HOW TO START AGAIN 

Posted on by pastordavidturner

And he went on his journey from the South as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, to the place of the altar which he had made there at first. And there Abram called on the name of the Lord. — Genesis 13:3-4

My father often told me, “First things first.” Sometimes we worry about things that are outside of our control, or we rush into a project without establishing an effective plan, or we never begin because we are overwhelmed. In our walk with God, we can often wonder where to begin, especially if we have been distracted or stuck. Let me help you start again. Let me encourage you: 2024 can be a reset for you.  

I want to show you how you, like Abraham, you can get unstuck and move into God’s plan for your life. It is not too late; you can get back on track with your relationship with God.

In most office jobs I have worked in I became the default tech guy. Let me be clear, I have no IT expertise. Maybe it is because my generation is the ones that grew up in the technological explosion, being the first ones to learn computers, the internet, and smart phones. Whatever the reason, I often find myself helping people with whatever techy-glitch they faced. I often told my co-workers, “I really only have two tools in my belt: reset or baseball bat.” Almost every time, resetting a device will solve the problem. And I have found we often need a reset in life. A good night sleep resets our system. A healing conversation resets a friendship. Getting back to church helps us reset our spiritual walk. Setting a new goal resets growth. So, how do we reset our relationship with God?  

The Good news: In the Kingdom, there is abounding grace and rich, new mercies every day. You can start over because God is the God of second chances- and third, and fourth…and tenth, etc. He is an expert at divine resets. We always begin in the mercy of God by responding to God in worship. When you want or need to begin again in life, start with worship. It is a response to His mercy; it is the way to receive His grace and realign with the good purpose He has for you. If there has been compromise or failure, worship grounds you in God’s redeeming love. If you have been distracted or defeated, worship will reorient you to the most important, highest calling of loving God. If you are in pain or needing hope, worship postures your heart to receive God’s healing presence.

Let’s look at Abraham’s example:

Abraham’s relationship with God began with an encounter with God. God called, God chose, God revealed Himself to Abraham. In this encounter, Abraham received a promise and a purpose from God. The amazing thing about Abraham, is that He believe God, left everything, and followed the Lord into this promise and purpose. 

“Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”  So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him. — Genesis 12:1-4

The first thing Abraham did, when God showed him the Promised Land, was worship. For him it looked like building an altar and calling on God. Though we may not build physical altars anymore, we still offer God sacrifices through our praise and we still call on the name of the Lord. Abraham’s response to God’s word – His promise and purpose–was worship. This is how Abraham began. This is how we begin. Worship is the expression of faith; it is the posture of obedience. Worship is always how we begin.  

Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” And there he built an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him. And he moved from there to the mountain east of Bethel, and he pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; there he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord. – Genesis 12:7-8

But then, a famine came upon the land. Abraham was in a desperate situation so he went to Egypt with his family because the economy of that nation was not as affected by the famine. 

Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to dwell there, for the famine was severe in the land. — Genesis 12:10

However, it seems disillusionment set in. Abraham may have wondered, “Why would God call me to a place in famine? Why did He promise blessing where there is lack?”  He became afraid, thinking people would harm him, rather than trusting God to fulfill His word. How often do we start well only to become discouraged and disappointed with God? How often do we question God in the process and become sidetracked? And in that place where our faith is being tested, we are often tempted to compromise. 

God protected his wife Sarah, despite Abraham’s lack of covering towards her. God led Abraham out of Egypt and back into the Promised Land, despite Abraham’s lack of faith. God blessed Abraham abundantly, despite his compromise. God’s plan and promise cannot be stopped! He is the God of abundant mercy and the invitation is always to start again. When God showed him mercy, Abraham returned to the first place he had settled. He rebuilt the altar and called on the Lord again. 

