Sufficient Shepherd

By: Adam McClendon

www.newlineministries.com 

Psalm 23:1–3a: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. 

God shepherds all of his people.  If you are his, you are under his care, and you do not get lost in the fold.  He sees you, individually and personally.  Whether you feel you are the best or the worst among us, for all who have trusted in Christ, he is your faithful and sufficient Shepherd. 

Just look at the individuality of this Psalm.  This Psalm doesn’t just address God’s community of people (i.e. his flock), but each individual sheep.  He cares and provides uniquely for each of them.

In this particular part of the Psalm, notice that you do not lack and you shall not want, not because you have all that is necessary for physical life, or all that enhances pleasure, but because you have him.  He is satisfying.  He is sufficient.  And for the submissive sheep, he brings you to places of blessing.  He brings you to pastures of plenty and brings rest to your soul.

C. H. Spurgeon wrote, “I may not possess all that I wish for, but ‘I shall not want.’  Others, far wealthier and wiser than I, may want, but ‘I shall not.’ …  I have all things and abound; not because I have a good store of money in the bank, not because I have skill and wit with which to win my bread, but because ‘The Lord is my Shepherd.’  The wicked always want, but the righteous never; a sinner’s heart is far from satisfaction, but a gracious spirit dwells in the palace of content” (The Treasury of David, 354).

For David, and for us, contentment is a matter of perspective.  See, David’s contentment was in being numbered among God’s flock, not in the number of his own possessions. 

God provides more fully, more completely, and more sufficiently than anything or anyone else.  He provides all that we need, because he is our greatest need.

God provides that which is necessary in you accomplishing his plan. 

When you follow God as the good Shepherd adhering to his leadership, his provision for the purpose of your lives will never lack, but will always be sufficient.

Psalm 23:1–3a: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. 

www.newlineministries.com  

Standards and Expectations

By Joanna K. Harris

Joanna Harris is an author and blogger with a tremendous passion for God.  You can contact Joanna here.  For more on Joanna and her ministry, check out her website here.  There you can also find links to her other blogs.

I think sometimes we need to raise our standards and lower our expectations.

Let me explain.

Modern culture continually sends messages telling people to lower their standards and raise their expectations.

Example: "Just live together before you get married. Then you can find out if you're compatible and if the other person will make you happy."

Lowering of moral standards – devaluing purity and commitment. Raising of personal expectations – someone else is responsible for your happiness.

I believe that during my lifetime there's been a dangerous shift in both standards and expectations.

My parents' generation grew up with high standards and reasonable expectations for themselves, others, and life in general. They valued character and integrity. They didn't expect life to always be easy. They were prepared for hard work, sacrifice, and delayed gratification.

In today's world, most people have few, if any standards, and many unrealistic expectations.

I think it's time we get intentional about reversing this trend. It’s time to start practicing raised standards and lowered expectations.

Here are some practical areas I've thought about where we can apply this:

- Raise our standards of what we put into our bodies (leave unhealthy things and junk food behind), and lower our expectations that what we consume is supposed to make us feel good.

- Raise our standards of how we treat other people, and lower our expectations that we'll never have conflict or challenging relationships.

- Raise our standards of personal integrity, and lower our expectations that everything in life will come easily for us.

- Raise our standards of how we invest our time, and lower our expectations that we can do everything we want.

- Raise our standards of financial stewardship, and lower our expectations of what we think we need.

Ouch. Did any of those prick you a little as you read them? What other areas can you think of where this principle is needed?

I'm really excited about this concept. Yet, the thought of trying to apply it to my specific situation is a little daunting. And it probably should be.

I think too many of us, perhaps unconsciously, have adopted a mindset of "easier is better" or "if it feels good, do it." But Christ has called us to a completely different worldview and lifestyle. He calls us to the highest standard: His life living through us, and His choice of humble and self-less expectations. 

This life is not about me – my comfort, ease, happiness, or personal fulfillment. This life is about God's glory.

If we lower our standards and pursue unrealistic, selfish expectations, we’ll only end up unhappy, unfulfilled and wondering where our life went.

But the good news is that as we rely on God’s power and grace to live with His higher standards and Spirit-led expectations, God Himself fills us with His comfort, His joy and happiness, and sweet satisfaction in seeing His plans for us fulfilled. What could be better?

So what is God saying to you? Where is He calling you to raise your standards and lower your expectations?

I want to heed His call. Is it easy? No. But by God’s grace and Christ’s life in me, it is possible. And I believe it will be well worth it.

