Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
It's OK to be afraid - it's very human. But it’s not how God wants us to live. He wants us to live worry free because we are trusting in Him for all things.
Some people say they want "proof" that God is there, watching over them - that's OK too. You can have proof. The proof you need, that God is willing to give to you, comes in the form of having a relationship with Him that "feels" more real to you than the person sitting across the table from you. You can see Him at work in your life, and the lives of others, on a daily basis.
How can you have that kind of a real, tangible relationship with God? For me it required Him taking away everything else in life that I had grown to put my trust in. I had nothing left, no other choice, but to trust in Him to get me through. And He did - multiple times over several months. My devotional times became daily messages from God that spoke to my soul for what I needed that day. I could feel Him at work in me. It all started about 2.5 years ago when He led me through a trial I did know how I could get through on my own.
I don't honestly know if a closeness to God can come without pain and suffering. Scriptures say that through our pain and sufferings we are made like Christ. I would like to believe that we can have a super-close, incredibly real, without-a-doubt relationship with Jesus without going through a huge trial. I think it is possible. But it starts with believing in Him and not in yourself, and culminates in a willingness to go anywhere and do anything He asks of you. If you're ready for that, then fasten your seatbelt because life will become a wild and wonderful ride with a sovereign God in the seat next to you every single day!
Please comment below or email me at curtis.songer@gmail.com
Monday, March 22, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Be Strong and Courageous
"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:6-9
Do you ever worry about the future – what to do, where to go, or how you will get through a tough time? If you are anything like me, the daily grind of this world can take a heavy toll on your faith if you’re not careful. Even though both Philippians 4:6-7 and Matthew 6:25-34 tell us to worry about nothing and that God will take care of all our needs, the negativity of this world tempts us to get down and fret about how we are going to make it - and if anyone even cares if we do make it.
In the Scriptures above we see that Joshua faced the same temptation. He was leading a nation of people who lacked faith – they were often cowards, grumblers, and all too frequently naysayers. Joshua’s job was to lead these people to conquer a land filled with many nation occupying fortified cities. The odds were strongly against him. And failure meant the death of millions.
So God commands Joshua to “be strong and courageous”, obey the law, and to focus on the end goal – to “not turn from it to the right or to the left.” He tells Joshua to not let the law depart from his mouth, but rather to meditate upon it day and night. The command to "meditate" upon it (v. 8) means to make it the basis for daily and lifelong plans.
As with most all commands in the Bible, they come with a promise: Joshua will be prosperous and successful. And God tells him why he will be prosperous and successful: because God will be with him wherever he goes.
What a great source of encouragement for us today: Be strong and courageous, obey God, meditate upon the Scriptures, focus on the end goal – do not veer off from what God has called you to do no matter how impossible it seems. If we do these things, then we too (like Joshua), will be prosperous and successful because God will be with us wherever we go.
Please comment below or email me at curtis.songer@gmail.com
Joshua 1:6-9
Do you ever worry about the future – what to do, where to go, or how you will get through a tough time? If you are anything like me, the daily grind of this world can take a heavy toll on your faith if you’re not careful. Even though both Philippians 4:6-7 and Matthew 6:25-34 tell us to worry about nothing and that God will take care of all our needs, the negativity of this world tempts us to get down and fret about how we are going to make it - and if anyone even cares if we do make it.
In the Scriptures above we see that Joshua faced the same temptation. He was leading a nation of people who lacked faith – they were often cowards, grumblers, and all too frequently naysayers. Joshua’s job was to lead these people to conquer a land filled with many nation occupying fortified cities. The odds were strongly against him. And failure meant the death of millions.
So God commands Joshua to “be strong and courageous”, obey the law, and to focus on the end goal – to “not turn from it to the right or to the left.” He tells Joshua to not let the law depart from his mouth, but rather to meditate upon it day and night. The command to "meditate" upon it (v. 8) means to make it the basis for daily and lifelong plans.
As with most all commands in the Bible, they come with a promise: Joshua will be prosperous and successful. And God tells him why he will be prosperous and successful: because God will be with him wherever he goes.
What a great source of encouragement for us today: Be strong and courageous, obey God, meditate upon the Scriptures, focus on the end goal – do not veer off from what God has called you to do no matter how impossible it seems. If we do these things, then we too (like Joshua), will be prosperous and successful because God will be with us wherever we go.
Please comment below or email me at curtis.songer@gmail.com
Thursday, March 18, 2010
What Can God do for Me Today?
Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven." At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, "This fellow is blaspheming!" Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. . . ." Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home." And the man got up and went home.
Matthew 9:2-7
Question: What Can God do for me today?
