#609 - A PRAYER BEFORE EASTER SUNDAY 2018

Heavenly Father...

As I endeavor to preach, tomorrow, about the implications and impact of your past resurrection on our present and future lives, I desperately need your help. I am so convinced that regardless of how accurately, enthusiastically, or compellingly I preach the text, without the power of your Holy Spirit, my words are impotent to change a heart of stone. Lord, grace my words and grace our service with a pouring out of your Holy Spirit that will soften the hearts, open the eyes, unlock the ears, and renew the minds of everyone in attendance. 

But I also ask that your Holy Spirit would fall on me even now as I make my final preparations for tomorrow's message. Though I am desperate for your Holy Spirit to work powerfully tomorrow to do supernatural things with my natural words, I also need the Holy Spirit now to guide me as I prepare my natural words. Help me to say only that which will lead towards your will being accomplished in the lives of those who hear the message. Help me to decipher what should be said to our congregation on this Easter Sunday for your glory. 

Holy Spirit, fall tomorrow as I preach, but also, fall now as I prepare.  

I need you Lord.

In Jesus name,

Amen. 

#607 - AIRJCOLLECTOR

In May of 2017, I wrote about 3 compelling reasons why pastors need a hobby. In that post, I referenced one of my hobbies - collecting Air Jordan sneakers. So why am I a 35-year old man who collects Air Jordan's? I'm so glad you asked...

It all started when I was in the 4th grade when my mom bought me my very first pair of Air Jordan's. They were the Air Jordan VI's in the Black/Infrared colorway. (I'm still trying to track down a deadstock (never been worn) pair at a decent price, to add to my collection.) I remember that, because they were a kid-sized shoe, they didn't have the air bubble that the adult sizes had. If my memory serves me correctly she bought them at JC Penny.

The first pair of Jordan's I owned also has significance because it was the same model shoe that Michael Jordan wore when he won his very first NBA Championship in 1991, against the Los Angeles Lakers. I was 9 years old. I don't have a memory of watching Michael Jordan play basketball prior to watching his Bulls beat the Lakers 4 games to 1 in that NBA Finals.

Air Jordan VI - Black/Infrared

Air Jordan VI - Black/Infrared

Though I liked my Air Jordan VI's, my parents didn't have enough money to buy me Jordan's throughout middle school (especially when I started wearing adult sizes), so I didn't purchase my first pair of Air Jordan sneakers until my sophomore year of high school. The year was 1998. I was 16 years old, and I was playing on the Junior Varsity High School basketball team. Because I wasn't very good, one sure way of getting respect on the court (and in life!) was by having the latest pair of Air Jordan's. 

With that primary motivation in mind, I bought, with my own money, the Air Jordan XIII's Black/Varsity Red at the Niketown in San Francisco which had just opened a year earlier. I was ecstatic. The feeling of playing in a new pair of Air Jordan's can hardly be described. When I put them on my feet, I instantly felt like I could play like Mike! They gave me a level of confidence like no other shoe ever did. And they gave me this feeling not only when I was on the court, but when I was off the court too! Even though the word "swag" didn't exist in '98, I sure had it walking around in my fresh Air Jordan XIII's! (This pair was recently re-released and I hope to add it to my collection again soon!)

Air Jordan XIII - Black/Varsity Red

Air Jordan XIII - Black/Varsity Red

After experiencing the feeling that the Black/Varsity Red Air Jordan XIII's gave me, I have been addicted ever since! I wore them throughout high school, I wore them throughout college, and for all of my adult life, there has never been a time when I haven't owned multiple pairs of Air Jordan's. It's crazy to think that for 20 years, I have been buying, wearing, selling, trading, giving away, and collecting Air Jordan Sneakers. 

But why?!?

There's just something about 'em. Wearing the shoes that Mike played in. Wearing the shoes that he won championships in, hit historic shots in, broke records in, won dunk contests in, and played in All-Star games in. Wearing Air Jordan's is like wearing history. History that I experienced. History that I watched unfold before me while sitting down on my living room floor watching TV. 

But, it's not just about wearing history. As materialistic or shallow as it may seem, and maybe others wouldn't want to admit this, it's also about making a fashion statement. But since there are many "fashion statements" one could make by wearing Air Jordan's, here are the specific statements I intend to make (in the order of their importance to me):

  • I am a huge fan of the greatest basketball player of all time.

  • I may be getting older, but when it comes to fashion, I'm not old-fashioned!

