The Foundation of Your Soapbox - Here on Purpose

Good Saturday.  Before we pray and read I wanted to remind you about our guest speaker tomorrow, former KC Royals great Willie Mays Aikens.  He will be sharing how God saved his life at each of our 3 Sunday services, 9:30am, 11:00am and 5:00pm.

Let's begin.

Wow! - Brag on God. 
Today I thanked God for my kids and the joy they bring to my life.

Now... - Tell God about what's on your mind.  

How? - Stop talking and start listening to God by his Holy Spirit and by his Word.

Mark chapter 7
7:8, “Having no regard to the command of God, you hold fast to human tradition.”
What are you most sure and / or most convicted about? Why?  Is it based on tradition or the Word of God?  How often is it for the Christian to base their "religion" on man's ideas.  
Ephesians chapter 1

1 Thessalonians chapter 3
3:2, “We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for god in the gospel of christ, to strengthen you and encourage you about your faith, so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions.  For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.”  
This is yet another reason why we should walk with one another as we each walk with Jesus.  Everyone goes through trying times…to think that you can handle it alone is crazy.  By going alone you risk being “shaken by these afflictions.”
Who are you walking with that is a little further along than you?
Who are you investing in that could benefit from your experience and wisdom?

Let's first read today's Utmost for His Highest

This is Most Important - Here on Purpose

This, right here, is the most important thing you will do all day.  I know you're busy.  That is why I call this time, "Here on Purpose."  You've got other important stuff to do.  You are here on purpose because you are choosing to grow in your understanding of God.  You and I become better at everything else when we make God the first priority in our life.  

So relax.  Slow down just a bit.  There's no other place you should be right now.  You are here on purpose.

Let's pray...
Wow! - Brag on God.  Today, I thanked God for all the things that I could easily take for granted.  What comes to your mind?

Now... - Tell God what's going on in your life.  What are you concerned with, what is stressing you out?  Tell him about any uncertainty you have, where are you confused?

How? - Stop talking and start listening.  Listen for his Spirit to speak to your life.  Listen to His Word as you read it.  What is He saying to you?  What will you do about it?
Mark chapter 6
Mk 6:41, Jesus took the bread, blessed it, broke it, then gave it.  What Jesus does to bread, he also does to you.  You may want to check out this past teaching series called Breaking Bread.  

Ephesians chapter 1
Pay attention to the two times when Paul uses the word, “this.”  
What is He referring to each time he says it?  
Eh 1:9, Who is “us?”  

1 Thessalonians chapter 2
1 Thess 2:4 in comparison with Ps 139:23-24
1 Thess 2:11-12, This is what Paul encourages spiritual leaders to do: we advise, encourage, and insist that you live like Jesus.  

KaPow!!! - Experience God's power as you are obedient to what He is saying to you.

Utmost for His Highest (this is really great today) 

Blessings,
Pastor Matt

A Year on Purpose - Here on Purpose

Happy New Year!  I pray this year would be unlike any other in your life.  May you live this year on purpose!  May you abide in the Lord every day, and in doing so learn more about Him.  May His Word take root in your heart, that you might both hear and obey.  And finally, my you see the power of God in your life as you are obedient to His will.  

Let's begin 2015 with some prayer.
Wow! - Brag on God.
Now... - Tell God about what's on your mind.
How? - Quit talking start listening.
KaPow!! - Experience God's power as you are obedient to His Word.

Proverbs chapters 31 and 1

Mark chapters 4-5
Mark 4:34, "He (Jesus) did not speak to them without a parable.  But privately he explained everything to his own disciples."  This is why, each day, we abide with the Lord.  You can spend your life trying to figure out what God is doing or you can meet "privately" with the Lord and He can tell you plainly.  
Also...
Mark 4:41, "Who then is this?  Even the wind and sea obey him?"  The disciples didn't see Jesus for who he was right away.  The same is true for each of us.  The more obedient you are to Jesus' teachings, the more power God displays in your life.  The more power you experience the deeper your understanding of Jesus becomes.  You are on a spiritual journey, not a spiritual sprint!

Ephesians chapter 1
We will be teaching out of Ephesians starting Jan 11, 2015.  
Take your time in this chapter.  What questions do you have?  Chapter 1 is filled with deep truth about God.  Ephesians isn't a quick read!

1 Thessalonians chapter 1

Utmost for His Highest

Have a blessed day,
Pastor Matt
 

Good-bye 2014 - Here on Purpose

It's the last day of the year!  Let's look back over the year.  What has the Lord done in your life?  What has he carried you through?  What blessings has He going you?
Wow! - Brag on God.  

