Pastor Nigel

CHRISTMAS TRUTH.

At one of the last shows on the Christmas tour, the church pastor encouraged Mark Lee to take any books from his shelves that he fancied reading. One of the books Mark took was "Soul Cravings" By Erwin McManus. This reminded me that I had read the book on my last mission trip to India and had been struck by a number of ideas that McManus had. Revisiting the book, I found this great quote about Christmas:
Jesus didn't come to show us a better way or point us to a better life, but instead invites us to know him as the One who is the way, the truth and the life. If all God wanted was to make sure that we knew the truth, Jesus didn't have to come..... It's simply not enough to know what is true. We need far more than that. We need to know the One who is true. Jesus walked among us not so that he could get to know us but so that we would come to know him. God himself stepped into human history so that we would know that he is not only the source of truth, but that he is utterly and completely trustworthy.
May God bless you this Christmas, as you walk in the truth, love, peace and trust of Jesus.

SOUTHAVEN,MS.- The Suffering Servant.

On our last night of the tour, and we joined together this afternoon for our final tour devotional- a Communion service with Mac leading us in a few worship songs. Finishing off our studies in Isaiah we concentrated on The Suffering Servant passage- Isaiah 52.13-53.12.
This is the 4th of the servant songs in Isaiah and depicts Jesus as the 'man of sorrows' and the 'suffering servant'. This passage is quoted in the New Testament more than any other and has been called the Gospel in the Old Testament.
Here's the gist of my thoughts on the passage;
FAITH IN JESUS IS GOOD NEWS!
Focusing on Christmas helps us understand the Incarnation.
Focusing on the Cross helps us understand the Atonement.
Focusing on the Resurrection helps us understand the Spirit empowered life.
If we only concentrate on one aspect of the life of Jesus we'll miss out on the others and our understanding will become unbalanced. We can't just take the Christmas message in isolation, and must realise that Jesus was born as a baby to fulfil the Easter story and to bring about the Kingdom of God.
The Suffering Servant passage graphically describes the agony of the substitutionary sacrifice that Jesus made, and reminds us that because of Jesus we receive:
REMISSION FROM OUR SIN-our punishment is cancelled, our guilt is removed.
RECONCILIATION WITH GOD- our relationship with our creator is restored.
REDEMPTION AND FREEDOM-our price has been paid and we can live in freedom and enjoy new life.
That's why Immanuel is GOD WITH US.

TULSA,OK.- The Spirit of the Lord is upon me...

The British affliction hit me again tonight- I said 'pounds' instead of 'dollars' onstage. Last time I corrected myself, tonight I didn't even notice!
Our devotional time centred on Isaiah 61 and the verses that Jesus used to launch his public ministry in Luke 4:
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion — to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61.1-3

The Spirit of God in the Old Testament is associated with both the Kingly role and the Servant role- an apt description of Jesus.
Here are some more questions for you to consider- they are all fairly basic and can be taken at face value!

1. Who is going to benefit from the preaching of good news?
2. What is meant by the contrast between ashes and crown, oil and garment?
3. Why do you think Jesus chose these words as his manifesto? (Read Luke 4.16+)
4. Why do you think he stops reading from Isaiah before mentioning the day of vengeance?
5. How do these words impact our priorities as followers of Jesus and tellers of the good news?

Rick Denham-Unsung Hero.

We're in Woodlands, TX. today and it gives me a chance to talk about one of the unsung heroes of the Third Day crew.
So often, God's real heroes aren't the people in the limelight but the unseen and even unknown folk who faithfully serve. Rick Denham has been running Third Day's Merch for years and does a fantastic and creative job. Yet it's really only a sideline, because Rick was born into a missionary family and has been based in Brazil for most of his life. Most of his working life is spent alongside his father in co-ordinating the ministry of Editora Fiel in Brazil which as well as publishing a vast amount of Christian literature and theological books, organises pastors training conferences, an adopt a pastor scheme in Brazil and Mozambique, and heaps of other Kingdom stuff. Only yesterday Rick was showing me an academic book about Creationism that they have just published- it could well be a world-wide resource. I've attached a JPG. of a recent newsletter that gives you some more detail about Editora Fiel- Faithful Publishing in English, their web site is Portuguese only at the moment. Please give thanks and pray for Rick and the awesome ministry he carries out, both with Third Day and in Brazil!

SAN ANTONIO, TX.- A voice in the wilderness.