And he went on his journey from the South as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, to the place of the altar which he had made there at first. And there Abram called on the name of the Lord. — Genesis 13:3-4

Do you see it? He went to the place of the “beginning” where he had been “at first”. He started over. He began again. He pushed “reset”. And how did he begin again? With worship. He worshipped the God who is rich in mercy, the God of forgiveness, whose calling is irrevocable. He worshipped the God of covenant who is faithful even when we are not. He worshipped the God of promise who cannot lie. Just like Abraham, God loves you. He has made promises to you and has a purpose for your life. Like Abraham, God’s mercy is new every morning. Like Abraham, you are invited to start again. 

Worship is the reset we need. It is the first thing. It is how we begin and begin again. Have you become distracted with life’s anxieties, found yourself stuck in compromise, or grown weary because of delay? You can get back on track; you can begin again. God is waiting for you to drawn near to Him. Here is how you can build a spiritual altar and call on the name of the Lord.

Listen to David’s words from Psalm 18:1-3:

I will love You, O Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies.

Like David, build an altar with your words or a song. Call on the Lord by opening your mouth and directing your heart towards God with words or songs of love and trust. Then ask Him for what you need. Make worship a part of your daily time with God. Cultivate this kind of loving adoration in your heart towards God every day. As you do, your heart will open to God’s grace and your spirit will grow stronger in faith. Those distractions will part, and clarity and focus will come. That shame will melt away, and confidence will increase. God’s healing will flow to your heart. You will posture yourself to hear the Lord.   

Want to invite Jesus into your life?  Learn more. 

Looking for a home church? 

If you live in the Saint Louis area, we would love for you to join us any weekend at one of our campuses. You can also check us out online. We pray you find the right community of Christ-followers for you wherever you live. 

Life-changing Encounters With Jesus

Posted on by pastordavidturner

For the church I am privileged to pastor, one key thing I sense for 2023 is God inviting us deeper in His presence to prepare us to be sent out.  God is wanting us to slow down and take time to enjoy Him because He is going to equip and empower us to go out and make disciples. Encounter always proceeds commissioning. We can only give what we have received; we can only pour out when we have been filled. This is what happened for prophet Isaiah and it is a prophetic picture for us in this season. 

Isaiah 6 “I Saw the Lord….”

Imagine standing in a room and suddenly you see a vast and majestic throne with God sitting upon it. His kingly robes are so expansive and wonderful they fill the whole room. Angels are singing. The room begins to tremble and you feel the vibrations throughout your body.  The atmosphere is filled with a fragrance and smoke you can see, feel, and smell. This is what Isaiah experienced.  

The encounter we witness in Chapter 6 of Isaiah is a “blending” of heaven and earth. Isaiah was seeking God in a physical temple in Jerusalem (notice he mentions a temple in v.1 and a house with doors in v.4) when the glory of God manifests in a profound and life changing way. God’s throne room, heaven itself, descended. Imagine an overlay – the pillars of the physical temple are overlayed with the pillars of heaven. The oxygen of earth is infused with the atmosphere of heaven. God’s heavenly throne room fills the physical space. 

When we praise, God’s throne descends and His glory manifests. This, according to a principle David taught in Psalm 22:3, is what happens when we praise God: “But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel.” God inhabits or dwells upon the praises of Israel, His covenant people (this includes us who are in Christ – see Galatians 3:29). The Hebrew word in Psalm 22:3 can be translated “dwell, inhabit or even marry” – as in two merging, blending, or becoming one. God Himself draws near when we draw near to Him (James 4:8).  

When Isaiah says he “saw the Lord sitting on a throne” (v.1), He is really seeing the real God on a real throne. He is seeing by the Holy Spirit in the spirit-realm. Isaiah is in the physical temple and yet in this encounter he enters the heavenly holy of holies as God’s glory is unveiled to Him. God is always present; heaven always open. This encounter is made possible because of a removing of a veil over our spiritual eyes that keeps us from walking in this reality constantly. When we give God our full attention, we discover He is there – was always there waiting for us. When we become fully present to Him, we encounter His presence. When we adore Him, we behold His glory and discover He has always been adoring us. This is what Paul taught in 2 Corinthians 3:16, “Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” This is a work of the Spirit who opens our spiritual eyes and ushers us into the presence of God. 

