One of the best examples is David.  Read Psalm 42.

Psalm 42:1-11 (NIV)
¹ As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.
² My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?
³ My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
⁴ These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng.
⁵ Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and
⁶ my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon–from Mount Mizar.
⁷ Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.
⁸ By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me– a prayer to the God of my life.
⁹ I say to God my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?”
¹⁰ My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
¹¹ Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Though it is discouraging that David felt this way, I am thankful to know that he struggled like most of us.

This year, God has placed this passage on my heart,

Philippians 4:11-12 (NIV)
¹¹I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

In a world and culture that is so materialistic-driven, I would love to find my contentment in God and who I am in Him instead of stuff I have or don’t have.

God, my prayer to you is that I find myself being satisfied in you and only you!  Amen.

Though I have a lot of my plate right now, EPIC, Grad class, family, etc., I have been reading, just for personal development, the book, Discipleship Counseling by Neil Anderson.  I have been a student of Dr. Anderson for quite some time and have always enjoyed his biblical approach to the counseling process.  In this recent book a quote caught my attention om relation to how we, in the church, often use secular reasoning to deal with spiritual issues,

Have we taken into account the reality of the spiritual world?  In other words, do we have a biblical worldview?   Are our struggles against flesh and blood?  Are we trying to accomplish God’s will without the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit?  Is the person mentally ill, or is there a spiritual battle going on for this individual’s mind?  Do we us the same message and methods with believers as we do with non-believers? Are we trying to help people establish their identities, find purpose and meaning in life, and see to meet their needs without Christ?  Isn’t that what the devil is doing?  Sobering!

I have had a lot of opportunities to meet with students and parents recently over a number of different issues and yet, almost every time, I find myself reverting to secular practices to deal with spiritual issues.  I have tried so hard to make my psychological schooling match my spiritual needs.   This is not going to work.  Though I see to help others, there is no one outside of the Holy Spirit, that can change their life–no one!!!  Not even me!  I am not, nor can I be, anyone’s Savior.  All I can do is point that person to Jesus Christ and help encourage them to be open to the Holy Spirit.  I am thankful for this reminder.  My desire is that this would continue to be at the forefront of my mind.

I am a passionate person.  Very little people see it, but I am definitely a passionate person.  When I am happy, I am passionately happy.  When I am contemplative, I am passionately contemplative.  When I am generous, I am passionately generous.  When I am angry, I am passionately angry.  It is that last part I get most nervous about.  When I get angry, I have this passion come over me to right the wrong.  As a result, I have often said something I regret and didn’t mean or did something that was selfish and inappropriate.

Then I read Isaiah 34.  I see that God gets angry as well.  And though, for a second I may feel justified with my anger, I notice some differences between God’s anger and my own anger.

1.  God’s anger is a righteous anger.  God is angry about a lack of respect for Him and His people.  My anger is mostly centered on my own pride and how I feel hurt.

2.  God’s anger is just.  He is angry only toward those who deserve His anger.  He doesn’t just “fly off the handle.”  He is calculated and fair.  I, on the other hand, take it out on everyone, if they deserve it or not.

3.  God’s anger is complete.  After reading Isaiah 34 I sit in silence at how extravagant God’s anger is.  He says in verse 10 that it will span generations.  Sounds extreme, but God’s anger is complete.

After reading Isaiah 34, in anticipation I look forward to reading the next chapter and see that in the end, it is with that vengeance that He comes to save those He loves (35.4).

I must remind myself that my anger is is never appropriate if it isn’t a righteous anger, an anger directed at direct disobedience of God.  I must also remind myself that vengeance is never mind to give.

I am the kind of person that loves to hear only the good things about life and really don’t enjoy hearing any thing negative and yet I am reminded that a loving parent will discipline their child.  God, who is a more loving parent than I am, will therefore show His love sometimes by disciplining me when I step out of line.  My reaction?  Well my reaction is normally to push away, much like a child who pushes away from their parent during discipline.  Isaiah 30.9-11, records God’s frustration when we only accept that which is pleasing and ignore that which is needed:

Isaiah 30:9-11 (NIV)
⁹ These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to listen to the LORD’s instruction.
¹⁰ They say to the seers, “See no more visions!” and to the prophets, “Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions.
¹¹ Leave this way, get off this path, and stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel!”

May I not be afraid to be confronted by a loving Heavenly Father, knowing that His love will often bring discipline to this often wayward child!

This morning, as I was reading in Isaiah, I came across to poignant verses concerning God’s ever watchful eye:

1.  God sees past our words and peers into our heart (Isaiah 29.13)

The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.

2.  There is NOTHING we can hide from God (Isaiah 29.15-16)

Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the LORD, who do their work in darkness and think, “Who sees us? Who will know?”
You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “He did not make me”? Can the pot say of the potter, “He knows nothing”?

