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Worship Ministry - September 2024

Wisdom and Peace

Why is living peacefully so hard? Why is it so easy to get irritated or angry at someone? Whether it be conflict with your neighbor over a fence line, someone cutting in line at the store or how other people drive, it is so easy for us to give in to our self-righteous anger. I know I am quick to yell at the car next to me during the morning commute, and I am sure you could make a list of things that get under your skin.

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.” James 3:17-18

As we live our lives, we must seek Christ and all that is good in Him. We seek His wisdom and pure heart. We desire His strength and humility. His righteousness! We know this, but doing it with a steadfast heart is a bigger task. We give way to our flesh and worldly desires, and then we try to redeem ourselves through our own strength and
works - as if that’s even possible. Has God not made it clear to us where we should find wisdom, strength, and peace? We must remember to turn to the Lord, not just first but God alone. It is only God that can make us righteous and holy, turn to no one else but Him.

“God’s Wisdom produces that which is right, that which is pleasing and honoring to God, and that which is good for the people of God.” - David Platt (Christ-Centered Exposition commentary) When it comes to choosing between God’s wisdom and our own, choosing God’s is never followed with regret. We are never left wishing that we'd gone a different direction when we decide to follow God’s Word and Will. Seeking and following God’s wisdom brings us peace! “The peacemakers are blessed, for they will be called sons of God” (Matt 5:9)

Have you ever tried picking a restaurant to eat at with a group of people? It’s like pulling teeth to get everyone to decide on one place. This is true for all aspects of our lives! Life would be easy except that there are other people in the world who make it difficult; however, as we walk with Christ there can be peace through Christ. A.W. Tozer wrote, “As long as you set yourself up as a little god to which you must be loyal, how can you hope to find inward peace.” We can’t find peace when we rely on ourselves or anyone other than God.

As we desire Christ, we desire His wisdom and peace for He too desires these things for us. “Peace is what God desires in our relationships, our homes, and our churches.” David Platt (Christ-Centered Exposition commentary)

“5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting....” James 1:5-6a

Ask the Lord for His wisdom and peace! In those times of frustration or trouble, stop and pray that He would guide you and give you a heart and mind like Christ’s. Rely on Him alone!

Worship Ministry - August 2024

He Knows My Name

There is a well-known song from the early 2000s that has always struck a chord with me. It's a simple truth, yet it is also mind-blowing when you take a moment to digest it. It’s a song I remember fondly from childhood, my early days as an adult, and my first years of ministry. The chorus goes something like this:He knows my name

He knows my every thought
He sees all those tears that fall
And He'll hear you when you call
“He Knows My Name” by Tommy Walker

Have you ever had the chance to meet someone famous or meet your hero? When I was in 8th grade my family and I had the opportunity to go to the FedEx Forum in Memphis and see Third Day (at their peak) and The David Crowder Band (just getting started) in concert. It was made an extra special night because someone had gifted us meet-and-greet tickets to meet the bands. This was also during the height of my mom's fight with terminal cancer, so it was a much-needed reprieve.

When you get the chance to meet a well-known person, you tend to go in with some preconceived ideas about them and what they are going to be like. This night was no different! Third Day was on top of the Christian music world and they were heroes in my young mind. I expected them to be wonderfully kind and loving Christian people, which they were but didn’t reach my exceptions for them. They were kind enough to talk to us, but it felt like they didn’t want to be there, that they didn’t care to be meeting us. That this was a waste of their time. It was disappointing!

On the flip side, The David Crowder Band was so happy to be there. They were excited to talk to us and took time to engage us in a personal way. David (yes we are on a
first-name basis hahaha) even took the time to call my mother on his phone because she was in the hospital at the time. It left an impression on me that someone of his stature would give his time away like that.

How mind-blowing then to think that the God of all things, creator of all things, the Holiest of Holies, knows YOUR name!! Not kinda sorta knows who you are, but intimately knows every part of you that makes you...you. He knows your hurts. He knows your pain. He knows your needs. He listens when you call to Him. He knows your days, here on earth and for eternity.

“15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” Psalm 139:15-16

So the next time you feel alone, tired, afraid, or stressed, remember that our Heavenly Father knows you and “hears you when you call.”

Love you and mean it!