Let's look forward.  What will you carry with you into this new year?  Will you hold on to the hurt?  Will you remain in your anger?  Will you maintain the grudge?  
Now... - Talk to God about these things.  What would He have you do?  Remember how Jesus teaches us to pray...read all the way to the end this time.

Matthew 6:9-15
"Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored, 10 may your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  11 Give us today our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we ourselves have forgiven our debtors.  13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. 14 “For if you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will alsoforgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others, your Father will notforgive you your sins."

You are not the exception to the rule.  What happened to you doesn't remove you from Jesus' statement.  In your anger, will you obey?  In your hurt, will you obey?  Through your tears, will you obey?  

I read once that choosing not to forgive is like eating rat poison and expecting the rat to die.  Forgiving is not forgetting.  You can't erase deep hurt from your mind...at least I can't anyway.  When I think about the hurts, I choose to pray for those who have hurt me.  Please don't think this is easy for me.  Many times it's not.  But when did something being easy affect my obedience.  A child only does something when it's easy.  But you and I, we are maturing in our faith.  Even when it is difficult we choose to obey our Lord.  He is our boss.  He has our best interest in mind.  

Oh...and you're not off the hook either.  Yes you who have no one to forgive.  Whom have you offended?  Who must you seek out to ask for forgiveness.  The Lord knows.  I have no idea what you have said.  I don't know what you have done.  But you do.  And they do.  And I promise you the Lord does.  Do the smart thing...seek forgiveness.  Make it right.  Remember, your horizontal relationships have a great affect on the vertical one!

For most...this is where you need to stop.  Before you do anything else that is "spiritual" in your mind...go and make it right. Make the call.  Send the text.  Stop by the house.  Write the letter.  

For the rest of us, let's finish out the year.  Today we complete our reading through the book of Psalms!  
Psalms chapters 146-150

Proverbs chapter 30
This is an interesting chapter.  Take the time to ponder what the writer is saying.  What affect does this have on your life?

Utmost for His Highest

Tomorrow we kick off a study in Ephesians.  
See you in 2015!
Pastor Matt

The Good, the God, and the Goofy - Here on Purpose

There are times when I am unsure.  Am I doing the wise thing?  Is this what God wants me to do or is this something I want to do (could both of these be true?)?  I think it is very dangerous to assume that everything you want to do is from God (Proverbs 14:12).  But how do you know?

When I am presented with an opportunity or need I try to distinguish if it is good stuff, God stuff, or goofy stuff.  However, putting things in their proper category is more difficult than you might think.  I don't think it's far off to assume that you are committed to something this week that is straight up goofy.  Meaning, this commitment is taking you away from the very thing that God saved you for.  However, we stay attached to it because we feel we need to.  

One way I try to distinguish between the good, the God, and the goofy is to apply these actions steps:
1. Be completely honest with God in prayer.  I have found that if I journal my prayer I stay on track and tend to be more open in what I'm concerned with.  (this would be the Now... portion of our prayer time).
2. I review the scriptures that I have recently read to see what God might be saying to me.  (this would be the How? portion of our prayer time).  When I say "review the scriptures" here's what I mean.  As I'm reading my Bible I highlight the scriptures that speak directly to a situation I'm going through or a scripture that I need to apply to my life.  I often journal about these as I read them.  By doing this I'm able to go back and see what God has been saying to me.  
3. I meet with the wise counsel in my life.  I share with them what's going on and the scriptures that seem to be speaking the most to me.  I then ask them to share with me what they think the Lord is saying based on the scriptures they are reminded of.  

By applying these three steps I set myself up for more God stuff.  I hope this will be a help to you along your spiritual journey.

Today's Reading:
Proverbs chapter 29

Psalms chapters 136-140

Utmost for His Highest

Have a God stuff kind of day,
Pastor Matt

Don't Skip this Day - Here on Purpose

Good Monday!  I hope you will create space for today's reading as I found them to be very thought provoking.  Let's get to it.

First let's start with some prayer.  
Wow! - Give thanks to God.  Read Psalms 136.  In this scripture the psalmist provides a list of things he is thankful for.  What would you list look like?  This could be a thoughtful journal entry for you to consider.  How has God's loyal love endured in your life?

Now... - Tell God all that is going on.  Read Psalms 139.  This is one of my favorite Psalms.  Notice how the psalms ends.  How might this impact your prayer life.  

How? - Stop talking and start listening.  

