Something To Think About

Something To Think About:

With Summer in full swing many of us have taken some time off from work, taken family vacations, spent more time doing outdoor activities, had many moments of fun and relaxation with family and friends, and have enjoyed the awesome summer weather conditions that have prevailed recently. Yet come fall, the stress level for some of us will begin to rise as we will get back into our busy routines of getting our kids back to school and juggling their sports activities, Heavier work related schedules, and believe it or not, we will begin preparing for the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays. And those people who serve at their Churches will be stepping up their level of volunteering as well due to higher church attendance and the need for more folks to plug in to help meet the needs of the Churches ministry teams. The Question is, come Fall, how can we sustain such busy lives and still experience peace and rest? What can we do to help us get our focus in the right place?

Here are some lessons we can learn from this passage in the Bible:

Luke 10:38-42 NIV :

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said.  But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"   "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things,

but only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

What we can learn From Mary & Martha:

1. We need to get our priorities in order.

• We need to put God first in our lives 

 

Seek God for wisdom and sustenance 

 Matthew 6:33  

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well"

Psalm 119:2 NIV  
Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.

Spend time with God – in Prayer

Mark 1:35 NIV   

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

Luke 11:9 NIV  
"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Live a God centered life - die to self

Matthew 16:24-26 NIV

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.  What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

2. We should not worry about things that are out of our control. We should be more concerned about our relationship with God, which is something we can control. We need to trust His wisdom over our own limited view of how things really are.

Matthew 6:25

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

Matthew 6:34

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Mark 12:30
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength

1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Romans 8:28 (New International Version)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (New International Version)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. 

3. We should not get caught up in “worldly things” which distract us from spending

    time with God.  

• If we don’t spend time with God how will we know what He wants us to do. We may get caught up in our own vision for our lives and ignore God’s will if we get too distracted.

Ephesians 5:15-17 NIV

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,  making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.

Romans 12:2 NIV  
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

4. Most of all, we need to take time to sit at the feet of Jesus.

• There are benefits to loving God and spending time with Him. Living apart from God is not beneficial.

John 6:35 NIV  

Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.

John 7:37-38 NIV

"If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."

John 14:23 NIV

Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

John 15:5 NIV

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Believers should remember that they have received wonderful spiritual blessings from God.  

Spiritual Blessings believers have received from God:

• We have peace with God:  Because we are  no longer enemies of God, our peace with God is permanent and cannot be undone.  Jesus paid the price for our sin and we have received forgiveness.

• We have access to God:  Because of Jesus’ work on the Cross we are reconciled back to God. We are adopted into God’s family.

• We have real hope now and in the future: for our salvation and glorification.                                                                      (Our present and future condition)

Salvation (Present): deliverance from bondage to sin and condemnation.

Glorified (Future):    When our salvation is complete the state of our bodies will change into heavenly, imperishable, spiritual bodies. No longer will suffer from the sin nature we were originally physically born into.

• We can rejoice in our suffering:  Suffering has a purpose, is constructive and develops Christ like character in us. We understand that God has a plan of salvation   and we have the privilege of participating in it.

• We have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit:  Our deposit and guarantee that we are saved. It is God’s seal of ownership of us.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (New International Version)

Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 

As followers of Jesus we have been given some great spiritual blessings, and we must
remember that they have been given to us, we did not earn them. What we must do is 
appropriate them. We can choose how we are going to live in this world. Living with these 
blessings in mind will help us live the abundant life, where we can walk each day in faith 
and confidence that we can trust God with our lives. Appropriating these blessings will 
add a level of joy to our lives that nothing in this world can match.

So this Summer let’s not forget to spend time with Jesus so we can be prepared for the busy Fall. Let’s take Mary’s example and “sit at His feet” - focus on the author and perfector of our faith. Let’s also listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Let’s remain in prayer. Let’s read and study our Bibles.  Let’s seek wise counsel and Christian fellowship. If we do, we can maintain our Godly perspective even when the world is attempting to distracts us; we can battle the enemies attempt to bring us down; we can be at peace when life takes its unplanned twists and turns; we can stand firm in our faith; we can minister to others and represent Christ in an honorable way. As followers of Jesus our only hope is in Him. Let’s not forget the greatest gift of all.

·         The Greatest Gift : Jesus

This verse below is what is so amazing about God’s love and God’s grace:  

Romans 5:8 NIV

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, 

Christ died for us.

