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random thoughts [+] Friday E-Devotion

Forgive me for this devotion coming so late in the day, but I have to tell you that this week has been one for the books.  God kicked off the week in rare fashion with a message from one of our leaders who heard from God.  Then, God closed the week by confirming more of His direction for The Community Fellowship.  But be careful:
 
1 Peter 5:8 (nlt) --- Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
 
When we choose God, Satan is on our case.  His desire is to get our minds off of God, our attitudes wrong and our actions way out of line with what God says and with what God is doing.  Satan is not only like a lion, but he acts like he has it all together.  I mean there are times that Christians, including myself, think we are headed in the right direction and doing the right thing only to realize Satan has taken our focus and direction off of God.  He is good.  But God is better.
 
Let's remind ourselves of what God has done.  Saved us.  Forgave us.  Holds us.  Provides for us.  Reminds us.  Pushes us.  All the while, caring for us, His children.
 
Acts 2:17 (nlt) --- 'In the last days,' God says,'I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.  Your sons and daughters will prophesy.  Your young men will see visions,and your old men will dream dreams.
 
We are His people.  In these last days, God's work will be done.  It will happen.
 
Let me take you on a journey to some random thoughts that hit me this week that need our attention:
 
Perry Noble in this post talked about how we view and often criticize people we don't really know... We hear something about someone who we perceive to be some sort of threat…and instead of doing our homework we assume it's true because we want to believe it.
 
Mark Waltz from Granger Community Church reminded me of discipleship... Discipleship defines the process and journey taken by anyone who chooses to be a disciple of Christ – that is, a learner, one who watches and interacts with Christ to take on his agenda in the world, namely to bring up there, down here. That's all relational stuff. It's about realizing that "I matter to God" and so does everyone else. (I love the title of Mark's blog, "because People Matter")
 
Tim Stevens in this post talked about the duties of a campus pastor (Tim is from Granger, too)... He said the role of pastor can be summed up as these things: Catalytic Leader, Team Builder, Relational Leader, Talent Scout, Total Quality Manager, Communicator, Cheerleader, Carrier of the DNA (vision), Solution Specialist, Staff Champion, Pastor, and Reproducer.  (Read the entire blog for the surrounding truth)
 
Why do I share those with you?  Because I have been talking with God about those issues (and more).  About being critical.  About being on task as a disciple maker.  About my role as a lead pastor.  Vision comes from God, and when it does, it is awesome.  Over the top.  Unstoppable.  More than that.  I honestly cannot wait to see what God is going to do next.
 
Proverbs 29:18 (kjv) --- Where there is no vision, the people perish...
 
This Sunday we continue our series of Confessions of a Pastor as I talk about the fact that I have made some mistakes (you are shocked, I know).  Check it out at The Community on Sunday or at my blog and in devotions next week.  Have a blessed weekend!

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