i don't get it



This is the nineteenth of 21 posts serving as a devotional and prayer guide building up to the launch of creativecommunity.tv on Saturday November 6th.

Psalm 78: 2-4 “I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old... we will not hide them from their children.”

Have you ever tried to communicate with someone in a crowded room but you only wanted them to get the message. You twitched your nose, nodded your head, or tried to wink the morris code so that they could secretly get your message. Most times it doesn’t work and you just look foolish.

In our churches we have many secret codes. If you’ve attended church for a long time, you’re probably so used to codes that you don’t even realize that it’s a mystery to an outsider. We take for granted when to stand, sit, clap, take communion, and respond. Over time, we also start to develop unique phrases and sayings that only make sense in church.

There’s nothing wrong with this, as long as no one ever visits. To them, our services look a lot like a third base coach trying to send a secret message to the batter at the plate, and they’re left trying to understand.

Psalms 78 is a messianic Psalm that states that Jesus came to make complicated things easy and confusing things plain. He told parables that made His message simple, concise, and effective to everyone of His day.

What phrases and actions do we do today that leave people more confused than compelled? Ask the Lord to realign your faith in areas where we have become more ritualistic and less evangelistic.


Read Psalm 78:1-4

before i die



This is the eighteenth of 21 posts serving as a devotional and prayer guide building up to the launch of creativecommunity.tv on Saturday November 6th.

Recently, a movie came out about two older guys who decide to try to live out their bucket list (a list of things to do before they die (kick the bucket). Most are insane, odd, or completely unrealistic and near the end of the movie they realize that most of them are also insignificant.
Life is much more important than accomplishing goals or achieving recognition, it’s about a building a relationship with God, investing in the lives of others, and leaving a legacy for the next generation.
The past few days we’ve talked about the first two, but sometimes the last one is the most difficult. How do we live a life that calls out greatness in the next generation? Most generations reject and rebel the values of the previous generation.
David was a man who had a powerful relationship with God and focused his life of bringing hope and freedom to his people. But in Psalms 71: 18 we hear David’s plea with God to give him more time to do one last thing, “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.”
David understood that his message and dream could outlive him if he could declare the goodness of God to the next generation. And although they probably won’t dress like you or listen to your music the next generation is eagerly waiting for someone to speak truth into their life.
Ask God today how you can declare to the next generation the goodness of God.
Read Psalms 71: 14-18

Joe Gabbard

I'm a pastor and strategy leader at a great church in Kansas City, MO.  Ronnin and I have been married for over 10 years and we have two beautiful, blond headed boys.  I'm interested in loving my family and being part of a community that impacts the spiritual landscape of our region.

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