  • I appreciate nice and somewhat-expensive things.  

Lastly, and maybe most importantly, I just feel really good about myself when I have a pair on! Not that I need them to feel good about myself, but there is no doubt that when I play basketball in them, when I preach in them, when I wear them with a nice outfit, or if I just have a pair on while running errands...I feel good. And shouldn't that be reason enough?!?

  To see my current Air Jordan Collection, click here or follow me on Instagram at @AirJCollector! 

#605 - THE GAME I LOVE TO LOSE

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Being the super competitive guy that I am, I absolutely hate to lose. Many who know me might even consider me a "sore loser." But there is one game, I cannot win no matter how hard I try, and it is a game that I've actually come to love to lose. The game is - trying to outgive God.

In the last couple of months, I have been blessed to see God, in some very tangible and practical ways, crush me in this game time and time again! I am convinced.

YOU CAN'T OUTGIVE GOD.

And it's not just financially. You can't outgive God in any area of your life.

Time. Energy. Emotions. Love. Influence. Opportunities. Resources. Encouragement. Affirmation.  

WHEN YOU GIVE, HE TAKES WHAT YOU GAVE AND MULTIPLIES IT BACK INTO YOUR LIFE.  

He takes what you put into His hands and places something more fulfilling, more satisfying, more enjoyable, more valuable, more precious, and more glorifying to Him into your hands.

WHEN IT COMES TO GIFT GIVING, GOD WILL ONE-UP YOU EVERY SINGLE TIME!

You will give resources to others, but the way He will give resources to you will be bigger. You will give opportunities to others, but the way He will give opportunities to you will be better. You will give love to others, but the way He will give love to you will be deeper. You will give of yourself to others, but the way He will give of Himself to you will be grander.

I encourage you, play this game with God. 

Attempt to outgive Him. Attempt to out-love Him. Attempt to out-sacrifice Him.

YOU WILL LOSE, AND YOU WILL BE GLAD YOU DID!

Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. Luke 6:38 (MSG)

#604 - 5 CONSEQUENCES OF BEING A "BALL HOG"

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If you played sports of any sort, you hated the "ball hog." You hated the teammate that took all the shots. You despised the teammate who didn't pass. You were the most frustrated by the teammate who didn't give the other players on the team the opportunity to shine.

Leader, if the "ball hog" got on your nerves in sports, the "ball hog" needs to get on our nerves in leadership. 

Leader, let someone else lead. Let someone else run the meeting. Let someone else facilitate the discussion. Let some else make the decision. Let someone else answer the question. Let someone else come up with the plan. Let someone else do the thing you usually do. Let another leader lead.

I know they don't do it like you.
I know you think you do it better than they do.
I know you're convinced they're not ready.

I know it's hard.
I know it's uncomfortable.
I know it might even feel irresponsible. 

But, I also know this (and I only know this about you, because I know it about me!)...

You're insecure - you think that by letting someone else lead you may lose your influence. You're fearful - you think the way someone else will lead might "mess things up." You're prideful - you think the way you lead is most effective. 

And though some of these things may be true, you need to let someone else lead anyway. If you're not yet convinced, here are 5 consequences of not delegating leadership opportunities:

1. A SHORTENED LEADERSHIP LIFESPAN 

If you don't delegate leadership opportunities, you will get burned out. You will get fatigued. You will not have the strength to lead for the long haul. 

2. UNDEVELOPED LEADERS WON'T BE DEVELOPED

If you don't delegate leadership opportunities, the people in your organization with leadership potential will never grow in their abilities. Without leadership experience how can one gain leadership experience? If never given the chance to get better, how will they get better?

3. DEVELOPED LEADERS WILL LEAVE

If you don't delegate leadership opportunities, people who can lead well will find somewhere else where their leadership gifts can be utilized. It's only a matter of time before they will leave you. And, you know this to be true, because you, as a leader, if you found yourself in a similar position, would do the same thing!

4. YOUR FOLLOWERS WILL GET "LEADER FATIGUE"

If you don't delegate leadership opportunities, those that follow you will begin to become numb to your voice. Your style, your tone, and your method will become like "white noise" in the ears of those in your organization. Utilizing other leaders will keep your voice relevant. 

5. A SHORTENED ORGANIZATIONAL LIFESPAN

If you don't delegate leadership opportunities, your organization, ministry, business, group, or team will only last as long as you do. When you delegate leadership opportunities and develop leaders, what you lead will have the potential to live way beyond your life. 

