DPCHURCH
Celebrate. Connect. Contribute.A Song In My Heart
Psalm 51:12-15 (NLT)
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and make me willing to obey you.
13 Then I will teach your ways to rebels,
and they will return to you.
14 Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves;
then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness.
15 Unseal my lips, O Lord,
that my mouth may praise you.
David’s response to the grace and forgiveness he receives is instantaneous. He now feels compelled to teach and proclaim this to those around him.
vs.12 “Restore me… then I will teach Your ways.”
vs.14 “Forgive me… then I will joyfully sing.”
vs.15 “Unseal my lips…my mouth will praise You.”
Today, realize that you have received the same grace and forgiveness. And, like David, you should passionately proclaim the greatness of our God. You have been forgiven in order to teach others the perfect and protective ways of God. You have been forgiven in order to get the song back in your heart. You have been forgiven in order to unlock your lips to freely praise again! Take a moment to confess your sins and to thank God for His goodness. Then start singing!
Lifeless Worship
My wife, Jamie , and I had lunch today with Rhonda, our good friend from Atlanta, GA. In the course of the conversation we spoke about consumeristic Christianity. You know, where folks attend a weekend service at a church expecting goods and services. They come in expecting the “worship team” to put on a good show and keep them happy for the next hour and a half.
Rhonda said it was a lot like people engaged in lifeless marriages. A couple may have been together for 45 years, but they experienced no passion and
they put little effort into engaging their spouse. They were “faithful” because they never “cheated” on each other with another person, but they weren’t giving/serving/loving the other person well. They were “committed” to the marriage without being committed to the marriage. 45 years later, they deemed the marriage as “successful” but they hadn’t truly experienced the power and beauty of the relationship God provided them.
The same happens in our “pews” every week. People may not miss a service, but their worship is a reflection of the emptiness of their everyday mediocrity. The sad part is, they don’t have to have a life, or faith, of mediocrity. It can be passionate and abundant. The challenge to each of us is to quit being victims to the empty promises of the world and to trust our faithful Father. If only we could say back to God what He promised us in Isaiah 46:3-4
“Listen to me, descendants of Jacob, all you who remain in Israel. I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born. 4 I will be your God throughout your lifetime— until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.
Is your worship more ritual and obligation? Are you telling yourself that you are faithful since you attend every week? Is there any passion in your relationship with God? Remember, God is seeking a heart, not sacrifice and offering (rituals and attendance). Psalm 51:16-17 (NIV)
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 My sacrifice, O God, is[a] a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
IMDb says TBEMH is about, “British retirees who travel to India to take up residence in what they believe is a newly restored hotel. Less luxurious than its 
advertisements, the Marigold Hotel nevertheless slowly begins to charm in unexpected ways.” To say I was charmed in unexpected ways, is an understatement. What captured me was the way the movie wove together the stories of so many individuals and yet, still presented a singular story.
It’s the same with the church today. Our lives (our stories) are woven together and emerge to tell one, powerful story.
Everyone loves a good story, and yours is one of the best. Too often, people believe their story is not weird enough, dramatic enough, or exciting enough. The truth is that people are equally intrigued by how you – one of their co-workers, neighbors, community leaders – experienced something that utterly changed he course of your life. People want to hear your story!
A couple of thoughts about sharing your story. Don’t worry if you don’t answer all of the theological questions in your presentation. Remember, telling your story is not an invitation to debate or argue. Rather, it’s simply a time to share with a listener about your life change and that you are a walking testimony of a changed life. Also, know that God is using your story to make an eternal impact in their lives. Listen, it’s not the great story that changes lives, but it is the great God who gave you the story that will change their hearts. So, tell your story and watch God do amazing things!
But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” Mark 5:19 (NLT)
Defeated…?
1 Corinthians 1:26-27 (NLT)
26 Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. 27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.
On the playground, the “chosen” team seemed to always play as though they had already won. The rest of us would celebrate one successful play out of the whole game and count it a victory. God’s approach is quite the reverse, however. It seems that God prefers His team to be the “outcasts” from the world’s perspective. (read vs 27 above) The world’s team may look like the chosen ones. They may look, at times, as if they are stronger or more successful. But never lose sight of the fact that God has chosen you to be on the winning team.
