Another Step Closer

My Christian life is much like walking on a moving sidewalk.  There are times my pace is easy and progress seems effortless.  There are times I try running ahead, only to find myself waiting for the rest of my companions to catch up.  There are times I feel like I am at a stand still, yet God continues to move me forward.  There are times I feel like bolting in the opposite direction, but I've learned I always end up back at the same place.

I have been pursuing God's vision for my life for several years.  Eight years ago I stopped running in the opposite direction.  Seven years ago began learning how to serve.  Six years God taught me forgiveness.  Five years ago I began to trust.  Four years ago He revealed his vision.  Three years ago I learned to wait.  Two years ago the vision sharpened.  One year ago He blessed me with leaders.  Yesterday I stepped from the moving sidewalk to the space between.  Today I praise God for His patience, faithfulness, and encouragement.  Tomorrow I step to the next sidewalk to continue my journey.

As of today I am no longer the Outreach Worker for the Big Bend Homeless Coalition.  I am the Senior Pastor of Connections Church and Executive Director of Connections.  We begin Sunday service as a leadership team on June 12 and launch August 14.  We have been blessed with funding, a free office and meeting space, and barriers which once seemed impossible to overcome have vanished.  My part in all of this; faith and obedience.  Which loosely translated means I stand when I feel like bolting and I inch my toes forward when God says move.  The rest He handles.  It is His plan, His battle, and His victory.

I am better equipped today than yesterday through God's process of healing and restoration.  It is often uncomfortable and challenging.  There are days when I long for the comfortable life promised on TV.  Yet, when I consider what God sacrificed to bring me here, and the emptiness I felt while living the American dream; I freely choose God.

⁶ Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6, New International Version)

 ¹³ When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13, New International Version)

⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. ¹⁰ We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. ¹¹ For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. (2 Corinthians 4:8-11, New International Version)

² In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. ³ The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” (Exodus 16:2-3, New International Version)

²⁷ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27, New International Version)

God is Good

It has been an amazing week for Connections.  God is the same today as he was yesterday and he will be the same tomorrow.  When His people turn away from evil and earnestly seek Him He will show up in extraordinary ways.  The smallest steps of faith move mountains.  Connections Daily Devotions capture how God worked this week.  

Friday, May 13

¹ When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. ² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. Acts 2:1,2
 

I enjoyed our first prayer meeting, thank you all for attending.  I am looking forward to our next.  Something powerful happens when we gather with one heart and one voice.  During His ministry Jesus brought a diverse group of individuals together.   When He died they scattered.  Per His instructions, they gathered together in Jerusalem and waited.  On the day of Pentecost Heaven opened and the Holy Spirit was poured out.  Jesus knew his disciples would remain a group of individuals until they learned to lift their voices together.  Please continue to pray for unity.  May we be knitted together as one body with one voice.  We are Connections. We have been chosen for this time and this place for this mission.  We, through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, will impact the world. 

Sunday, May 15

⁴ What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? ¹⁵Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. ¹⁶ If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? ¹⁷ In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:14-16  
 
Faith is a verb.  To faith is to love.  Those we serve will come to know God through our actions.  Encouraging words grab attention, but a failure to act wounds.  Pray Connections serves sincerely with encouraging words and matching actions.  Pray we will find ways to go beyond convenience and schedule to meet every opportunity to demonstrate our faith and God's love.  Pray Connections avoids making empty promises by seeking God's will in every need. 

Monday, May 16

"He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30

We will make the greatest impact when we put Jesus center-stage.  My success in outreach these past years has not been based on any special skills or abilities.  It is actually the contrary.  I am not a gifted outreach worker.  When I arrived at the Coalition I was so far out of my depth I had no choice but to rely on Jesus.  As people began lining up to see me I realized they were not there to see me but the light within me.  There have been days I have been tempted to take credit for my popularity, but those days never end well.  To successfully serve He must become greater and I must become less.

Please pray for the blessing of humility.  Connections will succeed not by our talents and gifts but by the light we reflect into the world.  Ask God to take you beyond your comfort zone.  It is easy to learn to trust and rely on Him when you can no longer touch.  Pray the people who God will send to us will encounter Him.  May we always radiate with His love.
 

