Looking Forward to Glorifying God in 2015!

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2014 is history and 2015 will be lived out for the next 361 days. I am so optimistic about the future of Calvary, not because of what we can do, but because of what God can do. I still sincerely believe that the world is looking for God to do something miraculous through His people. That doesn’t necessarily equate to something big or flashy or spectacular. We can’t put the weight of glory on who we are or what we do; we can put the weight of glory on the reputation of God. You see, that is what’s at stake – God’s reputation. As His children we are called upon by God Himself to spread the fame of God where we are. We must glorify God in His church through selfless following; we must glorify God in our homes; we must glorify God at school; we must glorify God at work; we must glorify God when we play. Everything we do is to be done to reflect God’s majestic and marvelous character.
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV)
Will you join me to be a working church striving to honor God in everything? And will you join me in being a praying church asking God to do something that can only be explained by His great and good hand of blessing upon us? If we become a working and praying church, I believe the community will see God in a way they haven’t seen Him for quite a long while. Let’s get ourselves out of the way; let’s put our agendas aside; let’s put our selfish desires in the trash. Let’s roll up our sleeves in selfless servanthood and get on our knees in absolute and utter dependence on God.
I’m praying that 2015 will be a year that we can honestly say we honored God in everything! I love you deeply and desperately. I sincerely want the best for God and you at Calvary. I don’t want people to remember me; I want people to remember our God. Here is a prayer I want us to memorize and pray every day:
“O LORD, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O LORD, do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy.” (Habakkuk 3:2 ESV)
Grace & Peace,
Scott

Don't Fall for the Shadow of Christmas - Go for the Substance!

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Christmas is that time of year that can be an opportunity for a blessing or it can be an opportunity for pain. The choice is up to us. Let me take a run at this in reverse order.
This time of ear can be filled with a great deal of pain if we focus on the shadows of the season. Have you ever tried to hug a shadow? Have you ever had a meaningful conversation with a shadow? If you have, well that’s a problem for another day. Shadows will leave us feeling empty and disappointed. Shadows show us that something of substance is present, but it is foolish to be satisfied with the shadow when we know the substance casting the shadow is much better. The shadows of Christmas are the decorations, the movies, the presents under the tree, the parties, the shopping, the traditions, etc. All of these are good and they are things that create an atmosphere of fun. We should be involved with these things, but we should be enjoying them knowing that they fall short of the real thing.
“Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.” (Colossians 2:16-17 ESV)
The substance of Christmas, and of everything, is Jesus. He is the reality of everything we experience during Christmas. Jesus is the opportunity for blessing and genuine joy during Christmas. Behind every song, decoration, sermon, poem, party, parade, and present stands the true meaning of Christmas – Jesus Christ. Since He is the focus then He should be the centerpiece of all that we do. He truly is worthy of all the attention, and He deserves it all year long.
So let’s treat Christmas as a trigger to remind us about how amazing God is to show up and rescue us.
Merry Christmas,
Scott

Prophet, Priest & King All Rolled into ONE!

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Christmas is definitely a time to think seriously about the three-fold office of Jesus Christ. The Bible describes the Savior as a prophet, priest and king.
As a prophet Jesus stands between man and God representing God to us; He reveals God to us so clearly that our ignorance can be overcome.
“The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers – it is to him you shall listen – (Deuteronomy 18:15)
Moses is referring to the promised Messiah, and because Peter uses this passage (under the direction of the Holy Spirit) to refer to Jesus it is speaking of Christ (Acts 3:22-23).
As a priest Jesus gives Himself on behalf of sinful people to the Father; He offers Himself to wipe out the guilt we carry around every day.
“The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind; you are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” (Psalm 110:4)
The author of Hebrews applies this psalm to Jesus Christ (Hebrews 6:20).
As a king Jesus holds out His ruling scepter of hope that He will one day completely destroy the tyranny of sin. The book of Numbers is an odd place to find a prophecy about Christmas and Balaam is an interesting prophet because he’s a bit of a rascal, but in spite of that God uses him. Balaam is hired by the king of Moab to prophesy against Israel. Keeping in mind that the king of Moab actually paid for this, here’s what he prophesies
“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.” (Numbers 24:17)
The king of Moab is asking the prophet what he sees and his answer is not exactly what the king hoped for, he didn’t get his money’s worth. He tells him he sees a king coming from the tribe of Jacob who will crush him, the King of Moab, and annihilate the sons of Sheth.
Here’s what happening. God is taking the promise He made with Adam and Eve, the covenant He made with Abraham, the covenant He made with David and He’s joining them together to be one in the same. So the promise made in Genesis 3 and Genesis 12 carries on into the promises made in Numbers, Psalms and Deuteronomy.
The Old Testament treats those three offices separately, however what we see in Jesus Christ is a brining together of all three offices. He is the prophet who speaks the true words of God to us, He is the priest who atones for our sins and He is the king who rules over everything.
Grace & Peace,
Scott

Givers vs. Takers

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The loudest voices I seem to hear this time of year is about what we can get out of the season. Children are wondering if they are going to get what they’ve been asking for, for the last three months. And moms and dads, we’re wondering if the people in our lives have been paying any attention to the litany of hints we’ve been putting out there about what we want for Christmas. But I just kind of wonder…is this really what Christmas is all about – you know, the decorations, presents, songs, parties, etc.? All these things are nice and we certainly can have some fun with them, but we have to keep in mind that they are all shadows that should point us to the true substance of Christmas: Jesus Christ. And what was Jesus about? The answer to that question would take more space that I have time for, but as I reflect on Christmas I’m thinking that the answer, at least in part, is giving. Jesus came into this world to give Himself for the glory of the Father and the salvation of humanity.
From this we can surmise that believers should follow suit. We are in this world to give. God saved us to give our lives for His glory and for the good of other people. You see, when we got rescued from Satan, evil and death, God also saved us from selfishness. This salvation changed everything. Paul said it best:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:15)
God created His children to be givers, not takers. It is truly not in our new nature to hoard all the stuff of this world, but to give to others willingly, freely, enthusiastically and joyfully. But a problem enters and interrupts this ethic when we listen to the world’s voices and make selfish choices. Now we think Christmas is all about what we can get and not what we can give; and Christmas is just a small snapshot of how we tend to live the rest of the year. I struggle with this, don’t you?
So, I want to encourage all our hearts to think a little differently. Let’s trying to put giving at the top of our lists instead of our wants. Here are some great giving opportunities to prime the pump:
  • Lottie Moon Christmas Offering (Missions): our goal is $2,000
  • Student Food Pantry Ministry: this month’s list includes sugar, flour, soup, pasta, salt, pepper, canned goods, cereal, grits and oatmeal (who doesn’t love oatmeal!)
  • Archibald Rutledge Apartments (http://www.shasc.org/cornucopia-of-giving/): their list includes: detergent, dishes, glassware sets, food storage containers, inexpensive appliances, cooking utensils, pots and pans, and clothing
  • Paying down the principle on our loan: we owe $350,000…wouldn’t it be great to have available the $33,000 we spend each year on this loan for other mission projects?
Let’s end 2014 and begin 2015 giving, not taking!
Grace & Peace,
Scott