Displaced

All I ever want to be

Is what You want of me

Lord I give my life to You

And all my hopes and dreams and plans

I place within Your hands

Lord and give my life to You

Here am I Lord use me

Take my life and mold me

All I ever want to be

Is what You want of me

Lord I give my life to You*

Our new pastor started the first of September and has preached three Sundays now. Whether people are "coming back" to church because summer is over or because Pastor New has started, I don't know. But the building has certainly seemed more full the past two weeks. Both weeks I've asked the person next to me and they've agreed there are 'new faces' around. While this, on the surface, is good, it also means some people are displaced from their normal seat.

Have you ever noticed that you can generally find people in the same area of church, if not the same seats, week after week? Usually takes something like a visitor or special occasion to uproot you from your Standard Area. These last two weeks I've noticed some people far, far away from their Standard Areas. (And that's good!) Our worship service should be a place where visitors, guests, and returning folks can find a seat - even if it displaces us from our Standard Area.

I was thinking about this concept of displacement as it applies to life. Sometimes we just feel displaced by minor things - like the new self checks in the grocery store that means there are few lines available for you to find a Real Person for help. But sometimes we get displaced by bigger things - a cross country move, a marriage, a kid problem, caring for a parent. And sometimes God intentionally "displaces" us like he did with Abram:

The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father's family, and go to the land that I will show you." (Gen. 12:1 NLT)

"To the land that I will show you" is a little vague to my type-A-ness. I'd like more information, please: Where are we going? When will we get there? How will we travel? What do I pack? Who will be there? While this verse answers pieces of these questions, it certainly left Abram with a choice - do I listen to God? do I trust God enough to do this? do I allow God to "displace" me? OR do I decide I'm crazy, hearing voices, or just be downright stubborn and say NO WAY?

We know that Abram packed, left, went, and was blessed. He stepped out in faith - allowed himself to be displaced from all he knew - and God heaped many, many blessings upon him. His story is not simple but his faith in God is evident.

My prayer is that we would be people willing to be displaced...willing to say "yes" when God calls us to go to places he "will show us"....willing to be still and quiet so we can hear God's voice...able to recognize the gentle leading of a God who loves us and challenges us sometimes to be displaced...

So, we give our lives into your hands, once again, allowing you to displace us as necessary, God....Amen.

*CCLI Song No. 3322103 "All I Ever Want to Be"

© 2000 Lorenz Publishing Company (a div. of the Lorenz Corporation)

by Nathan Carter

Jars of Clay - part 3

⁷But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. (2 Cor. 4 NIV)

I've been musing lately on the reality of being a "jar of clay," or, more specifically, being human and subject to my fallen nature, yet called by God into relationship with Christ and then ministry.

Sometimes when those parts of our personality we'd rather not have held up to Christ's Light are foremost, we find it hard to remember that God calls us precious and loves us anyway. From Isa. 43:4: "...you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you." This is good stuff.

And when God calls us to be strong and courageous and to step out in faith to a new direction - a new calling - we have to remember that the power to step out comes from God. God will not ask us to do something for him without giving us the tools, especially spiritual help, to do it.

Check this out:

^7-12If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That's to prevent anyone from confusing God's incomparable power with us. As it is, there's not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we're not much to look at. We've been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we're not demoralized; we're not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we've been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn't left our side; we've been thrown down, but we haven't broken. What they did to Jesus, they do to us—trial and torture, mockery and murder; what Jesus did among them, he does in us—he lives! Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus' sake, which makes Jesus' life all the more evident in us. While we're going through the worst, you're getting in on the best! (MSG)

What are the "stepping out in faith" things God is calling you to do?

What are your personal "quirks" that remind you you are an earthen vessel?

What are the ways in which you need to hear (again) that you are precious to God and he loves you?

God of amazing surprises, thank you for the gift of salvation you offered us through Christ. Thank you for the gifts and blessings you pour into our lives. Thank you for the ways in which you are working on our lives - as a potter works a piece of malleable clay. Thank you for the ways in which you are helping us to become more Christ-like. Thank you for your calls on our lives. Help us to trust your surpassing power and your great wisdom and to move courageously in the directions you call us to go. Help us to know deep within our heart of hearts that we are precious to you and you love us. All honor and glory and praise be to you, Father of Light. Amen.

⁷But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; (NASB)

¹ But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
² When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
³ For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom;
I gave Ethiopia and Seba in your place.
⁴ Others were given in exchange for you.
I traded their lives for yours
because you are precious to me.
You are honored, and I love you. (Isa. 43 NLT)

Call of the Kingdom

1 Thessalonians 2:11-13 (NIV)

¹¹For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,¹²encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

¹³And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.

Last night I was at a meeting at church where a (negative) comment was made about the city I live in (different from the city this person lives in). At the time I could only sputter that I had never been involved in any crime as this person associated with "my" city. But on the way home I was bothered by my response and realized that a better answer would have been to remind him that each of us need to be Salt & Light to whatever place we are - that we are each called to be ambassadors for Christ's Kingdom, no matter where we are.

