3/30/2015 U Turns Are Not Easy to MakeScriptures: Jeremiah 6:16-17
We were born to travel the road of life. There are different places along the journey where we come to intersections: crossroads. The direction we choose to travel has ramifications. There are two reason we end up at crossroads: 1) We went looking for the crossroad- curiosity can lead to opportunity: some good and some bad. A person can have a strong desire to experience or learn about what's available in life, but at the crossroad the path divides. At the divide some things are lost and some things are gained. Have you heard people say: how did I get here? Maybe you've said it yourself! The answer to this question: is the path chosen. 2) You came upon it by accident: it comes by surprise, perhaps something traumatic happens. It shows up in the midst of heavy traffic and traffic tries to force you to go a certain way. Frustration, fear, anxiety, loneliness and pressure can cause us to choose a path without thinking. You're at the crossroads: what will you do? What should we do a spiritual crossroad? Stand and look. Ask the Lord for directions. Listen to wise counsel. Follow the direction of the Lord and the elders. Remember U turns are not easy to make! 3/26/2015 We Are on the Same TeamScriptures: Psalm 133:1-3
Unity makes a community powerful. We live in a world that constantly promotes division, but the church is about unity enhanced by our diversity. The Bible says: "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." The church is not a story of individual accomplishments: each person needs the other. We need to see each other's faithfulness, commitment and loyalty. We need to see new faces coming to church and returning faces. One person may start the vision: but each person must be a part in seeing the vision become a reality. In John 2:11 we see the beginning of miracles when Jesus was in Cana of Galilee and manifested forth His glory. Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding and this first miracle was a team event. Mary was the initiator: telling Jesus "they have no wine." Jesus answered saying it was not His time. Mary was also the visionary: "whatsoever He saith unto you, do it." Jesus was the director and the miracle worker. He told them to fill six water pots with water and to give it to the Governor of the feast. The servants were the ones who stepped out in faith and the miracle came when they followed Jesus' direction. Jesus will accomplish great things through a unified group of believers. As a team, three men helped bring a great victory for Israel: Moses, Aaron and Hur. One sick man had a team of four bearers that brought him to Jesus and He was healed. Samson finally asked for help from a little lad and he slew more of his enemy than any time. Matthew 18:19- "Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in Heaven." Do not allow the enemy to destroy unity: there is incredible potential when unity exists. 3/21/2015 Jephthah: A Person of Faith & DestinyScriptures: Hebrews 11:32-34
Think about the next couple names and what comes to mind: Walt Disney, Oprah Winfrey, Beatles, Winston Churchhill, Burt Reynolds, and Clint Eastwood. Walt Disney was fired by an editor who said he lacked imagination. Oprah Winfrey was fired as a TV report she was told she was unfit for TV. The Beatles had several recording studios say they had no future in show business. Winston Churchill ran for office and was defeated every time until the age of 62: he became the prime minister just before WWII. Burt Reynolds was fired and told he had no acting ability. Clint Eastwood was fired and told his Adam's apple was too big and distracting for an audience. Jephthah is a Bible character who faced the same kind of issues. His father was prominent member of society, but his mother was a prostitute. His father died and his brothers took his inheritance and kicked him out of town. He lost his home, family and respect. The Ammonites came and attacked the nation of Israel. Jephthah had the reputation as a tough guy and a leader, and the very people who rejected him now asked for his help. Jephthah offered his help, but with the condition that they made him their leader. Hebrews 11 names the heroes of faith of the Old Testament and there are sixteen names listed: including Jephthah! He is named alongside: Gideon, David, Samuel, Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Barak and Samson. Jephthah's faith and character impressed God. When he went to war the Bible says: "Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah." God took a rejected man and transformed him into a spiritual hero. God uses people that others overlook: "God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things and the things that are not to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him, " says 1 Corinthians 1:27-29. Jephthah was a man of faith and destiny. Do you want to be a person of faith and destiny? It's not what happens to you in life that determines your future: it is how you respond to what happens that determines your future. Some of the most influential people in history were folks who refused to be shackled by their past. The lesson of Jephthah is that we can rise above our difficulties and makes the right choices. "If your background is dark: God can use that as black velvet background on which to display you as a diamond of His grace!" It takes character in the face of difficulty and it take courage in the face of danger. 3/2/2015 A Place of DefenseScriptures: Ephesians 6:11-18
To live in this world you need all the protection and help you can get. You must stand with those who share your faith and your beliefs. You have a place to fill on the battle line: others stand by your side, but you face the enemy. We must remember that spiritual growth happens during life's battle: in these times you need to put on the full armor of God. Each of us fights different types of battles against a common enemy. A spiritual battle is a battle of the heart and soul: it is mental not physical. The battle has unexpected elements and unexpected sources. God has given us defense items: the armor: The belt of truth- this holds your garment together. Truth exposes lies and deception, and fights the unexpected elements. The breastplate of righteousness- this protects the heart: one of our weakest points, but most valuable. When our heart is not right, we are vulnerable. The breastplate also protects your back from things that sneak up on you- the unexpected sources. Your feet shod with readiness- firm footing is vital. Some things and places are not worth dwelling on or defending. We must be ready for the next attack of the enemy. The shield of faith- faith is a critical piece of your armor: it deflects the fiery darts. Jesus told many: "Your faith has made you whole." The helmet of salvation- spiritual battles take place in our minds, while thoughts of salvation guard our minds and thought process. The sword of the spirit- use the Word of God to defend yourself. It must be sharp and ready for battle. The enemy wants you to rely on things which are not tested. Too many Christians think they can depend on spiritual strangers or spiritual acquaintances when the battle comes. The Bible tells us to know them that labor among us. Ask yourself: how far will a spiritual stranger go for you? Have you seen them in the battle? God has placed you in a church that will battle with you against the darkness of this world. The church is your place of defense. |
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