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September 2008

September 26th | What's in a Name?

A newspaper ad read "LOST- one dog. Brown hair with several balding spots. Right leg broken due to car accident. Left hip hurt. Right eye missing. Left ear bitten off in a dog fight. Answers to the name "Lucky".

Sometimes the name we give people doesn't really match their character. But that is not the case with God. God's name reveals God's character. And that is the motive behind the third Commandment:

"You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain..."

You see, when people trash God's name, they are in reality trashing His character. So we can protect the integrity of God's character when we protect His name. Today, let's make it our mission to have God's back on this one!

Love,

Pastor Todd

September 19th | You're Gonna Serve Somebody.

When we think about Commandment number two; "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below." Exodus 20:4, it is easy for us to dismiss this one as "unapplicable" for us. "C'mon", you may say, "I'm not bowing down to any baby Buddhas!"

But... before we down grade this command to those living 3,000 years ago, let's take a closer look at idol worship, also known as idolatry.

Dr. John MacArthur gives this definition of idolatry:

"Idolatray is having any object, idea, philosophy habit, occupation,or loyalty that to any degree decreases ones trust in, or loyalty to God."

What is first in my life? What gets my attention? What is that "thing" or "things" that I cannot live without? If the answer to the above questions is anything other than Christ, then I have an idol in my life. And that , my friend, makes us idolators.

When looked at with a closer lens, I think you will conclude that this command is far from being an outdated command, to becoming the most culturally relevant command we have.

Love,

Pastor Todd

September 12th | Looking Out For Number One

This week we started our First and Ten Series, a study of the Ten Commandments in the 21st Century.

When we take a look the first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before me", at first glance it appears that we've got this one covered, until we realize...

The command in essence means: Put God First. Now that sheds a little brighter light on the subject. Is God truly first in my life? In every activity, thought, or action? Is He first in my focus, my finances, my friends, or my future? Only two people can answer that question, you and God. Let's make sure our evaluation matches His!

I'll leave you with a story from Suze Orman's life. It is from her book; 9 Steps to Financial Freedom:

"When I was 13, my dad owned his own business—a tiny shack where he sold chicken, ribs, hamburgers, hot dogs, and fries. One day the oil that the chicken was fried in caught fire. In a few mintures the whole place exploded in flames. My dad bolted from the store before the flames could engulf him.

Then my mom and I arrived on the scene, and we all stood outside watching the fire burn away my dads' business. All of a sudden my dad realized he had left his money in the metal cash register insde the building and I wastched in disbelief as he ran back into the inferno before anyone could stop him.

He tried to open the metal register, but the intense heat had already sealed the drawer shut. Knowing that every penny he had was locked in front on him about to go up in flames, he picked up the scalding metal box and carried it outside. When he threw the register on the ground, the skin on his arms and chest came with it. He had escaped the fire safely once, untouched. Then he voluntarily risked his life and was severly injured. The money was that important.

That was when I learned that money is obviously more important than life itself. From that point on, earning money- lots of money- not only became what drove me professionally, but also became my emotional priority."

It's amazing what can take top priority in our life! Let's keep it in check today.

Love,

Pastor Todd