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