…we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of His calling, and that by His power He may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. -2 Thessalonians 1:11

Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. -Hebrews 3:1, 12:1-2

www.newlineministries.com

Mercy Tree

By: Adam McClendon

www.newlineministries.com 

Life rarely works out the way that we anticipated it would.  It almost seems at times that something is working against us.  It seems life itself fights our progress, others throw up obstacles, and difficult circumstances feel more than coincidental as if Murphy’s humorous observation was actually a law of the universe.  Then, in the midst of the chaos of life, a sobering reality sets in: not only does life seem to be fighting against me, but I seem to be contributing to the chaos and dysfunction through my personal sin.  As a result, we find that life is ultimately unfulfilling because we were made for a relationship with God, a relationship that is now damaged and hindered because of sin.

But, thank God that’s not the end of the story.  God, in his mercy, did not leave us to the dysfunction of this dissatisfying life.  God is a redeeming God, and for all who have the ears to hear and the eyes to see, he leverages the dysfunction and chaos of this life to point us to him in order that we might find true fulfillment and true satisfaction in a relationship with him as provided through his mercy tree, the cross.  God extends his mercy and provides purpose to our lives through the cross.

The cross is God’s glorious declaration of mercy.  It is his declaration of triumph over death and dysfunction.  It is his redemption for all who will believe, canceling our sin debt and restoring us in relationship to God.

Colossians 2:13–14: When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.

So, while life may or may not have worked out the way that we wanted, this fractured, twisted, overgrown path we have been walking has brought us to this place in our lives where we could see more clearly the reality of God’s redemptive work through the cross.  Through the cross, Jesus bore judgment in our place.  Through the cross, Jesus became our Passover lamb.  Through the cross, Jesus became our reconciler; whereby, we can have peace with God.

Colossians 1:19–20: For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Despite our past lot in life, we can experience the fulfilling life God planned for us throughout all eternity through Jesus’ sacrificial death.  For those who haven’t experienced the wonder of being restored to God through the cross of Christ, come and trust in Jesus today.  For those who have, rejoice in the joy of being reconciled to God and the thought of the kingdom that awaits.

www.newlineministries.com 

Reflections on My Ministry at Graceland

By: Adam McClendon

www.newlineministries.com 

This coming Sunday, June 8, is my last Sunday as a pastor at Graceland Baptist Church.  My family and I first attended Graceland in the fall of 2006 and became involved very quickly.  Leaving to go serve at another church (Springhill Baptist Church) has been an incredibly difficult decision.  As I reflect on this time of transition and the past 8 years at Graceland, here are 10 things that I’ve learned (or been reminded of):

1. Falling in love with the people makes the transition horrible, but the memories special.  Saying goodbye to people I love is so hard, yet I’m so grateful to have experienced these deep friendships that have developed.

2. Working to understand where people are before seeking to take them where they need to be is important.  I spent a lot of time studying the history of Graceland and as a result, it made me more understanding, patient, and provided a platform from which I could speak into many of their lives more effectively. 

3. Serving is not an option and brings some of the greatest joy and alleviates some of the greatest pains of ministry.  Serving has a way of taking eyes off of self and to-do lists and placing them on people.  Serving tends to ground my feet in the reality of ministry, allows relationship with other members to flourish, often relieves stress, sets an example, brings immediate gratification, and is an act of obedience. 

4. Listening to fans or critics will leave a person inflated or defeated.  The truth is usually somewhere in the middle.  I tried to find some reasonable leaders who were among the silent majority and got honest feedback from them. 

5. Saying no is okay, most people will understand.  No one can be all things to all people, and everyone has limited time and talents.  Most people get that and were understanding when I said no.

6. Balancing family and ministry is a moving target that must be hit.  Demands at home are always changing, but so are demands at church.  It is necessary at times to make church a priority over family, just as it is necessary at times to make family a priority over church.  I found that I frequently had to have conversations with my wife and others in ministry to regularly evaluate how I was doing.

7. Practicing what is preached is critical to credibility.  It’s easy to preach a sermon.  It’s hard to live one.  I often struggle to practice some of the things that I preach.  It’s hard, but necessary.  People are watching and when they saw me practice what I preached despite how hard it was, it brought credibility and usually an openness on their part to try a little harder.

8. Being invited to listen to people’s most intimate thoughts and struggles is a privilege not to be taken lightly.  I’m burdened and blessed to have been able to walk through some terribly dark times with some of the most wonderful people I’ve ever met.  Thank you for sharing the personal and dark corners of your world with me as you sought to live more surrendered to Jesus, the light of the world. 