Leader, pass the ball. You have teammates that are ready and waiting to "score." 

#603 - THE NIGHT AFTER SEXOLOGY PART 3

Today, I obeyed God. Today, I trusted God. Today, I followed God's leadership in my life by preaching on a subject that I would rather not have. 

And after taking this step of obedience, here's what I am convinced of more than ever before: 

OBEDIENCE TO GOD IS FULFILLING. SURRENDER TO GOD IS SATISFYING.

To put my head down on my pillow tonight knowing that, today, I did the last thing that God told me to do gives me a priceless peace. 

I actually am looking forward to my next step of obedience. God is worthy, and it is worth it. 

#602 - THE NIGHT BEFORE SEXOLOGY PART 3

Tomorrow morning, I will preach the most controversial and counter-cultural message I have every preached in my life. I will be preaching a message entitled, When the Church and the LGBTQ Community Collide.

In an effort to clear my mind and prepare my heart, here are a few of the emotions I'm feeling and a few of God's promises over my life that I hope will be a source of comfort.  

FEARFUL YET HOPEFUL

Fearful that I will be misunderstood, but hopeful that those who are seeking God will find Him. (1 Chronicles 28:9)

ANXIOUS YET CALM

Anxious to preach the message and get it over with, but calm knowing that in God's time, He makes all things beautiful. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

CONCERNED YET CONFIDENT

Concerned about whether or not the message will be well received, but confident that God's Word will not return void. (Isaiah 55:11)

POWERLESS YET POWERFUL

Powerless to change a hardened heart, but powerful knowing that in my weakness that God's strength is made perfect. (2 Corinthians 2:19)

EMPTY BUT EXPECTANT

Empty of energy (it's 3am!), but expectant that God is going to do exceedingly and abundantly above what I can hope or imagine! (Ephesians 3:20)

Heavenly Father,
I praise you for your strength. I praise you for your power. I praise you for your goodness. I praise you for your grace. I praise you for your wisdom. I praise you for your love. Be to me and be for me who you have always been. You have always been enough. I love you, and I, once again, entrust my life into your strong, loving, and faithful hands. In Jesus name, Amen. 

 

#601 - THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR THIS

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Don't allow yourself to be fooled. 
Church isn't and neither is community.

Don't allow yourself to be distracted. 
Blogs aren't and neither are books.

Don't allow yourself to be tricked. 
Work isn't and neither is worship.

Don't allow yourself to be deceived.
Prayer isn't and neither is a preacher.

Don't allow yourself to be confused. 
Service isn't and neither is sacrifice.

THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR THE SCRIPTURES.

There is no substitute for the truth that comes from the Scriptures. There is no substitute for the revelation that comes from the Scriptures. There is no substitute for the Voice that comes from the Scriptures.

It's in the Scriptures where...

God's story is written.
God's love is revealed.
God's gospel is displayed.
God's commands are given.
God's Son is resurrected.
God's return is foretold!

THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR THE SCRIPTURES.

Read them. Study them. Enjoy them.

The life that can be found in them is nowhere else to be found. 

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4

#600 - THE EPIPHANY

Five years ago, Albert Lee, the Lead Pastor from Regeneration Church, in Oakland, met me for breakfast at the Oakland Grill in Jack London Square. He was the first pastor that I had the chance to meet in person from Oakland. He greeted me with kindness, he told me his story of how he became a pastor in Oakland, he answered my questions about pastoring in the city of Oakland, and he even paid for my meal. I couldn't have experienced a better welcome. 

I remember leaving that meal, thinking to myself, Pastor Albert is a good dude. Pastor Albert wants to see me succeed. He is a guy who I could call if I ever needed anything.  When it comes to me successfully planting a church in Oakland, Pastor Albert is an ally. 

FLASH FORWARD FIVE YEARS LATER.

Today, Tyler Hagan, the Lead Pastor of Anthem Church - a new church plant in Oakland (January 2019), met me for breakfast at the Oakland Grill in Jack London Square. I was the first pastor that he has had the chance to meet in person from Oakland. I did my best to greet him with kindness, I told him my story about how I became a pastor in Oakland, I did my best to answer his questions about pastoring in the city of Oakland, and, following Pastor Albert's cue - I paid for his meal. I'm not entirely sure how well I did, but my hope is that he felt welcomed. 

