, can you imagine getting to heaven and having a line of kids come up to you to say “thank you for teaching me about Jesus...I am here because of what the Lord did through you. Thank you for serving.”

Well, I realized it again this morning...I am human. And not just “human” but a clumsy, self-righteous one at that. It all started this morning while Amy was cooking up pancakes (imagine wavy “flashback” effect). I was working at my desk and had just grabbed another cup of coffee. Somehow between sitting it down and taking my hand out from between the handle I turned the mug upside down in some sort of acrobatic move that would have impressed the Ringling Brothers. In that split second I also realize that my new MacBook is sitting right next to the java flood and is about to go under, so with my bat like reflexes I grab the laptop and begin crying...that’s when Amy came over to slap me out of my stupor. Thus began my hour of unfortunate events…

About 15 minutes later I am in the kitchen staring at an empty pot of coffee hoping it will simply make itself when Emily (who is watering the plants on the porch) does not realize that she has begun to water the entire counter via a bowl that was pouring out of the sink onto the counter top. As I watch Amy is cupping her hands to catch the waterfall cascading over the brim and I am still in a stupor wondering if I can use that excess water to make some more coffee. When I finally realize what is going on we both grab every paper towel, dish rag, small animal available to wipe up the mess only to find that it has gone to the other side of the kitchen via the counter and down onto to the floor under the stove...nice.

It was at this moment that I begin losing it. I turn to Emily and as I open my mouth to tell her how she should be more careful God planted in my mind my little episode 15 minutes ago that about lost me a major item. As I looked into Emily’s eyes that were waiting for the gavel to come down I was convicted of my own frailty and simply hugged her.

After this heartwarming moment I got onto my knees and began cleaning up the water under the stove. Then as I grabbed the handle of the stove to pull myself up it gave away and broke off in my hand...nice again.

So you may be asking...why are you boring us with all these stories Mike?

Simple.

As I look at myself and my frailty and my weakness I am more and more blown away by the fact that God is using me. After all, there are much more graceful, intelligent people to use in this world...why me?

“But God has chosen the foolish things of this work to put to shame the wise, and has chosen the weak things of this world to put to shame the things that are mighty.” 1 Corinthians 1:27

Every time I read this passage I chuckle because this is my life story. I am foolish and weak, yet God has chosen to use me (and all of you) so that HIS power and HIS wisdom will be seen not our own.

As we serve parents by loving on their children and sharing Christ with them we know that God is using us. May we continue to put to shame the things of this world by showing them how God can use US to do HIS good work.

“Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth! Worship the LORD with gladness. Come before Him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the LORD is God! He made us, and we are His. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation.” Psalm 100

One of my favorite hymns is “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”. In fact, if the Lord decides to take me home before His return I want this sung at my funeral. They reason is simple...God is faithful. Not only that but when I have stumbled, fallen, & royally made a mess of things God has been there to discipline me, carry me, and forgive me. 2 Timothy 2:13 puts it this way, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.” When we are born-again we are made children of God. We are joint heirs with Christ and therefore are joined to God through the blood of Jesus. Because of this He is not going to turn His back to us, He will not deny us or reject us.

Of course, this does not mean we grab forgiveness and then jet out the door towards the next sin. 1 John is very clear that when we are saved we no longer walk in darkness because we have been given a new nature and begin desiring the things of God. BUT, as we struggle and strive (imperfectly) in this Christian walk we can know that our God is there. He is empowering us in our weakness, providing wisdom in times of need & comforting us when nothing else will.

In short...GOD IS FAITHFUL

I have seen this most recently inside the Disciple Ship. We just went through two major conferences and a jump to three services. I had doubts but God was faithful, and so where several of you.

So now I ask the tough question and it may sting a little. Since God has been faithful to us...should we not be faithful to Him? God did provide people to help serve during the conferences, but many of them pulled double (and triple) shifts. Is it fair to ask just 10 out of 150 people to be faithful and serve above & beyond? The answer is of course “no”. I know some may have had legit responsibilities (and I am not here to belittle anyone) but let me challenge you to pray about other events coming up and how you may help. As God continues to bless CCOT we will need to step up and make sure we are being faithful with what we have because what we have is from the One who is always faithful.