These manifestations of God’s presence are real and available to all of us. This is a regular occurrence in the bible. Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Jesus, Stephen, John, and so many more friends of God encountered the manifest presence of God. In fact, almost no friend of God called to partner with God was without some encounter and revelation. It is God’s way. He reveals Himself to those who seek Him, like He promised in Jeremiah 29:12, “If you seek Me, you will find Me.”  Many of us understand seeking, but there is a finding as well. If we are called to “enter in” to the holy of holies then there is also an enjoying of the holy of holies. 

You can enter into God’s presence and you can enjoy God’s presence. Simply pause now, turn your attention to the Lord, and begin to adore Him out loud with words of praise. Keep it simple. Offer loving adoration like, “Jesus, I love you. Thank you.”  Set aside every distraction and focus your mind on the Lord. See Him high and lifted up, seated on His throne. Join with heaven and tell Him He is holy, that there is no one like Him. Do this daily, maybe a few times a day.  Continually turning your attention to the Lord, setting the affections of your heart and the thoughts of your mind on Him.

As you do this, you will become aware of His presence. His Spirit will fill you with heaven’s glory – with joy, peace, calm, rest, strength. The atmosphere around you will change as heaven comes. Your perspective will shift in the light of God. Wisdom and clarity will come. In this place, called “secret”, you will encounter God’s presence and hear His voice. He will share His heart with you and transform you from the inside out to be just like Jesus. 

This is the slowing down, the diving deeper, the abiding that God is inviting us into because, just like Isaiah, God has some things He needs to change in us and speak to us (read Isaiah 6:7-8). He wants to share His heart with us and invite us to partner with Him. Will you, like Isaiah, say “Here I am” and become fully present to Him?  And when He shares His heart with you, will you, like Isaiah, say, “Send Me!” and partner with Him?   

A Friend of God: Collaboration

Posted on by pastordavidturner

“They sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb.”

Revelation 15:3

The Book of Revelation

There is a lot going on in the book of Revelation because there is a lot going on in heaven. The book, which details the coming of Jesus and the events leading to His return and eternal reign, is centered around visions of heaven. In Revelation 4-5 the Apostle John is taken to heaven. He has the awesome privilege of seeing the glory of God and hearing worship around His throne.  He is also invited to see and hear specific plans for the future of the world. He may be the first and only real time traveler! (more on that later). 

After John enters the throne room of God, He is shown a series of visions about the future of the world.  Everything is happening primarily in the spirit-realm and then manifesting secondarily on the earth. Scrolls and trumpets in the heavenly realm; famines, earthquakes, and such in the natural realm. We won’t comment now about the timing and fulfillment of these things. Some have happened, some are happening, and some will happen soon (see Revelation 1:19). It is all real—though the nature of the spiritual realm can seem strange to us. 

Revelation 15 – Song of Moses & the Song of the Lamb

Then we get to Revelation 15. The final judgements are about to be poured out on the earth. But first, a song! John is observing a moment after much judgement on the earth and before Jesus’ return. It is an “in-between pause. As human history draws near its conclusion, heaven takes a breathe. It is an intensely beautiful moment in heaven–and we get a glimpse!   In this moment, worship begins again and this time it’s the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb:

“Great and marvelous are Your works,
Lord God Almighty!
Just and true are Your ways,
O King of the [b]saints!
4 Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?
For You alone are holy.
For all nations shall come and worship before You,
For Your judgments have been manifested.”