9. Being in ministry isn’t glamorous, but it is an amazing privilege and full of ups and downs.  A great pressure exists to try and become a rock-star pastor.  Ministry isn’t about personal glory or the glory of your “church”; rather, it is a privilege to serve people and Christ in this way for the glory of His name.  Sometimes, it’s a blast.  Other times, it’s miserable.  But, it’s always worth it! 

10. I really do love these people and will greatly miss this place, but am equally excited about the new adventure that awaits.

Goodbye Graceland and thank you for the privilege of serving as a pastor here.  Thank you for your love and support.  Please come visit our family in Missouri anytime.

www.newlineministries.com 

Are You Eating An Organic Spiritual Diet?

By: Joanna Harris

Joanna Harris is an author and blogger with a tremendous passion for God.  You can contact Joanna here.  For more on Joanna and her ministry, check out her website here.  There you can also find links to her other blogs.

                                                                      

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

-Romans 12:2a

My church recently went through Chip Ingram's book True Spirituality as we studied through Romans 12. Ingram's chapters on how to renew our minds were very thought provoking. He writes about how what we put into our minds – our mental and spiritual "diet" –determines our mental and spiritual health.

I can relate to this concept because I'm very careful about what I eat and what I put into my body. Though I indulge in a piece of cheesecake once in a while, my main diet consists of healthy, organic, home-cooked food. Because I've been eating this way for so many years, I don't even like "junk" food anymore.

Comparing my spiritual "diet" to these same standards is really helpful for me.

Is what I'm allowing into my mind "organic," as in God-created and approved, or is it man-made and corrupted?

Am I feeding myself from God's Word or just taking in spiritual "fast food" that other people have prepared?

Do I still enjoy mental or spiritual "junk" – things I know aren't spiritually healthy for me?

Good questions.

Recently I watched a program where an evangelist interviewed people on the street. Only two of the people stated that they were atheists. The rest claimed to be Christians. When he asked if they ever watched R-rated movies, without exception they all said yes.

I know some of the people only claimed to be Christians while others probably were genuine in their faith. Yet I was shocked and saddened that there was no apparent difference in their behavior. They all watched R-rated movies, all admitted to lying at times, along with other sinful habits the evangelist asked about.

How can this be?

Don't you think we, as Christ’s followers, should act so differently from the world that regardless of their theological understanding they wouldn't dare claim to be a Christian because they know it means a radically different lifestyle?

Paul wrote to the Roman Christians centuries ago not to be conformed to this world. He explained that the way not to be conformed is to renew our minds.

Our actions and behaviors are a result of the way we think. And the way we think is determined by what we take into our minds and hearts. We cannot feed on a diet of spiritual "junk" food and expect to have a healthy spiritual life.

If we eat the world's “food,” we will live like the world. And the more we consume a worldly “diet” the less appetite we’ll have for what is good and true. But the more we feed on God’s Word, the hungrier we’ll become for things that are pure and eternal. And when we eat a spiritually "organic" diet, consuming God's truth, we will live differently as the Holy Spirit works transformation in us.

Thankfully, our outward behavior doesn't affect our standing with God. We are declared righteous in Christ by God's lavish grace (Rom. 5:1-2). But our outward behavior does reveal our inner thoughts. That is what we are called to renew.

I know it isn't easy. We're bombarded by worldly messages and values 24/7. Renewing our minds requires evaluating what specific media we need to eliminate. It requires purposing to fill our minds with things that are noble and lovely (Phil. 4:8). And it requires assessing healthy limits of what we take in, because even with a good mental diet, sometimes just the sheer volume of information and images can overwhelm our spirits.

That's why sometimes I take a week and practice a spiritual fast/feast. I fast from TV and movies, and I spend extra time reading God's Word, listening to sermons online and just being quiet. When I do this, cutting out the noise from the world and soaking myself in God's truth, the results are amazing. I can think more clearly, hear God's voice more distinctly, and I have a greater peace and joy in my spirit.

I want to live like this every week, but the pressures of life often crowd in. Still, those seasons of fasting/feasting are always precious and help refocus me and prepare me for what's next.

I really do want to live differently than non-Christians do. I want to think differently. I want to be continually transformed and filled with more of Jesus' beautiful life. Maybe then those who only think they are Christians will see Jesus living in me and come to truly know Him – as the wonderful Savior, Healer and transforming God that He is.

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers, but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever he does prospers.

-Psalm 1:1-3

www.newlineministries.com 

Cold-Water Sacrifice

By: Adam McClendon

www.newlineministries.com 

Well, it finally happened.  I got called out by Reuben Nessmith on the cold-water challenge.  If you are not familiar with the cold-water challenge, it works like this.  Someone “calls you out” on social media.  They immerse themselves in cold water and then challenge you to do the same within 24 hours and donate $10 to the charity of your choice.  If you don’t do it within 24 hours, you are supposed to donate $100 to the charity of the person who called you out.  Okay, that’s basically it.

