"Bored" Meeting

Last night was our monthly Board Meeting at New River. Board Meetings are notoriously known through such comments as "long, tiresome, boring, not profitable, petty requests, uninteresting conversations, or hidden agendas." You could probably add some other descriptive words if you have ever participated in a Board Meeting. Let me hasten to add that I do believe that these meetings are important and they do serve as a great means of accountability for the Pastor as well as means of tracking the progress or lack of progress of the local community of believers. I am blessed to be able to serve with a great Board who continues to have a heart that desires to please God and see the expansion of His Kingdom work in the lives of those individuals who attend New River.

I want to remind every individual believer that our desire should be to "participate in the expansion of the Kingdom of God in our individual lives as well as our corporate lives." We have too many "observers" and not enough "participants" in local churches scattered throughout America. But I am one of those who believe that God still has a plan to awaken the church in America so that we will arise and take our rightful place in the expansion of the Kingdom of God. 

The Spirit reminded me of something this morning during prayer time. We are nearing the close of 2015 and we are on the cusp of entering 2016. Some Christians can be compared to a little boy who can be seen kicking a can or ball down the road with no real destination or purpose in mind. Many Christians have become "Champion Procrastinators." We are always putting off the decision by "pushing" it or "kicking" it into our tomorrow and ignoring the call from the present. We must look honestly at our lives and ask this question; "How am I TRULY responding to God and His call to draw closer to Him? Our spiritual destiny hangs in the balances and is very much dependent on the correct response to God. Where is my journey taking me? Is it drawing me closer to God or is it leading me farther away from God? 

Back to the Board Meeting for a moment. I will not attempt to describe the "divine interruption" of the Spirit last night. Words of inspiration/knowledge/understanding were shared through various individuals as the Spirit worked among us. During this time the Spirit of God brought a passage of scripture to our attention. I felt led to share that with you today. There will be people who will read this post today; this passage is for you as well as for those who sat in that room last night. Read the following words with an open heart and with a hunger to please God.

Proverbs 3:5-12 (NLT)

  Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

    do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take.

7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
    Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8 Then you will have healing for your body
    and strength for your bones.

9 Honor the Lord with your wealth
    and with the best part of everything you produce.
10 Then he will fill your barns with grain,
    and your vats will overflow with good wine.

11 My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline,
    and don’t be upset when he corrects you.
12 For the Lord corrects those he loves,
    just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.