Wednesday, May 18

“When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”  Luke 12:10-12

As I mentioned in a previous devotion I was asked to share my testimony with the Iron Men of Freedom Church.  I have shared my testimony many times with individuals and with large groups.  I rely on the Holy Spirit to guide me to the words to share.  God has asked me to give my complete testimony only twice.  The first time was with a Christian young man who needed to be encouraged to cherish the woman God had blessed him with; the second time was last night with the Iron Men.

Obediently, I prepared a message which shared the unflattering details of my life before I knew God.  I was certain it was the message God wanted me to share; someone's life was at stake.  The message was well organized, supported by scripture, and ready to be delivered; then I entered the church.  The Iron Men group was much smaller than usual.  I saw Pastor's truck in the parking lot and heard him joking with a few others in the kitchen.  Our Connections meeting was to begin in a few minutes and I was beside myself with fear.  I stole a few moments in the classroom across the hall to pray, "Father, please do not let me shame you."

Our meeting went well; your fellowship is soothing to my spirit.  7:00 quickly came and it was time for me to join the men.  I entered a room of fifteen Elders, Pastors, Prayer Warriors, Pillars of the Church, a Missionary, a Doctor, and friends.  This was my audience?  Maybe God had it wrong; too late to alter my message.  I leaned heavily on Luke 12:10-12.  As I found my voice, it was strong and unwavering.  I spoke from a simple outline and let God choose my words.  I was confident, even during uncomfortable details.  As the evening progressed God provided confirmation through the blending of my message with words offered by other speakers.  When the evening was over I was approached by several men who thanked me for my testimony.  I appreciated the support from everyone, and was deeply touched by the encouragement of Pastor Larry.

God faithfully walked me through a difficult situation; one my flesh wanted to run away from.  However, by trusting in His promise I received validation and encouragement.  Please pray for the courage which can only be found through God.  As we climb closer and closer to launch our faith will be tested.  Pray we have the strength to stand firm.  As you find yourselves in new situations, do not fear, he will never leave you or forsake you.  Thank God for His faithfulness and guidance through the process and face new challenges with joy.

Saturday, May 21

⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. ⁴⁶ Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47

Fellowship is one of the greatest gifts from God and essential to our success.  I thank God he has surrounded me with people who are willing to join together with my voice and seek God's will.  At Thursday’s prayer meeting I witnessed God's hand at work.  We entered the room as individuals but left the room as one; the product of simply lifting our voices as one.  Obstacles which threatened to crowd out our vision were suddenly gone.  Within five minutes after our prayer we received confirmation about new streams of income and a place to begin meeting on Sunday mornings.  Somebody say, THANK YOU JESUS!!!

Prayer is a powerful.   Prayer is essential.  Please continue to find time to pray during the week.  Pray for the each of our leaders.  Pray for Megan, Bonnie, Dylan J, Michael, and Jon that God would make their heavy burdens light.  Pray for Kelly, Destiny, Jason, Jasmine, and Rachel that God will bring order from chaos.  Pray for Dylan F, Jenna, Nikki and Billy for strength to stand against the temptations of the world and empowerment to bring the light into the darkness.  Pray for Deniz and I that we remain true to God's vision and trust in His providence as we step out in faith.  May God provide for each of our needs and may we be richly blessed so we may share those blessing with those we are called to serve.  

