This morning I read the small but profoundly powerful Book of Lamentations.  This short book is filled with brokenness, heartache, tears, mourning, and deep sorrow.  It doesn’t take long to realize it is speaking about life. Every one of us has gone through difficult and heart-wrenching times.  Today is the anniversary of my dad’s death, and I still feel the pain and loss at his passing. But great is God’s faithfulness. His faithful love is great, and His mercy will never end. 

Jerusalem lay in ruin.  God’s people are starving, cannibalizing one another and wondering where their God is during the pain.  The enemy has laid siege upon the city and the people’s despair and brokenness are palatable in every word. However, God is not done with Jerusalem.  Tucked in the middle part of this solemn book is a wonderful promise: The lovingkindness of God will never cease; His compassion will never fail because His faithfulness is great.  I’ve come to realize it is only in the juxtaposition of life’s heartache and God’s mercy that we see His faithfulness. It is only as we gaze in the mirror of our sinfulness that we can realize that his mercy never fails and they are new every morning. 

The winds of suffering and pain often crash upon our lives.  It is difficult to see God during our heartache and grief. When you are unable to see God or understand His ways, trust in Him, anchor your heart to His faithfulness.  Believe deep in your soul that the Lord is your portion and He is enough and you will find this hope in Him will be sufficient. Don’t expect God to make things “right” today; fathers die of cancer and that can’t be resolved this side of heaven.  Give Him eternity to settle things. Put your hope in Him today, and He will prove Himself faithful today, tomorrow, and every day. I sure miss my dad. But the joy of the Lord is my strength. God is good, He is faithful, He is able, and I have no doubt, He will! 

 

Great is Thy faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness

Morning by morning new mercies I see

And all I have needed Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy faithfulness

Lord unto me

This Sunday, churches across North America and the world will be invaded by a special breed of person.  They grace us with their presence every Christmas and Easter and are thus called, Chreasters or CEOs (Christmas Easter and Other). To be honest with you, when in my first few years of ministry, I was a little agitated with them. How dare they come only once or twice a year?  I wanted to stand up in church and scream in Christ-like righteous anger, “Where in the world have you been all year?”  But then I began looking for them every holiday.  It wasn’t long until I appreciated them and now I even plan for them.  There are many reasons I love Easter, and few more important than it brings many people who only hear the Gospel once or twice a year into your church.  Are you ready for them?  Are you expecting them and wanting them to come?  Here are a couple of reminders to pastors and churches. 

Pastors, it’s ok to consider your guests as you plan your sermon.  This is probably not the Sunday to bring out that hour-long sermon you’ve been longing to preach to your seminary professor to prove to him how smart you are.  Don’t worry; your wife knows your not as smart as you think you are.  Be gospel-rich, theologically sound and point your audience to the hope of our risen Lord.  Remember, the gospel is powerful enough on its own.  Here’s a good rule of thumb: Don’t create on Easter Sunday what you are unable or unwilling to create on Labor Day Sunday.  Don’t create a show you put on but communicate so the Spirit will put Himself in. By all means, be on point this Sunday; make sure Jesus is your point.  Preach Jesus.

Regular attendees, as you arrive, if you are able, park a little farther away.  Wear your Fitbit that morning to assure you receive credit for your steps.  Try and sit closer to the front this week. If you are a Baptist, I know that goes against all holy and godly habits, but don’t make your guest walk down the aisle.  Remember, there is no assigned seating at church.  If all goes well on Sunday, someone will be seated in your seat.  That is gloriously good news.  By all means, go out of your way to talk to people you don’t know. However, if you see someone new, don’t say, “Wow, it must be Easter. I haven’t seen you in a year.”  Also, don’t say to a person, “Are you new here?.” There’s a chance they’ve been coming to the church for weeks and they are only new to you.   It’s probably not in the interest of retaining your guest to say, “What in the world are you doing here? This is the last place I expected to see you.”  Instead, when you see someone new this weekend or someone you haven’t seen since last Easter, simply say, “It sure is good to have you in church today.”  It’s simple, direct and effective.  Mingle. Be kind.  Be joyful.

Finally, sing this Sunday.  Let your guests see and hear the joy of your salvation.  You will be singing about our risen Lord, Jesus.  Don’t sing with a frown on your face. Smile.  Let your guests see you are really happy to be in church and feel remarkably blessed to be a child of God.  There should be a joy in your church this Sunday that will be able to be felt by everyone there.  I like to remind people that Jesus will still be alive next Sunday too.  It might be appropriate to have some joy next Sunday as well, just a thought.

To our guests: Churches welcome you. We are looking forward to having you with us.  Come early, grab a cup of coffee and fellowship with us. We are genuinely glad you are here. Don’t worry about anything, simply be our guests.  We have been expecting you and want you to know God loves you passionately, and we are excited to have you worship with us.  If the service raises any questions in your mind, please contact the church. I know the pastor would love to meet with you and discuss your questions. In the future, if we can ever be of service to you, please let us know.

Have a great Easter Sunday.  My prayer for all churches is the Holy Spirit will prepare you well, use you greatly and exalt Jesus deeply.  Welcome your guests, preach Jesus, and all will be fine. Wake up on Monday and get ready to do it all again.  Easter may come once a year, but we get an opportunity to welcome guests every Sunday.  Be ready.  If you aren’t careful, you may realize Easter Sunday is the way it’s supposed to be every Sunday.  He is Risen!