After a 3 day break in Atlanta, the tour has resumed in Texas. I spent two nights at Mac's house (highlights- reading a Christmas story to a bunch of schoolchildren in the middle of a Mac mini-concert, and the Powell's Christmas Party) and one night at Mark's house (highlights- an incredible walk-in shower, and the film Beowulf in 3D). I also visited Scotty's studio The Rockporium and recorded a spoken vocal line for a new DecembeRadio song!
For our devotions in San Antonio we were joined by our friend, pastor and author Max Lucado along with his family a some people from his church. We studied the following passage from Isaiah:
“Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God.
“Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her that her sad days are gone and that her sins are pardoned. Yes, the LORD has punished her in full for all her sins.” Listen! I hear the voice of someone shouting, “Make a highway for the LORD through the wilderness. Make a straight, smooth road through the desert for our God.
Fill the valleys and level the hills. Straighten out the curves and smooth off the rough spots.
Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. The LORD has spoken!”
Isaiah 40.1-5

Most of us are desperate to have a meaning and purpose in life, we want to be valued, want to make a difference. Many people today, like in Reality TV, want to be famous. Not for being good or accomplished at something but just for being well-known.How about looking at someone who was well-known but shied away from fame. Who deliberately let the spotlight fall on someone else. Who faded into the background once his job was done and let the star take centre stage.
This person wasn’t just a name he was a voice.
He wasn’t just famous he was significant.
He wasn’t a superstar but a servant.
His name was John the Baptist.

I explained that these were verses John the Baptist used about himself in John 1.23 and I focused the devotional time on lessons to be learnt from John the Baptist himself. In order to help you understand completely you will need to read Malachi 3.1, Luke 1.13-17, John 1.19-23, Matthew 11.11, and Luke 3.15-17 ( read the Luke passage in the Message if you have it).

A brief summary of my talk:
JOHN WAS:

SECURE IN HIS IDENTITY –He was the cousin of Jesus but he realised he wasn't the Messiah himself. Despite many people thinking he may be the promised one, John knew exactly who he was and wasn't swayed be insecurity or jealousy.

HUMBLE IN HIS POSITION-strong He claimed he was not worthy to tie Jesus’ sandals, or to be his slave. Jesus said that there was no-one living greater than John! John used every opportunity not to point to himself but to the Messiah.

CERTAIN OF HIS PURPOSE- The Holy Spirit was upon John from before birth so that he would be a voice of one calling in the desert, preparing the way for the Lord. John faded from the scene when he had accomplished his purpose.

We are all modern day John the Baptists, making a way for the second coming of Jesus. Our prayers were that each of us would learn to be A Voice and not a Name.

MILWAUKEE,WI.

Today we managed to go to church! Our venue is Elmbrook Church just outside Milwaukee. Stuart Briscoe, originally from the UK, has long been the pastor of this church and this morning he preached part of a series on why Jesus came. As an aside in his sermon he mentioned the phrase that Jesus calls Simon Peter and Andrew with- "Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men". Each of was challenged when Stuart Briscoe broke it down like this:
COME- an invitation into a relationship
FOLLOW ME- a command to discipleship
I WILL MAKE YOU- a promise of transformation.

Our old friend Paul Colman popped in to see us at dinner time, he's playing a show nearby and it was so good to catch up with him now he's a Newsboy and to hear how well he's doing and all the things God has been leading him through. In our pre-show devotional time, we read one of the Suffering Servant passages from Isaiah- chapter 42.1-4
“Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, and I am pleased with him. I have put my Spirit upon him. He will reveal justice to the nations. He will be gentle—he will not shout or raise his voice in public. He will not crush those who are weak or quench the smallest hope. He will bring full justice to all who have been wronged. He will not stop until truth and righteousness prevail throughout the earth. Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for his instruction.”
By the way, if you didn't get around to finding the answers to yesterday's study then read Wendy's comments- she did a great job of getting to the heart of the passage! Nice one Wendy!

EDEN PRAIRIE, MN.-A shoot from David's family.

In a VERY cold Eden Prairie, at a VERY large Grace Church, we turned our attention in devotions to Isaiah chapter 11 which talks of Jesus in terms of a branch springing up from the lineage of Jesse, King David's father. Rather than tell you what we discovered, I'm going to ask you some questions to get you to discover for yourself. Use the NIV, NKJV or NLT if you can. Verses 1 to 5 are prophecies that have already been fulfilled with the first coming of Jesus, verses 6 onwards point to the second coming of Jesus.
In verse I what is the importance of Jesus being in David's line?
In verse 2 what do you think the word 'rest' signifies in relation to the Spirit of God?
In verse 2 what is the Spirit of God equipping Jesus with?
In verse 3 and 4 what is the Spirit of God equipping Jesus for?
In verses 6-8 what is the significance of the animals in pairs?
What image do you see in verses 10-12 of the victorious return of Jesus?
Go back to verse 1 and examine the phrase 'A branch will bear fruit'. Jesus uses the term 'bear fruit' often in the gospels. What do you think He means? How does your life bear fruit?
If you want to be more like Jesus, what have you learnt from this passage?