This Way to Launch

Connections Leadership Team recognized we were beginning to focus so much on the launch variables we were leaving less room for God.  To return our attention to God we have organized a prayer meeting schedule and shared devotionals.  Below is a snapshot of our first week.    Devotion One   13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”[Joel 2:32]14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:13-15   Our focus needs to return to those God is seeking to reach through Connections.  I am convinced God wants to do something miraculous through us and through the people we serve.  Yes, God is concerned about the physical and emotional suffering the homeless community endures. However, he also sees them as His people who He will bless to bless the world.  There are few who can see their potential, even within the church, but I know you can.  God has shown me your heart.  You believe in redemption.  You believe in the power of God's love.  You believe Jesus died so none should parish.  Now is the time to put your beliefs into action.  We can sit on the sidelines with the rest, or we can answer the call.  As for my family, and my people, we choose God!  The homeless community has been placed in our hands, they are within reach, through them a miracle is about to be born. It is our job to activate this dormant and dismissed community. Please pray for the coming flood.  Pray we reach a number worthy to be called His army.  Pray we reach a people who will represent Him well.  Pray their afflictions be healed in miraculous ways for the world to witness.  Pray God's glory shine through the people of Connections.  Pray they be blessed with an abundance of health and providence.  Pray for the words to speak into their lives.  Pray God increase you capacity for patience and compassion.  Pray His will be done for His Glory, for His Honor, AMEN!! Devotion Two  8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8  Good Morning!!  Ever feel powerless?  Sometimes it seems there are too many variables in life's equation to ever reach a solution.  Connections is pressing towards launch and yet there are so many details yet to be revealed.  I admit to feeling overwhelmed at times.  However, God continues to return my attention to the earliest church.  Can you imagine how overwhelmed Jesus' disciples felt and yet God had a plan; that plan included the power to complete the mission. There have been more setbacks than victories this week, but at the same time I feel we are standing on the brink of success.  Our mission's success is dependent on our ability to break through the barriers and conventions of this world and seek the empowerment God has promised.  Please join me in prayer today that we as individuals and we as a church will receive the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit to accomplish the unimaginable.  It is foolish to believe we can accomplish a God size mission without God.   Devotion Three  2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4 NIV) As we get closer to launch we can expect to face new barriers and old temptations.  Standing on the front-line isn't easy.  I have witnessed many good people's knees buckle under the pressure and turn back.  God allows us to undergo these challenges so we may become battle hardened and more confident in Him.  The enemy is aware of what you are about to become; the breakthrough you are about to experience and will do anything to convince you to quit.   Please pray for the people God Has placed on your left and your right.  Pray they remain strong and reach their full potential for the glory of God.  Pray for peace in the present and coming battles.  When under pressure take heart, the Devil pays little attention to the dead.  When in the midst of turmoil find joy; know you are in God's will and something awesome is about to happen.    Devotion Four   Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.  James 1:27   I've been asked to share my testimony this week with the Iron Men of Freedom Church.  As I prepare I've asked God which parts of my history to share.  I lived years being polluted by the world; years moving away from God's presence instead of towards.  Yet, God has forgiven me and accepted my humble rededication.  I am blessed to serve people in distress; those others might overlook.  I know what it is to be lost.    However, I am tempted daily.  The wounds inflicted by sin may never heal completely but in my weakness God demonstrates His strength, grace and forgiveness.  As I allow myself to be convicted of my polluted desires God corrects and shapes me.  It is by His strength I remain on course.   Please pray for strength to remain unpolluted by the empty promises of this world.  Seek God, allow Him into your life completely.  Recognize the Holy Spirit's conviction, ask forgiveness and be healed.  Pray God will protect our hearts and minds against the enemies schemes.  May our mission be pure and faultless; anything less is a waste of time. Devotion Five 15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” Mark 16:15-18 When I consider Jesus' expectations for his followers I don't measure up very well.  He expects us to be fearless, yet I spend much of my time worrying.  I prayed today for strength, wisdom and courage.  I am quickly approaching the end of the runway and my plane still doesn't have wings.  I have tried buying wings, building wings, and willing wings but they all fall apart.  I have been told by others who dared to take a leap of faith, God will allow us to exhaust every imaginable human resource to remind us to trust in Him and Him alone.  Well, if that is the case, God should be along in moment now.  I suppose one way to learn to trust God is to pick up a snake, I am praying it doesn't come to that.  However, having the faith to stand in the fire when He asks so he can conquer our fear is a worthy lesson.   Father, I submit myself to your will.  I will stand in the fire and face my fears.  Defeat my fear and trepidation; grow my faith.  You are a mighty God.  There is a great distance between where my understanding ends and your wisdom begins, therefore teach me to trust and rely on you.  I surrender, I do not have the answers, I do not have the money, I do not have the ability to complete this mission.  Father, you are the creator of all things, you hold all the answers, you own all the world, there is nothing too great for you.  I will trust and rely on you.  I seek your will for my life, I seek your will for Connections.  Father, grant me courage to hold this ground, my enemy prowls and test my defenses and resolve.  I will not yield, I will not run, I will trust and rely on you.  Father, I want to be as sure of my mission as Paul.  He knew your plan did not include dying by snake or poison.  Lord, craft me into the man you need me to be.  In Jesus' name, Amen!!  Devotion Six 4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4,5    Connections is more than a ministry of one.  It is a "Spiritual House" being formed through our unique gifts and talents.  Jesus is our cornerstone and you are an instrumental part of His ministry.  Connections' leaders are the first stones; they must be solid and in alignment with God and each other.  I am grateful for each of our leaders.  You have each been an answer to prayer.  We are diverse, passionate, and dedicated.  I am confident we will succeed.  Please pray for each other.  Pray we learn to work in concert.  Pray we learn to celebrate our differences.  Pray our relationships solidify.  Pray God will raise the next generation of leaders from within His church and the community we serve; may our impact be felt in the homeless community, the impoverished community, Greater Tallahassee, the Big Bend, the Panhandle, Florida and our Nation.  Nothing is too hard for our Lord.  Devotion Seven 1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. Acts 2:1,2    I enjoyed our first prayer meeting, thank you all for attending.  I am looking forward to our next.  Something powerful happens when we gather with one heart and one voice.  During His ministry Jesus brought a diverse group of individuals together.   When He died they scattered.  Per His instructions, they gathered together in Jerusalem and waited.  On the day of Pentecost Heaven opened and the Holy Spirit was poured out.  Jesus knew his disciples would remain a group of individuals until they learned to lift their voices together.  Please continue to pray for unity.  May we be knitted together as one body with one voice.  We are Connections. We have been chosen for this time and this place for this mission.  We, through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, will impact the world.

