What Really Matters?

I had a dream the other night that kind of disturbed me...

I was at a church getting ready for a funeral, doing the things I normally do to prepare for one. Then I realized that the funeral was for me. I don't know what happened next because I woke up right after I realized it was my funeral. I looked at the clock on my phone and it was around 3 AM. I wanted to go back to sleep, but my mind was racing a bit. Then, this question came to my mind: "When I die, will the things that I focus most of my time on go with me?"

It wasn't really that odd of a question for a pastor, especially one who had been studying Matthew 6 - "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." But it still made me pause and reflect on the values and passions of my life.

Then, yesterday, one of our high school girls at church, Bethanie Young, was in a severe, head-on collision going home from school. She and her family are very dear to us, and we waited and prayed as the doctors repaired her broken body. Again, the thought went through my mind: "When you boil everything in life down, what really matters? Am I focused on the things of this world or am I truly "setting my mind on things above" (Colossians 3)?" I just read a quote from one of the Young's friends on Facebook that said, "My world tipped when I heard about Beth. I know it is easy for us to get wrapped up in softball; this has changed my view of what is important. God has a mission for Beth, and I can't wait to see her life unfold." I am so thankful that Bethanie knows Jesus and that God does in fact have a mission for her life. Her mom posted that when she woke up and realized that something awful had happened to her, she wanted to pray and Karla said she prayed "the most beautiful prayer of thanksgiving" to God. That is someone who knows what really matters!!!

So, what do I do with all of this? I will answer much of this on Sunday in my message called, "Pursue" in our current series, "Walking With God", but let me remind you that you must pursue the things of heaven that will last forever. You must know what really matters - Jesus Christ - and he is the ONLY thing that really matters when life is over.

If you are reading this and you have never trusted in Jesus and let him become your Lord and Savior, I am begging you - at the risk of offending you - to consider if the things your life is consumed with will last past your death. Please don't let another day go by without accepting Jesus and beginning a relationship with him. If you don't know what that means or how to do that, please contact me (nathan@antiochokc.org). I love you too much to let another day go by without saying this to you.

One day, that funeral will be mine, and it won't be me preparing for it. But I am already prepared for that day... are you???

The Miniature Earth

We are very blessed compared to the rest of the world. Thank God today for what you have and ask these questions... "What will I do with this? What impact can I make for someone else today?"

Are You Connected

I came across this video and I think it is hilarious.



There are many ways to get connected to God and connected to God's people, but small groups are a very effective way to do this. Would you consider joining a group or leading a group? We want everyone at Antioch to get connected! Will you get connected TODAY? Visit our webpage to find out the Connection Groups that are already formed, or contact me to get more information about how to start and/or lead a group.

Click here to find out more about Antioch Connection Groups

I'm Right... I Know It!

Dan P. Greyling shared this anecdote in Reader's Digest:

A friend of mine, returning to South Africa from a long stay in Europe, found herself with some time to spare at London's Heathrow Airport. Buying a cup of coffee and a small package of cookies, she staggered, laden with luggage, to an unoccupied table. She was reading the morning paper when she became aware of someone rustling at her table. From behind her paper, she was flabbergasted to see a neatly dressed young man helping himself to her cookies. She did not want to make a scene, so she leaned across and took a cookie herself. A minute or so passed. More rustling. He was helping himself to another cookie. By the time they were down to the last cookie in the package, she was very angry but still could not bring herself to say anything. Then the young man broke the cookie in two, pushed half across to her, ate the other half and left. Some time later, when the public-address system called for her to present her ticket, she was still fuming. Imagine her embarrassment when she opened her handbag and was confronted by her package of cookies. She had been eating his.

How many times do we get angry or emotional thinking others are in the wrong when it is we who are? Sean Covey writes, "we should open our minds and hearts to new information, ideas, and points of view, and be willing to change our paradigms when it becomes clear that they're wrong."

We all come from different backgrounds and the automatic assumption is that we are right and others are wrong. There is only ONE true right and that is the Word of God. Look there for the answers to what is right and be willing to humbly change your opinions when they don't line up with the Word! 1 Peter 4:11 says, "If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the words of God."

If we adopt this attitude, we might actually start making an impact for the Kingdom of God in the world.

Courageous The Movie

Make plans to see the latest movie from Sherwood Pictures (creators of "Facing The Giants" & "Fireproof"). It is called "Courageous" and it is a movie about fathers. Sharla & I got to see a preview of it, and it is a great movie. If you see it the opening weekend (September 30), you will help to keep it in theaters. Check out the trailer and check out "Courageous". Remember, "Honor begins at home."

