Bearing Interest

What grabs my interest? Penguins are in the playoffs, and Pastor Trent is a Detroit fan. Yep, that has my attention. The warning light on the dashboard turns my head. Phone calls, family schedules, to-do lists, meetings, the economy, and the status of lunch all interest me. Most people turn to a specific section of the newspaper, watch certain television shows, and involve themselves with various activities because that is what interests them. Yet, I am starting to see that while many of my interests may be good and noble, they are often short-sighted and selfish. Rather than what grabs my interest, I should ask, “What grabs Jesus’ interest? What’s important to him? If I am a Christ follower, do I bear the same interests he does?"

In Philippians 2, Paul writes about interests. He shows how Jesus laid aside his own interests for us. We are important to him. Paul explains that he strives to make Jesus’ interests his own. Then, he explains how Timothy and Epaphroditus also focus on Jesus.

So, where do I stand? Are my interests the same as Jesus’? If not, how can I realign them or at least admit I’m playing a game? If so, how does this flesh out in everyday life? What does this mean for me, the Christ follower? Join Zion of Petroleum Valley this Sunday, May 31, and we will look at Philippians 2 together on this message, Bearing Interest. See you at 10AM.

Pastor Joe

There go my socks

Have you ever had your socks blown off? I did. Now, I just returned from a pastor’s conference where I heard many of today’s top leaders and authors. In fact, I intended to post about the things I learned. Their messages were beyond inspiring. I needed the input. As cool as that time was, I’m even more amazed by something else. It blew my socks off. It comes from the kindness of a dear lady who prays for me.

When I was a mere seventeen, I met Grandma Fess. Since I didn’t have grandparents nearby, she adopted me. Here’s the truly amazing part: Fess is still praying for me and my family. That’s thirty years of knee time, folks. She has an old picture we sent in a Christmas card from about a dozen years ago (yes, I owe her a new one big time).

A few lessons to be learned from Fess. As a body of believers, God gives us one another for support, encouragement, and prayer. Speaking of prayer, the prayers of the saints (especially the widows I think) are chunks of gold. Treasure them. Faithfulness is really illustrated over years and years. And, don’t think of prayer like it’s some religious thing. We enter God’s presence, worship at his feet, and he listens to our needs.

Thanks, Fess. I will get a new photo off to you soon.
Pastor Joe

Just a few reminders...

Just a few reminders…

MEN: Don’t forget Men@Millers this Saturday at 7:00AM as we begin a study of discipleship. How did those New Testament men do it? What made it work?

And, after Men@Millers, everyone is welcome for Campus Care Day at 9:00AM at ZPV. We have some inside chores to make the place sparkle.

Still not sure about a Life Group? We have a fantastic opportunity for you: A four week Connect Group. We will meet on Tuesday nights at ZPV at 6:30PM. This group starts on June 9 and ends on June 30. This group will give a clear taste of what life groups are all about. Look for sign up sheets starting this Sunday, May 17 in the Worship Folder.

Questions? Drop me a line at joe@zionlife.com.

Pastor Joe

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