Jesus – How To Have An Effective Prayer Life from Oak Leaf Church on Vimeo.

This was a sermon from the Jesus Series on Luke 11. We explored why our prayers aren’t effective – because we think it is all about us…

We all have a part in ministering doesn't matter what your position is.

I had a cool talk with one of our Lead Volunteers here at Oak Leaf this week.  We were discussing how he was handling the ‘management’ of some of our volunteers.  I use that term ‘managing’ loosely because if you knew this guy then you would know people look up at him as the caring leader type.

As I was standing there I also told him that as far as his volunteers were concerned he was the one speaking for God during our weekend service times.  He was the one making our volunteers aware that we had guests that were coming that had a divine appointment with God that day.  The way that they behaved affected our guests in connecting with God.

This particular leader understood the commitment involved here and what was at cost.  What he did find hard to believe was that he himself was working along with God.  Paul says in I Corinthians 3:9 that we are ‘co-workers’ with God and that means he is every bit a minister as I am.

Which brings me to this.  As a church leader we have to be constantly aware of helping our people, across every area of influence (ministry) realize the fact that they have just as much at stake here as we do.  We all are partners in this church.  We work together while working with God.  When you are called to God through Christ it’s not just for your benefit.  You have been given the task of ministering to other people.  And if you are a ‘Leafer’ then that means you are to “Lead people from where they are to where God wants them to be”.

As I was laying in bed at 5am this morning with Charlee crying in the room above and trying to get comfortable while my lower back is sending me pain signals I was thinking about the week.  Then it occurred to me either I have had way too much coffee or this was a great way to start my Sabbath and reflect on what transpired.  So here is what I gathered from my week.

1. When visiting someone in jail the visiting hours are not for your convenience.  You have two choices, Sunday or Wednesday 8-11 am.  Not only that, but you have to get there the first hour to get on the waiting list or it won’t happen.  Bottom line when you get arrested you have rights but you don’t get a say.
2. It’s good to have a sermon done a week ahead.  It allows you to go through it in your head and tweak final thoughts.  Also, it never fails, usually all the kids are home which makes it impossible to practice delivery since wherever I am there they are .
3. Twitter is fun but just like emails communication can be misconstrued.   People will interpret your ‘tweets’ based on how their day is going.  When you lay your life on twitter people will post their comments on you publicly.  It seems they forget about DM.
4. Second twitter thought.  Twitter is not just about you but about others.  If you are using it just to fill people in on your things like going, “going to the broom”, “just ate” and “sleeping now” I am about to stop following you.  Tell us something that helps us, makes us laugh, ask a question, something!  Then the, “I just got home” tweets can be taken a lot easier.
5. There is something magical about walking past your 3 month old and then she coos and smiles at you trying to get your attention.  Then you stop and do baby talk for five minutes.  You have just given them a memory, even thought it won’t last forever, that this guy likes me and I like him.  Can’t beat that!
6. Often times the very things that you are studying or just reading in the Bible will be something that you encounter that week.  Call me crazy but I believe all that stuff is planned out.  God will use what you are learning, not just for you, but to help others.
7. Lastly we had a talk in staff about Systems about shaping people’s behaviors using your system which regulates intervals of times for rewards and consequences. I was in an occupation for 11 years where that was all I did.  That stuff comes easy to me.  So, I definitely will be righting more about that in the future because giving positive feedback seems to be a foreign concept to a lot of people.

You can also catch about how the Holy Spirit uses you (see #6 above) by checking out Suzy’s page and catch her message on how God expects you to listen and partner with Him.

Alright that’s all I remember from 5 am.  The kids are up and I am about to relax and enjoy my Sabbath.  I hope you get the chance to do the same.

The May Family Snow Day 2010 from Jody May on Vimeo.

Following the rules seems to be the hardest thing to do.

A lot of us think we have it figured out.   I mean we follow the rules, go to church, we’re  a good citizen, etc…  Along with this we might even be followers of Christ.  So what else is there?  Is there anything else I should be concerned with.  Have I made it?  From this point on does it  just keep getting better by making sure that my sinful nature stays checked?

Listen to what Jesus had to say;

18 A ruler questioned Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. 20 “You know the commandments, ‘DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY , DO NOT MURDER , DO NOT STEAL , DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS , HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER .’” 21 And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” 22 When Jesus heard this, He said to him, “One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 23 But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 24 And Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! 25 “For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 They who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?”

Luke 18:18-26

Along with following the rules comes the sacrifice.  You see it was easy for this guy to follow the rules and because of his cushy lifestyle he didn’t have to sweat too much.  Then Jesus dropped the bomb on him and basically said that following Him would have to cost something.

Where are you at?  I don’t think this means that having things is bad but you have them for a purpose.  Your ’stuff’ belongs to God anyway.  Are you ready to give it up?  When you serve does it cost you anything?  Is there a level of discomfort that comes with it?  Or is it easy for you to serve because your life is cushy?

Jesus seemed to put a big emphasis on it (eternal life), shouldn’t you?