A Word for Today and Everyday
As I was at home yesterday morning not feeling too swell, I laid down on the couch and turned on the news. The headlines of the day can be very discouraging from the current job market to labor unrest; from earthquakes, wars and rumors of war to political turmoil and violence; from the housing crisis to disease, and so much more. The outlook on this world we live in is very bleak. I was tempted to question where God is in all of this. I was tempted to even question if God was even concerned. But as I continued to watch the news and then recall the Word of God, I began to understand that we have been here countless times before. Just look at the people of God throughout the Old Testament. Time after time, they pulled away from God and then He allowed something catastrophic to occur to turn their attention back to Him. For instance, don’t you think 40 years of wandering in the wilderness would get your attention? So why am I surprised when I turn on the news? Isn’t this what I should expect from a world that has turned its back on God? So where is the hope that we need? Where is the promise that everything will all work out in the end? Is anybody else asking? The Word of God has the answers to all of these questions and all of our problems.
“For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. THEN you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I WILL LISTEN TO YOU. You will seek me and find me when you seek me
with all your heart. I will be found by you!”
Jeremiah 29:11
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, whoa are called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified, those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Romans 8:28-32
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39
“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha, and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
Revelation 22:12-13
Amen, Come, Lord Jesus.
Aaron Hodges
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
You are the light of the world!
First of all, let me start out by saying the worship Ministry of FBC Canton ROCKS! Over the past months we have seen God’s hand all over the place. Sunday worship services have been outstanding opportunities to worship corporately and Wednesday evening rehearsals have been incredible. Last Wednesday in choir rehearsal, we experienced a true God encounter. It is always awesome when that occurs. In our time last week, I told the choir why I am so expressive in my worship. I can’t help but be expressive with my worship to Eternal God! Jesus put it this way:
You are the light of the world.
A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.
Instead they put it on its stand,
and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before men,
that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5: 14-16
It was the experience of the death of my daughter that changed my way of worship. Well, let me go back to the beginning. In my leadership, I have always tried to encourage expressive worship, but I was always very intimidated to outwardly express it. I grew up in a time where you went to church, sat still and quiet, sang the hymns, heard a sermon and went along with life. I am not saying that this was bad. On the contrary, I loved corporate worship during that time in my life. It was just very reserved. Since I grew up in that kind of environment of worship, I naturally felt comfortable leading worship that way. But when I came in contact with my Jesus in a way that made Him the only way to get out of the hole that I was in, I had to change. I could no longer sit back and hold in my expression of worship; instead, I had to let my light shine -- not so that people would see Aaron Hodges, but so that they could see how amazing God is! As a testimony of God’s faithfulness, I had to let my worship be seen.
So what does that have to do with you? The same verse that applies to me, applies to everyone. We are not commanded to hide our light under a bushel, NO! We are commanded to let it shine! Have you experienced God in a way that makes it impossible for you to hold your worship inside? I pray that it does not take an experience like I had to open your eyes. Open up and express your love for Jesus so the world can see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven!
With hands lifted to Jesus in surrender,
Aaron Hodges
First of all, let me start out by saying the worship Ministry of FBC Canton ROCKS! Over the past months we have seen God’s hand all over the place. Sunday worship services have been outstanding opportunities to worship corporately and Wednesday evening rehearsals have been incredible. Last Wednesday in choir rehearsal, we experienced a true God encounter. It is always awesome when that occurs. In our time last week, I told the choir why I am so expressive in my worship. I can’t help but be expressive with my worship to Eternal God! Jesus put it this way:
You are the light of the world.
A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.
Instead they put it on its stand,
and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before men,
that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5: 14-16
It was the experience of the death of my daughter that changed my way of worship. Well, let me go back to the beginning. In my leadership, I have always tried to encourage expressive worship, but I was always very intimidated to outwardly express it. I grew up in a time where you went to church, sat still and quiet, sang the hymns, heard a sermon and went along with life. I am not saying that this was bad. On the contrary, I loved corporate worship during that time in my life. It was just very reserved. Since I grew up in that kind of environment of worship, I naturally felt comfortable leading worship that way. But when I came in contact with my Jesus in a way that made Him the only way to get out of the hole that I was in, I had to change. I could no longer sit back and hold in my expression of worship; instead, I had to let my light shine -- not so that people would see Aaron Hodges, but so that they could see how amazing God is! As a testimony of God’s faithfulness, I had to let my worship be seen.
So what does that have to do with you? The same verse that applies to me, applies to everyone. We are not commanded to hide our light under a bushel, NO! We are commanded to let it shine! Have you experienced God in a way that makes it impossible for you to hold your worship inside? I pray that it does not take an experience like I had to open your eyes. Open up and express your love for Jesus so the world can see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven!