Reply with your thoughts, and we'll see if what you and we discovered was similar!

Yesterday we prayed for a 16 year-old girl called Gabby, from Tai and David's church, who was suffering from a brain problem due to a disease she had. Today we learnt that she had passed away. It's tough to find out news like that, especially when we prayed for her. Do I know why God chooses to heal some people and not others? No. Will that prevent me from praying that people will be healed? No. God's ways are greater than my ways, and He is sovereign. Today we prayed that Gabby would be secure in her heavenly Father's arms and that her family on earth would know the peace and love of God at this time of loss.

ON THE BUS TO BLOOMINGTON, IL- A child is born to us.

We stayed in Chicago last night so the band could record a couple of songs on WGN TV this morning. With a three hour drive to Bloomington ahead of us, and after a stop at Wendy's for lunch, we spent some time in devotions together.
The verses from Isaiah we looked at were:
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His ever expanding, peaceful government will never end. He will rule forever with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David. The passionate commitment of the LORD Almighty will guarantee this!
Isaiah 9.6-7
We reminded ourselves that the coming Messiah's characteristics will be:
* A wonder of a Counselor- supernatural wisdom and guidance will come from Him.
*A mighty God- He is a warrior, mighty in battle, leading us to victory over the evil one.
*The everlasting Father-He perpetually cares for us, His people.
*The Prince of Peace-bringing wholeness and wellbeing to individuals and communities, familes and nations. We can only know real peace in our spirits through Him.
He'll be the final King of Israel but his rule will go way beyond the boundaries of Israel.
Both the advent of the Messiah and the Blessing of His people are guaranteed by God's passionate commitment. Once again we saw that Isaiah's writings give us a window into the nature and character not just of Jesus the Messiah but God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We simply prayed thanksgiving prayers for who the Messiah is and that each of us would come to a deeper understanding of Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

FAYETEVILLE, NC - The call of Isaiah.

DEVOTIONAL UPDATE
Being a Sunday we had tour devotions together in the afternoon, which culminated in communion. Continuing our focus on Isaiah, I spoke about the Call of Isaiah in chapter 6 v.1-13.
Here are the main points:
v.1. Just like Isaiah, we all need a personal encounter with the Lord Almighty.
v.3. Isaiah enters this encounter broken and discouraged, but recognises that a Holy God deserves to be worshiped.
v.5. Isaiah becomes aware of his own uncleanliness and unworthiness before the perfect Lord. Isaiah's problem was his unclean lips- the words he spoke. What is the thing that you know makes you unclean before God?
v.6. Cleansing and purification by the Holy fire of God enables our guilt to be taken away and our sins atoned for.
v.8. God calls! He's always been a sending God, a missionary God. Isaiah moves from despondency to availability and responds to God's call.
v.10 onwards. There's a tough challenge ahead for Isaiah but God will be with him. Some of us would rather stay in the place of personal encounter and blessing, but God calls us to go out and obey his commission.
The great miracle of this passage is that a man of unclean lips becomes God's messenger.

GREENVILLE, SC.

Tour highlghts so far:
*Brad introducing the song Merry Christmas-about the long wait for his newly adopted daughter from China. The song and the accompanying video have me and many others in tears.
* Third Day signing Love Song for a Savior and Jars of Clay singing Love Song-do you see what they did there?
*Being given the opportunity to talk about the theme of the tour Christmas Offerings with the audience for 5 minutes each night and share the work of Blood:Water Mission and World Vision. We want people to give generously to these ministries as a Christmas Offering to the Lord.
*Learning Scotty Wilbanks favorite phrases- "That ain't never hurt no-one" and "That's what I'm talkin 'bout right there" - they are going to become part of my preaching sooner or later!

DEVOTIONAL UPDATE
Today we studied Isaiah 7.10-14 and meditated on the awesome sign from God:Immanuel-God with Us.
In our thoughts and prayers have been-
Alex Dodaine, a young fan currently very ill with Leukemia.
O'Brien Payne, another young fan who was struck by a car yesterday.
Pastor Samuel Paul, a friend of mine from India who contacted me about a pastor colleague of his who was burnt alive by Hindu extremists last week.
The city of Jerusalem, that peace will return there.
PLEASE JOIN US TO PRAY FOR THESE.