Lions, Tigers, and Bears oh my!
"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be people of courage; be strong. Do everything in love." - I Corinthians 16:13-14
I think that every child growing up over the last several decades has been indoctrinated with the all-time classic movie, The Wizard of Oz. Growing up my favorite character was the cowardly lion who in the story was in need of a major dose of courage (I can still hear him lisping that word over and over again).
Courage has been something that has been on my radar in recent days. I think it started out while on vacation where two different times I was brought face to face with my fear of heights. Without going into detail, let's just say there was nothing admirable or brave in my response (At least it is hard to remember when you are sweating profusely and your heartbeat is faster than the roadrunner).
Then a few of weeks ago, while in prayer, the Lord had given me a word for a couple in our church as they process through a difficult decision and season in their lives. The word was that as the Lord gives them wisdom for that area in their life, a wisdom that would require and release them to walk courageously. The example that came to mind was if a person was being bullied by someone, but they knew their 6 foot 8 inch cousin from Nebraska was in town, the next time they ran into the bully they would respond with courage and boldness.
As we continue in our series on sharing our faith from II Timothy, I want us to receive the same instruction and challenge that Paul gave to Timothy in chapter one verse seven, "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline." I believe that God is calling us, His people, His Church to live courageously in these ever changing and challenging days. For each of us living courageously means something different. God may be calling us to...
...Take a step of faith that we have yet to take in trusting and obeying Him in an area of our lives.
...Go a New Way even if it is unknown or uncomfortable.
...Stand firm on the Rock (Jesus Christ) even though we are facing severe temptation, trials, and troubles.
...Speak boldly in love as we share our faith, pray for others, and invite them to church.
...Get more involved in raising/shaping our kids (for parents), serving in the church, or investing the lives of others.
You do not have to perfect for God to give you courage, nor am I implying that you will never be afraid, overwhelmed, or troubled, but I do believe that the Lord wants to speak to your heart and deposit the gift of His Spirit (John 14:27) in a way that you will overcome those places where you feel like giving up, giving in, or taking the easy road. Just as He called a frightened Gideon, and an apprehensive Moses, He is calling us to live for Him. Yes, God is looking for people who will live courageous lives that change this earth by shining His light and imparting His kingdom into a very hurt, broken, and dark world.
White Flag
"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we might receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." - Hebrews 4:16
"It can't be. NO, I don't believe it!" Those were the words I uttered to my parents and the emptiness I felt as a six year old boy upon finding out that the family dog, my first dog, Jarvis (a German Sheppard), had to be put to sleep due to a leg injury. You can probably understand a boy's connection with his dog and relate totally with the difficulty of losing or surrendering something you love deeply.
That day over thirty two years ago was both sad and difficult, but just recently I experienced a surrender that was both good and needed...let me explain. This has been an amazingly wonderful and busy summer season. In July our family spent our vacation in Chicago. We arrived home three weeks ago to be greeted with a score of events taking place at the church: 50th Anniversary Event, Kids Camp, and Vacation Bible School. These three events alone are worth rejoicing in as God showed up in a big way! Then, last week, as I was in my prayer time for my family, the church, some pressing issues, and the upcoming fall season, I felt the Holy Spirit impress on my heart the need to surrender four different things from my life that I deeply care about which I am to release to God, trusting Him to faithfully provide for. I decided to put this direction to action by writing each thing on a piece of paper and then walking them to the platform area of the church. There I spent time in prayer in order to surrender them completely to God and thank Him for doing a new work in each of those areas.
Surrender is not something that is easy or common for us to do. It is hard to walk by faith (II Corinthians 5:7), it is difficult not to be in control (I hate being a passenger), and it is sometime grueling to let go of something or someone. Although the word surrender is not found in the New Testament, the idea of it is communicated over and over again in words such as humble, commit, confess, follow, and trust. There are many things we are to surrender to God:
Our Burdens (Matthew 11:28)
Our Cares (I Peter 5:7)
Our Shortcomings/Sins (I John 1:9)
Our Desires (Psalm 37:4)
Our Needs (Matthew 7:7)
Our Lives (Galatians 2:20)
Our Futures (Hebrews 10:23)
As we continually/daily surrender those things near and dear to us to the Lord we will discover a greater peace, joy, hope, and results because they have been placed in the hands of the One who has all authority. In this season where I have come face to face with surrender, I am reminded of what Jesus said to His disciples when he sent them out two by two in Luke 9:3, "Take nothing for the journey...". That is some serious surrender and trust. Yet, the disciples were cared for by Jesus, given the tools to succeed, and they returned reporting and rejoicing in the wonderful things that took place. As we surrender to God we can have a confidence that all is well, that we are in the best hands possible, and that there will be greater results in those areas of our lives!