With hands lifted to Jesus in surrender,
Aaron Hodges
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
ULTIMATE MAKEOVER
Ultimate Makeover
14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are
convinced that one died for all,
and therefore all died.
15 And he died for all, that those who live
should no longer live for themselves but for him
who died for them and was raised again.
16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view.
Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come;
The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:14-17
About 7 months ago, I was told by my doctor (as I had been many times) that my blood pressure was high, cholesterol was on the rise, weight was on the rise, and my overall health was not great. I decided, with encouragement from my wife, to
finally try and do something about it. I have never consistently exercised in my entire life. I was an active child, but when I became an adult, I decided that I no longer needed to be that active. How very wrong I was. So, we decided to join the YMCA. When I started out, I was very committed to do what the coaches at the “Y” were telling me to do. I dreaded every day I had to go, but eventually, exercise started to grow on me. I now look forward to going for a work out. I will never be a Hulk Hogan, but I will be healthier. I have more energy, I feel better, and now I am trying to get off some of my medications. Then 9 days ago, my wife started me on an Advocare 24 day challenge. I began altering my diet. Yes, I have desired a burger and a Dr. Pepper, but seeing the results of my changes keeps me headed in the right direction.
Have you ever considered a makeover? TV shows have shown us how changes in clothes, hair, makeup and weight loss can radically alter the way a person looks. But these changes are only skin deep. You can change outward appearances, but the real you – the person inside- remains unchanged.
How do we “makeover” the real person inside? Many in our culture try in numerous ways to accomplish this change with drugs, alcohol, and secular counseling with no avail. The only way to change the person inside you is by giving your heart and soul to Jesus. Outwardly, you may not look any different, you may not dance any better, you may not have a better golf swing, and you won’t suddenly start talking intellectually, but you will be a new creation! Your old self is gone, and the new you controlled by the Spirit has come! Instead of looking for the approval of everyone you are surrounded by, you realize that Jesus is the only one you care about pleasing. GREAT NEWS – Jesus isn’t at all interested in how we look; instead, He is more interested in how we act. May people see in our actions, the transformation that Jesus has made inside the real us.
Praising Jesus for spiritual makeover,
Aaron Hodges
14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are
convinced that one died for all,
and therefore all died.
15 And he died for all, that those who live
should no longer live for themselves but for him
who died for them and was raised again.
16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view.
Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come;
The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:14-17
About 7 months ago, I was told by my doctor (as I had been many times) that my blood pressure was high, cholesterol was on the rise, weight was on the rise, and my overall health was not great. I decided, with encouragement from my wife, to
finally try and do something about it. I have never consistently exercised in my entire life. I was an active child, but when I became an adult, I decided that I no longer needed to be that active. How very wrong I was. So, we decided to join the YMCA. When I started out, I was very committed to do what the coaches at the “Y” were telling me to do. I dreaded every day I had to go, but eventually, exercise started to grow on me. I now look forward to going for a work out. I will never be a Hulk Hogan, but I will be healthier. I have more energy, I feel better, and now I am trying to get off some of my medications. Then 9 days ago, my wife started me on an Advocare 24 day challenge. I began altering my diet. Yes, I have desired a burger and a Dr. Pepper, but seeing the results of my changes keeps me headed in the right direction.
Have you ever considered a makeover? TV shows have shown us how changes in clothes, hair, makeup and weight loss can radically alter the way a person looks. But these changes are only skin deep. You can change outward appearances, but the real you – the person inside- remains unchanged.
How do we “makeover” the real person inside? Many in our culture try in numerous ways to accomplish this change with drugs, alcohol, and secular counseling with no avail. The only way to change the person inside you is by giving your heart and soul to Jesus. Outwardly, you may not look any different, you may not dance any better, you may not have a better golf swing, and you won’t suddenly start talking intellectually, but you will be a new creation! Your old self is gone, and the new you controlled by the Spirit has come! Instead of looking for the approval of everyone you are surrounded by, you realize that Jesus is the only one you care about pleasing. GREAT NEWS – Jesus isn’t at all interested in how we look; instead, He is more interested in how we act. May people see in our actions, the transformation that Jesus has made inside the real us.
Praising Jesus for spiritual makeover,
Aaron Hodges
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
A STATEMENT OF FAITH
A Statement of Faith
17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are
no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes
my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me
to tread on the heights.