Answer: Anything
Question: What is easier for God to do? Heal your cancer or restore your best friend’s broken marriage? Find you a new job or help your child who struggles with Math at school? Help your neighbor’s teenager get through an unwanted pregnancy or your co-worker’s spouse deal with their alcoholism?
Answer: None of the above!
In the Scriptures above we see Jesus healing a man’s sins. The religious leaders of the time protested, say Jesus was claiming to be God and that He really could not forgive someone’s sins. The implication here is that Jesus really had not forgiven the man’s sins, since He could not prove it. So to prove He had power, Jesus also healed the man of His paralysis. In the eyes of those present, that would be “harder” to do because you could see the results (or not).
So which really was harder for Jesus to do – heal the man’s body, or heal His soul? We want to say the latter, because you would HAVE to be God to accomplish that. But the fact of the matter is, neither was harder, neither was “hard” at all – because He IS God. He can do anything. With a spoken word, he can take care of your physical, emotional, or spiritual needs. No need is so small, or problem so big, that He cannot accomplish it for you. He is God and He loves you. He has a provision for your every need.
Please comment below, or email me at curtis.songer@gmail.com
Matthew 9:2-7
Question: What Can God do for me today?
Answer: Anything
Question: What is easier for God to do? Heal your cancer or restore your best friend’s broken marriage? Find you a new job or help your child who struggles with Math at school? Help your neighbor’s teenager get through an unwanted pregnancy or your co-worker’s spouse deal with their alcoholism?
Answer: None of the above!
In the Scriptures above we see Jesus healing a man’s sins. The religious leaders of the time protested, say Jesus was claiming to be God and that He really could not forgive someone’s sins. The implication here is that Jesus really had not forgiven the man’s sins, since He could not prove it. So to prove He had power, Jesus also healed the man of His paralysis. In the eyes of those present, that would be “harder” to do because you could see the results (or not).
So which really was harder for Jesus to do – heal the man’s body, or heal His soul? We want to say the latter, because you would HAVE to be God to accomplish that. But the fact of the matter is, neither was harder, neither was “hard” at all – because He IS God. He can do anything. With a spoken word, he can take care of your physical, emotional, or spiritual needs. No need is so small, or problem so big, that He cannot accomplish it for you. He is God and He loves you. He has a provision for your every need.
Please comment below, or email me at curtis.songer@gmail.com
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Why Pray?
Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles.
Luke 6:12-13
There are so many reasons why it is a good idea to pray. It gives us peace, we are commanded to, we communicate with God through pray, we discover His will. The list is long.
Even Jesus took time to pray. We see it frequently in His life usually when He was undergoing a difficulty or trial, or when He was about to tap into God’s awesome and miraculous power, or when (as in the above verse) He needed wisdom – to know God’s will.
If Jesus, the Son of God, would spend an entire night in prayer – seeking to know God’s will and to have the wisdom that only God can provide, then how much more should we spend time in prayer? This is especially true when we need the peace that only He can provide, we need His wisdom about a decision we are facing, or we’re seeking to know His will so we can obediently follow.
Just as it was for Jesus, prayer is the key to unlocking God’s power. Spend time in prayer. There is no need so small, or problem so big, that He does not want you to bring it to Him in prayer.
Please comment below or email me at csonger@new-communitychurch.org
Luke 6:12-13
There are so many reasons why it is a good idea to pray. It gives us peace, we are commanded to, we communicate with God through pray, we discover His will. The list is long.
Even Jesus took time to pray. We see it frequently in His life usually when He was undergoing a difficulty or trial, or when He was about to tap into God’s awesome and miraculous power, or when (as in the above verse) He needed wisdom – to know God’s will.
If Jesus, the Son of God, would spend an entire night in prayer – seeking to know God’s will and to have the wisdom that only God can provide, then how much more should we spend time in prayer? This is especially true when we need the peace that only He can provide, we need His wisdom about a decision we are facing, or we’re seeking to know His will so we can obediently follow.
Just as it was for Jesus, prayer is the key to unlocking God’s power. Spend time in prayer. There is no need so small, or problem so big, that He does not want you to bring it to Him in prayer.
Please comment below or email me at csonger@new-communitychurch.org
Thursday, March 11, 2010
How Does Your Church Measure Up?
They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Acts 2:42
I hope you're already part of a church family -- not as a spectator but as a committed, involved participant in a community of followers of Jesus Christ. But if you're not, here are five things you should look for as you consider establishing yourself in a church. If you're already an active member and any of these things are lacking in your congregation, consider what you can do and how you can be praying for these characteristics to blossom there:
1. Is it anchored in the Scriptures? Is the Bible clearly taught as the authoritative Word of God? Is the gospel of Jesus Christ the anchor, motivating you to live and proclaim the transforming grace of God in every area of your life?
