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At Grace Place we are discovering together that the overarching theme of the book of Daniel is that God is sovereign.  He is in control—in spite of appearances to the contrary.  His ultimate purposes will prevail.  “The Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of earth” (Dan. 4:17).

This is an important lesson for all of us at this time of such economic uncertainty.   Many people are filled with fear and asking questions: “What if I get laid off?  What if I can’t find a job?  What if I can’t pay my bills?  What if I lose my house?  What if my retirement savings are gone?”

It is good to be reminded that 1) God is in control; and 2) he cares for his people! 

Jesus tells us not to worry: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry…Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?… Your heavenly Father knows [what] you need… Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you…” (Matthew 6:25-34)

If you are experiencing fear about how the economy will impact you, reflect on this verse and claim it as a promise: “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread” (Psalm 37:25).

I mentioned in the message last weekend that our giving at Grace Place had not rebounded yet from a “summer slump” in the way we hoped it would in September.  That led me to start asking questions: “What’s happening, Lord?  Are people checking out?  Are people holding back because of fear related to the economic news?  What would have to change in our ministry if this trend continues?”  I’m happy to report that we had a solid offering this past weekend (unlike the week before) and made payroll for our staff with $226.89 to spare!  That’s close, but we made it.  Thank you Lord!  We live by faith.  Today we’re taking seriously the words of Jesus: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34).  God is in control.

This Friday, September 26, a new movie opens that you should know about.  FIREPROOF is the third feature film from Sherwood Pictures and the Kendrick Brothers—the creators of FACING THE GIANTS. What’s super cool is that “Sherwood Pictures” is a ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, GA and the “Kendrick Brothers” who wrote, directed, and produced the movie are not only brothers, they are both associate pastors at their church! 

A close pastor friend whom I trust previewed the movie and told me it is a must see.  I rarely recommend a movie—much less one I haven’t yet seen—but I believe this is one that will inspire many with a story of perseverance and commitment.

The story goes like this…Lt. Caleb Holt lives by the old firefighter’s adage: Never leave your partner behind. Inside burning buildings, it’s his natural instinct. In the cooling embers of his marriage, it’s another story.  After 7 years of marriage, Caleb and Catherine Holt have drifted so far apart that they are ready to move on without each other. Yet as they prepare to enter divorce proceedings, Caleb’s dad asks his son to try an experiment: The Love Dare.  While hoping The Love Dare has nothing to do with his parents’ newfound faith, Caleb commits to the challenge. But can he attempt to love his wife while avoiding God’s love for him? Will he be able to demonstrate love over and over again to a person that’s no longer receptive to his love? Or is this just another marriage destined to go up in smoke?

This movie is a great opportunity for both singles and couples to consider the value of commitment.  This would also be a good outreach opportunity to go see this movie with friends and discuss it afterward.

You can watch the preview at: www.fireproofthemovie.com 

Here are a few endorsements:

“Amazing! Action-packed, heartwarming and a great resource to help strengthen and affirm marriages!”
– Dr. Gary Smalley, author of Change Your Heart, Change Your Life

“Fireproof is going to do much more than entertain and stir hearts when it comes to movie theaters (this fall). This is a movie that will impact couples in a profound way for decades to come.”
– Dennis Rainey, President, FamilyLife

“The clips I’ve seen thus far have gotten me excited about the potential of this film. First, to present the Gospel. Second, to give hope to struggling marriages. And third to say to those struggling with addictions that the cycle can be broken. I look forward to release date and then hearing stories of changed lives thereafter.”
– Bob Waliszewski, Director, Plugged In Department, Focus on the Family

I used this video as a sermon illustration on Sunday.  Very cute!

Thanks to Zoei Toh and her mom for putting this on YouTube…. 

With the election just weeks away we are all inundated with politics right now.  It is a privilege to live in a country where we can have a say (in a limited way) in the direction of our country by voting.  If you’re like me, you probably wish that our system allowed for better candidates to make it to the top.  Regardless who gets elected, the Bible calls us to pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2). 

We will not be taking a stand at Grace Place, telling people how to vote or who to vote for.  The reason for this is we want to be a church who reaches people with the gospel regardless of political parties.  We want the church to be a place where we address biblical issues such as: the sanctity of human life, the sacredness of marriage, responsible care of the environment, how to best address injustice and poverty, etc., but without tying these issues to political parties. 

I was disturbed to read a book recently, Unchristian: What a new generation really things about Christianity.  The book revealed how the many young people’s perception of the church is that we are hypocritical, judgmental, anti-homosexual, sheltered, insincere, and too political.  I hope we can be a church that changes these perceptions.  If you’d like to read the chapter on politics, click here: ­Too Political.

In my message this week I talked about the story in Daniel chapter one and the fact that it is easier to be faithful to God when you have faithful friends to stand together with.  Daniel and his three friends were all willing to stand alone, and later Daniel did stand alone (in front of the king, and when faced with the lion’s den), but in chapter one, they stood together.  There is power in having a small group of faithful friends who become a support group.  They encourage each other, they become positive peer pressure for each other, and they hold each other accountable.

Awhile back I decided that I wanted to have someone in my life asking me accountability questions.  I studied a long list of questions and then made my own list.  Since a number of people asked me for the list I read, I decided to put it here.  If you are going to have someone ask you these questions, or some similar accountability questions two things will be necessary: 1) You must be willing to be honest; 2) You must really trust the person who is asking you the questions.  Here they are:

·        Have you spent time with God on a regular basis?

·        How are you showing love to your spouse in tangible ways?

·        How are you mentoring your child(ren)?

·        What are you doing to take care of your body?  Exercise, sleep, eating, drinking?

·        How are you dealing with temptation?

·        How are you handling finances?

·        How are you growing mentally?

·        Are you spending time in meaningful relationships?

·        Are you processing hurts in a healthy way?

·        Are you treating others well and resolving conflicts?

·        Are you meeting your goals?

·        How are you balancing work and play?

·        Are you taking appropriate risks?

·        Are you sharing your faith?

·        How is your level of joy, peace and contentment?

·        What about the “blessability factor”?  Is there anything in your life that makes it hard for God to use you and bless you with his divine favor?

Do you have someone that you can talk about these type of things with?  Daniel and his friends were willing to stand alone, but found it no doubt easier to stand together.

The default teaching mode at Grace Place is verse-by-verse through books of the Bible.  We change it up from time to time for topical series that are filled with biblical passages because it is valuable to know what the theme of scripture is regarding important subjects.  But we always come back to book studies.  There is power in spending time dealing with one book of the Bible and soaking up its themes and application. The Word of God, along with the Spirit of God, is what brings transformation in our lives—not just the theories and words of some preacher! Every book of the Bible was put there by God for a reason.  Every book of the Bible is first and foremost about God and teaches us something different and unique about who he is. Continue reading