Justin Bindel's Blog

Making much of Christ in the midst of Trial!

2009-12-07T22:40:00.002-06:00

It is sometimes easy to have faith when everything is going well and going our way, but what about when everything is a mess! Sure, Jesus is enough when your wealthy and healthy, but what about in your poverty and sickness! Matt Chandler, lead pastor at the Village Church in Dallas recently had a tumor removed undergoing major surgery and made much of Christ" in the process.

John Piper stated on his twitter today, "Matt Chandler video on how not to waste a tumor. Making much of Christ NOW. In THIS. Gotta love him."

This video puts a lot of things into perspective. How are you making much of Christ today?

Counterfeit Gods

2009-11-11T08:48:00.005-06:00

What is the one thing that you fear the most about losing? That is your counterfeit god. It may be your job, money, wife, husband, success, friends, popularity, reputation, love. We have an idolatry problem. Our heart is an idol factory and we love that thing more than we love Christ. Why is our economy in the shape that is currently is? IDOLATRY

Tim Keller writes, "When you lose the ultimate source of your meaning or hope, there are no alternative sources to turn to. It breaks your spirit. What is the cause of this "strange melancholy" that permeates our society even during boom times of frenetic activity, and which turns to outright despair when prosperity diminishes? De Tocqueville says it comes from taking some "incomplete joy of this world' and building your entire life on it. Thats the definition of idolatry.

It is so easy to build our life around a job, around a family, around school, around your own pursuits. It will always end up in idolatry unless we build our life around Christ. Christ will never crash out from underneath us. His foundation is firm and will never be washed away. Storms are coming! What will you have to hold on to when the wind crashes and the floods come!

Loving your job = Good thing, Loving your wife = Good thing, Loving your career = Good thing.

The problem is when you take a good thing and make it a GOD THING - It becomes a bad thing!

The questions is, What do you most fear of losing? It is very possible that that thing is competing with the God of the Universe for your heart!

Excuses, Excuses

2009-11-03T07:54:00.004-06:00

The Lord calls many of us to step outside of our comfort zones and reach out to an unreached world. Many of us find ourselves afraid of the unknown or live in a world filled with excuses.

*I'm to busy!

*I'm to tired!

*I don't know what to say!

*I don't know enough!

These are some of the same excuses Moses gave when the Lord spoke to him in the burning bush and told him to go to Pharaoh and free the Israelites. He too had many excuses why he could not go!

Excuse #1 - I can't be used because of my past/I am not important enough

Moses said in Exodus 3:11 -" Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt." I am sure that Moses was remembering the time he killed the Egyptian for beating the Hebrew. "There is no way that God can use me," Moses said.

Gods Response #1 - I will be with you (vs 3:12)

Excuse #2 - I don't know enough

In Exodus 3:13 - If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they ask me, What is his name? What shall I say to them? He basically was saying I don't know enough about you. The truth of the matter is you are only as close to God as you choose to be. Every day is filled with choices. Will you choose to get to know God Today?

Gods Response #2 - God kicks in with a theology lesson in verses 14-15. He says here is who I am!

God said to Moses, I am who I am. And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, I am has sent me to you." God also said to Moses, "Say this to the people of Israel, The Lord the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you." THIS IS WHO I AM

Excuse #3 - People wont believe me (4:1)

Moses simply ask the question, what happens if I go to them and they don't believe me.

Gods Response #3 - Show them a miracle (4:2-9)

It is in this section of scripture that three miracles take place.

1. Staff into a snake.

2. Hand turns leprous.

3. Nile River turns into blood.

I Know you might be thinking, "I cant perform miracles like that." But if you look closely, all of these miracles were miracles of transformation. The greatest miracle of transformation that you have to show is the miracle of a changed heart and a changed life. You too have the strength to show the miracle working power of God.

Excuse #4 - I cant talk good (Obviously my grammar is not correct) - vs 4:10

Gods Response #4 - I made your mouth, I will give you the words to say! vs 4:12

Finally at the end of this dialogue he tells the Lord to send someone else. Talk about missing an opportunity. The chance to partner with an almighty God and he tells God to send someone else. I am sure that we too miss out on opportunities every day due to the excuses we give to God on why we cant be used. God has a response for everyone of them. Don't miss an opportunity today to be used of God due to your lame excuses!