The past couple weeks have been interesting. As a mere human I do not always understand the ways of God, but I simply have to trust that they are for His glory and my good. In the midst of this the Lord shared some pretty incredible insight with me through one of Emily’s homeschooling books. The book is based Exodus and follows a young Israeli girl as she and her family escape Egypt and head towards the promised land. In our reading yesterday she was watching the events in Exodus 17 take place.

“And the people thirsted there for water, and the people complained against Moses and said, “Why is it you have brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst? (3)”

As some of you may know God finally directed Moses to strike a rock and water flowed from it providing water for His people. In the book we were reading there was a conversation between the main character and her brother. She was wondering why God, who could make water flow from a rock and provide meat, could not do that everyday. Why would he have the people go through thirst and hunger when He could provide it at a moments notice. After thinking a moment her brother responded saying that it is because God desires that the people stay dependant on Him and see Him as the One who provides. If they got water and meat everyday they would soon forget the One who provides it and would not seek Him.

As I read these words I was convicted. How many times do I take for granted the things God has given. Then, because of my comfort, I begin leaning on my understanding rather than His. I guess the saying is true, “when all you have left is God; you realize He’s all you need.”

As we head into three services aboard The Disciple Ship may we continue to lean on God and His wisdom and strength. May we not begin grumbling and complaining when we do not see immediate responses to our needs or when things don’t happen like we would see them happen. Even now we are impacting lives for all eternity.

In fact, just last week I was told about two incidents where parents had made decisions to come to CCOT because of The Disciple Ship. May God continue to use us to minister to these little ones as well as their parents.

Thank you all for your service. May the Lord bless you!

I know many of you may feel like you’re treading water in the ocean and the Jaws music is playing in the background. After all, we’re coming up on three services, many of us will be pulling double duties and while we desire to serve, we’re still human. To that I say, ”I’m there with you.”

As the October 4th deadline approaches many of us will struggle with the constant need to pour ourselves out. Our minds may wear down, our bodies may ache, but we must keep perspective...this is for our KING. Several weeks ago I mentioned a quote from Spurgeon that I was determined to find...well I found it.

“If by excessive labor we die before reaching the average age of man, worn out in the Master’s service, then glory be to God. We shall have so much less of earth and so much more of Heaven. It is our duty and our privilege to exhaust our lives for Jesus. We are not to be living specimens of men in fine preservation, but living sacrifices, whose lot is to be consumed.” - Charles Spurgeon

As I read that I am humbled and encouraged. It places my life in perspective and helps me realize that to give all to my King is what I must do. Not because I’m trying to earn my way to heaven but because He is worthy!

This morning reading 1 Corinthians I was once again reminded of this fact. Chapter 6 verse 19 (speaking of our bodies) Paul writes, “You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price.” We belong to Him and therefore give up ourselves for Him. Romans 12 calls this our “reasonable act of service.”

So be encouraged! Our God is great and mighty and can lift us up on wings of eagles, as well as sustain us while we crawl. He is even now preparing people to enter CM with willing hearts to serve.

May the Lord bless you all for the incredible work you do. CM is the largest ministry at CCOT and it would not work without each of you. You are all a blessing to me and to the Lord. I thank you all and may the Lord richly bless you.

See you on board The Disciple Ship!

Ever think you have it all put together only to find yourself face-first in a pile of your own failure? Yup, me too. As I look through scripture I find that this is all too true of many of those who have gone before us. Look at Moses telling a half truth about his wife, Sarah. Watch the mighty Samson become weak and blind all because of his lust. Even Peter found himself denying the one he had called the Christ. While we all may sin, it is how we react when we sin that speaks volumes.

This week I found myself reading Psalm 51 after a couple hard days at church and home. I was wrestling with my flesh and the attitudes that come with it and was seeking a true prayer of repentance. I turned to the pen of David after he was confronted about his affair with Bathsheba. How did he respond to the realization of his sin?

Did he quickly justify his actions?

Did he blame Bathsheba for her part in it?

Did he yell at the prophet Nathan for being “judgmental”?

No, David cries out to God for mercy and asks God to change his heart. Listen to the words of a broken and contrite spirit:

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving kindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies. Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” Psalm 51:1

David understands that he sinned against a holy and righteous God. And he also understands that God is full of mercy. With this understanding he comes before God with a broken and contrite heart. One that is not full of pride, but willing to fall before God in need of grace.