God, may I be reminded that I can never fool you are hide anything from you.  May I be reminded that though I may look and sound good to others on the outside, You KNOW my heart.  Cleanse me O Lord.  May what you find in me be pleasing in your sight!!!!!

Today—With Anna’s Mom passing away this year, I have been reminded to be thankful for every day God gives me on this earth.  Though I am excited to one day meet my Savior face to face, I know that why I am here I have a mission and purpose to fill.

Home—We recently closed on our new house.  A house is simply a shelter but but it is called a home when there is a loving family inside.  I am so thankful for not only a new “shelter” but also a loving family that makes that shelter a home.

Anna—I don’t have a enough amazing things to say about my wife, best friend, and my forever partner in this life.  She is more than I ever dreamed and continues to be the most amazing part of my life outside of Jesus Christ.  I am thankful for the 13 years of marriage and can’t wait to spend the next 13 years with her.

Nothing—No, I am not saying I am not thankful for anything.  What I am thankful for are the times in my life when God gives me moments I have nothing on my plate I feels as if I can be me.  During these times I just read, draw, listen to quietness, or sing.  I am so thankful for these moments.

Kids—God has granted Anna and I three amazing children, Isaac (10), Noah (8), and Emma (5).  I am thankful that they are all healthy loving kids.  I am also thankful that they make us laugh every day.

Students—God put a passion in my heart 16 years ago to serve teens and their families.  I am thankful I still have the passion and the opportunity to serve God in this way.  The students at Grace Point/EPIC continue to amaze me and I am thankful I get to share this part of their journey with them.

God—I know it may sound cliché but I am most thankful for my relationship with God.  Through 34 years of my life He has been a constant provider, lover, and judge.  I am thankful for His grace and mercy and for His patience in my life.

Investors (in students’ lives)—I wouldn’t enjoy serving at Grace Point if I didn’t have a team of amazing leaders who are passionate investing in the lives of students.  Our EPIC leaders are not only my helpers in ministry but my closest of friends.

Victories—Though the life of following Christ can be rewarding, it can also be very difficult.  I am thankful that though there have been bumps and bruises, God has granted many victories.  I am thankful He has not given up on me.

In-Laws—I know it sounds weird but I am thankful for my in-laws.  After losing my mother-in-law this year it makes me realize the importance of my wife’s family.  I am thankful for their continual love for me and my family.  I am thankful that I can call them my own family!

Neighbors—I am thankful for neighbors that I can show the love of Christ to.  I am making it a point to wake up every morning and pray for those in my neighborhood.

Grace Point Community Church—Since we don’t have family that lives close, our church family quickly becomes our family.  I am so thankful for a loving, generous, and patient family called Grace Point Community Church.  We are not perfect but we have a love for one another that bonds us together in this journey of life.

7 Non-Negotiables for Effective Spiritual Leaders

Perry Noble

As I have been thinking through my personal leadership journey lately and trying to figure out who God has called me to be and what He’s called me to do…I have narrowed my focus down to seven areas that I believe are essential for effective leadership in the church.

#1 – Passion

I’m not talking about false excitement over an event that you would not attend if you were not on the payroll at the church!

But rather raw, unfiltered, emotional and unapologetic passion…a white hot fire inside that consumes, controls and configures us into who Jesus has called us to be and what He’s called us to do!

Be warned-passionate people make for easy targets because no one has to guess what they stand for! However, passion, if handled correctly, can be one of the best friends a leader can have.

#2 – A Desire to Please God

One of the first verses I ever memorized was Galatians 1:10. I remember reading it and feeling like it literally jumped off the page…and something inside of me kept screaming, "You are going to need this verse for yourself if you are going to be truly successful in ministry."

A true leader in church would understand that God is our Leader…and in a passionate pursuit to please Him you and I will often disappoint people.

We can’t please committee’s and Christ-a choice must be made.

#3 – Wisdom

James 1:5 has been a verse that I have also had to cling to as a leader! What a promise!

God has called us to wisdom…so…as leaders I feel that we need to be doing as much as possible to learn…that means going to conferences, reading books…and not being afraid to meet with and learn from people who "aren’t like us!"

What are you personally doing right now to grow and develop yourself as a leader? To add to your wisdom?

I am in the process of connecting with other church leaders…in the past several weeks I’ve been involved in numerous learning environments with people who know SO MUCH MORE than me…and God has used each experience to shape me in an awesome way.

If all we tell our people is what we know…and we lead out of our limited knowledge, never seeking wisdom from others or God-then we will raise up some very shallow people.

#4 – Courage

I don’t think the tag "leader" should be put on anyone who hasn’t had to make tough decisions on a consistent basis.

I once heard Andy Stanley say that a leader isn’t necessarily the first person to see an opportunity, but rather the first person to act on what they see.