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Yes Man
"You must obey My laws and be careful to follow My decrees. I am the Lord your God. Keep My decrees and laws, for the man who obeys them will live by them. I am the Lord."- Leviticus 18:4-5
Last Sunday evening at our 50th Anniversary Reception, one of the other pastors from our valley was asking me about our church family. My answer to him seemed simple at first, but after thinking more about it, I realized it is the crux of who we are and what we are to be about. This is what I said to give the most accurate and concise definition about the people who make up The Shepherd's House, "We have a lot of people who say YES to Jesus."
There are too many people to honor and too many stories to tell, but let me share some that come to the forefront of my memory at this moment:
* A couple from our church who, while at my house for dinner, said "yes" to help oversee an area of ministry.
* A young woman in our church said "yes" to lead a weekly small group and saw remarkable results in the lives of the women.
* A man in our church who is saying "yes" to living in purity despite the temptations the world is offering.
* Christi Wyrrick shared her story at our 50th Anniversary service about how during her battle with cancer, a group of people prayed and said "yes" to adoption and victory over cancer.
When we think about it a little more, there are many things Jesus asks of us that we are to say "yes" to in order to fully follow Him. We are to say "yes" to certain daily disciplines; we are to say "yes" to opportunities to serve in the church; we are to say "yes" to the call to pray; we are to say "yes" to obedience of the Scriptures; we are to say "yes" to staying in fellowship with other believers; we are to say "yes" to the promises of God; and we are to say "yes" to sharing our faith and the Good News of the Gospel.
Over the next two months, our Sunday teachings will center on our need to share Jesus with all people, every day and everywhere. Sharing our faith can be one of the most intimidating, unnerving things we can do. Whether it is fear, pride, insecurity, a lack of sensitivity to the need, or a lack of knowledge that is holding us back, I believe we must overcome these obstacles and see reaching others as an urgent thing, a necessary thing, and a beautiful thing. I have found very little that matches the adrenaline rush, the feeling of joy, and the sense of fulfillment of leading someone else out of the darkness and into the light of Jesus Christ. Don't just take my word for it; let's see what Jesus says. In Luke 15:7 the Savior declares, "I tell you in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent." Again in Luke 10:20, Jesus says, "Do not rejoice that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
Join me in saying "yes" in this season as we study God's Word on the subject and then take the message to a hurting, needy, and broken world to see the lost come to Jesus.
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One of a Kind
| "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to one hope when you were called." - Ephesians 4:3-4
Have you ever been overtaken by a family member, friend, or neighbor, who upon returning from vacation place a stack of pictures on your coffee table the size of Mt. Everest or who have prepared a video that rivals the latest movie at IMAX, because you have to absolutely see all the fun they had? Those people sure are presumptuous aren't they? Well, call me Mr. Presumption, as I am about to share something from the 2010 Zwerling Summer Vacation.
This summer we had the chance to visit family in the Chicago area. We had an absolutely fabulous, fun, and full time. One of the things I noticed on this trip was how many differences there were between California and Illinois. From the water in the shower (in the Midwest it feels heavier), to the time zone, to the driving in the city, to the bugs, to the fact that Pepsi seemed to be in every restaurant (that sound was me booing), to the food (okay so there is something good that comes from Chicago), and to the weather, it was not difficult to remember that we weren't in California (or Kansas for that matter) anymore.
These differences remind me of the fact that God has brought us individually together to make up the church family known as The Shepherd's House. We have different family backgrounds, different likes and dislikes, different schedules, different demands, different physical features, different summer plans, and different things on the horizon (some are heading on a vacation, some into retirement, and some getting the kids ready for another year of school). In fact, some of us even like Pepsi better than Coca-Cola, and I am okay with that...I think.
Despite our many differences we are linked together as children of God and being made a part of His family. We have been brought into one Body (I Corinthians 12) and have been called to live in love, peace, and unity with each other. Nowhere was this reality more evident than at our 50th Anniversary celebration last Sunday. Our church family came together last weekend and we were joined by past members from the church and four former senior pastors to celebrate God's faithful work on Oak View Drive these past five decades. It was deeply moving to hear the various accounts, see the many images, and witness the story of the church's beginning, as founding pastor, Bob Forrester, returned to the church he built for the first time since 1962!
During our celebration I shared that although much has changed over the years, we are not entering into a new story, rather we are continuing in the story that God has designed and that He has called us to as the Thousand Oaks Foursquare Church. The story that God has for us is a good one, an exciting one, a hope-filled one, and a victorious one.
Although Chicago was a great place to visit, I am glad to call Thousand Oaks home. And even though I like my name, Leaf, and come from the Zwerling family, it is VERY GOOD to be named a child of God with you, and to be a part of The Shepherd's House family. We are one and that is a very, very, very good thing! |
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