Simple Thoughts...October 31

“Be strong and courageous,” David said to his son Solomon. “Get to work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, because the Lord God, my God, is with you. He’ll neither let you down nor leave you before all the work for the service of the Lord’s temple is done."

(1 Chronicles 28:20, CEB)

 

Encouragement is a vital aspect of servanthood.  When others believe in you and what you can accomplish, much can be done.  Solomon is encouraged here to do what his father could not do, build the temple. David's encouragement and the assurance of the empowering presence of God, laid the foundation upon which Solomon would build. How might you empower someone's service today?

 

Prayer: Use me today, Lord, to encourage the service of others. Amen.

 

Jim Abernathy

Simple Thoughts...October 30

"There are different ways to serve but the same Lord to serve."

 (I Corinthians 12:5, NCV)

 

You and I are uniquely marked by our Creator...made in the image of God, yet shaped physically, emotionally, and spiritually unlike any other. Our service bears these unique marks. That is a gift from God. 

 

Prayer: Creator God, thank you for that which makes us different and that which makes us one.  Amen.

 

Jim Abernathy

Simple Thoughts...October 29

"So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and hurled him into the pit of lions. The king said to Daniel: “Your God—the one you serve so consistently—will rescue you." 

(Daniel 6:16, CEB)

 

Finding himself backed into a corner by his own arrogance, King Darius gives the order to throw his trusted advisor, Daniel, into the lion's den.  Daniel's faithful witness before him, however, causes the king to do something unbelievable...even as he is feeding Daniel to the lions, Darius bears witness to the ability of Daniel's God to keep him safe.  Serving God gets us into and out of some interesting situations, doesn't it?

 

Prayer: Gracious God, May we serve you faithfully this day, trusting you to deliver us, whatever we face. Amen.

 

Jim Abernathy

Simple Thoughts...October 28

"... whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen."

(I Peter 4:11b)

 

Sometimes, servant thinking and servant living can be daunting tasks on a Monday morning!  Today, remember that you serve, not in your own strength, but with the strength God supplies.  That is great news for a Monday morning!

 

Prayer: Lord, may your strength empower my service today.  Amen.

 

Jim Abernathy

Simple Thoughts...October 25

"Let Christ himself be your example as to what your attitude should be. For he, who had always been God by nature, did not cling to his prerogatives as God’s equal, but stripped himself of all privilege by consenting to be a slave by nature and being born as mortal man. And, having become man, he humbled himself by living a life of utter obedience..."

     (Philippians 2:5-8a, J.B. Phillips Translation)

 

When learning anything of significance, there is nothing more helpful than a good example.  We are bombarded with messages everyday to follow someone's example.  Yet, Paul reminds us there is One who clung not to the changing prerogatives of the world, but rather, in humility was utterly obedient to God.  That is the pattern to follow!

 

Prayer: Thank you, God, for the example of Jesus.  May my attitude be a reflection of His. Amen.

 

Jim Abernathy 

Simple Thoughts...October 24

"In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life."

(James 1:21, The Message)

 

In order to thrive, a well planted garden needs persistent attention.  The gardener tends the crop from seed to harvest, investing him or her self in helping the garden to grow.  The persistent attention that God gives helps His children grow and thrive.

 

Prayer: Make a salvation-garden in me, O God, as I humble myself before you. Amen.

 

Jim Abernathy

 

 

Simple Thoughts...October 23

"Do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves."

(Philippians 2:3)

 

 

Humility breeds appreciation for others.  When the focus is taken off self, one more clearly sees the needs of another.  Let humility be your guide today.

 

Prayer: May humility guide my steps today, Lord, that in honoring others, I might honor you. Amen.

 

Jim Abernathy 

Simple Thoughts...October 22

"You lead humble people to do what is right and to stay on your path"

      (Psalm 25:9) 

 

To follow requires a certain degree of humility...submission to another's direction.  Jesus summed it up this way; "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."  The Spirit will lead you today...are you willing to follow, to stay on the Lord's path?