Remember -  spend time “at the feet of Jesus”.

Just Sayin………………..Dave   




 

How to Receive and Maintain an Eternal Perspective

How to Receive and Maintain an Eternal Perspective

It is easy to lose focus in a world that drives home the need for pleasing oneself with material wealth, sinful desires and self exaltation.  In order to combat the waves of temptation we encounter everyday we need supernatural help. The best way to avoid the pitfalls of a secular worldly life is to seek God’s direction in everything we do. The Bible contains all the wisdom we need to live a life that is fruitful and beneficial. Living obediently to God’s Word will help us stay connected to Him and help direct our focus on the needs of others. Seeing life through God’s eyes not only gives us the proper eternal perspective, 
but also gives us a heart of compassion for those who are still unsatisfied and hungry for some real truth. We have learned that God breathes life into those who are spiritually dead. With that knowledge of God's redeeming work, and as His ambassadors, we are to go and share the Good News. 

“The local church is the hope of the world, and its future rests primarily in the hands of its leaders.” Bill Hybels

So as the Local Church we can make a significant spiritual difference in the lives of others who live in our surrounding communities.  By our loving and compassionate Spirit filled efforts, we can effectively plant the seeds of hope in those people whose lives are hurting, broken and far from God. 

Let us each let God rule in our hearts by appropriating His Word, His Promises, and Blessings. 

Let us live with the desire for real truth and take to heart God's life sustaining principles by living them out in our daily lives. 

Let us strive to be Christ-like in all we do.  

 I believe that if we as a Church honor God with our gifts, resources, service, and love, He will certainly make Himself known through us in a powerful way that will impact the world around us. For this reason we should stand firm in our faith and hold on tightly to the Godly eternal perspective we have. We should focus on the things of God, giving Him our best in the way we serve, the best in the way we love, and the best in the way we support His kingdom.

For all who desire to make this journey of faith must fully trust with their lives to God now and for all eternity - Receive Jesus' work on the Cross which guarantees forgiveness of sin and eternal life with God.

1. For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God (Romans 3:23) 

2. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life. (Romans 6:23)

3. But God demonstrates His love for us in this; While we were still sinners, Christ 

    died for us  (Romans 5:8)

4.  If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that 

     God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you 

     believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and 

     are saved. (Romans 10:9-10)

5. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Romans 10:13)

Once your Journey begins, live by these principles:

1. Trust God and don't lean on your own understanding   

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.  

2. Do not forfeit your soul!

Matthew 16:25-26 NIV

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.

What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?  

 
3. Live daily focusing on the things of God and not the things of man

Colossians 3:2 NIV

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

4. Be in tune with the Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 2:12 NIV

We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 

5. Be dedicated to living a life pleasing to God

Romans 12:1 NIV

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

Colossians 3:5-10 NIV

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since

you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Colossians 3:12-14 NIV

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

6. Renew your mind

Romans 12:2 NIV

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

7. Follow Jesus’ example.

Luke 9:23 NIV 
Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

8. Meditate and apply God’s Word in order to get closer to God

Luke 8:21 NIV 
He replied, "My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice."

9. Allow God’s Word to train us and equip us to live right and serve others

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

10. Live obediently to God

Proverbs 8:34 NIV 
Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.

Colossians 3:15-17 NIV

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

11. Focus on the eternal not the temporary

Matthew 6:19-20 

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

12. Obey the two greatest commandments

Mark 12:30-31 NIV

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these."

13. Have a healthy fear of God: (Standing before God in reverence and awe)

Proverbs 1:7 NIV   
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Proverbs 3:7 NIV 
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.

Proverbs 9:10 NIV 
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Proverbs 14:27 NIV 
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.

Proverbs 15:33 NIV 
The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

Luke 1:50 NIV 
His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.

Philippians 2:12-13 NIV

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

1 Peter 2:17 NIV 
Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

Psalm 25:14 NIV

The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.

My prayer is that when those moments of doubt and spiritual battle begin to weigh heavy on you, that you will during those times remember God's promises to His people. Here are some of His promises that may help you during those times.


1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Matthew 11:28-29 NIV

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
 

John 16:33 NIV

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”\

Romans 8:29-31 New Living Translation 

For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?

John 3:16 New Living Translation 

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.



When it is all said and done, the eternal perspective will always shine the 
light on the greatness of God's redeeming work!

Just Sayin……………….………..Dave