Picking a fight

Have you ever noticed how wars start? Someone wants something and will use force to get it. This can be on a personal scale or a national scale. One hits. Another hits back. People debate the justification for a war all the time. Some reasons seem silly. Others are complex. Some seem justified. Other just look like someone wants to pick a fight. There is one sure war worth fighting.

Paul describes our armor in Ephesian six but he ends with "19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." The great apostle needs prayer. This part of the war is offence. Paul wants to make the message known, and he knows that it is a battle. Our enemy would be content if we just stayed in our own club. If we go out, he will fight back.

Don't be scared, but don't be naive either. He fights dirty. Our Commander has already won, so we don't need to worry there. But, if we want to see God work in our community and use us, watch for the push back.
Pastor Joe

Kingdom Clash

I received the best present for Christmas: a gps. I get lost even with the clearest of directions. Now, I drive right to my destination (usually). Sometimes, I disagree with the gps. Patiently, it announces, "Recalculating." It should say, "Look, you didn't listen...now you're off course." Sure enough, gps was right and I was wrong. Yet some day soon, I will disregard it again because once in a rare while, it is wrong.

God gives us direction too. We find the primarily in his Word. He commands to love, serve, worship him, and speak truth. Many of our questions about direction in life can be answered by his Word. But, sometimes, we do not like the answer. It does not fit our plans. It is uncomfortable. It goes against the grain. It might even hurt. Then, like gps, we say, "No, I like this way instead." Unlike gps, God is never wrong. We just think he is because our kingdom clashes with his.

The word that comes to mind is faith. Two issues are in play. First, will I obey when his plans smack against mine? Obedience reflects invisible faith. I will follow him even if my own kingdom suffers. Second, will I trust despite what the circumstances say? Peter walked on water until he focused on the waves. Those waves said, "Panic!" Jesus said, "Come." So, we swallow hard, listen to Jesus, and refuse enslavement to circumstances.

Had a clash of wills lately with God? Ignored his direction? You and I both know he is never wrong. Let him do his "recalculation." He can always get us back on course.

Pastor Joe

Happy Anniversary ZPV!

Here's a classic tune to celebrate:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knp9-GY6fHE

Pastor Joe

Let us eat cake

On March 22, 2008, Zion of Petroleum Valley opened its doors. We started on a Saturday night and continued through the summer and most of the fall, and then we moved to Sunday morning in November. While there is no end to the list of people to thank, please just pause a bit and thank God. He is always responsible for the victories and growth. And then, let's continue to pray for each other. Yes, pray all of Zion to be unified and focused and for the needs that creep into our lives. But, let's also model the Apostle Paul when he prayed for churches. He writes in Phil. 1:9-11, "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God." He prays that their love may increase (assuming first towards God and then to one another) with the result that our insight is increased and we grow.

Growth? Yes. We need to be changed continually by God. And, we need to get the word out better to those who need to hear. Anyone is welcome, but what about those with no connection with Christ at all?

And what about Connection? The church is not our building. We just meet there regularly. We can continually become more connected the way God intends and designs us to be.

And, we should be committed. I can hardly bear the amazement when I think that God has called us to accomplish tasks with forever results. On board?

So, I do say thanks to all those who were there at the start and those who have recently arrived, and I say thanks to both campuses with all the support. Join us on 3/22 after church for a brief time to celebrate what God has done AND will do. We are just getting started. Oh yea, we will have cake!

Love you all,
Pastor Joe

Paul's heart

I am tweezering (is that a word?) my way through the book of Philippians. I am noticing the intense feelings the apostle had to those he wrote. He uses words like trust, confidence, heart, and participant to describe his feelings and interactions with them. God left us his word, the Holy Spirit, and each other. No matter how small or supposedly great, all of us are critical to spreading the message. Thanks, folks. I have a long way to go to stand with a man like the Apostle Paul, but I'm glad that none of us are hanging out all by ourselves!

Here are a few news items:

• Our second message of Green is this Sunday, March 8. See you at 10:00AM.
• We have sign ups for the Easter Egg Celebration on April 4, but could always use more help. Let me know. We could also used donations for prizes (Walmart cards or cash works). Thanks! This outreach attracted tons of families last year.
• DRIVE is coming March 29 at the Clarion Campus. It's a great time to gather, hear what God is doing at both our campuses, and gain some new insights. Let's reserve the time at 6:00PM!

See you soon.

Pastor Joe

It's not easy being green

I have no idea how many messages I've preached or lessons I've taught. I have had my share of messages that preach to my own heart. But I have been wrestling with the Green messages. We wanted to simply present what the Bible says about our stewardship. In my study and preparation, I said (out loud), "No, God. I don't want this to be true." Then, the wrestling match started. I lost.

Green Starts this weekend at both campuses and runs for two Sundays (3/1 and 3/8). We are not going to tell you what to do and how to live or what light bulbs you can or cannot use. You will just hear what the word of God says about our responsibility over the earth and our own bodies.

Hope to see you there.

Pastor Joe

PS: Pastor Trent and our deacons are heading home from Jamaica today. Pray for their safe travel.

Need to wear out knees?

Over this past year, a faithful group has been praying for Zion of Petroleum Valley. They have been fantastically faithful. I just sent them a note saying that their commitment is fulfilled and invited them to re-up. How about you? It just means that you will read my usually monthly prayer emails (or snail mail if you prefer) and pray. Pretty simple. Oh, I do need your email address though. Drop me a note at joe@zionlife.com so I can add you to the list.



Thanks!

Pastor Joe