Are you as wise as a 1st grader?

Recently, while I was on my living room couch my 7 year old Micah came up behind me and asked, “Dad why can’t I get baptized?” I smiled at him and asked, “Micah why would you like to get baptized?” He replied, “Because Jesus lives in my heart and everyone needs to know about it!” It was a euphoric moment for this father when his young son is demanding to be baptized, that others may know that the one true Living God dwells within him. In eight days I will have an opportunity to baptize my youngest son on Easter Sunday (April 8th). No doubt it will be one of the most memorable Easter Sundays of my entire life.

This morning I read in Matthew 11:25, “And Jesus prayed this prayer: ‘O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding the truth from those who think themselves to be wise, and for revealing it to little children. Yes, Father, for it pleased you to do it this way!” (Living Bible, paraphrase) Yes, on April 8th the Father will be pleased as Micah proclaims that the Living God has been revealed to Him and his earthly father will be grateful that he serves a God that cares to reveal himself to 7 year olds.

Whether you are 7 or 77 there is still room in the tank for you on Easter Sunday. It could also be
the most memorable Easter Sunday of your life! If you will be in Lynchburg this Easter and you are interested in baptism you can contact the church office at 434.239.4943.

Sunday is coming!
Stephen

Does the way we live really matter?

Does the way we live and the decisions we make really matter? Recently I have been reading C.S. Lewis’ work entitled “The Screwtape Letters.” The book is a one sided correspondence between “Screwtape” (an undersecretary in the Devil’s hierarchy) and his nephew a junior tempter named “Wormwood” who is trying to recruit a young Christian man (who he calls the patient) to follow Satan. “Screwtape” writes to “Wormwood”….

“I note with grave displeasure that your patient has become a Christian. There is no need to despair; hundreds of these adult converts have been reclaimed after a brief sojourn in the Enemy’s camp and are now with us. All the habits of the patient, both mental and bodily, are still in our favour”(Lewis).

I share this portion of C.S. Lewis’ book because I think many people need to be awakened to the tricks of Satan and his plan to use sin to bring death and destruction. I don’t think that it is
healthy to be fixated on Satan. Why should we when we have been called to “fix our eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12). However, I think that many people in our culture don’t even realize that Satan is waging a war against our souls and that he plans to use the “old habits of our life” against us.

As followers of Jesus Christ we have been called to be set apart for God’s glory. We don’t give our lives to God just to escape hell; we also give our lives to God so that we can truly live now. Satan desires to entice us with the temptations of this world knowing that sin brings death. However, God has come to fill us with His Holy Spirit which empowers us to live abundant
lives. I take great delight in knowing that “the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those who hearts are fully committed to Him” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

Abiding in Him!
Stephen Willis

"Empty Me of Me"

Would you take a moment to make this prayer your prayer?

As new life is being seen may an awakening take place in my heart, mind and soul for more of You. As deer pant for water may I thirst for you Father God. eRveal yourself to me through your Word today. I want to know You and the power of your resurrection. “God you reign! Holy is the Lord the God of heaven. You reign forever more” which means for eternity. You have always reigned, you currently reign and your reign will never end. You are the overcoming God who is awesome and great. You overcome sin, death, and the grave and as a result you have brought life to me. I am an over comer who has overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the Word of my testimony. I give you praise!!! I belong to you. No hardship or hunger, pain or depth of sorrow, not weakness or failure or broken dream can take me from your great love. Why? I belong to you forever and forever. Nothing can take me from your great love. I truly do belong to you so it is my prayer that once again today you would "empty me of me and fill me with you."

Stephen Willis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IE_ACPRpE9k&feature=related

Check out this link from You Tube and make it an anthem of praise. The link is Chris Sligh's version of "Empty Me." Chris (former American Idol contestant) will be in concert at my brother's church in Charlottesville, Va on April 15th at 3 pm.

This morning my Android phone woke me up at the proper time (I use it instead of a conventional alarm clock), I jumped into a warm shower, put on my Sunday best, climbed into my truck and drove to our worship center on nice asphalt roads. I entered the sanctuary to make sure everything was in its right place. I noticed that all the chairs were uniformed, the temperture felt comfortable, the communion elements had been set in its proper place and all the instruments glistened under the stage lights that were increasing in strength (as they warmed up).

In comparison many people today are waking much earlier than I did in order that they can walk to worship. They didn't have the warm shower or fine clothes and the roads they walk are dusty and dry. Some meet in fear of being found out, others meet under trees, and others meet in abandoned warehouses that don't have the finer tools of worship.

It is my prayer today that we will all come with the right attitude for authentic worship. We have been given so much and we have so much to give thanks for today. Certainly all of our places of worship look much different. However, the technology, fancy instruments, good transportation, or temperture regulated facilities will never satisfy......let us come with grateful hearts realizing that it was the sacrifice of God's Son that makes all the difference in our lives.