KaPow!! - Experience God's power as you are obedient to his Word.

Today's Scripture:
Psalms chapters 136-140
Think on Ps 137:6.  Does anything give you more joy than God?  

Proverbs chapter 28
A few verses to ponder...
Pro 28:9, what is the relationship between obedience and prayer?
Pro 28:13, what is the relationship between secret sin and blessings?
Pro 28:22, what happens when a person is stingy?  How will this affect your generosity in 2015?

Utmost for His Highest

Have a blessed day,
Pastor Matt

When You Pray - Here on Purpose

Good Sunday morning.  Remain faithful in the Lord.  Make time for him.  Make Him your first priority.  

Let's begin with prayer
Wow! - Brag on God.
Now... - Tell God about what's going on.  Read Matthew 6:9
How? - Stop talking and start listening to His Spirit and His Word.
KaPow!! - Experience God's power as you are obedient to Him.

Today's Reading:
Proverbs chapter 27

Psalms chapters 131-135

Utmost for His Highest

Pray Like This - Here on Purpose

For the past few weeks I've provided a method of how you might pray...

Wow! Now... How? and KaPow!!

When we get to the "Now..." portion of our prayer you may find it difficult to know what to pray. Let's look at how Jesus teaches us to pray in Matthew 6:9.  

For the next several days we will include Matthew 6:9 in our daily reading in hopes that we memorize it.  

Today's Reading: 

Proverbs chapter 26

Psalms chapters 125-130

Check out Psalms 127.
This is a short but packed full Psalm.  Don't rush through this.  
What is God saying to you and what will you do about it?

Utmost for His Highest

Blessings, 

Pastor Matt

Finish Strong - Here on Purpose

You made it through Christmas!  Now, lets finish the year strong and enter into 2015 as a people who remain in Jesus.  Walk with me as I complete my readings in Proverbs and Psalms.  But first let us start with prayer.

Wow! - Brag on God.
Now... - Tell God what's on your mind.
How? - Quit talking and start listening.  Let God speak to you by His Spirit and His Word.
KaPow!! - Experience God's power as you are obedient to what He asks of you.

As you read, don't forget our foundational questions:
What is God saying to you?
What will you do about it?

Proverbs chapter 25

Psalms 121-125
Notice Ps 122:6 & 125:5, what does this mean for your life?  How can you begin praying for peace for Israel?

Utmost for His Highest

Blessings,
Pastor Matt

Merry Christmas - Here on Purpose

Merry Christmas!  
Today, let us begin with reading the Christmas Story.

Take the time to reflect on how God is working in your life.  
Wow! - Brag on God.
Now... - Tell God what's going on in your life.
How? - Stop talking and start listening
KaPow!! - Experience God's power in your life as you are obedient to His Word.

Proverbs chapter 24

Psalms chapter 119

Utmost for His Highest

Have a blessed and Merry Christmas,
Pastor Matt

What are You Praying For?

What are you praying for?  This morning I prayed for two things that can only be accomplished by God's extreme favor.  I'd love to share them with you...But not yet:)

Pray all sizes of prayers!  Huge and itty-bitty.  Give it all to God and then TRUST that He is smarter than you.  Let God what He desires with your prayers.  As my 5 year old twins often say, "You get what you get and you don't throw a fit."

So...Pray and then Trust.  

Wow! - Brag on God.
Now... - Tell God your good, your bad, and your ugly.
How? - Quit talking and start listening.
KaPow!! - Look for God's power to follow your obedience.  

Today's Reading:
Ephesians chapter 1.

Psalms chapters 111-115

Proverbs chapter 23

Ezra chapter 7

Utmost for His Highest

Enjoy Christmas Eve,
Pastor Matt

#weekofwinning - Here on Purpose

I thought a fun way to celebrate Christmas week would be to celebrate the wins (both big and small) that we experience each day.  Over and over in Psalms David is giving thanks to God...Lets follow King David's lead and celebrate our great God!

Lets start today in Hebrews 1:1-3 (this was the primary text from Sunday).
Jesus is our Prophet - He is the perfect reflection of God the Father.
Jesus is our Priest - He is our perfect sacrifice which has reconciled us with the Father.
Jesus is our King - He has the authority to rule and reign over and within us.

Lets spend some time in prayer:
Wow! - Brag on God.
Now... - Tell God your good, your bad, and your ugly.
How? - Stop talking and start listening.  What is God saying to you in the quiet AND how is He confirming this through his Word (the Bible)?

My buddy Clay added a 4th piece to this prayer...KaPOW!!  What what God does in your life when you are obedient.  