Here is what strikes me as odd: why is it called the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb?  Clearly, the text is saying they wrote this song: It is Moses’ song and it is the Lamb’s song. So, I looked back in the Old Testament to find songs Moses wrote. There is a song in Exodus 14 after the Red Sea drowned the Egyptian army and became the highway of deliverance for Israel. But the words of Revelation 15 are not found in that song. Then there is a song he wrote in Psalm 90. Again, not in any way related to the song of Revelation 15.  

Revelation 15 has to be a new song written by Moses. But He is not the only one who wrote it. It is also written by Jesus. Brace yourself. They collaborated! It’s their song which they co-wrote together. It is a masterpiece of their friendship. Can you see it?  Jesus and Moses hanging out in eternity, collaborating on a new song.  A special song to be song in honor of God before the conclusion of human history and Jesus’ return to restore the world. All of heaven starts singing their song. John witnesses the debut, the single release of this song. 

Theological side note. Did you know Jesus loves His Father more than anyone and is the chief worshipper leader of all of heaven? Check out Hebrews 2:11-12 referencing Psalm 22.  Jesus is God. We need a much deeper, dynamic understanding of the triune relationship of God. Father loves and honors His Son more than anyone else and wants us all to do the same (John 5:20-23). It should not surprise us that Jesus is worshipping His Father and writing a worship song with Moses. Rather, this is likely the most magnificent realization I have had in a long time; this truth has drawn me deeper into my friendship with Jesus and it can do the same for you. 

Collaboration with Jesus

Jesus wants friendship with you. He wants to collaborate with you. This is the deep yearning of His heart: a friend, a partner, a bride. For Jesus, ministry is not something we do for Him but with Him. The various gifts He has given to you, the creative potential resident within you, was deposited by His choice. He gave you something that you might make something with Him for others. What masterpiece of your friendship will you make with Jesus? What does Jesus want to do with you? Lean into your friendship with God, seek Him, and ask. When you get intimately close to God, you can’t help but become confident in your calling and full of courage to walk it out in love.  What if that song you are called to create, or that business you are called to start, or that bible study you are called to write is something Jesus wants to collaborate with on you as an overflow of your intimate friendship with Him? Exit burn out; enter rest. Exit fear; enter confidence. Exit striving; enter joy.

The truth is that ministry is primarily worship to Him and friendship with Him. We serve others and share our gifts to be a blessing. But we also hide, compare, covet, judge. We are so caught up seeking applause or fearing rejection that we have forgotten why we were created. You were made for Jesus, designed for His presence, and fashioned for His glory. You will be free when you collaborate with Jesus. Only then will others truly be blessed because the masterpiece will be pure. How beautiful is that song of Moses and the Lamb, because it is their masterpiece of friendship offered in worship to God. Neither vying for control, ownership, or royalties. Our Master and Savior is a servant. He shares. He includes. He is the Vine and we are the branches. And Moses, God’s friend, wrote this song with Jesus and for His Father. He wasn’t looking for glory, but offering Himself as a servant of God. Let’s do the same.

Key to Abraham

Posted on by pastordavidturner

As we continue in our series out of Genesis, the book of beginnings, we journey with Abraham to see see how God transformed him and how God can restart our faith and transform us too.

I love how real and how raw Abraham was.  I love how God worked through his imperfections.  And despite Abraham’s flaws, there was something that set him apart; something that moved the heart of God, attracted favor, and released the miraculous.

What was it!?  What is the key to Abraham’s life?  As you listen to this message may you see how you can imitate Abraham and position yourself for deeper friendship with God and supernatural intervention from Him in your life.

Enjoy!

The Praise Breakthrough

Posted on by pastordavidturner

Often just when we start making some progress, resistance comes.  Often after revival, comes backlash.  We can be tempted to be discouraged, but the Lord is reminding us that our victory is on our lips, that praise is the way to breakthrough.  So don’t worry; worship.  Don’t back down; Bless the Lord.  Don’t give up; give Him glory!

Be reminded through some powerful testimonies that as you worship, God is moving.  He is going before you, fighting for you, giving you victory.  Praise Him!