2. Does it have a sense of community? Is there a connectedness between people when the service is over on Sunday morning? Does there seem to be authenticity and honesty in the relationships?
3. Is it characterized by worship? Today's culture is incredibly self-centered. You need an interruption in your week to jerk you out of that stream and say, "There's something much bigger than me going on here. Life is not about me; it's about who God is and what He's doing."
4. Is there opportunity for involvement? Is this a church where you're encouraged to minister to others? One of the greatest joys of life is to be used by the Lord God Almighty in another human being's life.
5. Does it build men? I'm not minimizing ministry to women and children, but a lot of the struggles in our families and culture could become points of victory if men were equipped with a vision for manhood and were living it out.
Feel free to comment below or email me at csonger@new-communitychurch.org
Acts 2:42
I hope you're already part of a church family -- not as a spectator but as a committed, involved participant in a community of followers of Jesus Christ. But if you're not, here are five things you should look for as you consider establishing yourself in a church. If you're already an active member and any of these things are lacking in your congregation, consider what you can do and how you can be praying for these characteristics to blossom there:
1. Is it anchored in the Scriptures? Is the Bible clearly taught as the authoritative Word of God? Is the gospel of Jesus Christ the anchor, motivating you to live and proclaim the transforming grace of God in every area of your life?
2. Does it have a sense of community? Is there a connectedness between people when the service is over on Sunday morning? Does there seem to be authenticity and honesty in the relationships?
3. Is it characterized by worship? Today's culture is incredibly self-centered. You need an interruption in your week to jerk you out of that stream and say, "There's something much bigger than me going on here. Life is not about me; it's about who God is and what He's doing."
4. Is there opportunity for involvement? Is this a church where you're encouraged to minister to others? One of the greatest joys of life is to be used by the Lord God Almighty in another human being's life.
5. Does it build men? I'm not minimizing ministry to women and children, but a lot of the struggles in our families and culture could become points of victory if men were equipped with a vision for manhood and were living it out.
Feel free to comment below or email me at csonger@new-communitychurch.org
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Profiting from Trials & Problems
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4
I was recently reading the above passage and it struck me how we grow to be most godly when we are enduring difficult times. There are many great lessons for me here personally, as well as professionally. We must all maintain a proper perspective when handling problems and going through difficult times.
For example, we can only find joy in the midst of problems when we recognize their purpose and results. The key here is perspective – maintaining a godly perspective. We actually grow stronger though our difficulties. Indeed, 1 Peter 4 tells how we are truly blessed when we share in the sufferings of Christ. And 1 Peter 2:21-23 tells us how to endure hard times using Christ is our perfect example.
Second, God gives us trials in such a way that we lack nothing in the end. James says, if we lack wisdom, we should ask God for it. We are to seek His will and his wisdom through whatever channels he provides (the Scriptures, godly counselors, our personal conversations with him, circumstances He arranges, etc.). It is no sign of weakness to pray for wisdom when facing problems.
Third, if we do ask God for wisdom, we must ask in faith, expecting His answer. Once we gain perspective and trust God for wisdom, the only thing left to do is optimistically to anticipate the solution.
Finally, look for the answer – and when you see it – act on it! A motionless object cannot be course corrected. Step out in faith and God will let you know if you are headed in the right direction.
Trials and problems have a purpose – to grow us to be more like Him!
Feel free to post your comments here or email me at csonger@new-communitychurch.org
James 1:2-4
I was recently reading the above passage and it struck me how we grow to be most godly when we are enduring difficult times. There are many great lessons for me here personally, as well as professionally. We must all maintain a proper perspective when handling problems and going through difficult times.
For example, we can only find joy in the midst of problems when we recognize their purpose and results. The key here is perspective – maintaining a godly perspective. We actually grow stronger though our difficulties. Indeed, 1 Peter 4 tells how we are truly blessed when we share in the sufferings of Christ. And 1 Peter 2:21-23 tells us how to endure hard times using Christ is our perfect example.
Second, God gives us trials in such a way that we lack nothing in the end. James says, if we lack wisdom, we should ask God for it. We are to seek His will and his wisdom through whatever channels he provides (the Scriptures, godly counselors, our personal conversations with him, circumstances He arranges, etc.). It is no sign of weakness to pray for wisdom when facing problems.
Third, if we do ask God for wisdom, we must ask in faith, expecting His answer. Once we gain perspective and trust God for wisdom, the only thing left to do is optimistically to anticipate the solution.