Serving One Master

I am a servant, not a politician but sometimes I forget.  The process of launching a ministry is difficult; even more difficult when funding is uncertain.  Recently, while soliciting for support I notice I began customizing my message to my audience.  Do you know the word "God" and "Jesus" have become taboo in certain circles?  


What if Connections could have a building to provide homeless services as long as we did not mention God or Jesus in the proposal, would God bless our mission?  What if someone was willing to give $500,000 to us as long as we agreed to not hold a worship service?  The answer seems simple, yet I found myself seeking favor from people instead of seeking God first.  Fortunately, God is patient and allowed me to see my mistake and make corrections.


Connections belongs to God.  Without God at the center it does not have a chance of success.  If I remove God from the front page or attempt to disguise our mission because I am concerned I will offend a potential funder, I risk offending God.  Connections is God based and will succeed because we choose to honor God above man and above the things of this world.


Are you hesitant to share your faith out of fear of offending?  Do you decrease the importance of Jesus in your life to gain favor with your peers, instructors, or boss?  Are you ashamed of God?  The world is changing.  Sexual immorality, drunkenness, hedonism, and lying are becoming the accepted norm while Christians retreat to the closet.  


On Thursday, I had an opportunity to attend the National Day of Prayer in Tallahassee on the steps of the Capitol.  Last July I sang for God on the steps of Georgia's Capitol.  On both occasions I felt freed from the weight of the world.  Expressing my faith and my love for God on such a public stage was exhilarating.  How much impact would be felt in our communities if we stepped away from fear and into public?  How will the world know God if they see no difference between Christians and everyone else?  Shouldn't we be dancing and singing and loving with abandon?  


"Dance like no one is watching, love like you'll never be hurt,sing like no one is listening,and live like it's heaven on earth."  This Celtic proverb captures the heart God desires to grow within us.  To share the love of God properly with the world it is time we begin living our faith out loud.  Connections chooses to strive to love Jesus as He loves us.

  

   ¹³ “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Luke 16:13, New International Version, ©2011)

³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33, New International Version, ©2011)

 ⁸ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ⁹ “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
 ¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
 ¹¹ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. (Matthew 4:8-11, New International Version, ©2011)

⁸ I tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you, but you have not been like my servant David, who kept my commands and followed me with all his heart, doing only what was right in my eyes. ⁹ You have done more evil than all who lived before you. You have made for yourself other gods, idols made of metal; you have aroused my anger and turned your back on me.
 ¹⁰ “‘Because of this, I am going to bring disaster on the house of Jeroboam. I will cut off from Jeroboam every last male in Israel—slave or free. I will burn up the house of Jeroboam as one burns dung, until it is all gone. (1 Kings 14:8-10, New International Version, ©2011)

¹⁰ At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, ¹¹ and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. ¹² Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, ¹³ but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. ¹⁴ And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:10-14, New International Version, ©2011)

 ¹⁴ How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? ¹⁵ And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:14-15, New International Version, ©2011)