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Rejection always causes us to ask “why?” We can learn lessons from rejection.

Israel wanted a change in leadership. Samuel was old, and his sons were not good candidates to succeed him. So the elders said, “Appoint a king to lead us.” (1 Samuel 8:5) When Samuel heard the request he felt rejected. But God assured him that he was not the one being rejected.

The people were rejecting God. Why? Because they wanted to be like other nations and serve other gods. Even after being warned of the dangers of this, the people still said, “We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations.”

Was that a good reason to ask for a king? No, but it was a common one. God’s way is often rejected. Not for a better way, but for a preferred way. The preferred way appeals to man and, just as with Israel, is more like the way of the world. Israel later reaped the negative effects of this decision, a sure result of rejecting God.

Listen to His Word and follow His way, because that is the only path to blessing. Consider carefully your choices, and ask if they lead you closer to or further away from God. Determine that your heart will be set to follow Him.

Here is your copy of firstIMPRESSIONS, Volume 10.18. Live for God, on purpose, making life-choices that draw you closer to Him.

The Heart of a Servant Leader

As believers in Christ, each one of us has been called to serve others. We are to follow Jesus‘ own example, as He came not to be served, but rather to serve.

That’s why it has always amazed me that relatively few Christians are actively involved in any real ministry at all. For too many people, their total “Christian life” amounts to simply attending church on Sunday, and even then, certainly not every Sunday! Additionally, many others who do the work of ministry are doing it for reasons far different than the desire to serve others.

The “Eighty-Twenty Rule,” known as the “Pareto Principle, is easily evidenced in Christian ministry, where we easily observe that 20% of the people do 80% of the work, while 80% of the people are only doing 20% of the work.

Why are things this way? One reason. It’s all about the heart. “The Message” states Proverbs 4:23 this way – “Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts.” And Luke 6:45 tells us that it is out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

How we serve the Lord is also all a matter of the heart. Ephesians 6:6 says “Don’t just do what you have to do to get by, but work heartily, as Christ’s servants doing what God wants you to do. And work with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you’re really serving God.”

In Colossians 3:23-24, the apostle Paul says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

This Sunday at WFA we’re going to have an exam – a heart exam. Together, we will discover exactly what “The Heart of a Servant Leader” should be like. Since every one of us is called to be a servant leader, this is a mission-critical exam for us all! Don’t miss it! Your “doctor’s appointment” is at 10:30 this Sunday!

Blessing or Bad Luck?

The story is told of a man who was walking across the road when he was hit by a car. The impact knocked him on his head, which caused him to be in a coma for two days before he finally regained consciousness. When he opened his eyes, his loving wife was there beside his bed. He held her hand and said to her:

“You know, Judy, you’ve always been right by my side. When I was a struggling college student, I failed again and again. But you were always there with me, encouraging me to go on trying.”

She squeezed his hands as he continued: “And when I got out of school and went for all of my interviews and failed to get any of the jobs, you stayed right there with me, cutting out more classifieds for me to check on...”

“Then I started work at this little firm and finally got the chance to handle a big contract. But I blew it because of one little mistake, and yet you were there beside me all the way. Then I finally got another job after being laid off for sometime. But I never seemed to be promoted and my hard work was never recognized. And so, I remained in the same position from the day I joined the company until now... And, through it all, you were right there by my side.”

Her eyes brimmed with tears as she listened to her husband: “And now I’ve been in this accident and when I woke up, you’re the first person I see. There’s something I’d really like to say to you....”

She flung herself on the bed to hug her husband, sobbing with emotion.

He said, “Judy, I think you’re just plain bad luck!”

Our attitude makes a big difference in how we see things, doesn’t it? As the saying goes, we can either see the glass as half full or half empty. We can either appreciate the good during our times of adversity (the faithfulness of God, greater opportunities to develop our faith, the blessing of good friends to see us through it) or we can moan and complain about our “bad luck.”

The apostle Paul is a great example of someone with a marvelous attitude. Through all of his trials, God had been right there by his side. But never once did he blame God for his misfortune. Instead, listen to the positive attitude in Paul’s words as he sat imprisoned for preaching the gospel:

“But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel.” (Philippians 1:12)

No moaning, no complaining. Just a marvelous attitude that brought joy to his life. May it serve as an example to you today.

Serving Anyone Anywhere Anytime

The story has been told of how one day George Washington happened upon a group of soldiers who were cutting down trees that were needed to construct a bridge. As the soldiers labored, the officer in charge stood by watching. General Washington remarked that it appeared the men needed help and suggested that the officer join the work. The officer took offense at the suggestion because of his rank. Setting an example, Washington climbed down off his horse and went to work with the soldiers until the job was finished. Only after the work was completed did Washington reveal his identity to the officer.

While not everyone has the same skills, gifts or passions for serving, there is no place for pulling rank or position when it comes to ministry. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are all on a level “playing field”. When we see a fellow believer in need of help, whether their need is personal or ministry-oriented, our calling is to step up and help whenever and wherever possible.

Jesus proved that this type of pattern for serving without reservation or hesitation is what he desires for his followers by setting the standard himself. The Son of God, leaving his heavenly glory, walked among us as a servant. Matthew 20:28 says that “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

His ultimate act of service was displayed when he died on the cross, taking upon himself our own sin and shame, that we might be forgiven and the door opened to having a relationship with God.

Today, when it comes to serving others, go beyond any thought of rank or position. Be willing to serve anyone anytime in the name of Jesus. If we do, God will use us in tremendous ways. For when we prove to be faithful in serving anywhere, He will open up even more areas of service to us where we do have skills, giftedness and passion.

