Wise Words From A Young Heart

We are just days from our big move to Seattle. We got to celebrate with Brownsville Baptist Church this past weekend and enjoyed a truly encouraging time of sharing with the congregation.

One tremendously encouraging conversation that I had was with Luke's Sunday school teacher, Jan McAdams. She told me that just that morning their class had been discussing how Jesus told His disciples to go into all the world to tell people about Him. She said that Luke immediately looked up and said, "That's just like me!" Sometimes it is ha

rd to tell whether our boys understand why we are moving and what is behind all of this big transition. But clearly, Luke gets it and this makes the task much easier.

"Thank you, Lord for helping our family follow you. Increase our understanding of your purpose for our lives and give us a greater desire to walk with you."

He must increase, I must decrease.

JasonPS

I Can't Wait!

Yesterday was Easter Sunday. We had a wonderful morning worship service at Brownsville Baptist Church followed by an afternoon of celebrating and visiting with people that we care deeply about. But what stands out for me yesterday was an experience that I think we don't have often enough.

Our church hosted an Easter musical called "Forgiveness at the Cross." The choir and the drama team did a fantastic job...but that is not the point. The final scene from the drama featured the risen and glorified Christ seated on His heavenly throne being exalted and worshiped by multitudes of people clothed in white, gathered around the throne and singing His praises.

While I know that we cannot even begin to imagine Jesus' glory to be revealed at that time, the scene gave us a hint of what we can expect. In that moment, one thought kept ringing in my mind: "I can't wait!"

I want to increasingly long for that day when Jesus will be glorified before all people. I want to be motivated by anticipation for that moment. And, I want to be God's instrument to bring more and more people to worship around that throne on that day!

"Lord, move in my heart that I would long to see Jesus high and exalted on His throne! Use me for your purposes, to bring more people to that wondrous day!"

He must increase, I must decrease!

JasonPS

Are you desperate?

Sin is as close to us as our own skin and we can easily become comfortable with this ever present enemy. After all, how do we consistently wage war against our very own flesh? We have to always be in a state of desperation! Not desperation in the sense of not knowing where to look for the answer or to whom to turn for relief. Instead, we know that our only hope for overcoming sin is in Jesus and the power of His Holy Spirit dwelling in us. But here is the rub: When we feel strong in ourselves or become confident in our own mastery over sin or comfortable with this sin or that hint of immorality, we have already begun to loose the battle.

I have been there... If you are a believer, then you have been there, too. We have to be desperate! We have to desperately depend on the grace of God to give to us the righteousness that we cannot achieve for ourselves. We have to desperately plead for Jesus to overcome sin in our hearts. We have to desperately walk in the Spirit each day, knowing that the moment we stop leaning on His strength, we will fall.

I have a couple of friends that are caught in this battle right now. They know that they are being beaten by sin and the consequences of their choosing sin are looming. But they are not desperate yet. They like the sin just enough that they don't want to take the drastic measures that will protect them. I am praying for desperation for them and for me. I don't ever want to forget that I am powerless without Jesus and that when I go into battle poorly equipped or in my own strength, I am doomed.

Hebrews 12:4 says, "In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood."

What about you? Are you desperate in your struggle against sin? Are you desperately clinging to Jesus for victory over the sin that is never far from you?

"Lord, I have no power on my own. I have no righteousness on my own. I am desperate for you, for your presence in my life, for your power to bring victory to my struggle, and for your glory to be displayed through me."

He must increase, I must decrease.

JasonPS

My Wife is Awesome!

God has blessed me beyond measure with an amazing wife!

I can't even begin to tell you all of the ways that she is better than me or scratch the surface on how wonderful she is. This business of selling our home and most of our possessions, leaving behind our friends and family, and moving across the country to take on the role of a pastor is a big deal and Melissa is feeling the weight of it all. Still, she plows right along doing a fabulous job of being a mother and a wife and a friend.

Have you read Melissa's blog about the move? serving-in-seattle.blogspot.com

I have really enjoyed reading her thoughts and hearing her ideas. I have a new appreciation for who she is a woman and as a child of God. She stretches me to be better than I am!

