CCA Devotionals

A Spiritual Thought from Gordon…

Last week was Mother's Day, so I asked the congregation for a word or event that would best describe their mother. A number of expected words followed. "Sacrificial," "Tireless," "Faithful," " A Prayer Warrior" with tearful comments of appreciation. Then we read Psalm 86 and looked at some words that describe our God.. " a listener," "patient," "good and kind," "slow to anger," "ready to forgive," and my favorite -"Abounding in Love!"

But what describes us as believers? If John were to write a letter to your church as he did in Rev 2-3 - what would he commend? Or what would John cite as a cause for the Lord to remove our candlesticks? (a pretty serious threat if I understand the Bible correctly!)

At a recent Pastor's conference, I heard Marty Giese from Minnesota remind this gathering of shepherds of the flocks of the heart of their mission. For all of us in ministry what a great reminder.

We are to love God and to love others. They are after all the two greatest commandments.

So we should be loving. How do we become more loving may be addressed more in the future. For Baptist folks like me even the phrase loving God is a bit foreign. "Defend God, sing to God, give to God, serve God - but... Love God? with everything I have? and love others too!

If that wasn't convicting enough, Dr. Marty said we should be fruitful. And after humbling us with statistics of the numbers of churches in decline, and the number of churches that haven't seen a real genuine convert in over 10 years, I felt like my lampstand was already gone. Loving and fruitful? How do we get there?

Many in the ministry are faithful but to twist the old commercial slogan --WHERE'S THE BEEF?" are you willing to ask the question of your ministry - "WHERE'S THE FRUIT?"

Is what you are doing working? Based on love, and bearing fruit? Perhaps a shift in our focus is needed from the number of bookings, and product sales to lives touched, hearts changed, and believers encouraged.

In the next devotional or two we will look at some qualities of fruitful Christians and ministries. But lets tackle one before we go.

There is one quality found in Mark 10: 32-45. Picture the scene, moments after Jesus told the disciples He was going to die. Two of the disciples responded by going to Jesus ASKING FOR A FAVOR!!! This started an argument amoung the disciples about who is going to be the greatest in the Kingdom. In the key verse10: 44 Jesus says, "whoever wants to be great, MUST FIRST become a slave!"

A SLAVE?

Why is the church not growing? I've read the books. Is it a lack of effort? tough environment, the power of evil, a lack of efficient time management or out-dated evangelism - NO! The biggest problem we face, especially we in the Christian entertainment ministry, is E-G-O!

In seminary I was told to be a true success in ministry that the quest to be great must die! My first Christian album- Marantha's "Praise II" had a song that said it so clearly..

"If you want to be great in God's Kingdom learn to be the servant of all."

Rather die first? Well, that is the first step in real revival! Die to self, sin, and Satan - and be alive to Christ ! (Romans 6: 11)

Gal. 2: 20 says, "I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who love me and gave Himself for me." Oh, if we could apply this verse- how different we would be.

Since this is a devotional, not a sermon. we will pick up on some other qualities of fruitful Christians and ministries next time. Maybe even at the CCA conference in August.

But think about the three words so far..?

Will they be written under your picture in Heaven's yearbook?

LOVING, FRUITFUL, SLAVE

LOVING

Are we loving? Do we Love God? And Others ? If not, perhaps a few verses would be worth looking up. And a prayer ... "Lord help me to be rooted and grounded in your love, and help me to love others the way that you do." (Eph 3: 14-21)

FRUITFUL

John 15 reminds us that God choose us to bear fruit, MUCH FRUIT? Fruit that comes from abiding in His Love.

SLAVE -

Jesus came not to be served to serve and to give His life? How can we best use our gifts to serve? I heard a young girl named Gianna this week at a Pregnancy center banquet. This abortion survivor offered this pearl of wisdom to ministries that want to grow. She said, "...find a need- and meet it with love." That is it. Loving service will win folks to Christ like nothing else.

May it be true of us.

For His Glory!

Gordon Douglas
gordoncomedy@comcast.net

Director of Spiritual Life, Men’s Chaplain

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Comedic Messengers

Kay DeKalb Smith

How will that gift be used? Will we build up or tear down with our clever “wittiness?” Will we share it with everyone or only a few? Will we be faithful with the small crowds as well as the large? Would you be satisfied to entertain only, an audience of one?

If that audience were only our Masterful Creator? Can you say it is enough----to have made Him laugh? When you refused to be dissuaded from the career ”that will not let you go.”

Can you say it is enough… when you do not know how your family will eat next month? You only know none of your children have starved as you have sought to please Him thus far. Can you say it is enough to know you are “called” to this nomadic life to which few are privileged to go?

We are a chosen few… set apart for a powerful work. Commissioned to be comedic surgeons of the heart. Capable of tearing down walls with laughter and then skillfully using the “scalpel” of the truth to cut to the core of man.

Beware that you have covered each performance with prayer, that your words and humor would be appropriately applied. That your “vessel” would be clean, sins confessed, and Holiness covering your heart.

Remember you are only the messenger. He is the ultimate message. You are funny, because He deemed it so. In fact, you were born with your heart full of fun, to first and foremost, please…. this “Audience of One”.

Kay DeKalb Smith
Kay@Kaydekalbsmith.com

Director of Spiritual Life, Women’s Chaplain

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