Abiding in Him!
Stephen

An Easy Thing to Say

One day I picked up my youngest son Micah from preschool and
headed back to the house. As we were
driving down the road Micah said to me, “Dad I love you!” I responded back, “Micah, I love you too!” He then promptly said, “Love is an easy word
to say!” That statement caused a big
smile to form on my face. In the
innocence of it all I knew that Micah was so right. However, it also saddened me to think about
all of those who would disagree with Micah because of the hurt and
disappointment that is present in the lives and relationships of “grown-ups.” As I thought about the interaction that I had
with Micah I was reminded of the interaction that Jesus had with his disciples
and some children in Matthew. We read in
Matthew 19
13 Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands
on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them,
for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
In verse thirteen we see the disciples rebuke and in verse
fourteen they get rebuked for rebuking.
I just find that rather comical. I
always have pulled for the underdog. These
disciples who have been called to follow Jesus the Rabbi get rebuked for not
modeling the greatest characteristic of their Rabbi….the characteristic of
love.
Very few in the Jewish culture had the opportunity to follow
a rabbi. Jesus’ disciples at one time
didn’t make the grade. When Jesus came
to the Sea of Galilee these disciples had already been sent home to learn the family
trade. When Jesus comes to them and
offers them the opportunity to follow him they are overjoyed with the
opportunity for a second chance. These
former fisherman would leave their village, their father and their nets and
devote themselves to learning how to do what their rabbi did. On this particular occasion they failed to
model the acceptance and love that was priority one to their rabbi and as a
result they were rebuked for their rebuke.
No wonder Jesus said, “that the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as
these.” There is much about my youngest
boy that I have grown to appreciate but one of my favorite characteristics is
his constant willingness to combat silence with the words, “I love you.” I am convinced that God gives his kingdom
away to voices who have come to discover that “love is an easy word to
say!”

trials of life

Today I read, "Do not be afraid to enter the cloud descending on your life, for God is in it. And the other side is radiant with His glory" (Cowman). "Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ"(1 Peter 4:12-13).

I rejoiced this morning when I read these words. I recently have had some trials but I came to discover after my time with the Lord this morning that my trials are so small as it relates to the struggles of many. I found myself praising the Lord that I can at least in a small way "participate in the His sufferings."

Abiding in Him!
Stephen

Is there any instance when giving up could be considered a good thing? In our culture giving up is frowned upon (as Americans we take great delight in our rugged individualism). However, there is one exception. Our surrender of our self and life before God is the most important victory that any of us will ever experience.

C.S. Lewis states, “Fallen man is not simply an imperfect creature who needs improvement:
he is a rebel who must lay down his arms. Laying down your arms, surrendering, saying you are sorry, realizing that you have been on the wrong track and getting ready to start life over
again from the ground floor---that is the only way out of the hole. This process of surrender is called repentance.”

Let's get out the surrender flags and raise them high.

Abiding in Him!

15 Shekels and a homer of barley

I just felt led to share an excerpt from my prayer journal this morning.

"This morning I read in Hosea 3 about the Lord’s command for Hosea to go and show his
love for his adulterous wife despite her sin. The Word says, “Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.” I in so many ways see myself as the adulterous wife. I wonder how many times I have chosen other things over you. Lord God forgive me and cleanse me. I am desperate for you. Hosea purchased his wife back with fifteen shekels of silver and a homer of barley. However, the cost was much greater for you in that you would sacrifice your only Son in order to pay for my sin. It is my desire that my life honors that sacrifice."

Abiding in Him!
Stephen

Truth seekers and speakers

I remember in kindergarten my mother spending a significant amount of time helping me read a book. The following day I was suppose to read it for my teacher. However, when it was my turn to read Ms. Van Dine asked me, “Stephen, are you ready to read?” I thought to myself, “I didn’t realize I had a choice” so I simply responded, “No, I don’t think so.” When I got off the bus that afternoon my mother asked me, “How did you do with your reading?” I responded, “I didn’t miss any words!” Later that evening the telephone rang and to my horror it was Ms. Van Dine informing my mother that I had opted not to read. It wasn’t a very good evening after that point for me because truth came knocking at my door.
I have spent a lot of time lately thinking about just how difficult truth can be sometimes. Have you ever stopped to think about how much energy people exert to avoid telling others the truth when they are fearful it may hurt their feelings? We easily can be tempted to make someone’s feelings more important than honesty. As a response to this thinking I have committed to making “truth spoken in love” my ultimate goal as it relates to those that live within my faith community. Relationships are hindered when we aren’t willing to be honest.
Let’s commit to be truth seekers and truth speakers even if it may bring discomfort.

Cam, Dad,gratefulness & victory

Warning: I'm back!!!! Just thought I would warn you. It's been nearly two years since my last blog. Over the last two years I have remained focused on finishing my masters degree so I decided to neglect "blog nation" for a season. Now that I have completed my coursework I felt led to pick up where I left off.

"But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ...." (2 Cor. 2:14)

This past week was extremely special for me. I had an opportunity to spend a couple of days alone with my middle son Camden. On Wednesday afternoon we climbed into the F150 and drove to Raleigh for the NC State v. Miami basketball game. After the game we drove to my in-laws in Burlington to spend the night. The next day we played some golf together, ate a rack of ribs and returned home "all the better for the time we had together."

During the trip with my son I was reminded of an important characteristic......gratefulness. I lost count of how many times that Camden sincerely thanked me for the adventure. He thanked me for the Five-Guys burger, the milkshake at the game, the souvenir, the mountain dew, the candy, the rack of ribs, the round of golf and the overall experience. It does something to a father's heart when a child expresses their gratitude.

I came away more determined to be more grateful for all that my "Heavenly Father" has done for me. Hope you join me!

We were excited that NC State won the game. However, I couldn't help but think that the game was only a small part of the victory we experienced this week.

Abiding in Him!
Stephen Willis