Sunday is Coming!

Occasionally after a morning service, I will hear someone say, “Hey Mike, great worship this morning!” After thanking them and walking on it hits me: What did they mean? Did they like the music? Did the band sound good today? Were they impressed by the new Christmas clothes? All I know is something affected them. They had a good experience in the service. What is a good experience? Was it God-focused?


One of the statements in our church’s worship philosophy says this: "Our worship will be God-centered; a high priority of the vertical focus of our Sunday morning service; the ultimate aim is to so experience God that He is glorified in our affections.” Some time ago I read through a Christian bookstore flier, I noticed an ad for a new worship album that mentioned the term “experience” six times. We all love “worship experiences” with God. Experiences aren’t evil. But the concept of worship as an “experience” is fairly foreign to Scripture. I say “fairly” because there are times when worshipping God was definitely an experience! (2 Chronicles 5:11-14; Acts 4:31; 1 Corinthians 14:23-25) The goal of gathering as God’s people is not to feel something but to acknowledge and remember something. That “something” is the Word, works, and worthiness of God, especially as He has revealed Himself in Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6) If I pursue goose bumps or heightened emotion during a meeting, God becomes simply one of numerous options I can choose to seek them from. This doesn’t minimize the importance of pursuing encounters with the living God characterized by profound emotion and awareness of the Holy Spirit’s active presence. Scripture is filled with examples of longing for, pursuing, and delighting in God’s presence. (Psalm 84:1-2; 1 Chronicles 16:11; Psalm 16:11) I become aware of God’s nearness by dwelling on His nature, promises, and acts, not by pursuing an emotional fix. This week may our hearts fight for God’s glory, may our minds focus on God’s truth, and may our lives exemplify God’s joy and faithfulness. I am already looking forward with excitement to Sunday as we will focus our worship on God. My prayer is that as we come together to worship on Sunday, you will be able to “magnify the Lord with me and . . . [we will] exalt His name together.” (Psalm 34:3)



Pastor Mike

Fool for Jesus

                                                            http://www.zazzle.com/fool_4_jesus_inspirational_t_shirt

There are two kinds of fools in the Bible. The first fool is found in Proverbs, and is characterized as one who lacks discernment, discipline, and is for the most part unteachable. From God’s perspective this person has no hope and is headed for trouble, difficulties, and eventual judgment. Proverbs admonishes us to do everything we can to avoid being labeled this kind of fool.

But there’s another kind of fool that God esteems. I’m speaking of the person that the world labels a “fool” because of their commitment to the Gospel.

I Corinthians 3:18, says this:

“Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.”

In other words, we have only two options in this life: to be wise by the wisdom of this age, or to become a fool in the eyes of this world by boasting in the cross of Christ. This is the kind of fool that I desire to be and that you should desire to be as well. 

As I consider this in the context of worship on Sundays, gathering with God’s people, being reminded again and again of God’s gracious work in my life, I realize I want to be a greater fool in the eyes of the world.  I am thankful to be a part of Bethany Community Church, a church that values the gospel, that treasures God’s Word, that cherishes Christ’s work of salvation. 

I want to be unconcerned about the applause of the world, and live alone for God’s glory.  And when unbelievers say I’m a fool for basing my entire life on the perfect life, atoning death, and victorious resurrection of Jesus Christ, I want to thank them with all my heart.

May each one of us be more of a fool in the eyes of men, so that we might be wise in the eyes of God, and so that Jesus Christ alone might receive glory through our lives.

Pastor Mike

What a Day That Will Be!

 “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.” I John 3:2-3  (NIV)

It was in early September of last year that my mom was diagnosed with cancer. We were told that it was not curable, but with aggressive treatment, there was a high percentage its harm could be minimized if not put into remission. Less than three months later, a year ago today, I said, “I love you” to my mom for the last time. She passed from this earthly life into eternity and met Jesus face to face. 

Today as I think about my mom, my heart is filled with sadness and joy. It is overwhelmed with sorrow and hope. It is filled with sadness because I think about the things I miss: talking on the phone with her as I drive to Peoria, hearing her laugh at my corny jokes, watching her interact with my kids like no one else, her unconditional love for her family. But my memory of her does not end with what I miss, for that would truly be sad and sorrowful. My heart is filled with joy and hope to know that my mom is with Jesus! She is in His very presence, the One who died to save her soul, the Jesus who lived a perfect life, endured the cross, rose to life victoriously over sin and death. She is with the same Jesus whom she served and testified of faithfully before others and before me.   

The greatest joy I find is that when I see my mom again, we will be in the presence of Jesus and we will worship Him forever! What a day that will be! May we all find joy in knowing that God loves us and provides eternal hope through faith in Jesus Christ. 

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” 

 Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)

“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?  Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” Psalm 42:5 (ESV)

“God Alone” - https://open.spotify.com/track/0nZ7aMvWvBincjpfTDkq56

“He Will Hold Me Fast” - https://open.spotify.com/track/1W0Ku2e3aDPknlQqIFq1O9

~ Pastor Mike