Finally, look for the answer – and when you see it – act on it! A motionless object cannot be course corrected. Step out in faith and God will let you know if you are headed in the right direction.
Trials and problems have a purpose – to grow us to be more like Him!
Feel free to post your comments here or email me at csonger@new-communitychurch.org
Monday, March 8, 2010
What Really Matters
About 2 months ago Martha went down into our basement to work out early one morning. Much to her dismay as she stepped onto the carpet, she also stepped into about 3 inches of cold water. She came running into the bedroom to wake me and the kids up to start removing all of our worldly possessions from the water drenched basement. It appears the home we are leasing has an elaborate French drain system that does an excellent job of channeling standing water around the outside of the house into a sump pump in the basement. Unfortunately, when the pump fails, there is a whole lot of water coming in without any place to go!
As we removed our worldly goods from the basement I was thankful that the really important things (like photographs) seemed to largely escape damage. Some school books, etc., were not so fortunate. The take-away is this for us. What is really important? We love our own home and our things. But, really, it is all so perishable. I saw a couple of pieces of furniture and thought, "look how these have aged!" All our wonderful furniture will soon age, get scratched and go out of date. So few things last 20 years, let alone 40 or 50 years.
We want our focus to be on more lasting things ... like people who last for eternity. We were all created to live with God for eternity. Have you thought about Paul's words in Corinthians, that even "faith and hope" will become dated and go into the basement? Only love will remain. Martha and I can "love" our furniture, but it will never return our love. Only people will remain for eternity and return the love given to them.
What are you investing in, good furniture or good people?
Feel free to comment here or send me an email at csonger@new-communitychurch.org
As we removed our worldly goods from the basement I was thankful that the really important things (like photographs) seemed to largely escape damage. Some school books, etc., were not so fortunate. The take-away is this for us. What is really important? We love our own home and our things. But, really, it is all so perishable. I saw a couple of pieces of furniture and thought, "look how these have aged!" All our wonderful furniture will soon age, get scratched and go out of date. So few things last 20 years, let alone 40 or 50 years.
We want our focus to be on more lasting things ... like people who last for eternity. We were all created to live with God for eternity. Have you thought about Paul's words in Corinthians, that even "faith and hope" will become dated and go into the basement? Only love will remain. Martha and I can "love" our furniture, but it will never return our love. Only people will remain for eternity and return the love given to them.
What are you investing in, good furniture or good people?
Feel free to comment here or send me an email at csonger@new-communitychurch.org
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Work as Praise
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10.31
“The (Irish) penitentials did not restrict their understanding of man's relationship with God to the moments of formal prayer and liturgy; instead, all daily work and activity was looked upon as a continuous act of praise and worship to God.”
- Hugh Connolly, The Irish Penitentials
This is true Christian faith, faith that embraces every aspect of life and leads us to praise God for His steadfast love and faithfulness and to serve Him with whatever He brings into our hands at any moment. This is an all-pervading faith; not the sacred/secular split so common among many Christians today, keeping faith in its place and the world in its.
Not only our work but our avocations, diversions, relationships, conversations, habits of reading and study, and everything else can serve as praise and service to the living God. To know the faith of Christ in this way is to practice not only His presence, but His pre-eminence as well.
Please comment below or email me directly at csonger@new-communitychurch.org
1 Corinthians 10.31
“The (Irish) penitentials did not restrict their understanding of man's relationship with God to the moments of formal prayer and liturgy; instead, all daily work and activity was looked upon as a continuous act of praise and worship to God.”
- Hugh Connolly, The Irish Penitentials
This is true Christian faith, faith that embraces every aspect of life and leads us to praise God for His steadfast love and faithfulness and to serve Him with whatever He brings into our hands at any moment. This is an all-pervading faith; not the sacred/secular split so common among many Christians today, keeping faith in its place and the world in its.
Not only our work but our avocations, diversions, relationships, conversations, habits of reading and study, and everything else can serve as praise and service to the living God. To know the faith of Christ in this way is to practice not only His presence, but His pre-eminence as well.
Please comment below or email me directly at csonger@new-communitychurch.org
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Quiet Moments – Part 2
But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness to pray.
Luke 5:16
In the movie Castaway, Tom Hanks says "We live and we die by time. And we must not commit the sin of losing our track on time." He adds about late Fedex packages, "First thing it's two minutes, then four, then six, then the next thing you know, we're the U.S. mail."