Habakkuk 3:17-19
What is the most difficult experience you have had to weather in your life? What event most wrenched you emotionally? For some that might be the death of a spouse, a child, or of a parent. For others of you, it might be an act of violence committed against you. Still for others, being ignored, rejected, or put down by someone you love could be hard to overcome. For some, the consequences of a sin you yourself committed might be your most difficult experience to weather. Now think back: What were your thoughts toward God at that difficult time in your life? Did you pray? If so, how? With tears? With anger? With a broken and contrite heart?
Look again at verse 17. Remember, the economy of Judah at this time was based almost exclusively on agriculture and livestock. The first three items, figs, grapes, and olives – were all permanent crops. The next item mentioned are the fields – that is, the annual crops, the staple foods, and the source for most of the calorie supply. So neither the permanent nor the annual crops had yielded anything. The final two items mentioned were flock and cattle – those were, sheep and cows. All their livestock were dead. So do you see what he is saying? “Even though I’ve lost everything; even though all my income disappears...” We might say these things, “when I lose my job and the unemployment insurance runs out..., when I can’t work and am denied my disability claim..., or even when the bills come in but no money comes in to the checking account.” Another way to think of this verse, which perhaps is easier for us to relate to is, “though it looks like all God’s gifts have been taken from me...” And so, how did Habakkuk respond to this situation? And furthermore, how do we respond to our situations?
YET, I WILL REJOICE!
Everything that Habakkuk knew in life was destroyed yet he still chose to rejoice in the Lord. He did not let his circumstances dictate his faith. Instead he let his faith dictate his response to his circumstances. Walking by faith is always more difficult than walking by sight. It wouldn’t be a walk of faith if everything made sense. Living by faith means loving God, instead of loving God’s gifts. Habakkuk sees all God’s gifts disappear. Now, the question is: Will he love God? Think of a parent who lavishes gifts on a child. The child says he loves his parent. But isn’t the child’s reaction to the ceasing of those gifts the real test of his love? How easy it is for us to act that way to God! We love His gifts, delight in His gifts – and then become angry if those gifts disappear. There is a great deal of difference between, “I love what you do for me” and “I love YOU.” Living by faith means loving GOD Himself! We indeed must be thankful for His gifts – but God is our delight, He is our portion, He is our treasure, and nothing we desire compares to HIM.
Rejoicing in all things!
Aaron Hodges
17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are
no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes
my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me
to tread on the heights.
Habakkuk 3:17-19
What is the most difficult experience you have had to weather in your life? What event most wrenched you emotionally? For some that might be the death of a spouse, a child, or of a parent. For others of you, it might be an act of violence committed against you. Still for others, being ignored, rejected, or put down by someone you love could be hard to overcome. For some, the consequences of a sin you yourself committed might be your most difficult experience to weather. Now think back: What were your thoughts toward God at that difficult time in your life? Did you pray? If so, how? With tears? With anger? With a broken and contrite heart?
Look again at verse 17. Remember, the economy of Judah at this time was based almost exclusively on agriculture and livestock. The first three items, figs, grapes, and olives – were all permanent crops. The next item mentioned are the fields – that is, the annual crops, the staple foods, and the source for most of the calorie supply. So neither the permanent nor the annual crops had yielded anything. The final two items mentioned were flock and cattle – those were, sheep and cows. All their livestock were dead. So do you see what he is saying? “Even though I’ve lost everything; even though all my income disappears...” We might say these things, “when I lose my job and the unemployment insurance runs out..., when I can’t work and am denied my disability claim..., or even when the bills come in but no money comes in to the checking account.” Another way to think of this verse, which perhaps is easier for us to relate to is, “though it looks like all God’s gifts have been taken from me...” And so, how did Habakkuk respond to this situation? And furthermore, how do we respond to our situations?
YET, I WILL REJOICE!
Everything that Habakkuk knew in life was destroyed yet he still chose to rejoice in the Lord. He did not let his circumstances dictate his faith. Instead he let his faith dictate his response to his circumstances. Walking by faith is always more difficult than walking by sight. It wouldn’t be a walk of faith if everything made sense. Living by faith means loving God, instead of loving God’s gifts. Habakkuk sees all God’s gifts disappear. Now, the question is: Will he love God? Think of a parent who lavishes gifts on a child. The child says he loves his parent. But isn’t the child’s reaction to the ceasing of those gifts the real test of his love? How easy it is for us to act that way to God! We love His gifts, delight in His gifts – and then become angry if those gifts disappear. There is a great deal of difference between, “I love what you do for me” and “I love YOU.” Living by faith means loving GOD Himself! We indeed must be thankful for His gifts – but God is our delight, He is our portion, He is our treasure, and nothing we desire compares to HIM.
Rejoicing in all things!
Aaron Hodges
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