Proverbs chapter 22

Psalms chapter 106-110
Check out Psalms 109...I wouldn't want on King David's bad side:)  

Ezra chapters 1-4
FYI...Ezra 4:24...it was a 14 year break before they started again to rebuild the temple.  Isn't it easy to read something and miss the time it covers?  You can read Ezra 4:24 in a couple of seconds and then move right on to Ezra chapter 5.  Yet in that short verse it covers a time span of 14 years.  

Are you willing to wait 14 years for God to finish a work he started.  Don't give up on what God told you to do.  IF it was from the Lord, He will see it completed.  

Utmost for His Highest

What is God saying to you today?
What will you do about it?

Blessings,
Pastor Matt

Abide All Day

Each Saturday I do my best to observe the Sabbath. For me, this means I stay away from work. It also means I enjoy my day. 

Lets get to today's reading. 

The Psalms for today focu the "Wow!" portion of our prayer. 

Psalms chapters 96-100

Proverbs chapter 20

Utmost for His Highest

How might you abide all day? What does a lifestyle of abiding look like?

I hope to see you tomorrow as we celebrate Christmas at New City Church.  

Blessings, 

Pastor Matt

Are You Loyal to God?

Have you been loyal to God this week?  Or, have you been too busy?  Be careful in calling yourself a follower of Jesus when in truth you have no idea what He says and what He wants you to do.  However, you can change this.  Be loyal to God.  Give him time.  Talk to him and then listen to what He has to say to you.  

I want to do this with you.  Let's begin.

Wow! - Brag on God.
Now... - Tell God your good, your bad, and your ugly.
How? - Quit talking start listening.  

John 15:1-8

Proverbs chapter 19
Pro 19:2
Does this scripture apply to your life?
What is God saying?
What will you do?
Pro 19:15
Pro 19:18 (Discipline vs Destruction)

Psalms chapters 91-95
Each of these spoke to me this AM.  

Utmost for His Highest
I thought todays was a great devotion.  Deep thoughts.

Make a Plan - Here on Purpose

Today is one of those days like I mentioned last Sunday.  It has been hard to focus because my mind is on my responsibilities for the day.  However, I'm grateful that I stayed in my chair.  Because, today's readings were really encouraging and insightful.  I hope you will read along with me and allow the Lord to speak to you.

John 15:1-8

Wow! - Brag on God.
Now... - Tell God the good, the bad, and the ugly.
How? - Stop talking and starting listening.

Proverbs chapter 18
Pro 18:1 (One is none and two is one).
Pro 18:22 - If this is true for you let her know it. :)

Psalms 86-90
What does Ps 90:12 mean for your life?
Make a plan.  List out what you think God wants you to do or not do.  
In your plan try not to use words like "I should" or "I need to."  Instead use words like, "I will."  
When you develop your plan share it with someone so that they can hold you accountable.  (Consider this with Proverbs 18:1)

What is God saying to you?
What will you do about it?

On a personal note...I would ask for your prayers.  I'm in the process of writing the teaching for our Christmas services this Sunday and would appreciate your prayers.  

Blessings,
Pastor Matt

More of Him. Less of them.

Good Wednesday morning.  Let's get started.
John chapters 15 and 16.
As I read this today I noticed that Jesus tells his disciples 3 times, "ask whatever you want, and it will be done for you."  
What are you asking for?

Your fruit will always reflect the vine you are attached to.  (for more on this you can watch this past Sunday's teaching on John 15:1 and Proverbs 1:23-31).  A grape vine can pray for apples all day long, only to get more grapes.  When you and I attach ourselves to Jesus we should expect Jesus type fruit.   So...is "what you are praying for" Jesus type fruit?  

This is the tension between being a follower of Jesus and living in the world.  The more we spend time with Jesus the more our desires begin to look like Him and less like them.  However when praying, it may be difficult to determine if your prayers align with Jesus or with the culture which has helped shape you (Proverbs 16:2).  This is why Wow! Now... and How? is such a effective prayer model.  When you and I pray we talk to God about everything.  Everything!  Then, we take all that we have prayed for and we test it against God's Word.  This is why, in my opinion, you should always follow your prayer time with some Bible time.  If not, you might find that your feelings are leading you and not the truth of God's Word.  

So after you pray...Wow! Now... How?
Open your Bible and look for God to speak.

