When You Pray - Here on Purpose

Thank you for joining me as we follow Jesus together. 

Let's start with prayer...Why?  So that we can talk with God about all that's going on and THEN look to his Word (the Bible) to see what he says about what we were asking his about.

Here's a quick prayer frame:
Wow! - Brag on God.  Tell God why you think He is awesome.

Now... - Tell God about life...Yes, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

How? - Stop talking and start listening.  This is where reading God's Word speaks to your life.  As you read continue to ask yourself tow questions:
1. What is God saying to me?
2. What will I do about it?

1 Samuel chapter 16-17
What was different between David and Goliath?

Proverbs chapter 23

Matthew 6:5-15

Utmost for His Highest

Have a blessed day,
Pastor Matt

Here on Purpose

Sorry no links to the scriptures today...writing this from my phone. Please keep the campers and leaders in your prayers today as we finish up spring break camp and prepare for the parent experience tonight. Pray with me that the parents see the love of God expressed by our presentation of the Gospel and our kindness towards them.  

 

Proverbs chapter 19

Ephesians chapter 6

utmost.org

Blessings, 

Pastor Matt

Empty Things - Here on Purpose

This past Sunday I spoke about the problem with love.  We use the word "love" so much and for so many things that it has completely lost its meaning.  

We love everything.  We love the Jayhawks.  We love the Chiefs.  We love sushi.  We love Jesus.  We love the Walking Dead.  We love our pet.  We love ice cream.  We love the weather.  

Do you get my point.  And yes, I put Jesus in the middle...just another thing we love amidst all the other things we love.

And...this is a MAJOR problem!  Jesus isn't on the list.  He is the list.  He is at the top of the list.  He has his own list.  

Here' my challenge to you.  Quit saying you love Jesus.  Start saying, "I'm committed to Jesus."  When you say and think this way...It will change the way you live. 

This is what we will read today as a part of our daily reading.  But, before we read, let's pray and bring to the Father the things on our mind.  By doing this first, we can then look into his Word for how He might want to speak to your life.

Wow! - Brag on God.

Now... - Tell God about your life.

How? - Stop talking and start looking into God's Word for how you might be committed to him.

1 Samuel chapters 11- 13
Notice chapter 12:20-25
How do you see this in relation to what I shared about about our commitment to the Lord?

Proverbs chapter 17

Utmost for His Highest

Blessings,
Pastor Matt

A Better Spouse - Here on Purpose

What do you think when you read those three words - A Better Spouse?  Do you think about how your spouse could be better OR do you think on how you could be a better spouse?

Both thoughts could be true.  But here's what I've learned and am learning...I have a lot more control over me than Jenn (Jenn is my wife...and a great one at that).  The same is true for you.  You can spend this weekend praying and hoping your spouse behaves better OR you can strive to be a more respectful, loving, and caring spouse.  

Now, here's the rub.  We typically don't mind being more respectful, loving, or caring as long as she _______.  Or, we think, "Sure, I'll be more loving, caring, and respectful as soon as he starts _____."

What might your marriage or dating relationship look like if you simply loved...Period.  No strings.   No "so thats".  What if you just loved...Because Jesus first loved you?  

We love because He first loved us." 1 Jn 4:19

Oh...One last thing.  This isn't a one time act of love.  This is a lifestyle.  This is a commitment.  This is a "for better or worse" kind of love.  

Wow! - Brag on God.

Now... - Tell God about your relationship.  What changes need to be made?

How? - Stop talking and let God speak to you by his Word and his Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 5:21-33
Wives - how might you follow your husband as you would follow Jesus?
Husbands - how might you love your wife as Jesus loved the church?

1 John chapter 4

Utmost for His Highest

Blessings,
Pastor Matt

Two Steps - Here on Purpose

This will be quick because...Well, if you're reading this it probably doesn't apply to you.  But maybe you can use this to help others who are having a hard time finding their way.

Over the past several weeks I have had the opportunity to have many spiritual conversations.  These conversations have varied on topic but they have a common core problem.  The people that I have spoken to are lacking in two key areas of spiritual growth: 1) Reading the Bible and 2) Walking Alone.  

If you want to change your spiritual direction consider these two steps.  Allow God to speak into your life by reading His Word (oh...not just read but also do what He says, John 14:15).  Next, and I have it "next" on purpose, is to walk with others who are ALSO reading the Bible and allowing God's Word to speak into their life.  

So...Let's get to it.

Wow! - Brag on God.

Now... - Talk to God about your life.

How? - Stop talking and start listening to Him as he speaks to you by his Word.

