Come Monday

Luke 5:1-3 One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee,a great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there. NLT

In the passage of scriptures, crowds of people were pressing against Jesus so they could hear the Word. All these people had needs that needed to be met. They had questions. They needed answers. They had problems. They needed solutions. I believe they all saw this man as the one who could meet every need. That's why the crowds came to him. In order to teach them all, he used Simon Peter's boat. I believe the boat represents our jobs. This was how Peter made a living. He fished and used this boat daily. Once he allowed Jesus into his boat (work), many lives were touched or changed. Sadly, many people when put in Peter's place would have made Jesus get out of their boat instead of pushing it into the water.

As a friend and I was driving down the road yesterday, we were talking about how many people could be influenced or changed by Christians portraying Christ on their jobs. If we turn it around, how many people are wrongly influenced by our words and actions on our jobs? It disturbs my heart greatly that people on Sundays will worship, dance, preach, even pray in tongues, yet come Monday after they have clocked in, it's like they have "clocked out" on imitating Christ. We put on our Sunday suit, talk in our church lingo, and dance around the building so we can fit in with the church crowd. Come Monday, it is a total different story. We do everything possible to fit in with the other people in our lives.

Guys, we participate in the filth of our co-workers. Our language is so vile, we could make a sailor blush. We verbally molest the opposite sex by jokes and stories that come out of our mouths. Guys, we have no backbone and a yellow streak in our lives simply because we cant stand up for what we believe. We are not man enough to stand out, so we try to fit in. We are scared of offending or "rocking the boat."

Ladies, participipate in so much gossip, many times, that a person or their families are dragged through the mud so much that a positive thought can't even be coincided with there names. Many times, it's a dog-eat-dog world. The attitude that is portrayed is, "if I can't have it, neither can they."

This has to stop. Is this making Christ happy? I will shout an astounding "NO!" We are to be Christlike. Imitators of Him everywhere we go. Yes, on our jobs too. Imagine for a moment, how many lives could be transformed for Christ if the followers would allow Him on our jobs. Seriously? God has given EVERYONE the platform of a job to win people to Him. But, that opportunity is sorrowfully wasted so many times. We always want God to do something bigger and better, but until we are faithful where we are placed, we will never move on. Faithful is not just showing up everyday. Faithful is bearing fruit when we show up.

Guys, come break time, don't listen to the vile talk or tell the dirty jokes. Talk about what God did Sunday. Ladies, don't drag the people through the mud. Find something positive and say that. If you can't say anything, simply walk away. Standing and listening is your seal of approval on the slander or harsh talk.

So I ask the question, "Does Jesus go to work for you?" Or, come Monday, do you "clock out" on being a follower of Him when you "clock in" on you job?


Pastor Jamey

Surrender to God

This is officially my first blog ever. I have always wanted to blog but never put forth the effort (or time). So...here goes. As most of those who are close to me know, I have recently had an experience with God that has given me a new desire and zeal to work for the Kingdom. Maybe I can (if wanted to) share about this at another time.

As I was praying today, the word surrender kept coming to mind. I initially pushed it off to the side (am I the only one that does this). As I have learned, especially in prayer, that when this happens it is usually God. So I asked God, "What are you saying about surrender?" He immediately spoke back in my spirit and said, "Son, surrender is not verbally giving your life to me. It is not giving me something that you really don't care about. Surrender is giving your hearts desires, those things you want for your life to me. It is giving me something that will cost you." Floored? Um...you better believe I was. I'm sure most of you holy folks that are in the lineage of Christ have already had this understanding. But, It was like fresh revelation to me!

Immediately after God speaking, I thought of General Stonewall Jackson (I guess because I heard a story about him earlier today. I also have no clue if he surrendered or not. I'm not that polished on my Civil War history). I believe him or any other military leader is not going to surrender to the opposing forces in the beginning. They're not gonna say, "Here you go buddy. It's all yours." That is ludicrous. They are going to fight tooth and nail until the very end. Until all the ammunition and supplies are depleted! Until the soldiers are impoverished! Why? Because their country means something to them. It's their life!

Am I saying you should fight God until the end? Certainly not! I am saying that we are not surrendering if we don't give those things that mean the most to God. Surrender is going to cost us something. Oh but friend, it will be well worth it. It's easy to stand in a service where God is moving, tears rolling off our cheeks, hands lifted to the King of King's saying, "I surrender to you, God!" But, are our actions (fruit) matching our declaration to God? Come next day or next week are we still surrendered to God? God wants our whole life so He can help guide us. But, He can not do this until we surrender to Him.

I like how Webster defines surrender-to GIVE oneself up into the POWER OF ANOTHER especially as a PRISONER! Wow...how amazing is this? Essentially, we GIVE ourselves up INTO THE POWER OF GOD especially as a PRISONER (empahsis added). Wow, wow, wow. You better believe I will surrender my life to God to have His power. Surrender simply gives us Gods power. Does this excite anyone like it does me? Also, a prisoner has someone tell them what to do, where to go, what to eat, etc. So, let me get this straight. We give God something that costs us and we get God's power PLUS He guides our lives. This is a 2 for 1 deal. Makes me want to shout! God is so good!

I am not saying that we should surrender and give up on our jobs or families. But I am saying that deep down in your heart, there is something that God is dealing with or has dealt with you about. That, friend, is what God is asking for. Not because He is a mean God, but because He has to have EVERYTHING in our lives for us to walk in His shadow of protection, healing, and blessings. I hope this encourages you as much as it does me. Surrender is not a verbal contract with God! It is a lifestyle to God!

Pastor Jamey