Can You Hear God?

James 1:19-25 says:

¹⁹ My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰ for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. ²¹ Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

²² Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ²³ Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴ and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ²⁵ But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

Sometimes, we don't hear what God is telling us to do because we are talking. Sometimes, we are distracted by other things like computers, television, family, sin, sports, our kids' activities, etc. Even religion and church activities can keep us so busy, we don't hear God. But James tells us to "get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you." You see, God will not talk over the "noise" in your life, so if you want to hear from God, you're going to have to be quiet, be still, and remove the distractions that are hindering you from obeying Him! Just something to think about!

Exercising...

I preached Sunday about enjoying life, so... enjoy this!

What Is Success?

Let me give you some names and see if you know who they are? Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Taylor Hicks, David Cook, Kris Allen. Have you ever heard of them? If you are a die-hard American Idol fan, you know that these were some of the winners from the show. You've probably heard of Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Jordan Sparks - they won and have done pretty well for themselves. No one really knows yet how well Lee DeWyze - this year's winner - will do, but even though these winners are still making music, just because you win American Idol doesn't mean you will be a big star.

In fact, some of the ones who didn't win have done pretty well. Chris Daughtry has done really well and he finished 4th in his season. Adam Lambert, Clay Aiken, Jennifer Hudson, Elliott Yamin, Katherine McPhee, Kellie Pickler, David Archuleta, & Danny Gokey have all made a name for themselves in different circles. Some of you might have heard of Mandissa and Phil Stacy who have become well-known in Christian music. An argument could be made that some of these people who didn't win have become more successful than the ones who did win.

Let me ask you another question. I read about a man named Rings, a chain-smoking, ex-addict, ex- convict who lives out of his pickup truck, and when he receives his monthly check, he goes to the store, buys food, and takes it in coolers down to the beach to feed his fellow homeless people because of what Christ has done for him. He doesn't have a home. He doesn't have money, and when he gets money, he gives it away. Is he successful? Is he winning?

Right now, God, through Francis Chan, and many other people is rocking my world. I'm afraid that we as Christians have defined success no differently than the world - make lots of money, have security in your job or career, have a roof over your head, a steady paycheck, food on your table. That is success! Or is it?

How is success defined in your life? Do you have to win the way the world defines winning to be successful? Or through the power of Christ in you, could you be just as successful in the things that really matter even though it appears you're not winning?

Rejoice!

I have a tendency to see the glass half-empty. I don't know why I do that, but it seems easier to see what's wrong than it does to see what's right. It doesn't help that I have Obsessive Compulsive Perfectionism Disorder! When my wife does something for me, I forget to notice and be grateful, but if she does something I perceive to be wrong, I don't miss it! When my children fight, I give them a parental lecture, but when my daughter does something sweet for her brother, I remain silent. When things are slow are the church (attendance, offering, etc.) it is easy to get down, but when those things are up, I go about my day as if that is what is expected.

I think the problem is that I haven't learned to rejoice! Have you? Paul wrote in Philippians, "Rejoice in the Lord always! I will say it again, rejoice!" Rejoice when things are bad. Rejoice when things are great! Rejoice when you have money! Rejoice when you don't. Rejoice when you feel all alone. Rejoice when you are surrounded by family and friends. Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice! You don't rejoice because of your circumstance, but you rejoice because the Lord has your circumstance under control!

Somebody fill the cup up the rest of the way, won't you? It's almost full!

God Wants Your Best

In Malachi 1:10, God says, "O that there were one among you who would shut the gates, that you might not uselessly kindle fire on My altar! I am not pleased with you, nor will I accept an offering from you" (NASB).

Francis Chan says, "God wanted the temple gates shut. The weak sacrifices of the laid-back priests were an insult to Him. He was saying that no worship is better than apathetic worship. I wonder how many church doors God wants to shut today."

Mark Buchanan writes, "Physical sickness we usually defy. Soul sickness we often resign ourselves to."

Tim Kizziar said, "Our greatest fear as individuals and as a church should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don't really matter."

I've been saying that God wants your ALL, but he does let us keep some of it for ourselves, doesn't he? So, what does he want... He wants the BEST you have to offer. Your best resources; your best talents; your best time; your best emotions; your best effort; your best relationship! He wants your best, not half-hearted worship and service! I think I've got some work to do!!!!!