The Question that Changed my Life

2009-10-30T06:58:00.002-05:00

I saw this posted on a blog today that I read pretty regularly. It is this very question that challenges me to move and never live in a place of complacency. We have to be constantly asking God what is next. But this is not a question for everyone! After you ask a question like this, be prepared for what God may ask you to do or where he may ask you to go.

We all have them…life changing moments, you know, the ones where the world seems to stand still and you come face to face with something that just about engulfs you…

It happened to me in August of 1999. I was having lunch with a friend/mentor of mine at Red Lobster (LOVE their garlic cheese biscuits!) I had been restless for about six months and I knew God was pushing me towards something…but I wasn’t sure what. AND…I didn’t want my restlessness to turn into rebellion by me trying to force something…so I began processing with him out loud…

And he asked me THIS question…

“What would you be willing to attempt for God if you knew you could not fail?”

I knew the answer…I didn’t even have to think about it…it literally just flew out of my mouth, “I would plant a church.”

He looked at me dead in the eye and said, “then you are a coward if you don’t!”

SO…literally…at that moment I said “yes” to the call I knew God had placed on my life. I didn’t know the answers (still don’t), I didn’t know anything about strategy or structure, didn’t know how technology would play a part of the church, didn’t know how we were going to establish leadership…I didn’t know a LOT…

BUT…what I did know is that God had placed a DREAM inside of me to plant a church…and when Dale asked me the question I mentioned earlier it SHOOK me…and DROVE me to take a DIVE of faith.

SO…what about you…what would YOU be willing to attempt for God if you KNEW you could not fail?

If the answer isn’t, “what I am doing right now” then I would say you need to do some serious praying and rearranging.

You see…life is SHORT…our days are numbered…and God didn’t put us on this planet to screw around…but rather to MAKE A DIFFERENCE by USING what HE has given us to advance HIS Kingdom and MAKE HIM FAMOUS!

Too many of us are held captive by fear…but remember He is THE MOST HIGH GOD!!! Never let fear trump the potential God has placed in you!

Too many of us are held captive by the unknown…but remember HE KNOWS! Besides…if we have EVERY answer to every question then what He is comanding us to do would not require faith on our part…and where would the fun be in that?!?!?!

Too many of us are held captive by people who say “it” can’t be done…but if you will look at who is saying that “it” you will discover that they aren’t actually doing anything except for trying to hold back the people God is letting loose to do ministry.

Too many of us are held captive by critics…but if you will notice Jesus was criticized…and, if you are not experiencing some opposition then that means the enemy is pleased with you…not exactly the calling our lives should fulfill!!!

What would you be willing to attempt for God if you KNEW you could not fail?

You’ve GOT to beg Him for revelation on this…and when He gives you the Word…you’ve GOT to act. God doesn’t reveal Himself to us so that we can CONSIDER IT…but rather so that we will be CONSUMED by it and OBEY HIS VOICE!

BTW…if the thing that you would attempt scares you to death…if you have had sleepless nights thinking about it…if you KNOW that failure is a sure thing unless HE gets involved…then you should probably make a move…SOON! (Like…maybe even RIGHT NOW!!!)

When Dale asked me that question I told myself, “I’ve got nothing to lose…I am going to give this a shot…I don’t want to waste my life and then look back 20 years from now and begin asking ‘what if’ questions!” (AND…you don’t want that for yourself either!!!)

SO…what would you be willing to attempt for God if you knew you could not fail?

You’re not waiting on Him…He’s waiting on you…do you need to make a move, share Christ with someone, plant a church, change careers…WHAT IS IT that BURNS YOUR HEART and DRAWS YOU to DESPERATE DEPENDENCE ON HIM?

What would you be willing to attempt for God if you knew you could not fail? Can you imagine what the world would be like if all of us allowed that question to drive the vision for our lives?