1 Samuel chapters 4-10

Proverbs chapter 12

Utmost for His Highest

You've taken step 1...How will you work out step 2?
Blessings,
Pastor Matt

Deeper? - Here on Purpose

I want to share with you something that I journaled yesterday.  I don't know if it will make sense to you but I feel this is something I have recently learned.  I want to set it up by sharing an idea that my mentor Dan has shared. - If people are honest with themselves they would admit they are: 1. headed into a crisis, 2. in a crisis, or 3. coming out of a crisis.  

Let me be clear.  No one ever picks crisis...we alway have and alway will pick peace and comfort.  And, for this reason is why I journaled this last night.  I would love any comments or feedback or personal reflection.  Email me at matt@newcitychurch.com

Journal Entry March 10, 2015

I want to go deeper. That’s what my friend ______ said. But I don’t think going “deeper” is up to _______. Or me. Or you.

Going deeper is up to Jesus. And when he want’s to take you “deeper” I’m not so certain you have a choice. I think he kinda pushes you into the “deeper.”

When you and I say, “deeper” we have something in mind. But it in no way means the same to Jesus. Our “deeper” has more to do with us feeling more spiritual, holy, or something like that. Jesus’ “deeper” is well…dependence on Christ and Christ alone. 

Peter, walking on water…Jesus took him deeper, if not for Jesus he would have drowned. 

I don’t even think “deeper” can be summed up as obedience. If so, your perseverance/piety/self-denial could take you deeper. No…”deeper” is a complete dependence on Jesus. Christ and Christ alone.

Here is truth. If Jesus approached you and said, “Here’s what I need to do in your life to bring you into a deeper relationship with myself.” If Jesus then laid out what he was about to do/allow in your life…I am certain, even to the most spiritual person, there is NO WAY they would agree to Jesus’ “deeper” plan. 

This is why Jesus doesn’t ask. He just does. And boy do we go under. And like Peter, if not for Jesus we would drown. We cry out to him for help. We cry out to him for peace. We cry out to him for justice. There’s NOTHING we have to offer that will rescue ourselves or our situation. In these moments we understand (even if we don’t understand at all) that our only hope is Christ and Christ alone.

Matt Miller

Of course these "deeper" moments are not alway bad.  Have twins changed my life...in a great way.  However, I would argue that I, personally, have learned more in crisis than in joy.  What say you?

Let's Pray:
Wow! - Brag on God.

Now... - Tell God about your life. 

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

Ephesians chapter 5

Proverbs chapter 11

Utmost for His Highest

Blessings,
Pastor Matt

Are You Drunk? - Here on Purpose

Today we will start reading from one of my favorite books in the Old Testament, the book of 1 Samuel.  As we begin you will read about Hannah, Samuel's mom.  Hannah was a believer in prayer.  Not the kind of prayer that you pray once and then move on to something else.  Hannah prayer was so emotional that a priest asked her if she was drunk.  Have you ever prayed like that?

If you've longed for something enough - then yes.
If you've been desperate for something - then yes.
If you've been hurt deeply - then yes.

Don't stop praying.  

Wow! - Brag on God.

Now... - What are you longing for?

How? - Stop talking and start listening to God speak to you by his Word.

1 Samuel chapters 1-3

Proverbs chapter 10

Utmost for His Highest

Blessings,
Pastor Matt

Are You In Style? - Here on Purpose

Yesterday I spoke on Ephesians 5: where Paul writes, "...these are not fitting for the saints."  

Although this chapter may not be the "feel good" scripture of the week doesn't mean that it's not good for your soul.  I want to start this week by asking a very important question...

What is God saying to you?
What are you going to do about it?

Wow! - Brag on God.

Now... - Tell God about your life.

How? - Stop talking and start listening as He speaks to you by his Holy Spirit and his Word.

Today's Reading
Ephesians chapter 5

Matthew chapter 22:1-14
What parallels do you notice between Ephesians and Jesus' parable?

Proverbs chapter 9

Utmost for His Highest

Have a blessed day,
Pastor Matt

Back to the Huh?!? - Here on Purpose

Two days ago I wrote a post titled, "Huh?".  The post was on the last four books of Judges and how I didn't get it.  Yesterday over lunch with my friend and New City Elder, Charlie Blair, the last four chapter of Judges were brought up and Charlie offered me some insight...Let me pass it along.

Notice verses:
17:6
18:1
19:1
21:25

Do you see the theme?  We were made to have authority over us.  We were created to fall under leadership.  When we have no king (Jesus) we tend to do what we think is best...But our best often causes others to think "HuH?".

You and I are no different from Judges 17-21 when we go at it on our own.  Instead, what might it look like for you to fall under the just and prosperous rule of King Jesus.  Today let Jesus be Lord (or boss).

Wow! - Brag on God.

Now... - Tell God about your day.

How? - Stop talking and let God talk to you about your life from His perspective.