As it is with each of us. We deserve nothing from God. We have all sinned against Him but because he is rich in mercy He desires to pour out that mercy on us. That said, we must first humble ourselves and turn to Him. This is not only at our conversion, but we should live lives of repentance. We should daily fall before God crying for mercy and grace and live lives that reflect the grace we have been shown. This will affect our relationships, our service, and our attitude. After all, if God has been gracious to us...how can we not be gracious to others?

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken spirit and a contrite heart - These, O God, You will not despise.” Psalm 51:17

But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours becomes a stumbling block to those who are weak. 1 Corinthians 8:9 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 1 Corinthians 8:11-12

Earlier this week I came upon this passage in scripture that can be a difficult one to read, depending on your heart. Paul in this passage is talk about our freedom’s in Christ versus the possibilities of causing a brother or sister to stumble. While Paul refers specifically to food sacrificed to idols the truth pertains to many areas.

Alcohol
Movies
Music
Conversations

I am not here to give a legalistic list of do’s and don'ts because that’s not what this passage does. Paul make’s it clear that it’s a matter of the conscience and I will leave that topic for another time, but as I write this I am thinking on how this truth about stumbling blocks relates to children’s ministry in particular.

As I read Paul talk about those weak in the faith I cannot help but think of the children in our care. Are these precious children not weak in the faith? Sure we will find some children are more advanced in their understanding of scripture, but they have yet to face many of the trials and temptations that test our faith and mature us in Christ.

With that in mind, let’s think about our lives. Are we making sure all stumbling blocks are out of the way of these children? Not knowing when we may bump into one of our kids, how are we living outside the church? Does it match what we proclaim inside the church? How about those areas where there is liberty? Could a child misunderstand our acting with liberty as support for something more? These are hard questions, but as servants of Christ we need to make sure our lives are more concerned about others and their spiritual growth than on our liberties. This is true sacrifice that the Lord will bless.

So this week pick up 1 Corinthians 8 and read away. It’s an awesome (and challenging) passage. May the Lord bless you all.

Imagine the hardest situation you have ever found yourself in. Maybe it is a bad job or a hard marriage. Even now, you might find yourself in the midst of a hardship that you would rather not have to deal with. Whatever it may be we can have peace knowing God is with us and that He can use us in that situation.

“Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it.” 1 Corinthians 7:20-21

I cannot imagine a worse situation than to find myself a slave. To have no free will to come and go as I please, but instead to be chained to a master who decides for me. Now, this passage is not condoning slavery, but is using this position in life to make a very strong point.Paul is telling those in Corinth that whatever they were doing when they were saved (ie: called) they should continue doing. The only difference is that it is done unto the Lord.

Instead of griping because of their situation, rather use it. Instead of wishing for something else, rather us it. Instead of coveting that position, that paycheck, that status...rather use it. That it that we should use is whatever the Lord has given us, for His glory.

Got a bum job? Use it.

Got a hard marriage? Use it.

Got a sickness? Use it.

Remember, there is something much bigger than ourselves at stake here. There are souls on the line. People who are watching us and how we act/react inside of tough situations. Pastor John Piper wrote an incredible article called, “Don’t Waste Your Cancer” on the eve of going into prostate surgery (due to cancer). It is a powerful look at a specific way we can use it (ie: cancer) for the glory of God and the proclamation of the gospel. No matter our current situations God can use them for a purpose beyond our understanding...as long as we are willing to be used.

Please know this is not a call to suffer for the sake of suffering. If you are blessed with a great job, marriage, health, then praise God and use those things for His glory. If not, then use what you have for His glory and be encouraged. The God of all creation can use your life to change another’s...possibly for all eternity.

We are all people. In fact, we are all fallen people who rely on Christ alone for everything good within us. Even more, without the general grace of God given all people (even the unsaved) we would all end up killing each other.

Understanding the basics of our human sin nature really helps lay the foundation as to how we are to live in harmony with one another. This may seem odd, but we see it in our relationship with God (and we are to reflect this).