There's a part of me that doesn't really understand what "Christ's Kingdom" is - and yet I want to be in it. The parables like the sower or the mustard seed don't completely explain it to me, although maybe I'm just dense. But it seems like being the Kingdom is about sharing God's love, grace, justice, and mercy to the people of our world.

So, in that spirit, I include the lyrics to a song that's been rolling around within me lately:

Copy to Clipboard Print

Hear The Call Of The KingdomHear the call of the Kingdom
Lift your eyes to the King
Let His song rise within you
As a fragrant offering
Of how God rich in mercy
Came in Christ to redeem
All who trust in His unfailing grace

Chorus:

King of Heaven we will answer the call
We will follow bringing hope to the world
Filled with passion filled with power to proclaim
Salvation in Jesus' name

Hear the call of the Kingdom
To be children of light
With the mercy of heaven
The humility of Christ
Walking justly before Him
Loving all that is right
That the life of Christ may shine through us

Chorus:

King of Heaven we will answer the call
We will follow bringing hope to the world
Filled with passion filled with power to proclaim
Salvation in Jesus' name

Hear the call of the Kingdom
To reach out to the lost
With the Father's compassion
In the wonder of the cross
Bringing peace and forgiveness
And a hope yet to come
Let the nations put their trust in Him

Chorus:

King of Heaven we will answer the call
We will follow bringing hope to the world
Filled with passion filled with power to proclaim
Salvation in Jesus' name

So, we pray, Lord Jesus,

King of Heaven we will answer the call
We will follow bringing hope to the world
Filled with passion filled with power to proclaim
Salvation in Jesus' name...Amen.

"Hear the Call of the Kingdom"

CCLI Song No. 4930752
© 2006 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Keith Getty | Kristyn Getty | Stuart Townend

(If you want to watch this song in performance see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZCPsuCMUfY ).

Going to the place God will show us

"This world has nothing for me...I will follow you..."  *

God told Abram to pack up his household and go to the place "I will show you." 

Jesus called to the disciples, "Come follow me."  And they left their nets and followed. 

Tonight I talked with friends who are preparing to move out of state because his factory has been closed here and they are hoping to have a job in Virginia.  They have both been a lifelong residents of this area.  Yet, they are prepared to uproot their lives, move away from families and friends, resettle four children (including one in high school and one in middle school), and start over in a brand new place.  But she's told me they have great peace about moving out there.  In fact, both their teenagers are excited (and THAT has to be a work of God, right??!!)  It's like God is saying "pack and go to the place I will show you.  The economy certainly isn't "calling" them to Virginia, like God was calling Abram, but this may be a time when God is calling them to a new field of ministry.  And they are willing to go.

We've probably each been through times in our lives where God has called us to GO but not told us where we are going.  Or we may be discerning now what God's call is or how to follow him.   Our church is searching for a new pastor...what if this isn't a "simple" pastor hire?  What if God's call is more involved to us -- maybe to "pack up" the way we've been doing ministry and "go" to a place God will show us?  I don't know that for sure, but sometimes the simplest invitation - "Come, follow me" - can have the most profound impact on our lives.  

So my prayer for this week...

God of Provision, Wisdom, and Perfect Timing,

Help us seek first your Kingdom

Help us listen to your Wisdom and put it into practice

Help us know the plans you have for our future, a future with hope

Help us trust you when we are walking through the chaos of decision making

Help us to be patient and recognize that your strength will hold us up when we are waiting for direction

Help us be willing to quit what we are doing and then follow you when you call us to a new place

We need you, Jesus, to come to our rescue; where else can we go?

Capture us with grace; we will follow you...

Maranatha, Lord Jesus, come guide our feet into your paths of righteousness

Holy Spirit, come, refresh, revive, restore, comfort, and whisper peace into our storm-tossed souls.

May our words, thoughts, and deeds be pleasing and acceptable to you, our Rock and Redeemer.

Amen.

Genesis 12 (NIV)

The Call of Abram

 ¹ The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.

 ² "I will make you into a great nation 
       and I will bless you; 
       I will make your name great, 
       and you will be a blessing.

 ³ I will bless those who bless you, 
       and whoever curses you I will curse; 
       and all peoples on earth 
       will be blessed through you."

 ⁴ So Abram left, as the LORD had told him...

Matthew 4:18-20 (New International Version)

The Calling of the First Disciples

 ¹⁸As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ¹⁹"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." ²⁰At once they left their nets and followed him.

* "Rescue"

You are the source of life

And I can't be left behind

No one else will do

And I will take hold of You

My heart is Yours for life

I need Your hand in mine

No one else will do

I put my trust in You

'Cause I need You Jesus

To come to my rescue

Where else can I go

There's no other name

By which I am saved

Capture me with grace

I will follow You

I will follow You

This world has nothing for me

I will follow You

This world has nothing for me

CCLI Song No. 4084763

© 2003 Vertical Worship Songs (Admin. by Integrity Music, Inc.)

Jared Anderson