Where Are You at 9:05 and 10:30? OR FILL IN YOUR WORSHIP AND SUNDAY SCHOOL TIMES
I was reminded again this week how important Sundays are in the life of believers. Sundays are times when we come together to worship and study God’s word. The other day I heard a story of a couple that just didn’t feel connected at FBC. I began to examine why this might have occurred. Were they in corporate worship? (Occasionally but not regularly) Were they in a Sunday school class? (No) Were they serving? (No) It is no wonder why they felt disconnected. We are created for worship. We are created for fellowship. We are created to serve. Therefore, when these areas of our life are not being filled, we feel empty. We need worship, fellowship, and service in order for our needs to be met and for God’s plan to be fulfilled in our lives.
It was many years ago that I realized I had a big gap in my church life. I was feeling disconnected myself. I was serving in a church where every moment of my Sunday, I was focused on worship. Now I am not saying that this is all bad, but without the full package, I was empty. I needed fellowship, even though it may have been limited. Once I realized this, I made a purpose of going to Sunday school every Sunday that I could. When we moved here to First Baptist Canton, I made every effort to find a Sunday school class where Malia and I could just be ourselves and fellowship and learn. I attend worship at the 9:05 hour, and then after all the music in the 10:30 hour, I go to Sunday school. I may only be able to spend 30 minutes in Sunday school, but I know that this time is what I need to stay connected. We have gotten to know many people outside our music circles and love the fellowship with them.
Where are you at 9:05 and 10:30? Are you connected to one of the worship services and a Sunday school class? If not, why not this Sunday? We need, as Hannah Montana sings, “the best of both worlds.” I pray that you will get connected this week!
Aaron Hodges
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
GOD’S WAYS ARE HIGHER THAN OUR WAYS!
GOD’S WAYS ARE HIGHER THAN OUR WAYS!
Last week, I had the privilege of spending the week with many of our youth. We spent our time ministering in all sorts of ways in Nashville, Tennessee. We touched lives through sports camps, feeding the homeless, preparing food boxes for the hurricane season, and telling countless people about the Lord Jesus Christ. It was a marvelous time just seeing our youth use the gifts and passions God has given them to change lives. On Wednesday of last week, our plans were to serve at Second Harvest Food Bank preparing food boxes during the day and then take the choir into the community to share the worship music we had prepared. That was our plan, but God had a different plan. On Monday, we found out that the concert that evening had been cancelled due to some issues at Second Harvest Food Bank. I was a little disappointed at first, but then I felt the Lord must be redirecting us to another opportunity. I was right, but, God still was not through redirecting me. We decided then to go to Centennial Park, sit among the people and simply sing. We thought it best to just use acoustic guitars and a few small drums. Again, this was our plan and not God’s ultimate plan for us. As we sat there worshiping, we were confronted by three of Nashville’s finest police officers. Satan must have been getting nervous. They told us that we had to stop singing and leave the area. Not wanting to go to jail, we agreed. I, again, was very disappointed that the plan I had was not working really well. I could have stopped there and been defeated, but God had yet another idea. We, as a team, decided that we would just send the kids out in small groups with Bibles so that they could tell people about Jesus. I truly think that this was God’s ultimate plan. He cancelled the concert so that we would go to the park; then he allowed the police to make us stop singing, just so that we would get out of our comfort zone and tell people face to face about Jesus. Because we were obedient, lives were changed and many seeds were planted. What an awesome God we serve!
If we just take the time to listen, He will guide us every step of the way. Things in life may not go the way we want them to, but God never promised us a rose garden in our walk with Him. God will allow road blocks to dart our path. God will allow Satan to use people to try to discourage us. But if we keep focused on what God has called us to do, we will always be guided by Him.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
Isaiah 43:2
Following His nail-scarred hands,
Aaron Hodges
Last week, I had the privilege of spending the week with many of our youth. We spent our time ministering in all sorts of ways in Nashville, Tennessee. We touched lives through sports camps, feeding the homeless, preparing food boxes for the hurricane season, and telling countless people about the Lord Jesus Christ. It was a marvelous time just seeing our youth use the gifts and passions God has given them to change lives. On Wednesday of last week, our plans were to serve at Second Harvest Food Bank preparing food boxes during the day and then take the choir into the community to share the worship music we had prepared. That was our plan, but God had a different plan. On Monday, we found out that the concert that evening had been cancelled due to some issues at Second Harvest Food Bank. I was a little disappointed at first, but then I felt the Lord must be redirecting us to another opportunity. I was right, but, God still was not through redirecting me. We decided then to go to Centennial Park, sit among the people and simply sing. We thought it best to just use acoustic guitars and a few small drums. Again, this was our plan and not God’s ultimate plan for us. As we sat there worshiping, we were confronted by three of Nashville’s finest police officers. Satan must have been getting nervous. They told us that we had to stop singing and leave the area. Not wanting to go to jail, we agreed. I, again, was very disappointed that the plan I had was not working really well. I could have stopped there and been defeated, but God had yet another idea. We, as a team, decided that we would just send the kids out in small groups with Bibles so that they could tell people about Jesus. I truly think that this was God’s ultimate plan. He cancelled the concert so that we would go to the park; then he allowed the police to make us stop singing, just so that we would get out of our comfort zone and tell people face to face about Jesus. Because we were obedient, lives were changed and many seeds were planted. What an awesome God we serve!
If we just take the time to listen, He will guide us every step of the way. Things in life may not go the way we want them to, but God never promised us a rose garden in our walk with Him. God will allow road blocks to dart our path. God will allow Satan to use people to try to discourage us. But if we keep focused on what God has called us to do, we will always be guided by Him.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
Isaiah 43:2
Following His nail-scarred hands,
Aaron Hodges
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)