 

Prayer: As your Spirit leads today, Lord, may I humbly follow. Amen.

 

Jim Abernathy

Simple Thoughts...October 21

"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."

(James 4:10)

 

Not too many of us begin the day committing ourselves to humility.  We are conditioned to be the aggressor in the context of overcoming challenges that might threaten.  Perhaps we miss the point, not that we shouldn't be overcomers...but maybe it all really begins in humbly asking for God's guidance, trusting Him to lead our every step.

 

Prayer: Eternal God, I humble myself before you this day and ask you to guide my every thought, word, and step. Amen.

 

Jim Abernathy

 

Simple Thoughts...October 18

"Skies, sing for joy because the Lord did great things!

    Earth, shout for joy, even in your deepest parts!
Sing, you mountains, with thanks to God.
    Sing, too, you trees in the forest!"

(Isaiah 44:23a)

 

Isaiah reminds us that praising God is not just a function of human words and actions.  The skies, the earth, the mountains, the forest...all give praise to their maker.  Look around you and join the celebration of thanksgiving!

 

Prayer: Creator God, with thanksgiving, we join all creation in offering praise to you. Amen.

 

Jim Abernathy

 

Simple Thoughts...October 17

"God, I must keep my promises to you. I will give you my offerings to thank you,"

(Psalm 56:12)

 

How does one say thank you to God?  It has been said that one can never out-give God.  The particular gift seems less important than the faithfulness of the giver.  "I must keep my promises to you," the Psalmist writes. Faithfulness is the greatest gift we offer to God!

 

Prayer: Gracious God, I offer you the gift of faithfulness, my promise to you. Amen.

 

Jim Abernathy

Simple Thoughts...October 16

"I never stop being grateful for you, as I mention you in my prayers."

    (Ephesians 1:16)

 

Paul's greeting to the Ephesian church offers challenge to us today...gratitude isn't seasonal or situational, but should give continuing evidence of the blessings we share through Christ.

 

Prayer: Dear Lord, in our words and in our thoughts and actions, may gratitude continue, without end. Amen.

 

Jim Abernathy

Simple Thoughts...October 15

"Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude."

 (Colossians 4:2)

 

The Message translation of this text challenges the reader to an approach to prayer that is active and expectant.  The key is gratitude. Keep your eyes wide open in gratitude!

 

Prayer: With eyes wide open, I thank you Lord! Amen.

 

Jim Abernathy 

Simple Thoughts...October 14

"With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you; I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good."

(Psalm 45:6)

 

The Psalmist speaks of the offering he will give to the Lord as a "freewill offering." This expression of gratitude is a reminder that the greatest gifts we offer the Lord are those which come from the heart.

 

Prayer: Gracious God, May the gifts we offer bring honor to you from grateful hearts.

 

Jim Abernathy

Simple Thoughts...October 11

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe."

                                                (Hebrews 12:28 NRSV)

The ground around us seems to continually shake with the uncertainties and challenges of daily living.  As followers of Jesus Christ, however, we have an unshakable hope, regardless. Praise God!

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your unshakable kingdom at work in my heart. Amen.

Jim Abernathy

(Next "Simple Thought" will be Monday with the theme of gratitude.)

Simple Thoughts...October 10

"Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God."

             (Romans 15:7)

Fellowship is the blessing of community we share with one another; yet another gift of praise we offer to God.

Prayer: Welcoming God, may the sweet fellowship we share with others bring honor to you. Amen.

Jim Abernathy   

Simple Thoughts...October 9

"O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure."

(Psalm 25:1)

History reminds us that we have a connection to generations gone before.  Faith reminds us that we have a connection to the One whose plans, formed of old, are faithful and sure. Praise the Lord!

Prayer: Gracious God, faithful and sure, you are indeed worthy of praise.

Jim Abernathy 

Simple Thoughts...October 8

"Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negeb! Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy."

