by JR Rushik, Lead Pastor
I was just doing some devotional reading of John chapter 4. Toward the end of the chapter Jesus returns to His original stomping grounds; the place where he did his first miracle. This is the place where everyone was skeptical of his divinity. They just couldn't imaging how 'the messiah' could be someone that they watched grow up.
A royal official approaches Jesus and asks for healing for his son. Jesus simply says, "You may go. Your son will live." (John 4:50). Then, the man took Jesus at his word, went home and found his son had been healed at the very moment that Jesus spoke those words. WOW!
Here's the part that struck me. Jesus was in a place where people doubted his credibility, yet instead of standing on a rock, pounding his chest and making all sorts of noise about the miracle he was about to perform. In absolute humility Jesus quietly said, 'Go. Your son will live."
Why didn't Jesus use this occassion to 'make a name for himself'? Or to prove to his hometown crowd that He has divine power? Why didn't Jesus draw attention to himself?
Why not prove himself? Because Jesus was secure in who He was. He never did a miracle to prove himself to others. His motive was always love.
He was who he was, because that's who he was... Humble - AND - Powerful!
It's a good lesson for me. I don't need to DO more stuff to prove that I'm a devoted follower of Jesus - no, I just need to BE a child of God.
How about you? Is your relationship with Jesus more about BEing or DOing? What's your motive behind WHY you do what you do?
Take some time to reflect on your true identity in Christ. Then rest in the fact that Christ is sufficient and there is absolutely nothing that you need to prove. You are complete in Jesus!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
God is faithful
By Josh MacDonald, Worship Leader
One thing I’ve found about God is that He always accomplishes His purposes, one way or another. The best times for me have been when I’m in step with him, making my purposes His purposes. It is those times that I believe Jesus had in mind when he said, “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:14) I’ve had the privilege to be a lead worshiper at Storehouse for almost four years now. During that time, I’ve seen a whole lot of changes. Many faces have come, and almost as many have gone. More than a few times, change was brewing and I began praying for the next right person to come along and fill the vacancy. In every case, God has been utterly faithful, though often his timing was not what I expected and sometimes the person filling the spot was far from who I had pictured.
We are again at a crossroads in the worship ministry at Storehouse. After more than three years of faithful, passionate, able service, Michael and Julia have felt called back to their roots. As soon as their house sells, they will be packing up and moving back to Atlanta where both have family. While I am extremely saddened at the prospect, and admittedly a part of me has wanted to run over their For Sale sign with my car, I have never doubted that God’s purposes are being accomplished. He has big things in mind for them, just as He has big things in mind for Storehouse. I have no idea what the details will look like, but I love resting in the knowledge that He will guide us one step at a time straight into the center of His plan. He’s never let me down yet.
One thing I’ve found about God is that He always accomplishes His purposes, one way or another. The best times for me have been when I’m in step with him, making my purposes His purposes. It is those times that I believe Jesus had in mind when he said, “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:14) I’ve had the privilege to be a lead worshiper at Storehouse for almost four years now. During that time, I’ve seen a whole lot of changes. Many faces have come, and almost as many have gone. More than a few times, change was brewing and I began praying for the next right person to come along and fill the vacancy. In every case, God has been utterly faithful, though often his timing was not what I expected and sometimes the person filling the spot was far from who I had pictured.
We are again at a crossroads in the worship ministry at Storehouse. After more than three years of faithful, passionate, able service, Michael and Julia have felt called back to their roots. As soon as their house sells, they will be packing up and moving back to Atlanta where both have family. While I am extremely saddened at the prospect, and admittedly a part of me has wanted to run over their For Sale sign with my car, I have never doubted that God’s purposes are being accomplished. He has big things in mind for them, just as He has big things in mind for Storehouse. I have no idea what the details will look like, but I love resting in the knowledge that He will guide us one step at a time straight into the center of His plan. He’s never let me down yet.
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