Proverbs chapter 17
Pro 17:3 - Yes, the Lord test you.  And yes, it's meant to get the junk out.  
Pro 17:8
Pro 17:27

Psalms chapters 81-85
Ps 81:11-14
Ps 84:10 (Here is a song from this verse that was special to me back in 1997)

Utmost for His Highest

Have a blessed day,
Pastor Matt

May God Smile Upon You

Good Tuesday morning.  I'm glad you joined me today.  Let's begin with some prayer.

John 15:1-8 (This is why we are Here on Purpose)
I focused on verse 7 today, "ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you."  
Because of this promise I prayed for my friends who do not actively walk with God, I prayed for their salvation.  I also prayed for the people of New City who have job interviews this week.  I also prayed for New City kids who have health issues.

What will you pray for today?  Let's begin...

Wow! - Brag on God.
Now... - Tell God the good, the bad, and the ugly.
How? - Let the Lord speak to your through silence and scripture.

Psalms chapters 76-80
There are some really great scriptures for you here today.  Here are some that spoke directly to me:
Ps 76:11
Ps 77:1-13
Ps 78:1, 7, 21-22, & 34 (What is God saying to you?  What will you do about it?)

Proverbs chapter 16
Pro 16:2-3, 9
Pro 16:20
Pro 16:26 
Pro 16:33
How did God speak to you through chapter 16?
What will you do about it?

Utmost for His Highest
This is a really insightful today.  Please take the time to read it.

Blessings,
Pastor Matt

Here on Purpose

If you are joining me for the first time, let me welcome you.  I'm glad you're here.  This is the best decision you will make all day.  Let's get started!

John 15:1-8
What do you notice in these text?
How will this impact the rest of your week?

I used to have a Sunday school teaching who would say, "7 prayer-less days makes one weak."

Wow! - Brag on God.
Now... - Tell God your good, bad, and ugly.
How? - Stop talking and start listening.  

Psalms chapters 71-75
Ps 71:5, I prayed this for my kids.
Ps 71:18, I prayed this for myself.
Focus on Ps 73.
What is God saying to you?
What will you do about it.

Proverbs chapter 15

Utmost for His Highest
I thought this was a good reminder for us to consider the free Bible class that is being offered. For more information on this class contact chris@newcitychurch.com.

Have a blessed day,
Pastor Matt

Do You Ever Take a Day Off?

Good Saturday.  Here is what I read today.

Genesis 1
What day did God create Adam?
What happened on the next day?
Isn't it interesting that the very first thing God told Adam to do was to take a day off?  Think of all the things that Adam had to do.  But God said, first I want you to take a break.  God calls this Sabbath. Sabbath is a day off from work so that you can rest and enjoy God.  

Each Saturday I do my best to take a day off.  I stay away from chores, email, phone, and anything else that I would consider work.  I'm taking the day off.  I'm going to enjoy my family today...that's about as planed out my day is.  I hope you will join me.

Here's what I read this AM (Sabbath isn't taking a day off from God but rather leaning into Him even more).
John 15:1-8

Psalms chapter 61-65

Proverbs chapter 13
There are two places where the word "diligent" is used.  
What are the contexts?
(note in Pro 13:24 that as a parent you must discover what is the best "rod" for your child?  For example, my son Luke hates standing in the corner.  Does he get spankings, yep, but the worst thing for my 3 year old is to stand still with his nose in a corner.  Discover what creates obedience in your child.  Why use a "rod" that doesn't work.  The word  "rod" doesn't mean destruction.  The "rod" is used to make your child better, not to defeat them)
What is God saying to you concerning this?  (I didn't ask what you feel but rather what does scripture say?
What will you do about it?

Utmost for His Highest

What Are You Praying For?

Good Friday.  

Let's spend some time on prayer.
1. Wow! - tell God how awesome He is.  Don't neglect to celebrate how He has rescued you.  Also, don't neglect to pre-praise Him for something He has yet to complete in your life.  God is faithful!

2. Now... - take the time needed to share with God all that's going on in your life.  If it's on your mind tell him (the good, the bad, and the ugly).  God can handle your stuff.  Don't press it down, lift it up to Jesus.

3. How? - Here is where you have the great privilege of listening to God.  You've had your time to talk, now it's His turn.  Be still.  Sit quietly.  Listen for His voice to speak to you.  

When God speaks to you it will always align with His Word.  God will never go against His own Word.  

Remember, when you read your Bible (God's Word) you are still in the "How?" phase of your prayer.  What is God saying to you as you read?  What are you going to do about it?

John 15:1-8
Proverbs chapter 12
Psalms chapters 56-60
Utmost for His Highest

Have a blessed Friday,
Pastor Matt