"Lord, thank you for blessing me with such a wonderful wife! She truly does make me stronger and fills my gaps. Your wisdom and providence are beyond compare!"

He must increase, I must decrease.

JasonPS

Don't be a Ban!

Come on guys! It's time for us to step up to the plate!

I recently heard Darrin Patrick talking about Biblical manhood and he called us out! He was talking to young guys in the late teens to early thirties and he said that we are trying hard not to grow up. He said we would rather be a "ban" than a man. What is a "ban"? It is a guy who wants to look like a man and have the respect of a man and make the money of a man but have the freedom, responsibility, leisure, and entertainment of a boy.

God has given us real responsibilities and we must step up and act like real men.

In our personal relationships with Jesus, we must take responsibility and invest ourselves like we mean it.

In our relationships with our wives (or future wives), we have to live selflessly and purely so that we value and treasure them as gifts from God.

With our children, we must be heroes who show them the power of the love of God through the way we love them, train them, sacrifice for them, and pour out mercy on them.

In our jobs, we must work diligently as if working for God.

In our communities, we need to be known for our kindness and gospel witness.

In our churches, we need to be humble and faithful servants who lead with firm gentleness.

In our recreation and entertainment, we need to have the heart of God in mind as we refresh ourselves for His glory and not our own mindless enjoyment.

How can we live up to all of these responsibilities?!

It is not easy, but then, being a man was never supposed to be easy. Through Christ, we have access to the Spirit of God who empowers and guides us to success.

Let's banish the temptation to become a "ban" and settle for nothing less than godly manhood!

"Lord, give me the strength to live for you and not for myself. You know that this is a daily struggle. Empower me to fight for manhood in my own life. For your glory in my life and in my death!"

He must increase, I must decrease.

JasonPS

Living Pure in a Perverted World

Purity is vital!

This world in which we live and the very flesh in which we are clothed are both corrupted by sin. The perversion of God's good gifts is all around us and threatens to overtake us. We must fight for purity! And it is a hard, lifelong battle.

"How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word." Psalm 119:9

Here are two blog entries that discuss the practical ways we fight this battle to win:

http://www.equest4truth.com/pure.html

http://tomelliff.com/?p=870


"Lord, teach me to have a pure heart and live it out with pure actions and pure words. I know that on my own I lean toward impurity and my flesh draws me toward the perversion of your good gifts. Give me strength for the fight and put in me a heart that longs for you and the things that honor you! Make me a warrior for purity!"


He must increase, I must decrease!

JasonPS

Music That Inspires

Do you ever think about how important is the music we listen to? I try to have high standards for the music I listen to. While the musicality is important, I love to listen to music that has deep lyrics that push me to think. I want music that stretches me to think more deeply about God, about the wonder of redemption through Jesus, about powerfully living through faith, and about the tremendous mission to which we are called.

Sometimes this kind of music comes in unlikely forms. Recently I was sharing with a group of believers about the kind of music I listen to and why. When I shared that I am drawn to certain Christian rap artists, I could see amusement, shock, and disappointment on some of their faces. The point is not so much what the music sounds like. The point is what the music produces in me. I am stretched and prompted to grow by the music I listen to.

If you don't have that kind of music in your life, I encourage you to seek it out!

Here are some of the songs and artists I listen to. Check them out and then find your own music that moves you in the right direction!

Worship:

How Deep the Father's Love For Us- Joy Williams

Draw Me Nearer- Meridith Andrews

All the Way My Savior Leads Me- Chris Tomlin

Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) - Chris Tomlin


The Mission:

Don't Waste Your Life- Lecrae

Every Man - Casting Crowns

Set the World on Fire- Brit Nicole

God of this City- Chris Tomlin

Go Hard- Lecrae

Send Me- Lecrae


Christian Living:

God is Enough -Lecrae

Bury Me- Tedashii

I Will Follow- Chris Tomlin

Slow Fade - Casting Crowns


"Lord, help me to do a better job of filling my mind and heart with music that praises you, lifts my thoughts toward you, pushes me to live more passionately and purposely for you, and opens my eyes to those around me who need you!"


He must increase, I must decrease!

JasonPS