Though I do not know exactly how Tyler felt after we left our time together this morning, here's what I felt:

  • Overjoyed. Overjoyed by the opportunity to attempt to be for Tyler what Albert was for me. Overjoyed by the fact that it has been over five years since I've been pastoring in the city of Oakland. Overjoyed by God's goodness in calling a gifted, passionate, and spirit-filled man like Tyler to plant a church that desires to "connect a beautiful city with a loving Savior."

  • Expectant. Expectant that God's Kingdom will come and God's will will be done in Oakland as it is in heaven! Expectant that the 4 new church planters coming to Oakland (all of whom I've had the privilege of speaking to within the last 30 days) are going to be a great gift and blessing to Oakland. Expectant that, one day, Oakland is going to be known for having an abundance of healthy, gospel-proclaiming churches who seek the renewal and shalom of the city. 

  • Responsible. Responsible for welcoming and encouraging church planters in Oakland just as Pastor Albert welcomed and encouraged me. Responsible for connecting the new church planters in Oakland with each other. Responsible for continuing to create a culture where church planters in Oakland are for each other and for each other's churches because we are all for the Kingdom of God being advanced in the city of Oakland. 

Today was a day that I pray I will remember for a long time. Not only because a particular moment came full circle, but more importantly, because today was a day that God called me to something deeper. He called me to something more.

Though I don't want to get too ahead of myself, though I don't want to put more on my plate than already is there, and though I'm not going to start making strategic plans and crafting vision statements - I must acknowledge what God has placed on my heart. From this day forward, I'm not only to be passionate about my church thriving in the city of Oakland, but I am to be more passionate and more committed to The Church thriving in the city of Oakland. What this looks like exactly, I do now know, but what I do know is this - the responsibility can't be ignored. 

#599 - LEADERS GO FIRST

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LEADERS GO FIRST.

They try first
They attempt first..
They fail first.

LEADERS GO FIRST.

They risk first.
They commit first.
They sacrifice first.

LEADERS GO FIRST.

They adapt first.
They innovate first.
They experiment first.

LEADERS GO FIRST.

They post first.
They launch first.
They release first.

LEADERS GO FIRST.

They care first.
They serve first.
They listen first.

LEADERS GO FIRST.

They pray first.
They repent first.
They believe first.

LEADERS GO FIRST.

They ask first.
They forgive first.  
They apologize first.

The simple idea is this:
If you're not ready to go first,
you're not ready to be a leader.

#598 - LESS TALKING. MORE LISTENING.

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For someone who speaks for a living, the temptation is always so strong. My natural instinct is to talk before I listen. To speak before I hear.

But this needs to change.

I need to understand, I don't know it all! I know very little actually! Why do I feel so compelled to talk all the time? If I know anything, I need to know this: I can't learn anything while talking! 

With this in mind, my commitment is this:

When it comes to my relationship with God...

LESS TALKING. MORE LISTENING.

Less talking about what I want to do for Him. More listening to what He wants to do through me. Less talking about my promises to Him. More listening to His promises for me. Less talking about my desires. More listening to his direction. Less me. More Him.

When it comes to those I am privileged to pastor...

LESS TALKING. MORE LISTENING.

Less talking about where they should go. More listening to where they have been. Less talking about my opinions. More listening to their experiences. Less talking about my suggestions. More listening to their situations. Less me. More them.

When it comes to those I am privileged to learn from...

LESS TALKING. MORE LISTENING.

Less talking about what I'm achieving. More listening to what they've achieved. Less talking about what I think. More listening to what they know. Less talking about my insights. More listening to their wisdom. Less me. More them.

And if these thoughts aren't enough to compel me to do more listening than talking, then these Scriptures should!

"If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame." Proverbs 18:13

"...let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak..." James 1:19

"When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent." Proverbs 10:19

#597 - 25 SOURCES OF REST

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In this fast-paced world that we live in, rest is a luxury. But it's not just rest for your body that people long for, people also long for rest for their minds, their souls, and their spirits. I know I do!

