Josh Hatcher's Blog
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Kingdom First
If you have not chosen the Kingdom of God first, it will in the end make no difference what you have chosen instead. - William Law
---------------
Matthew 6
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
-----------
As we wrap up our study on "The Kingdom" this weekend, I thought this quote from William Law in reference o Matthew 6 was quite moving.
Are we seeking the things of this world ahead of our desire to seek the things of God?
Do we care more about our paycheck, our overtime pay, our satellite tv, our unlimited texting plan, our SUV, our Friday Night dinner out at the pizza joint, or WHATEVER?
Put your passion for knowing Jesus more at the forefront.
Make it the first and most important thing in your life.
Because in the end, you can't take your cell phone or your nice house with you.
---------------
Matthew 6
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
-----------
As we wrap up our study on "The Kingdom" this weekend, I thought this quote from William Law in reference o Matthew 6 was quite moving.
Are we seeking the things of this world ahead of our desire to seek the things of God?
Do we care more about our paycheck, our overtime pay, our satellite tv, our unlimited texting plan, our SUV, our Friday Night dinner out at the pizza joint, or WHATEVER?
Put your passion for knowing Jesus more at the forefront.
Make it the first and most important thing in your life.
Because in the end, you can't take your cell phone or your nice house with you.
Labels: focus, kingdom, material things
Friday, July 04, 2008
Happy Happy Fourth
Happy Birthday USA
Happy Birthday too, to Isaiah And Michaelah!
and Happy Tenth Anniversary to my wife Zoe!
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Replacement for Mike
hmm... Pastor Mike is out of town.
Maybe we should get this guy to replace him.
;)
Maybe we should get this guy to replace him.
;)
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Pastor's Pray for Politicians
Saturday, May 31, 2008
YEAH, BUT... (the biggest enemy to WHAT IF)
I was listening to Reggie McNeill, the author of "Present Future" and other great books on church growth. He's a grumpy old southern codger that really has his finger on the pulse of the new Christianity... he was talking about how FEAR kept him from experiencing God's best for him...
He said that the biggest enemy to God's best is YEAH, BUT...
Statements that begin with YEAH, BUT... are motivated by fear. And they hold us back, like chains around our feet.
I hate bugs. I despise insects with a passion. I was successfully able to avoid a bee sting all the way until sixth grade, when one flew in my mouth and dug his little stinger into my upper pallet.
Ticks, Wasps, beetles, ladybugs... keep them ALL away from me.
That passionate fear of bugs reminds me of Indiana Jones and his fear of snakes... I can overcome it when absolutely necessary, but I still hate them.
My kids, unfortunately have learned this fear, and called it their own. They informed me yesterday that the downstairs bathroom was "Closed Until Further Notice". It seems a giant hornet had moved in, and it just made more sense to walk all the way upstairs when nature came calling.
I of course, "man-ed up" and wiped out the fiery little critter, and saved the day. The whole time I was choking back the urge to side with the kids, and just leave the downstairs bathroom closed!
As we enter this summer, with visions of WHAT IF in our heads, there is going to be a lot of temptation to say, YEAH, BUT...
What if serving God cost me everything?
YEAH, BUT.. what if everything meant that I would have to give up my cable tv, or my cell phone?
What if serving God was something I loved to do?
YEAH, BUT.. what if I have to quit my job to do it? We got to have an income?
What if everyone did their part?
YEAH, BUT... I'm no Mother Theresa, and I don't think I could do the things she did....
You get the point, right?
When we are envisioning this new and exciting future that God has for us... these YEAH, BUT.. statements of fear can cripple us, and keep us from the destiny that God wants to share with us!
He wants us to reach out into our community... YEAH, BUT... I'm not a preacher, and the guys I work with don't want to hear about Jesus.
... so what if you don't PREACH to them, but show them love! They should already know that you go to church, and the you believe in God... why not pour LOVE out on them, and accept them for who they are, and be patient with what they do wrong?
CS Lewis says this about the way Christians are supposed to be:
"Pure, spiritual, intellectual love shot form their faces like barbed lightning. It was so unlike the love we experience that its expression could easily be mistaken for ferocity."
We know that we are supposed to be generous, and give God the first part of our income...
YEAH, BUT... I'm already having a hard time making ends meet! If I give, I won't be able to pay my bills....
Guess what! God's Math is different. All I can say is that I have tithed for more than ten years now, and while I've been in tight places... I've never been without. When I choose to be generous and give a gift to someone over and above that tithe... it ALWAYS comes back to me! One time, I painfully gave 20 dollars to a person in need, and God supplied 400 dollars in gifts and income from unexpected sources within the next two weeks.