Today's Scripture
Proverbs chapter 6

Ephesians chapter 5

Utmost for His Highest

Have a blessed day,
Pastor Matt

Huh? - Here on Purpose

Let me prepare you for today's reading by being really honest.  Sometimes I read the Bible and I think, "Huh?!?"  That's how I was feeling today when reading the remainder of the book of Judges.  It seems that I've got more to learn and understand about what the meaning is of the last 5 chapters. 

Here's some more honesty...I often feel that way about life.  I've got so much to learn.  Things concerning: Marriage, being a dad, being a leader, being a pastor.  Sometimes I look back on my day (or week) and realize I've got a long way to go. 

That's why we pray and read God's Word.  We can talk to him and then He can speak to us.
Let's get started.

Wow! - Brag on God.
Now... - Tell God about your day...maybe even the things that make you think "Huh?!?"
How? - Stop talking and start listening to God as he speaks to you by his Holy Spirit and his Word.

Judges chapters 17-21

Proverbs chapter 4

Utmost for His Highest

Have a blessed day,
Pastor Matt

He Did Not Realize - Here on Purpose

Today, as a part of our reading you will come across a haunting scripture, Judges 16:20.  It reads, "He woke up and thought, 'I will do as I did before and shake myself free.'  But he did not realize that the Lord had left him." 

This scripture creates a question within me.  Why do people assume the Lord is them when they live outside of God's ways?  This is exactly what Sampson assumed.  He did what he wanted, broke God's rule, and then assumed in a time of trouble that the Lord was still with him.

This reminds me of what Paul said in Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose."  This verse is often quoted.  However, what is quoted is just the first part...Oh, how people love the first part. - "And we know that all things work together for the good."  - But we realize there is more to this scripture.  - "for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose."  

Here's the deal.  We have to re-think the word "love".  We have lost it's meaning. When you see the word "love" think of the word "commitment."  This will change your spiritual life.  I know a lot of people who "love" God...But it is amazing how this same people are not "committed" to him.  

Let this thought be our foundation for today.  When we are committed to God, when we truly love him, we can trust that He is with us.

Let's pray:
Wow! - Brag on God.

Now... - Talk to God about your commitment to him.

How? - Stop talking and start listening to him speak to you by his Holy Spirit and his Word.

Today's Reading:
Judges chapters 13-16

Proverbs chapter 2

Utmost for His Highest

Have a blessed day,
Pastor Matt

Who Do You Cry To? - Here on Purpose

Who do you cry out to in times of trouble?  This will serve as our foundational thought for today's prayer and Bible reading.  

There are times when crying out to a friend just doesn't cut it.  We've all been there.  Those times when you are talking out loud but no one else is there but you...And God.  But here's the rub...Is it God or god?  Over and over again in Judges I notice the theme of a people who love God and then after some time turn from him and commit themselves to other gods.  

Look how God responds to this type of behavior in Judges 10:13.  "But since you abandoned me and worshiped other gods, I will not deliver you again.  Go and cry for help to the gods you have chosen!  Let them deliver you from trouble."  

If love = commitment...
Then worship = devotion.  

To whom do you offer your devotion?  To whom do you offer your commitment?
It is important with questions like this to not make excuses or rationalizations.  Just answer the question as honestly as possible.  For God already knows the answer.  

Let's pray.

Wow! - Brag on God.

Now... - Talk to God about your devotion and commitment.

How? - Stop talking and start listening to what He wants to say to you by his Holy Spirit and his Word.

Today's reading:
Judges chapters 10-11
Don't miss the unnecessary and foolish vow that Jephthah.  

What is God saying to you?

Proverbs chapter 2

Utmost for His Highest

Have a blessed day,
Pastor Matt

The Lord is with You - Here on Purpose

"The Lord's messenger appeared and said to him, 'The Lord is with you, courageous warrior.'" Judges 6:12

When you read that verse you may think..."He's not talking to me...I'm anything but a courageous warrior."  If you think like this you are not alone.  This was spoken to a man who had a similar opinion about himself.  His name was Gideon.  

Today, as a part of your reading you will learn or be reminded of Gideon and what he accomplished through the Lord.  Before you start reading, let us first start with prayer (please notice my specific prayer in the "Now..." section).

Wow! - Brag on God.

Now... - During this time of prayer, be honest with God and tell him why you don't think you can.  Why are you not a courageous warrior.  What scares you?  What fears do you cling to?

How? - Stop talking and allow the Lord to encourage you by his Holy Spirit and his Word.

Judges chapter 6:11-8:35
Specifically...
Judges 6:14-24...What is God saying to you?  What might you learn from Gideon's experience with the Lord?

Proverbs chapter 27

Utmost for His Highest

Tell me what's going on in life...matt@newcitychurch.com

Blessings,
Pastor Matt