Again, I got challenged by this “so-called” friend.  One problem, I’m not on Facebook a lot, so I only have a few hours to do this thing.  This morning, my wife and I got up, got the kids off to school, and I was talking about all the stuff I had to do when I made the mistake of opening Facebook.  There it was: the challenge.

I reluctantly relented and decided that I would alter my plans for the day.  I quickly grabbed my swimming trunks, a change of clothes, my wallet, my phone, and my keys and headed for the church where I work.  My wife came up with a brilliant idea, “Do the cold-water challenge in the baptistry.”

Pulling up into the church parking lot, I realize that in my rush to leave to complete this challenge, I left my bag at home with my laptop and all the stuff I needed to get done today.  Arrrgggh.  Okay, no problem, I’ll figure that out.  Then, after recruiting a video volunteer, I went up to the baptistry and did it!  Yes.  Immediately, I reached for my towel to realize I left that in my office.  I’m soaked right now.  No, I’m like a personalized raincloud.  I didn’t even know clothing could hold that much water.  Again, no problem; although, it’s apparent this deal is going downhill, and it all started with that little challenge.

Problem solved, and I go over to shower and change for the day.  I’m only about 45 minutes behind schedule on an already too-busy day.  We can do this.  Oh no!  Noooo!  No! No!  Panic sets in.  Did I pack…?  Did I?  Oh, no way!  I left out one critical piece of clothing at home (I’ll let you imagine what that might be).  And, now, I’ve officially begun, in my mind, my bad day, and it all began with that cold-water challenge.

Well, obviously, life went on and my day worked out.  As I reflected on these little sequences of events, a thought occurred to me.  A sacrifice should require some sacrifice right?  The point of the cold-water challenge is to do something that is a little inconvenient to highlight charities that fight for people who deal with major inconveniences every day.  Whoopty doo, my day didn’t go according to plan.  I experienced some setbacks, so what.  

This experience revealed some things about me and my world of which I’m not proud.

First, I’m too busy with my plans and see shifts in agenda as interrupts versus God’s divine little opportunities in life.

Second, I’m blessed.  If these events are what constitutes a frustrating day, then I have an incredibly blessed life.

Third, I’m too focused on myself.  It was all about me.  It was all about my day, my schedule, my frustration, etc.  That leads to the third thing.

Fourth, I’m far too easily frustrated.  Get over it man!

Fifth, I’m not compassionate enough.  These charities are a reminder that I’m an over-privileged self-absorbed punk, and that there are people in the world with real needs and hurts that I need to think about, pray for, and give to more often.

Looking back, I don’t think I would want my day to have gone any other way.  Thanks God for the not so subtle reminder of the world in which I live and how far I have to go to understand your purpose for my life.

www.newlineministries.com

The Lord is My Shepherd

By: Adam McClendon

www.newlineministries.com

So often, when I think of the 23^rd Psalm, I think of funerals.  This reaction seems due in part to that vivid statement at the beginning of verse 4, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil….”

However, Psalm 23 is not just an epitaph.  It is a Psalm for the living.  This Psalm is describing the Shepherd’s loving care for his living sheep while providing a confident hope for a future glory.

David begins his Psalm with a simple confession, “The Lord is my shepherd….”  So much truth and comfort can be found in that simple statement; however, one question particularly stands out to me at this stage in my spiritual walk: Do I yield to the shepherding hand of God in every area of my life?

Do I acknowledge God as the Shepherding Lord that he is even when I’m at work?  When I’m at home?  What about late at night when everyone is asleep?  What about business trips?  After all, what happens at Vegas…well, God still sees.

The Good Shepherd has a purpose in leading his sheep down the right path for his name’s sake.  Am I faithfully following for the glory of his name?

Do I seek to be sensitive to his shepherding-touch even in the midst of the mundane moments of life?  For example, what about when I’m in the grocery store?  Am I seeking his guidance, looking to his leadership in how I use the money he has given me, how I control my eyes, my tongue, and my actions while I’m there as a testimony for his name’s sake?  When I’m mowing the lawn, am I sensitive to the Shepherd’s guidance?  Am I open to his prompting to mow the neighbor’s yard, pray for my children, or quit mowing and go inside and spend time with my spouse?  When at work, am I open to him guiding me through his agenda for my day versus what my Outlook calendar says?

These are important questions that are prompted when I seek to live under the Shepherding hand of God. 

May God help me to see and submit to his leadership, glorifying him in all that I do.  For, the Lord is my Shepherd.