the encounter

Here’s a rundown of the songs we sang on Sunday 10/25/09…

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God in you burns for greatness. Not the kind of greatness that is self-absorbed, pleasure-seeking, and arrogant. Its the kind of greatness that make a difference in the lives others. The kind that brings the smiling favor of God upon your life. The kind that causes you to know you have done what you were made to do.

In our discussion with students last night at momentum we talked about 7 pursuits that are necessary for our life if we truly want to be great. The 7 come from the life of Nehemiah in chapter 5. click here for 2 pagediscussion guide:who cares 7 The 7 pursuits are true for individuals, marriages, families, churches, companies and nations.

1. See an injustice and do something about it!

Is there an injustice you see that burns within you? That drive for justice for others is a God desire within you. It is focused on others. It seeks to rescue, redeem, and give hope. Don’t ignore that desire! Act on it!

2. Don’t be lured to live your life in pursuit of riches, power, or popularity

While it is often the American-way, it is a destructive way of trying to find true greatness. The ways of God involve the pursuit of humility, sacrifice, and serving others. The pursuit of wealth, power, or popularity war against understanding and discovering true greatness.

3. Have unmistakable integrity

The path to greatness is marked with honesty, truthfulness, and integrity. God makes the path straight and clear to those who fill their lives with these qualities. Deception, giving-in to temptation, are exits from the path. They only lead to destruction.

4. Work hard.

There is great reward for those who work beyond what is comfortable and easy. The greater reward is not just in the amount of work accomplished, but in the personal fulfillment of knowing you have done all you can in pursuit of what God has called you to do.

5. Give away what would be easy to keep

Nehemiah was a great leader. Part of his great influence came because he refused to take what was common for governors to receive when he knew that the people he led were still hurting. It would have been easy and right for him to receive his pay, yet he refused and gave it others.

6. Care more for the needs of others than to live with ease

People of greatness notice others. They give. They refuse to live in opulence, when need exists around them. They are more concerned about the needs of others than their own comfort.

7. Live to show others that God is great!

True greatness is found in humility. It happens when a person realizes that real life can only come from God. They recognize that He is great. They live in pursuit of showing others that God is great. They arrange their time, interests, possessions, money, toward the end that others the awe, grace, and unparalledgreatness of God.

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one of the marks of someone affected by grace is that they relate to others with grace. their complete relational style is changed. when they see family, friends, neighbor, or stranger, their impulse to offer acceptance. they find an excitement and joy in making others feel welcome, accepted, and valued.

seems to the opposite of what often happens in the hearts of people.

there is so much that wars against this kind of grace: fear, insecurity, anger, competition, resentment, hatred, bigotry, comparison. these keep us closed-off, calloused, and distant from others. they rob us of any personal joy in relationships andcreates tension in relationships.

these also rob us of opportunities to show others the power of grace.

having a heart that intentionally shows interest in others, seeks their good, and welcomes them is part of what it means to be a follower of Christ. it drives the follower of Christ to not only open his heart to others, but to open his home as well. Peter, one of the leadersin the New Testament said:

open your homes to each other, without complaining. [1 Peter 4:9 ncv]

Paul, another leader said that this quality is essential for those who are men of influence among the people of God:

he must enjoy having guests in his home. [1 Timothy 3:2 nlt]

imagine the potential of a generation of Christ-followers who made it their goal to do more than:

• wave the flag of their favorite political view
• rail against those who live alternate lifestyles
• separate themselves from interaction with others
• allow their own insecurities to rule their relationships
• only practice “grace” on sundays at a building we call church
• allow anger and bitterness to dominate

instead they lead with grace, welcome, care, and understanding wherever they went. if so, we might just change the world.

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With several new songs Sunday morning, several people have asked what they were. Here’s a breakdown of the songs, as well as several videos from YouTube….

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there isa place of indescribable release and freedom. a place where fear is removed, excitement is heightened, and the mysterious is inviting. its a place that few people find in their life. it is the place that waits on the other side of surrender to God.

surrender is not natural to the human condition. there is something inside that is protective, resistant, and independent. great qualities, but a horrible way to relate to God.

God speaks every day, all day.

He speaks to every moment, every thought, every decision, every relationship. He speaks with grace, wisdom, mercy, and truth. He speaks with knowledge and a specific plan that brings His favor and blessing.

never say “no”

this is something much deeper than just the word. this is the condition of our heart.a heartthat is hardened, self-focused, and controlling keeps “no” in its vocabulary with God. it reserves the right to choosewhether it will do what God says or not. God longs for a heart in us that completely removes the possibility of saying “no”.

be willing to do whatever

the heart that is open to God is willing to do whatever He asks. it is humble, sensitive, aware, listening, and ready to act. it has replaced “no!” and “why?” with “absolutely”. the first responders of this heart are surrender and selflessness.

watch with excitementfor what comes next

God is actively at work. He speaks, calls, arranges opportunities and relationships. for those who seek to hear and respond they find great mystery, adventure, and excitement. they open themselves to incredible freedom because they have removed “no” from their vocabulary. they don’t have to wrestle, argue, or debate. they are free!

imagine life like this: free, wild, passionate, released, unbridled. it waits on the other side of your surrender!

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