I am deeply moved. To be quit honest the older I get the smaller the action to move me. What is discerned quickly is the motivation behind the action. When people live heart-first and connect all they do to hearts and souls, now we are talking about being moved. I become deeply moved when I see this in action and I have seen it a lot around LFC these past months. From our worship team, our children preparing to dance for Easter, to the behind the scenes work on wires and cables (preparing for Easter and beyond) to the people working on our incredible Easter buffet and all done by generous giving hearts of people, I am amazed.This is Holy Week so seeing servants abound is so fitting. Jesus who gave His life for each one of us must overwhelm us to giving and serving and doing all we do with the right hearts. The actions I have seen are in line with humility and the consideration of others:
Philippians 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. (NIV)
As we serve with the right motivations and passions we make room for God to show up. Remember he resists the proud. We know we don't deserve what He brings to us and we know our "operation" is not such that God would be impressed, but, He does respond to our hearts. Who are we that God would visit us and be mindful of us? What do we possess? It is our hearts! Our right hearts in our song, in our messages, in our nursery or our children's and youth programs. The right kind of heart makes room for God's hand of grace. He cannot help We are seeing the hand of God in our midst. This past Sunday we saw 17 people respond with upraised hands to say: "Yes" to Jesus and make the most eternal decision they would every make. The week before we saw 9 people do the very same thing! 26 people saying "Yes" to Jesus. Wow! this past Sunday, our drama team lead us into communion so very well and several people said: "I have been around church so many years and seen many ways of celebrating the Lord's table - but the drama was moving and showed the heart of Christ to me." I would agree. Now what is next: Well we will continue with our plans for Easter and four services - we will also begin our building expansion the week following Easter and we will keep finding creative ways to present the gospel to people, one heart at a time. God's marching orders are clear to us:
Galatians 5:25
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (NIV)
Allow me to paraphrase:
Since we have been called to live by a different standard, not our way but living by the Holy Spirit, let us stay close to Him and serve in the right spirit as we are marching in step with the Sprit.
Let us keep serving. Speaking of serving, I will share the following with you that you may find helpful and also the following request. There are still some areas for people to assist us with Easter and it is not too late to contact the church office to see where you might fit. Many people responded to our call for serving this Easter but we don't want anyone left out. Please consider the following:
- Who are you inviting to Easter?
- Are you praying for our teams for Easter?
- Are you praying for our first time guests?
- Are you praying for all the churches in our community for Easter?
- Are you coming with an expectant heart, a warm smile and a friendly handshake?
A recent survey showed that people were not impressed by church greeters alone (they expected the greeters to greet them) but by the greetings that came from those without badges, titles or bulletins in hand. When we greet people and allow them to feel welcome, we make a place for the grace of God to enter. We assist in making the signs of God grace happen in our midst. (please take time to read the notes below my salutation - S.E.R.V.E. and my closing prayer.
Serving the Savior with you,
Pastor Bernie
S-E-R-V-E
Sift your motives
“If a team is to reach its potential, each player must be willing to subordinate his personal goals to thegood of the team.” —Bud Wilkinson
Embrace humility“God sends no one away but those who are full of themselves.” —D.L. Moody“
For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave isnot greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you knowthese things, you are blessed if you do them.” —John 13:15-17 NASB
Renew your heart of service
“The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say, ‘Thank you,’ and in between,the leader is a servant.” —Max DePree
“You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repayyou.” —John Wooden
Value conversation"Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance."- Proverbs 1:5
"Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry," - James 1:19
Elevate the status of others around you
Philippians 2:3-11Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant,being made in human likeness.And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himselfand became obedient to death—even death on a cross!
So, may we with right hearts serve also.
PRAYER:
Dear God, I am grateful for the great hearts of people in our church and that you empower us to do your work. Thank you for allowing us to serve you and for empowering us by your Spirit. Thank you for being mindful of us - for caring and blessing us as you do and have done. Help us to impact many lives this week as people are mindful of you. The cross, the Easter time - may all of it be used to reach many for your glory and honor. Bless your church throughout our city, county and country as well as around the world. Bless the efforts of those trying brand new things - reaching out, expanding for Easter. May you oh God, honor their faith and right hearts. In Jesus the Servant and Savior’s Name, Amen
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