Thoughts of Spring

I was thinking this morning about some things I want to do this Spring (assuming someday it really is going to be Spring and not a warmer winter).

List One:

I would like to buy a Harley and cruise the East Coast.

I would like to jump out of a perfectly good airplane (with a parachute).

I would like to plant grass that is always green but doesn't grow.

I would like to have the wisdom of a 60 year old and the energy of a 6 year old.

I would like to go to England for a year, but only be gone for a week.

So far I haven't hit on anything that has much possibility of being in my future (except maybe the parachute thing…).  So, maybe it would be better to think of a few things that I really could do this Spring.

 

List Two:

I would like to meet some new friends - I enjoy meeting new people.

I would like to meditate on some words from the Bible that God has just for me.

I would like to take walks with Jesus and let him teach me more about him.

I would like to see people come to know Jesus in a personal way.

I would like to be there when some decide to fully surrender their lives to Christ.

This Spring I would like to watch and participate in a miracle.

The second list seems to be more of what matters.  So, assuming that we have not frozen our planet in a perpetual semi-winter that will last for years, assuming all the snow really will melt (even those little dirt covered piles that I want to take a can of gasoline and a match to), assuming that Spring will bring new life and new opportunities – I'm going to focus on things that are like those on the second list.

Go ahead, make a list.  God's up to something this Spring!  Let's be ready!

Loving Today, Looking to Easter,

Pastor Dave 

a "wow" verse

Do you ever read a verse from the bible and think "wow" as the words drift through your mind? 

Last night I read a verse as I was studying for Sunday.  It didn't really strike me last night, but this morning I read it again… and again… and aga….

2 Corinthians 1:12 Now this is our boast¹

1. I have one thing that will last for eternity, my spiritual life.  That should be the area of my life I am most confident.

2 Corinthians 1:12 Now this is our boast¹: Our conscience testifies²

2. Does my conscience stand and say to me about me?  Too many times I have duct taped the mouth of my conscience shut and then I convince myself that all is well.

2 Corinthians 1:12 Now this is our boast¹: Our conscience testifies² that we have conducted³

3. This issue here is the behavior.  What does a Holy Spirit filled conscience say about the way I behave within the relationships He has blessed me with?

2 Corinthians 1:12 Now this is our boast¹: Our conscience testifies² that we have conducted³ ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you⁴

4. "Especially" with the church.  How the members of the Body treat the members of the Body says a lot about maturity.

2 Corinthians 1:12 Now this is our boast¹: Our conscience testifies² that we have conducted³ ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you⁴, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God⁵.

5. He treated them in line with two attributes from God, holy and sincere.  If I were given two words to describe my behavior within my relationships could I use those two words?  If others were given two words to describe my behavior with them, what two words would they use?

2 Corinthians 1:12 Now this is our boast¹: Our conscience testifies² that we have conducted³ ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you⁴, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God⁵. We have done so not according to worldly wisdom but according to God's grace⁶.

6. Sometimes "worldly wisdom" and logic would give me permission to act in ways that God's grace would not approve of.  Imagine- people living holiness and sincerity that is empowered by and distributed with the grace of God!  Imagine- how I live and what I say having to go through God's grace for inspection before seeing the light of day!

Wow!  What was Paul's ability to "boast" is too often my source of shame. 

May all our relationships be covered in holiness and sincerity according to the grace of God.

 

Loving the sun, Loving the Son,

Pastor Dave

wrestling a tiger shark

This morning I watched a news story about a man who wrestled a 15 foot tiger shark for two hours.  He was snorkeling with friends on a tuna fishing outing.  I listened to their story and thought about the dangerous journey we are on.

How to avoid having to wrestle a tiger shark (temptation).

 

1. Don't assume it will never happen to me!

We have to participate in a dangerous activity by waking up and facing the day.  There are countless elements of life that are lurking in the shadows waiting for an opportunity to make food of our souls.

The "I'll never fall for that temptation" attitude is dangerous.  If King David (a man after God's own heart, 1Samuel 13:14 and Acts 13:22) could fall into such profound sin - it would be best for me not to be so arrogant to assume that I can't.