                                     (Psalm 126:4-5)

Praise is a harbinger of hope, even in tears.  By faith, our tears become shouts of joy!

Prayer: Gracious God, in desert and plentiful times, may our praise bring shouts of joy!

Jim Abernathy

Simple Thoughts...October 7

(During our Simple Gifts emphasis in the month of October, I will post a simple thought with a brief text for each day, Monday through Friday, as reminder of our theme.)

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God."

                                         (I Corinthians 10:31)

C.S. Lewis writes,  "I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment."  Whatever you do today, complete the enjoyment by giving praise to God!

Prayer: Eternal God, In everything...glory to God! Amen.

Jim Abernathy

Challenging Times

These are challenging times.  The government shutdown, debt ceiling deadlines looming on the horizon, and the seeming unwillingness of our elected leaders to find meaningful ways to move our nation forward in these perilous times are creating an atmosphere of mistrust and uneasiness that  is permeating nearly every aspect of our society.  Fingers are easily pointed from all sides of the political spectrum, yet few seem to be able to overcome their ideological or pragmatic perspectives to find ways to work together.  We seem to be less willing these days to look for ways to work together for fear that some might think us weak or unfaithful to the cause, whatever that cause may be. Many are still struggling to find work while the economy seems to teeter on the brink of another serious downturn with each political standoff.  Our conversations ultimately turn to these topics, often fed by the hyperbole that is rampant in the media outlets we selectively allow to reinforce further the divisions among us.

 

These are challenging times.  It seems that nearly every aspect of our lives have been captured by our frustrations in the present and our fears for the future.  The church has not escaped these fears and frustrations.  Trends in attendance, giving, and participation in a wide variety of church involvement are down according to a number of national studies.  In the May edition of Christianity Today, David Baker argues that statistics are not the most telling indicator of church health as he writes, "For Jesus, the vocabulary of following him revolves not around statistics, or attendance – but around whole-life discipleship." While I find agreement with his assessment, I cannot ignore the impact that these "statistics" have on the life and operation of the church.

 

These are challenging times. The trends that are impacting the church across this nation are also having an impact at Westwood.  Nowhere is this more telling than in our giving patterns.  Through the first eight months of the year, our expenses have exceeded our income.  It is not uncommon at Westwood for there to be a deficit of spending at this time of year as we have routinely spent more through the first eight to nine months of the year, only to greatly reduce or overcome that deficit of spending during the last quarter of the year.  What has made our financial leadership more nervous this year is that the deficits are stronger and the giving weaker than in years past.  Their concerns are understandable and have been reflected in recent Westwood World articles.  These trends will likely have an impact on the budgeting process for 2014 and spending patterns for the remainder of the year.

 

These are hopeful times.  Westwood is preparing to celebrate her fiftieth anniversary in 2014.  There is a rich heritage of faith in this body of believers that has spanned the ups and downs of church life over those five decades.  I have heard stories of bounty and hardship over these fifty years, but the constant through it all has been the presence of God's Spirit and the faithfulness of God's people.  In the midst of changing demographics, expectations, and a variety of other indicators, I believe these constants have remained. The simple truths of loving God and loving others have been and continue to be reflected in this body of believers and therefore, I am hopeful. I am grateful for the faithfulness of God's people in this community of faith known as Westwood.  Together we can work to address the challenges before us, recognizing the significance, as Dave Baker cited, of "whole-life discipleship." 

 

During the month of October, the theme of our worship will be "Simple Gifts."  Though stewardship is at the heart of this emphasis, we will consider how the simple gifts of praise, gratitude, humility, and service empower our faithfulness in every area of our lives.  These simple gifts call us to a way of living that reflects Kingdom priorities. I know there are many distractions as you approach each Sunday, but I encourage you to be present if at all possible during this emphasis as we refocus on simple truths from God's word that will help us to face the many challenges that are before us.

 

Jim Abernathy