So, don’t live (play) a defeated life. You simply don’t have to do it. The game of life will ebb and flow, but you will be able to overcome because your Captain has placed you on His winning team!
To The Ends Of The Earth…
Acts 1:7-8 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the 
Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The call for all Christ followers is to be a witness… to the ends of the earth. But how?
First, you are empowered by His Holy Spirit. That’s what verse 8 tells us. This is not something you do of your own will or intention. God empowers you and I through the Spirit to accomplish this God-sized and God-given task. As a matter of fact, memorize this verse from the Apostle Paul.
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do His work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve Him. 1 Timothy 1:12
So,not only are you empowered to do this, you are considered trustworthy to serve as a minister to others. Today, find your satisfaction in knowing God has strengthened you, sustained you, and appointed you to ministry. Spend your time serving Him, and trust His timing to place you in just-the-right position of service.
Roadblocks or Coffee Breaks?
I am supposed to go online and download upgrades to my GPS. I haven’t done this yet. That’s pretty stupid on my part.
The upgraded maps will keep me on the right road. They allow me to find the Starbucks in each city. They get me where I need and want to be. The upgraded maps keep my wife off my back! But I haven’t upgraded them, yet. So, I miss the construction detours and the coffee shops. Instead, I get a frustrated wife.
I think the Church is like a GPS system. It is about people coming alongside of you as you discover your destination. The Church improves the “map” as the journey continues. Christianity was never meant to be a do it alone faith. God has called us to collaborative partnerships with other believers for accomplishing what He wants us to do.
Please, don’t think I’m saying the Church needs an “upgrade.” What I am saying is that you and I need the Church (each other) so we can navigate this journey with fewer roadblocks and more coffee breaks.
Hebrews 10:24-25
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another —and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Applause
1 Corinthians 15:58
So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is 
ever useless.
Lest we forget, as Christ followers, we are Spirit-filled, Spirit-empowered ministers. Paul says we are to be strong and immovable (firmly planted) and to work enthusiastically (work to where even physical exhaustion doesn’t even discourage us). But at the same time, the Lord encourages us that He is taking note of every single work of ministry we perform.
Notice that “for the Lord” occurs twice in this verse. These words are the key to balancing what is necessary to do in ministry and what should not consume your time. “For the Lord” implies that the work must be God-honoring and that you should be doing the work that God has called you to do. God has empowered you to do what He has called you to do.
Here’s the tough part for some of us. You don’t need to rely on the accolades of others to confirm your ministry. Remember that God is your constant audience, whether crowds surround you or disappear. He is constantly cheering your strides, like a proud Father would. Your ministry is not going unnoticed.
Safely Resting
In the early 90s I lived in New Mexico and had a roommate who served in the US Air Force. At night, partly in jest, but mainly as a matter of pride, he would
say on his way out the door, “Sleep well under the blanket of freedom and protection I provide for you tonight.”
Driven by more than a sense of “duty” Eric’s commitment was out of love for God, love for country, and a love for freedom. That’s why he did (does) extraordinary things. God did the extraordinary, as well.
Romans 5: 6-8 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
God faithfully protects, leads, and guides us. Our response (just like the response to the American serviceman should be) is to thank Him. No matter what you are facing today, rest assured in the following promise from Psalm 121:7-8
The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
Here’s an article Lt. Colonel Eric Dorminey wrote about the privilege of duty, service, and freedom: http://www.schriever.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123259077
I Didn’t Sleep a Wink…
Psalm 121 is my favorite of the Psalms.
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all harm —
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-present. If you are waiting for a decision to be made, why not focus only on what God has equipped you to do and stop worrying about the details that are (and can only be) controlled by God. Why not trust Him? After all, if He is staying up all night tending to your life’s situation, then there’s no good reason to have both of you losing sleep over it!
God Is In Charge
God never called you to control the world. Make a list of everything that is weighing heavy upon you today. After you complete the list, scratch off every single item that is out of your control, the ones that only God can take care of.
Live life within the parameters God has set up for you. Live within His expectations. Focus on what He has called you to do, and do not burden yourself with things that He has reserved only for Himself.
He existed before anything else, and He holds all creation together. Colossians 1:17