FROM PERRY NOBLE

Boredom

2009-10-28T14:59:00.005-05:00

This is the comment that not only secular society embraces but also many in the church. We find ourselves bored with church, bored with God, bored with worship, bored with weekly gatherings, and bored of being bored! All the while, Christ tells us to come to him and He will give us LIFE and LIFE to the FULL!

So why do we see so many Christians that are unhappy with their current state of life?

I received a text message just this last week from my 9 year old cousin asking why church has to be so boring because God and Jesus are so exciting.

My Response to her text - "Because they are led by leaders who use no sense of creativity in teaching the Bible, and are in part boring in and of themselves."

AW Tozer once stated, "It is scarcely possible in most places to get anyone to attend a meeting where the only attraction is God." God is not enough. Many Christians have bought into the false Gospel that when you except Christ you get GOD + _________________. fill in the blank

Jesus is simply not enough and people still find themselves bored. My belief is that these people have not really experienced Jesus for who he really is. Over the past few months I have found myself questioning, "Is Jesus enough?" It is definitely hard to evaluate when you have shopping malls, entertainment, coffee shops, and more just around the corner! Can I be satisfied in Jesus alone?

In John Piper's book, "God is the Gospel," he asks this question.

"If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ were not there?

And the question for Christian leaders is: Do we preach and teach and lead in such a way that people are prepared to hear that question and answer with a resounding NO?

We as the church have shifted our Love of God for the Gifts of God. We will never be satisfied in this life when our love has been placed on something other than God. It's idolatry and we will always be let down and left bored when our focus and our desire is not on Christ.

It is boredom that leads many students to suicide. It is boredom that leads many students to drugs. It is boredom that leads many students to alcohol. It is boredom that leads many students to sex. They are searching for something to fix that hole in their life and we need to step up and introduce them to Jesus and him alone.

Why are many Christians bored when Jesus comes to give life to the full?

5 Things I Want To Do Before Our Baby Is Born

2009-10-27T11:08:00.002-05:00

Amber before her 18 week appt.

1. Take my wife on an amazing weekend!

To love her and praise her for the wonderful mommy she will become!

2. Create a mission statement for our family!

To help in making decisions and guide the Bindel Family

3. Read Shepherding A Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp.

To give practical insight to be the Daddy God called me to be

4. Begin working on building an office.

To create a place that Daddy and Baby can study together!

5. Pray Daily.

To ask God to give us wisdom to raise a child who fears and loves God!

What do you want to accomplish in the next 4 months?

Pumpkin Carving!

2009-10-27T01:02:00.012-05:00

Tonight we got together with the Nowell Family to carve

pumpkins and roast pumpkin seeds. It was incredibly messy but the end product was well worth it!

Random Question #1

2009-10-26T09:53:00.000-05:00

There is nothing like getting out with your buddies and enjoying a round of golf. Except when the ball goes absolutely nowhere that you want it to! I recently played golf at Royal Oaks in Houston with some youth pastors and the general manager of the Country Club. Everything was perfect! Except for the fact that I hit 32 homes on the front nine. It wouldn't be so embarrassing if I wasn't playing with the GM of the course. It is sometimes all about who you play with that makes all the difference. If you could play golf in any foursome with people who are living who would it be?

This would be mine!

1. Me

2. Mark Driscoll

3. Tiger Woods

4. Ed Young Sr.

Sunday Night Reflections

2009-10-25T22:02:00.007-05:00

It has been an incredible week and I am thankful for how God always proves me wrong.

Key - Remember God's Faithfulness!

- Incredible time of worship and retreat with Junior High Students at Camp Chaparral.

- Brian Hunter challenged the students and many made commitments to follow Jesus and walk with Him closer than ever before. (Check him out at www.strongtothefinish.com)

- Students were motivated to get the junk out of their lives so they are freed up to live for Jesus.

- Lost a foot race and will be drenched with Chocolate Milk.

- Ton of students back this morning to worship and be a part of Military Appreciation Day.

- Heard the powerful story of Lt. Col. Steve Russell and his capture of Saddam Hussein.

- Brian Hunter challenged and motivated youth workers to deposit into their spiritual bank accounts.