Enjoy!

 

Costly Worship

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There is no worship without sacrifice.  Think about it!  It is all over the Bible.  God is honored when we worship Him in a costly manner.  Even David knew this and said, “I will not give to God that which costs me nothing!”

In these messages we continue to learn that we are called to minister to God and discover what blesses God.  Let God draw you deeper.

Enjoy!

Ministering to the Lord

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We are not only called to minister for the Lord but to the Lord. Our primary calling is to know and love God.  In fact, we find our identity and purpose when we put Him first and honor Him.

In these messages, the Lord is teaching us what blesses Him.  We often think of our own needs and wants; but do we really consider what God wants?  Let God draw you deeper.

Enjoy!

The Gift of Joy

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The joy of the Lord is not the joy of circumstance or the joy of emotions.  The joy of the Lord, the joy of our salvation, is a gift from God beyond this world.  It is resurrection joy that defies circumstances.  It is joy before you see the results.  It is the victory before the victory.  Receive the joy of the Lord in this inspiring, prophetic message.  Let Jesus give you joy by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Enjoy!

Breaking The Yoke of Debt Part 6

Posted on by pastordavidturner

In this series of messages, God has been preparing our heart to receive His promised blessings.  The breakthrough God is working in us is for our financial life as well as every  other area of our lives.  In order to prepare us, God has been breaking “yokes” in our hearts: greed, lust, complacency, and unbelief.

In this message, God is calling us to SING OUR WAY TO VICTORY!  I believe the Lord is calling us to rise up and sing, rejoice, shout in faith before we see the breakthrough.  The victory always begins on the inside.  Faith sees and sings before the answer comes, before the breakthrough happens.

Enjoy and sing your way to victory!

Return To Where You Began

Posted on by pastordavidturner

Have you received a promise and rejoiced?  and then after the promise came hardship and delay?  Did you struggled in faith?  Well, you are not alone.   And just like Abraham, the father of our faith, you can return to where you began.

Abraham was called by God to leave his family, his comfort zone, and his financial safety net. He left everything because he heard God and trusted in His promises (Check out Genesis 12 and Hebrews 11 for more of the story).

When Abraham arrived in the land of Canaan he heard God say, “To your descendants I will give this land.” So he built an altar as an act of worship to God. This altar was a symbol of his faith—of his joy, his gratitude, his confidence, his resolve to follow God.

This altar was a symbol of his faith—of his joy, his gratitude, his confidence, his resolve to follow God.

But then Abraham was confronted with an economic crisis, a drought and famine. After the promise came hardships and delay.  Abraham struggled in his faith. His character was tested. Abraham went down to Egypt where it was safe. He lied, putting his wife in danger, to save his own skin.  Hint: don’t follow that example. 

But after his failure came restoration. Genesis 13 describes Abraham’s return: he came out of Egypt and returned “to the place where his tent had been at the BEGINNING, between Bethel and Ai, to the place of the altar which he had made there at FIRST. And there Abram called on the name of the Lord (Genesis 13:3-4).”

“…to the place of the altar which he had made there at FIRST.” -Genesis 13:4

Did you see that!? He returned to where he BEGAN. He returned to the place he had FIRST built an altar. He went back to the place God had spoken, to the place he believed God, to the place of joy, of confidence, of resolve, of thankfulness. He returned to faith.

Do you need to return to faith? Do you need to remember what God has promised you? Do you need to remember joy, confidence and thankfulness? Do you need to return, rebuild an altar of faith, worship and call on God’s name?  Well, you can. Just like Abraham you can return to where you began.  God’s mercy is new today. He is waiting for you to turn to Him, and cry out for His help.

And here is a good place to begin: like Abraham, be “strengthened in faith, giving glory to God (Romans 4:20).” Worship.  Boast about God.  Praise Him.  Find His promises in the bible and shout, “Thank you!”