What that in mind, and with Easter just a little under two weeks away and a message this upcoming Sunday that I am pretty anxious about, I figure it would be a very beneficial thought exercise to remind myself of where my rest (mind, body, and soul) comes from:

  1. There is no good I can do that could make God love me any more.

  2. There is no bad I can do that could make God love me any less.

  3. I am declared righteous in the sight of God.

  4. God loves me just as much as He loves His Son, Jesus Christ.

  5. I am infinitely loved by the Infinite.

  6. My sins are forgiven.

  7. God is with me. 

  8. The same power that rose Jesus from the grave (Holy Spirit) lives within me.

  9. My work for God doesn't determine my worth to God.

  10. Christ will build His Church and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it.

  11. God loves His children more than I ever could or ever will.

  12. I am just the messenger. I am not the message.

  13. God was at work in the world long before I got here, and God will be at work in the world long after I'm gone.

  14. God will get me what I need, when I need it, in the way I need it.

  15. God is holy, righteous, and sovereign, and I am His child!

  16. God's presence is His greatest gift, and I already have that!

  17. God knows what I need before I even ask Him.

  18. God works all things out for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes.

  19. My job is to plant and water seeds. God's job is to make them grow.

  20. God's faithfulness to me isn't predicated by my faithfulness to Him. 

  21. God's plans for me are far greater than anything I can hope for or imagine.

  22. While I am sleeping, God is working.

  23. I am not the solution. God is. 

  24. God doesn't need me. 

  25. Christ will return, and I will spend eternity in the physical presence of God Almighty!

Knowing, believing, and trusting in these truths gives me a rest and a peace that surpasses all understanding. Now if God would just give me the grace and wisdom to remember them!

Before moving on with the rest of your day, I'd like to make 2 requests of you..

  1. Pick one or two of the truths above and meditate on it until you really are put at rest. 

  2. Please feel free to share in the comments below your sources of rest.

#596 - THE PRICE OF DISOBEDIENCE

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Though obedience to God comes at a personal cost, I’d rather pay the price of obedience than forfeit the peace of mind that comes from knowing my life is surrendered to Christ.

Obedience costs me my comfort.
Obedience costs me my familiarity.
Obedience costs me my control.

But, disobedience costs me so much more.

Disobedience costs me my peace. 
Disobedience costs me my confidence.
Disobedience costs me my joy.

OBEY.

You can either bow to God in obedience or bow to yourself through disobedience. 

CHOOSE GOD.

You're not worth being bowed down to. 

#595 - STOP READING MY BLOG

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There is a particular person I want to encourage to stop reading my blog. Though I appreciate that you are reading and that you are interested in what I write, I think it's time that you stopped. I think it's time you stopped being so interested in me and started becoming more interested in you. Who is the particular person I am speaking of?

THE PERSON WHO SHOULD BE WRITING.

Some of you who have been reading my blog have thought to yourself, on multiple occasions, I should write too. It has crossed your mind to, like me, put your thoughts, ideas, and learnings into written form. You have felt compelled. You have felt inspired. You have felt motivated. But you've done nothing.

Enough is enough.

NO MORE FEELING. START DOING.

Whether it is in a physical journal, in your notes app on your phone, on a Pages or Microsoft Word doc, or on a blog you haven't posted to in months (or years) - write something...TODAY.

Write something. Anything. 100 words or 1000 words. It doesn't matter.

WRITE SOMETHING.

But don't do it because you want to be read. Do it because you want to be responsible.

Responsible with the gift God has given you to write. Responsible with the ability that God has given you to think and process. Responsible with the passion that God has given you to create.

Write something, and after you do, if you'd like, send it to me so I can read it. I'd love to be inspired by you!

Oh and by the way, after you've written something today, feel free to start reading my blog again tomorrow! Haha!

#594 - WHEN YOUR HEART BETRAYS YOU

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"The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?" Jeremiah 17:9

The wickedness of my heart is one of those most discouraging things about me. How I want it to feel, how I want it to react, how I want it to respond, how I want it to believe, and how I want it to love - rarely is my reality. More times than I'd like...

MY HEART BETRAYS ME.

My heart lies. My heart exaggerates. My heart deceives. 

And because I have experienced the betrayal of my heart time and time again, I am convinced...

MY HEART MUST BE LED.   

When my heart feels jealous, I must lead it away from jealousy by celebrating the success of others. When my heart feels discontent, I must lead it away from discontentment by praising God for His blessings. When my heart feels selfish, I must lead it away from selfishness by extending generosity to someone in need. When my heart feels worried, I must lead it away from worry by meditating on the promises of God's Word.

When my wanders towards control, I must lead it towards delegating authority. When my heart wanders towards lust, I must lead it towards loving my wife. When my heart wanders towards laziness, I must lead it towards disciplining my body. When my heart wanders towards legalism, I must lead it towards embracing God's grace. 