Guard Your Heart

Hebrews 12:15 says “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you...” The phrase “looking diligently” comes from the Greek word episkopos, which means to supervise, oversee, and correct (It’s where the word “bishop” originates).

So you are the overseer of your heart. Each day you must monitor, direct and correct what goes on there. You can’t blame your bad attitude, resentment and unforgiveness on others. You are responsible! When somebody offends you, it’s up to you whether or not you let bitterness take root.

You can’t control what other people do, but it’s the “inside” part – the part you can control – that God holds us accountable for. You get to decide whether or not irritation turns into anger, anger into resentment, and resentment into retaliation.

The reason weeds take over a garden is because the gardener doesn’t pull them up fast enough. When your garden is choked by weeds you can’t say, “I don’t know how it happened!” When you are “looking diligently,” you will see them moving in. The only way to stay free of the weeds the enemy wants to sow in your life is to be attentive to the condition of your heart.

When you’re faced with a hurtful, offensive situation, refuse to let a wrong attitude take root and produce bad fruit. Instead, ask God to help you replace those destructive thoughts with mercy and forgiveness towards the people who hurt you. The Bible says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)

A Change of Heart

I’ve heard two stories lately with a common theme:

Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick tells a story from his own childhood days. His father had said to his mother, upon leaving the house one Saturday in the morning hours: “Tell Harry that he can cut the grass today, if he feels like it.” Then, halfway down the walk, his father turned once more to add: “And tell Harry that he had better feel like it.”

A similar story:

A new elementary school was raising the American flag for the first time. To make the day special, they had invited a Marine Corps color guard to come out and perform the duty for them. The day before the ceremony, the Marine in charge of the unit called to confirm directions to the school. After doing so, he was asked by the school secretary whether he was sending Marines who like children. There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before the man replied, “Ma’am, if I tell them to like children, they will like children.”

Both of those stories emphasize the point that there is a big difference between doing something and wanting (or liking) to do it. And, as much as a father or a Marine sergeant may command someone to enjoy what they’re doing, it’s just not that simple!

I wish that it was! I can make Christians attend worship, but what I really desire is for them to WANT to attend worship. I can make Christians give more, but what I really desire to for them to WANT to give more. I can make Christians serve in a variety of capacities, but what I really desire is for them to WANT to serve more. It’s so much harder to change what people want to do than it is to change what they do.

But it’s not just hard to change it in others — it’s hard to make that change in my own life as well. I often find myself thinking that I need to pray more, study more, visit more, when what I’d really, really like to find such joy in those things that I WANT to do them more.

When you peel away the outer layers of Jesus‘ Sermon on the Mount and get to the core of what Jesus is saying, this is the principle you find. Jesus doesn’t just want followers who don’t murder; he wants his followers to WANT to live in love. He doesn’t just want followers who don’t commit adultery; he wants his followers to WANT to be people of commitment and integrity. He doesn’t want followers who merely DO the right thing; he wants followers who WANT to do the right thing. He doesn’t just want the actions; he wants the heart.

“Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith.” (1 Timothy 1:5)

I continue to struggle with how to change people’s hearts. I continue to struggle with how to change my own heart. May we seek to submit ourselves to the only One who can shape and mold us into what we were made to be.

Five Values for Preaching

by Dr. Barry McCarty

1. Is this biblical?

2. Is this sermon going to be relevant to the needs of the people to whom I am preaching?

3. Am I making this sermon interesting? They need both information as well as images.

“He is a good speaker who can turn an ear into an eye.” – Arab proverb.
Jesus created pictures in people’s minds.
“When Jesus preached, he projected filmstrip images onto the mental screens of the minds of his listeners.”
“Your listener’s brain lies behind their eyes, just as much as it does between the ears.”

4. Does this sermon cast the vision? (God’s vision for the church.)

The people want to know...

that you know where you are going
that you are really going to get there.
whether or not they should go with you.

5. Have I prayed about this sermon enough?

Dr. Barry McCarty is the preaching minister of the Valley View Christian Church in Dallas, Texas. He is also the former President of Cincinnati Bible Seminary/College. He also has served as the speaker on The Christians‘ Hour radio program since 1996. As seen in Cal Habig’s blog, “Talking the Walk.” http://bit.ly/bKrmjf

The Last Impression

The story is told about a pastor who enjoyed sharing a special “children’s message” each Sunday morning. He’d bring all the children up, and they’d sit on the floor, and he’d tell them a story. One day he said, “Boys and girls, I want to tell you a story about someone who likes to live in the woods, but sometimes we can see him in our yards. Anybody have any idea who I am talking about?”

No takers. He said, “I want to tell you about a creature that lives in the woods and sometimes in our yards, has a big bushy tail, likes to eat nuts. Anybody have any idea what I’m talking about?”

No takers. He said, “I’m talking about a creature that lives in the woods, sometimes in our yards, big bushy tail, eats nuts, likes to climb trees, jumps from tree to tree—now, does anybody know what I’m talking about?”

One kid raised his hand to take him out of his misery. The pastor said, “Do you know what I’m thinking about?”

The kid said, “Yeah. I know the answer should be Jesus, but it sure sounds like a squirrel to me.”

Lions and lambs... isn’t that how they describe what March weather is supposed to be like? In like a lion; out like a lamb. I’m not sure how this month’s weather is supposed to be, but as April comes to a close today, it’s going out like summer! Here in north Delaware, the temperature is predicted to reach 79 today, and 89 on the first day of May! Sunday will be much the same, still in the upper 80’s!

No matter how hot it is outside, we will enjoy the “prayer conditioned” presence of the Lord at WFA! Looking forward to worshipping together with you this Lord’s Day! Invite a friend, and join everyone in expectation of a great touch from God!