I am having to redo how I do my life. Life is more complicated than ever: strategic planning and budgeting for work, planning for Christmas, husband, father of 6, caring for an aging parent, etc…
In Africa they have a saying, "In America, everyone has watches and no one has any time. In Africa, few have watches and everyone has time for you."
Like Luther, I am rethinking how I plan my day. I've got to get the spiritual disciplines and exercise in first. I have to continue to let go of the small things and focus on the most important.
Are you too busy? If God wanted to get a hold of you, how would he do it?
Please comment below or email me directly at csonger@new-communitychurch.org
Luke 5:16
In the movie Castaway, Tom Hanks says "We live and we die by time. And we must not commit the sin of losing our track on time." He adds about late Fedex packages, "First thing it's two minutes, then four, then six, then the next thing you know, we're the U.S. mail."
I am having to redo how I do my life. Life is more complicated than ever: strategic planning and budgeting for work, planning for Christmas, husband, father of 6, caring for an aging parent, etc…
In Africa they have a saying, "In America, everyone has watches and no one has any time. In Africa, few have watches and everyone has time for you."
Like Luther, I am rethinking how I plan my day. I've got to get the spiritual disciplines and exercise in first. I have to continue to let go of the small things and focus on the most important.
Are you too busy? If God wanted to get a hold of you, how would he do it?
Please comment below or email me directly at csonger@new-communitychurch.org
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Quiet Moments
But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness to pray.
Luke 5:16
Did you know there are cultures in the world that don't have a word for "minute" or "hour"? They simply have no need or desire to measure time in such short increments. Nor do they attempt to maximize every second of every day. Filling their lives to the brink would be unthinkable. Sound too third-worldish to you? Isn't it easy to see how such words are not necessary in places where people grow their own food and rarely venture beyond their own village?
I'm not suggesting that we all move into the woods and live off the land. But I am encouraging you to consider the benefits of pulling the throttle back just a notch and embracing a more contemplative lifestyle. When you allow yourself time for creative solitude, you can see God at work and begin to rediscover life in all its richness. When you give yourself the necessary time and space to seek clarity, gain perspective and ponder decisions, you find more to savor, enjoy and appreciate.
As I reflect on these two different approaches to life--the rushed and the restful--I force myself to ask, How did Jesus live? Was He frantic or steady? Was He checking the sundial every few minutes, wishing He could cut some time off His commute to the next city? Or was He able to stop and tend to the needs around Him?
Jesus had more pressure on Him than any of us can fathom. His own disciples were always peppering Him with questions. The Pharisees wanted Him dead. The crowds wanted Him king. Many pressed against Him, wanting to be healed. Yet He got alone to pray. To think. To be strengthened. He sought His Father and enjoyed Him in the quiet moments of life.
I don’t know about you, but this is an area I need to work on. Perhaps you think (as I often do) that you just don’t have time? Well, let’s remember who gives us every minute of every day. Don’t you think it is enough time for you to spend a part of it with Him? Bottom Line… it is a matter of trust. As it says in Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
Please comment below or email me directly at csonger@new-communitychurch.org
Luke 5:16
Did you know there are cultures in the world that don't have a word for "minute" or "hour"? They simply have no need or desire to measure time in such short increments. Nor do they attempt to maximize every second of every day. Filling their lives to the brink would be unthinkable. Sound too third-worldish to you? Isn't it easy to see how such words are not necessary in places where people grow their own food and rarely venture beyond their own village?
I'm not suggesting that we all move into the woods and live off the land. But I am encouraging you to consider the benefits of pulling the throttle back just a notch and embracing a more contemplative lifestyle. When you allow yourself time for creative solitude, you can see God at work and begin to rediscover life in all its richness. When you give yourself the necessary time and space to seek clarity, gain perspective and ponder decisions, you find more to savor, enjoy and appreciate.
As I reflect on these two different approaches to life--the rushed and the restful--I force myself to ask, How did Jesus live? Was He frantic or steady? Was He checking the sundial every few minutes, wishing He could cut some time off His commute to the next city? Or was He able to stop and tend to the needs around Him?
Jesus had more pressure on Him than any of us can fathom. His own disciples were always peppering Him with questions. The Pharisees wanted Him dead. The crowds wanted Him king. Many pressed against Him, wanting to be healed. Yet He got alone to pray. To think. To be strengthened. He sought His Father and enjoyed Him in the quiet moments of life.
I don’t know about you, but this is an area I need to work on. Perhaps you think (as I often do) that you just don’t have time? Well, let’s remember who gives us every minute of every day. Don’t you think it is enough time for you to spend a part of it with Him? Bottom Line… it is a matter of trust. As it says in Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
Please comment below or email me directly at csonger@new-communitychurch.org
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