Calming a cluttered mind
One of my favorite things about church is praise and worship time. I love to sing and look across the sanctuary to see everyone celebrate the goodness of God in unison.
But for several weeks, my mind hasn’t been on it. The harder I try to focus on the music, the more my mind wanders. It starts with the many things I need to do at home or what’s waiting for me at work the next day.
So last Sunday I decided to ask God to help me get my thoughts together and show me how to organize my mind.
Interestingly, the answer He gave was not what I expected at all. It came in the form of the next song the worship team played called, “What a Beautiful Name.”
If you’ve never heard this song, it simply says that Jesus’ name is beautiful, wonderful and powerful. It says He brought heaven down to us, and even though my sin is great, His love is far greater.
The entire song is about how Jesus loves me so much that He died for me and invites me to be with Him for eternity.
It’s the gospel, and the answer to my question reminded me to put things in perspective.
Tears fell down my cheeks as I heard God say through a song that no matter what happens, His love for me is everlasting and unconditional — and nothing will take that away.
As I was leaving church, I had a renewed spirit, a renewed heart and a renewed mind.
Most of all, I knew that allowing worry and anxiety to interfere with my worship time with God wouldn’t solve any problems, but focusing on His love for me would give me the peace to be able to tackle those things that seem constant in my mind.
Amy Hacker
the-scroll.com
Nothing is going to overcome the cross of Jesus Christ.
Mark Bethea
Pastor, First Baptist Church Montgomery
I believe and pray this could truly be the time we could see some of the most fruitful days of ministry.
Tim Cox
Immediate past president, Alabama Baptist Convention
It’s not often that I cry when reading an article, but the recent front-page article about the Eagles boys baseball team coming to Christ brought the tears.
Josh Watford
Siloam Baptist Church, Marion, Ala.
Testimony time: a couple of weeks ago, a lady came forward to inquire about church membership. I met with her and asked how she discovered our church. She said that in the early 90s she was a single mom with three kids and living in a women’s shelter.
Folks from our church visited the shelter and took care of her kids while she went job searching. Now, 30 years later, God led her back. I’m baptizing her in a couple of weeks and with tears she said, “Last week at church, an older man said something to me that I’ve waited so long to hear. He said, ‘Welcome home.’” I might or might not have joined her in crying.
Pastor Daniel Atkins
Taylor Road Baptist Church, Montgomery
Healthy churches are positive forces in culture and communities. They serve and love others. They unite families. They communicate the gospel, where one finds true hope and peace.
But when church members begin to lessen their commitment to their churches, those congregations become weaker. They become unhealthy. And unhealthy churches are bad for the communities they serve and the culture in which they live.
Thom Rainer
“The Quarter-Time Church Member: Five Observations”
churchanswers.com
When you’re called to what you do, they say you don’t work a day in your life.
Duncan Phillips
Drummer for Newsboys
From the Twitterverse
@sambunnell
“Have we tricked ourselves into believing that we aren’t loving people unless we publicly call them out on every theological flaw?” —@EdwardUpton
@DrTJPennington
Challenged by this wise observation from @jenniferwilkin — “It is the great liability of a teaching ministry: knowing you will likely out-teach your own ability to obey, knowing there will be days when you will not practice what you have preached.”
@PaulTripp
God never forgets, ignores, denies or fails to deliver what He’s promised to those who have put their trust in Him.
@MusingsOnChrist
On Christian Priorities
- The glory of God is our ultimate goal; 2. The people of God are our penultimate goal; 3. Human institutions are not even close
@shane_pruitt78
You’re created for Jesus: Your mind was created to think about how awesome Jesus is. Your heart was created to love Jesus. Your hands were created to serve others in the name of Jesus. Your feet were created to follow Jesus. Your mouth was created to tell others about Jesus!
@nathanafinn
If you’re breathing, you’re religious. It’s just a matter of where your devotion is directed.
@DustinBenge
“I will build My church” (Mt. 16:18).
“I” — the supremacy of Christ.
“will” — the plan of Christ.
“build” — the work of Christ.
“My” — the possession of Christ.
“church” — the bride of Christ.
The next time you think it’s all up to you, remind yourself, she belongs to Christ.
@revandyfrazier
We need fewer Christians who want to be glorified hall monitors, pointing out everything that is wrong. We need more compassionate ambassadors of grace, pointing people to the good news of Jesus.
@mhenslee
Sure, pastor, you could’ve said something differently or landed the plane better. You could’ve been clearer or more concise. But if you were faithful to #preachtheWord, stop second guessing. You can always improve, but tonight, know God is still working through your faithfulness.
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