We know that following Jesus is hard. We know that going to church and a cell group requires time and commitment. We know that serving in children's ministry, or the worship team, or in the media booth can be stressful and difficult...
but instead of saying YEAH, BUT...
let's gulp down that fear, and do what has to be done! God will meet you there, and do amazing things with your obedience!
He said that the biggest enemy to God's best is YEAH, BUT...
Statements that begin with YEAH, BUT... are motivated by fear. And they hold us back, like chains around our feet.
I hate bugs. I despise insects with a passion. I was successfully able to avoid a bee sting all the way until sixth grade, when one flew in my mouth and dug his little stinger into my upper pallet.
Ticks, Wasps, beetles, ladybugs... keep them ALL away from me.
That passionate fear of bugs reminds me of Indiana Jones and his fear of snakes... I can overcome it when absolutely necessary, but I still hate them.
My kids, unfortunately have learned this fear, and called it their own. They informed me yesterday that the downstairs bathroom was "Closed Until Further Notice". It seems a giant hornet had moved in, and it just made more sense to walk all the way upstairs when nature came calling.
I of course, "man-ed up" and wiped out the fiery little critter, and saved the day. The whole time I was choking back the urge to side with the kids, and just leave the downstairs bathroom closed!
As we enter this summer, with visions of WHAT IF in our heads, there is going to be a lot of temptation to say, YEAH, BUT...
What if serving God cost me everything?
YEAH, BUT.. what if everything meant that I would have to give up my cable tv, or my cell phone?
What if serving God was something I loved to do?
YEAH, BUT.. what if I have to quit my job to do it? We got to have an income?
What if everyone did their part?
YEAH, BUT... I'm no Mother Theresa, and I don't think I could do the things she did....
You get the point, right?
When we are envisioning this new and exciting future that God has for us... these YEAH, BUT.. statements of fear can cripple us, and keep us from the destiny that God wants to share with us!
He wants us to reach out into our community... YEAH, BUT... I'm not a preacher, and the guys I work with don't want to hear about Jesus.
... so what if you don't PREACH to them, but show them love! They should already know that you go to church, and the you believe in God... why not pour LOVE out on them, and accept them for who they are, and be patient with what they do wrong?
CS Lewis says this about the way Christians are supposed to be:
"Pure, spiritual, intellectual love shot form their faces like barbed lightning. It was so unlike the love we experience that its expression could easily be mistaken for ferocity."
We know that we are supposed to be generous, and give God the first part of our income...
YEAH, BUT... I'm already having a hard time making ends meet! If I give, I won't be able to pay my bills....
Guess what! God's Math is different. All I can say is that I have tithed for more than ten years now, and while I've been in tight places... I've never been without. When I choose to be generous and give a gift to someone over and above that tithe... it ALWAYS comes back to me! One time, I painfully gave 20 dollars to a person in need, and God supplied 400 dollars in gifts and income from unexpected sources within the next two weeks.
We know that following Jesus is hard. We know that going to church and a cell group requires time and commitment. We know that serving in children's ministry, or the worship team, or in the media booth can be stressful and difficult...
but instead of saying YEAH, BUT...
let's gulp down that fear, and do what has to be done! God will meet you there, and do amazing things with your obedience!
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Trash Evangelism
Check out this video from Off the Map..
what little act can you do this week to show someone that Jesus loves them?
what little act can you do this week to show someone that Jesus loves them?
Labels: evangelism, kindness
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Best Ribs Ever
I had to travel to Batavia, NY to visit Northgate Church ( http://www.northgatefmc.com )
On the way home, my friend Andy took me out to eat at Alex's Place ( http://www.alexsribs.com ) near the Batavia Downs Race Track.
I had the Half Rack Lunch Special - Garlic Ribs with BBQ on the side, coleslaw, fries, and a bowl of Cheesy Pepperoni Soup.
These were by far, the best ribs I've ever tasted in my life, and perhaps the best restaurant I've ever been to in my life.
The establishment looks like an old speak-easy, and it was a little darker inside than I prefer, but again, the food was ABSOLUTELY amazing, and if any of you are in the neighborhood, I highly recommend getting ya' some ribs!
On the way home, my friend Andy took me out to eat at Alex's Place ( http://www.alexsribs.com ) near the Batavia Downs Race Track.
I had the Half Rack Lunch Special - Garlic Ribs with BBQ on the side, coleslaw, fries, and a bowl of Cheesy Pepperoni Soup.
These were by far, the best ribs I've ever tasted in my life, and perhaps the best restaurant I've ever been to in my life.
The establishment looks like an old speak-easy, and it was a little darker inside than I prefer, but again, the food was ABSOLUTELY amazing, and if any of you are in the neighborhood, I highly recommend getting ya' some ribs!