Humility in my obedience would be a much better move.  I don't have to fall into traps of the enemy – but I could. 

 

2. The current may not be helping!

The current took him to the place of danger.  There is a current in entertainment, priorities, government, religion, and even relationships that is dangerous to our well being… it may be popular, it may be normal – but it's dangerous to your soul.

Let God evaluate the direction of the current you are in.

 

3.  Stay close to friends!

The problem started when one of the three was taking some photos.  His quote was,

"I drifted away from the guys."  The current that he was in took him away from the safety of people helping keep an eye out for danger.  A lot of trouble in our lives could be avoided if we stayed close to each other and the Holy Spirit.

If I don't have friends that would help me fight and defeat the shark – I need new friends.

 

4.  Be armed! (Ephesians 6:11)

Spear guns come in handy.  Paul knew that people in the church would come across times when death would love to put its teeth marks on them.  His counsel was to never swim through life without a sword (Ephesians 6:17). 

There is a big difference between knowing about the Bible and knowing the Bible.

 

5. Fish in a different place!

If I'm finding myself overwhelmed with the constant presence of sharks when I go swimming… this isn't rocket science – stop swimming there!  If I can't control my mind when I watch that program – turn it off!  If I always end up compromising when I'm with those people – don't be with them!  If I get angry every time I read that letter – stop reading the letter!  If I over eat every time I go to the buffet – stop going to the buffet!  If pornography finds its way to my computer when I turn it on – use the stupid computer for a planter!  If___________ then _____________.

 

Summary:

In the end they ended up having to kill the shark rather than the shark killing them.

"Lord, today I am facing the temptation to____________________.  Let me learn and stand in victory because of your power working through me.  Give me the strength to defeat this temptation and the wisdom to know how to avoid it again."

 

Married to Leah, Engaged to Jesus,

Pastor Dave

 

Priorities

Hey, married people!

Does your spouse respect you for your priorities?

I've been thinking about how easy it is to sneak into your own soul and adjust your priorities while you're not looking.  The thing is - you often don't know you've done that until you've driven your marriage to the edge of a cliff and your own walk with God has evaporated.
 

My priorities should result in the following –

1. A growing relationship with God.

The time to invest in your walk with God is before the fire (listen to last week's podcast if you weren't there).  Power and intimacy happen out of a pattern of obedience and relationship building.  How's that relationship right now?

  
2. A growing power in my call.

Every one of us has a call on our lives from God.  When I get things out of order that call is put on the mantle and the power of my life sits next to it.  It is through answering the call of God that His empowerment for each area of my life is released.

How's your power right now?

  
3. A growing strength in my marriage.

This arrangement of being a life mate has its own share of struggles.  I have talked to a lot of people already this year about "air hockey table" marriages that are getting smacked around riding on a cushion of frustration.  I have discovered a pill that, if taken every morning, will instantly adjust your personality so that you become the perfect mate.  BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE!  If you order now you also get my guide to appreciating your wives 500 pairs of shoes….

There's no easy answer is there?  But, when my priorities are right, my marriage is strong.  How's your strength right now?  

 
4. A growing godly influence in my family.

Priorities are more obvious to others than we think.  And we do have influence on our immediate and extended family (godly or gunky).  The question is what kind of influence are we having?  By the way, inconsistency is muriatic acid on godly influence.  How's your influence right now? 

 
5. A growing depth in my time use.

Work. Fun. Entertainment. Promotion. Sports. Hobbies. Rest. Goals.  The "stuff" I spend my moments on should reflect a depth of understanding and proper priority placement.  Please note that this category is important, but it's the least long lasting.  I need to let the use of my moments reflect a proper understanding of value.  If any of the important things in this area trump the importance of the first four areas - I err… big.  How's your depth right now?

 
Hey, married people!

Does your spouse respect you for your priorities?

 
Losing a hour of my life on Saturday and living for eternity anyway,
Pastor Dave