As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. Psalm 103:12-14

As we work with one another in serving the Lord we must always be aware that none of us is perfect. We are all in need of grace and mercy. As David writes in the Psalm above, God has mercy on us because He knows we are dust. Since this is the case we all should try to understand the weakness of others (and ourselves) and seek to encourage one another and pray for one another.

But wait...there's more

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. Colossians 3:12-14

Incredible. God is not just calling us to tolerate one another because we understand each other's falleness, but He wants us to love each other!

Here is what we are commanded (not suggested) to put on:

1) Tender Mercies
2) Kindness
3) Humility
4) Meekness
5) Longsuffering (patience)
6) Bearing with one another (more patience)
7) Forgiveness
8) Love

I don't know about you but as I read that list I was convicted. How many times have I failed to show kindness or tender mercy towards someone who wronged me (or just annoyed me). I'm sure we all have been there. But, as you may have notices the list is very similar to the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22) and therefore these things will be seen in our relationships as we allow the Spirit of God to work in our lives. This is the key to seeing these things in our relationships.

So, as us imperfect people set out to do the work of our perfect and holy God, let us do so with tender mercies. Let us carry each others burdens and encourage each other in the faith. Let us be patient with one another during times of confrontation and forgive each other when a wrong is done. Of course, we tie all these things together with the love that is given to us through Christ.

Finally, whenever you come into a situation where a brother or sister has offended you, caused you to become angry or even bitter remember this passage from Colossians. The God of the universe has forgiven your sins and saved you from the punishment of hell which you (and I) deserve. If He has done that, surely we can forgive others for much smaller things.

Let's make it a point to walk arm in arm together as we serve God and serve others. Then they will know us by our love, not just for them, but for each other.

Last week I wrote about the word perspective and referenced Colossians 3 and our need to "keep our eyes on things above and not on earthly thing."

While I had planned on talking about something else this week I was led once again to this word perspective and even more importantly, the object of that perspective, Jesus.

Back in middle school and then in high school I was deeply into Revelation and anything dealing with end times prophecy. Since leaving high school I have not obsessed over this book as much (which is probably good), but I do love reading & studying this part of scripture. Earlier this week was one such time. I opened up the book of Revelation and began reading John's description of our Lord in Revelation 1:13-18.

¹³ and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. ¹⁴ His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; ¹⁵ His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; ¹⁶ He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. ¹⁷ And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. ¹⁸ I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

Awesome. I do not say that word like Bill & Ted, but rather this image of Christ makes me sit in awe. It is both beautiful and frightening all at once. After all, this is our God and King. This is the One who died a gruesome death at the hands of men and He now stands before John in all His glory. Awesome.

There are two main things I want to bring from this text today dealing with perspective (there are many more but just two today) .

1) Look at the majesty and power of Christ in this image. He is clothed in pure white and this white is not just white, but (to quote John MacArthur) "blazing, glowing, white light". His feet of bronze speak of judgment. His eyes pearce into the soul of man seeing everything. His voice (like crashing waved) is filled with authority and power. The two edged sword displays His power against the enemies of God. The stars in His hand show of His authority over the angels being sent to the 7 churches.

The most incredible thing about this image is that this is the same Christ who left that place of glory and come to earth to die for us. Yes, the One who holds angels in His hands, judges the world in righteousness, and destroys His enemies with His words...loves us and died for us.

This is humbling...this is true perspective.

2) Look at John's response to seeing Christ in all His glory, "And when I saw Him, I fell at his feet as dead. (17a)"

Can you imagine standing in the presence of the One who holds the world together by the power of his will? Who created all we see and know? Who holds our very life in His hands?

Me neither...but One day we will.

Like John we should all fall before His majesty as dead, dying to ourselves, our ways, our desires. And then our Lord, who is rich in mercy and loving kindness, will lift us up and care for us. "He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, 'Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. (17-18)"

As we pour out our lives in service to God let us keep our minds focused on the author and perfecter of our faith. We do not serve men for men's sake, but we serve men in order that we may serve God. The children in our care are from the Lord and when we become weary let us remember this image of Christ in all his glory. This is the One who creates universes with His words...surely He can strengthen the weary heart and the broken body.

May we remember Christ as He is...Lord, King, Savior, God.
And may that give us true persepctive.