- Baptized 2 of my students followed by a powerful word from our Pastor.

Morning Run

2009-10-22T09:28:00.005-05:00

I woke up early today to head out on a morning jog with 2 guys from church. It quickly became a run/walk due to me being out of shape and not jogging on a consistent basis. I was reminded as I run a little and walk a little that my morning run closely resembles my relationship with Christ. Sometimes I feel like I am on an all out sprint with Christ and sometimes its a casual stroll. My running goal is always to finish and to run with a consistent pace. The same is true in my walk with Christ. To run in a way that has a consistent pace and is persevering to the end. Most marathon runners are not as concerned with winning as they are finishing. The Bible tells us in Hebrews 12, "Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith." So how are we supposed to run this race?

1. By surrounding ourselves with encouraging people.

vs. 1 - Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses. It is so much easier to run when you have people there telling you that you can do it and to keep going. I often quit and come short of my goal when I am running alone. Who is running along side you?

2. Remove the things that are slowing you down.

vs. 1b - let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely. I am sure that many of you have seen "that guy" with the short running shorts and the exposed white thigh jogging down the main streets of your city. As embarrassing as it can be, it is amazing at how much it helps in running to free up your legs and blind oncoming traffic. What sins are slowing you down?

3. Look towards the finish line.

vs. 1c-2 - let us run with endurance that race that is set before us, looking to Jesus. It is difficult to run not knowing when you get to stop. Run knowing that our finish line is Jesus who also ran knowing that the joy on the other side of the line is so much greater than any trial, struggle, or persecution we face here on earth. Are you focused on the finish line?

How would you describe your walk with Christ right now?

A casual stroll- Its time to get motivated and get moving!

A sprint - On fire for God one second and burned out the next!

A marathon - A consistent, steady pace!

A Compelling Love

2009-10-21T08:37:00.000-05:00

What is the driving force in your life? What gets you out of bed in the morning and gives you purpose? What are you most passionate about in life? What motivates you to just do something?

As I read in my morning devotion I find Paul telling us in 2 Corinthians 5:14 that it is Christ's love that compels us to take action. Because Christ first loved us and gave himself up for us we should be motivated to put to action our love for others. Charles Spurgeon writes, "most people would accept an open rebuke than that kind of secret love the never results in action. After all who would accept a love so weak it never prompts a single act of devotion, self-denial, generosity, or heroism.

So if Christ's love motivates us to get going, why do we frequently sit idly by and do nothing? Maybe because we haven't stopped, sat, and thought about how much Christ loves us!

When is the last time you stopped and thought about how much Christ loves you and what He has done for you? What will His love compel you to do TODAY?

My First Blog Post

2009-10-20T17:23:00.000-05:00

Today is the beginning of a new discipline. While I have attempted to keep a blog and failed in the past, I write today with new direction and purpose. As I begin this new discipline allow me to introduce myself.

WHO I AM?

I am Justin Bindel. A faithful follower of Christ. A husband of the most amazing woman ever. The soon to be Father of a little baby. Lover of books, food, and anything out of the house! I am the 6th Grade and Junior High Pastor at First Baptist Church in Wichita Falls, Texas.

WHY I AM BLOGGING?

After reading "Why Pastors Should Blog," on the Desiring God Blog I see the value that writing causes you to think about things in a whole new way. As a pastor, one of our main jobs is to communicate. Writing a blog will help me to learn how to communicate better and put to words what I believe. The second reason I write is to capture what is meaningful in life. It is easy to go throughout a day and not give one thought about Practical Theology and how God works on an everyday setting. Knowing that I have to write something meaningful keeps me on my toes looking for God in everyday situations. The third and final reason I write is to receive insight from others. I love the opportunity to ask questions and see how everyday activities effect other people.

WHAT I WILL BE BLOGGING ABOUT?

- Insight from books

- Other Blogs

- Daily Activities

- Junior High Ministry

- SuperSix Ministry

- Personal Life

- News

- Thoughts

- Sports

HOW CAN YOU PARTICIPATE?

Check the blog regularly and answer the question of the day.

Do you have a blog?