So true! There are lots and lots of people who see what is wrong with the world, church, etc…however, very few are actually willing to do anything about it.

Leaders step up and make the hard calls…even when it’s unpopular.

On a side note-courage is NOT the absence of fear! There have been so many situations in my leadership journey here at NewSpring that have just about caused me to pee my pants!

However, courage is KNOWING what God has called you to…and then DOING it…not knowing the outcome…but KNOWING who is in control of the outcome!

#5 – Humility

This is a tough one because…well…one cannot actually brag that they are humble!

Too many times in the past I know that this was a quality that was NOT in me! I wanted the credit for all of "my ideas!" If something went right and I was involved-I wanted people to know about it. If an element of service programming went well and it was my idea…I took the credit.

And then one day I had a conversation with John Maxwell that ROCKED MY WORLD…he said to me,

"Perry, you are where you are for two reasons. The first is the favor of God. The second is the giftedness of God. And Perry, please understand that God didn’t owe you either of these. You are where you are because of Him!"

DANG! When it comes right down to it…I don’t have good ideas-God gives them to me. I don’t have the ability to think or act…OR LEAD…unless HE leads me!

John 15:5 is SO true…and I have no right to boast in anything that I feel like I accomplish!

If a leader doesn’t care who gets the credit…but is obsessed with God getting the glory-awesome things can happen!

#6 – Honesty

One of the things the corporate world has seen lately is a lack of integrity…and the lie that "this is my life and how I live it doesn’t really impact anyone else" has been exposed over and over and over again!

As leaders-we’ve got to be honest with…

* OURSELVES – how are you doing? Really? Can you keep up the pace you have right now? What changes need to be made?

* OTHERS – is everyone around you doing a good job? Is there a tough conversation that needs to be had-but you won’t because you are afraid of the outcome?

* GOD – Is life and ministry REALLY "all about Him?"

#7 – Simplicity

I once heard Ed Young say, "If you want to impress me as a leader-don’t tell me what you’re doing, tell me what you’re NOT doing!"

DANG!

I think a leader who is worth his (or her) salt will admit that they are not good at everything…and as a result they will stop trying to be.

Reality is that everyone of us only do a few things well…and our leadership will be maximized when we focus on what God has gifted us and called us to be rather than what everyone else in the church expects us to be!

I can’t do everything…but I can do something…and the something that I can do…I will do!!!

What is on your plate that you KNOW you aren’t good at? You hate it? Go ahead and admit it because everyone around you already knows it and are probably praying that you will stop it anyway!

Perry Noble is the Senior Pastor of NewSpring Community Church with over 4000 in attendance each week. New Spring is one of the 100 Fastest Growing Churches in the U.S

1. Students divided up into groups with a leader(s) over each group.

2. I will facilitate the overall meeting but would like you, the leader, to facilitate the

discussion time.

3. Discussion time—Anna Jamieson helped me put a video together about the tragedy along with Pat Roberston’s remarks:

• Where do you think God is in this disaster?
• How would you respond to televangelist Pat Robertson’s comments that the earthquake happened because the Haitian people are cursed for making a pact with the Devil? Is this disaster the result of sin or the shifting of a fault line?
• Read Psalm 60, a psalm of lament. What do you make of this passage? Does it truly reflect God’s character or does it reflect the feelings of the psalmist? Or both?
• Read Psalm 143, a cry for help. When we ask God for help, how do you think the prayer is answered? In what ways do you think prayers for help are being answered in Haiti right now?

4. I would then like for each group to spend some time praying for Haiti, its people, and the rescue/relief workers.

5. I would like to then pull everyone together to come up with a plan as to how we, EPIC, can help the Haitian people.

Two things:

1. We are going to partner with Lifeline to get supplies over to the Haitian people.
2. Keep praying for the people of Haiti and the relief workers who are there assisting.

ORANGE.  Where Faith and Family intersect.

Activity:  Letter to God

I am not sure what it was like at your house when you children were younger and it was Christmas time but at the Smith house, our kids are excited about gifts.  In fact, they are so excited that they write Santa letters so he knows what they want from him.  Anna is keeping these letters so we can look back on them years down the road and just remember these days.

These letters got us thinking at EPIC.  How often do we write a letter to God with the same passion, desire, love and anticipation that our kids do to Santa?  Probably not that often, if ever.  So we recently did a new worship experience where we encouraged our students to write letters to God.  What an amazing experience.  The heart that these students poured out broke my heart.

Application:

Scour the attic, basement, boxes, etc and see if you can find old letters your kids wrote to Santa, or better yet, to God.  If you don’t have any, look up “letters to Santa” on the internet and read some of those.

Then, as a family, sit down and write a letter to God.  Share your hurts, desires, passions and anticipations.  Store the letter in a safe place.  A year from now, pull the letter out and read it.