When my heart runs away from commitment, I must lead it towards being faithful one more day. When my heart runs away from empathy, I must lead it towards asking one more question. When my heart runs away from courage, I must lead it towards taking one more bold step.

LEAD YOUR HEART. WHEREVER YOU TAKE IT, IT WILL FOLLOW.

#593 - WHAT TOYS R' US AND THE CHURCH CAN'T HAVE IN COMMON

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Toys aren't irrelevant. It's how Toys R' Us sells toys that is causing them to be irrelevant. Music isn't irrelevant. It's how iHeartRadio and Cumulus plays music that is causing them to be irrelevant. Movies aren't irrelevant. It's how Blockbuster rented movies that caused them to be irrelevant. Pictures aren't irrelevant. It's how Kodak developed pictures that caused them to be irrelevant. Books aren't irrelevant. It's how Borders sold books that caused them to be irrelevant. 

Great products aren't irrelevant. Distribution methods, on the other hand, can be. 

I'm sure that before shutting down or having to declare bankruptcy that Toys R' Us, iHeartRadio, Blockbuster, Kodak and Borders all felt the warning signs of their distribution methods becoming outdated and ineffective. But, very likely, these were warning signs that they were either too blind to see or too prideful to acknowledge. 

With that in mind, as a local pastor and church leader I must always remember:

THE GOSPEL WILL NEVER BE IRRELEVANT.
THE CHURCH WILL NEVER BE IRRELEVANT.
PREACHING WILL NEVER BE IRRELEVANT.

BUT, THERE MAY BE WAYS OF DISTRIBUTING THE GOSPEL THAT WILL BE. 

What are these potentially irrelevant "ways?" What are these potentially irrelevant "methods?" What are these potentially irrelevant "approaches?"

I don't have the answers to these questions, but I do know this:

We can't afford to be too blind or too prideful to acknowledge our answers. 

Feel free to share your comments or thoughts below. I'd love to hear what you think!

#592 - THE PSALMIST'S SPIRITUAL MATURITY

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But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.
Psalm 69:13

For all of my prayers. For all of my concerns. For all of my desires.
The Psalmist gives me an appropriate and spiritually mature mindset for all my requests unto God.

ANSWERED PRAYER

He will answer.

ABUNDANT LOVE

Because He is loving.

ACCEPTABLE TIME

When He sees fit.

God's acceptable time is the appropriate time.
TRUST.

#591 - THE PASTOR'S WORK

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Serve.
Be present.
Ask questions.
Listen intently.
Be interested.
Ask questions.
Listen some more.
Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit.
Be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Speak truthfully.
Extend grace.
Be patient.
Die to yourself.
Encourage.
Admonish.
Correct.
Discipline.
Pray for.
Love.

This is the way of the cross.
This is the way of the pastor.
Each person. Each family. Each sinner. Each saint.
Each day. Each week. Each month. Each year.
Until a lifetime of loving people well is your legacy. 

#590 - UNDER-APPRECIATED PLEASURE

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The pleasure of a good meal.
The pleasure of a compliment.
The pleasure of a good night's rest.
The pleasure of an unexpected gift.
The pleasure of a new pair of shoes.
The pleasure of an extended vacation.

I can go on and on about the various, more obvious pleasures of this world that I enjoy and look forward to.

But as great as the above pleasures are, I have recently become more and more convinced that there is a pleasure that I have under-appreciated though it has been available to me for as long as I've been a follower of Christ...

THERE IS GREAT PLEASURE IN PRAISE!

Like for real. Not because I'm a pastor. Not because I have to say it. Not because I want people to believe it. But, because it's true.

There is great pleasure in praising the Maker of the heavens and the Earth. There is great happiness in hallowing the name that is above every name. There is great bliss in blessing the One from whom all blessings flow. There is great delight in declaring unto God His matchless wonder and power. There is great ecstasy is exalting the King of King and the Lord of Lords. There is great gladness in glorifying the God of infinite grace and mercy. There is great wonder in worshipping the Lion and the Lamb.

THERE IS GREAT PLEASURE IN PRAISE!

The pleasures that are experienced in praising God are far greater than any other pleasure that can be found in this world! It's better. It's better. It's better! He's better. He's better. He's better!

And here's one last thought to make the pleasure of our praise unto God that much more satisfying...

GOD IS PLEASED BY THE PRAISE THAT GIVES US PLEASURE!