Questions
Life is filled with a multitude of questions. I don't know about you, but I usually have more questions than answers. Lately, I've been dealing with some personal health issues that have not been fun. Basically, I am losing blood somehow or can't absorb iron. Last Wednesday I had to have a blood infusion. I am still going through testing to find out what is causing it. I've not had to deal with anything similar to this in my life. I played two college sports and have always been pretty healthy and active. Through the tests and continual questions, I'm learning to rest in the arms of my Savior. You see, we were never promised loads of money, perfect health or luxury vehicles. Jesus promised us that He would be our source of life. We sing a lot about, "I surrender all" or "In all I do I honor you" but as I've been faced with uncertainty, can I always say this? God is shaping me through the questions of life to trust Him more. I'm learning humility. It is not easy for me to accept the fact that my health is not what it once was. Once I get through this I look forward to getting back in good shape! I'm learning what it means to depend on Christ.
Check out this story, it has impacted me:
There was a little girl that had a deadly blood disease. The doctors had found that the only cure for this disease was in the blood of her brother, who had over come this disease and had natural anti-bodies in his blood. The doctors brought the little boy into the office and explained that the only way his sister would live was through this transfusion. They then asked if he would be willing to complete the procedure. The little boy hesitated for only a second and then agreed to the have the procedure. The doctor wondered why any hesitation, but then went on to begin. He began to hook the little boy up to all the machines and then brought in his sister. As the little girl was wheeled into the room, her brother smiled and watched as the blood began to flow through her and cleanse her system. His smile then faded and his face got pale. The doctor was checking on both children when the little boy asked him how long it would be until he would die. The little boy had thought that in order to cure his sister, she would have to take all of his blood. It was a sacrifice he was willing to make. He loved her that much. What a great picture of Jesus!
This song has another level of meaning to me now...
The Battle for Courage
A few weeks ago I shared a message called, "The Battle for Courage." Below are a few thoughts/points. God’s will is found when we decide to be COURAGEOUS about following Jesus. Many people live each day with the temptation of living for now and not for eternity. Living the “safest” life possible is not the goal of following Christ. It is not about the OUTWARD, but the inward. Jesus always looked at the motives of the heart. Romans 8:31- 37 “ No in all things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
Cowards live by….
1. Confusion – Those who lead with wrong motives are mixed up on what is right or wrong.
- Constantly debate with, “what is wrong with it?” - A courageous person asks, "what is right with it?"
2. Criticism – Overly critical of authority.
- Rebellion against authority. - Puts others down to uplift oneself
3. Compromise –
- Willing to take a shortcut at any cost to get AHEAD. - Do whatever it takes to make oneself look right in any situation.
Following Jesus is not just in your mind – it is a heart change and surrender of WALKING as Jesus WALKED. We create a compromise of saying, “I’ll just pray about it” or “I’ll get to that.” Instead Jesus wants our heart to be captivated by His love in order to lead with courage. “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me." John 15:8
Jesus won the battle of sin and death! He is the undefeated champion!
Courage lives by…
1. Clarity – Understand the purpose of knowing why you live your life.
- Eternity is the focus - Tradition is not as important as God’s Word
2. Confidence in God’s Will
- Obedience to Authority - Finds wisdom daily through God's Word
3. Character to become like Christ
- You should be excited when people put you down for following Jesus. - Following Jesus can be a lonely road, but it is WORTH IT! - Decide to resemble Jesus in how you ACT. - Courage to follow Christ at any cost! Courageous believers will one day hear from Jesus...“Well done, my good and faithful servant...” Matthew 25:23
Are you willing to trade in the American dream for a world that desperately needs Jesus? Are you willing to trade in your tradition for untraditional people to come to know Christ?
Temptation of Apathy
We have been going through a series on how to deal with temptation. I thought I'd share a few thoughts from last night's message on, "Temptation of Apathy." Apathy in the dictionary means, “absence or suppression of passion, emotion, or excitement. lack of interest in or concern for things.”
The issue of temptation becomes a problem when a person thinks they know how God works and how to “work” Him. This temptation is one that is “subtle” and “religious.” You can go on for years and not realize you fall into this temptation. It is the temptation that you have God all figured out!
In Matthew 4:5-6, Jesus is being tempted, first by bread and now in a new way. He is taken to the top of the temple. Satan quotes Psalm 91:12 to try and entice Jesus to test His heavenly Faither.
Apathy is a disease of the soul that erodes the need for God.
Attempts to “Play God”
• A couple (students) who are home alone and asking God for strength to stay pure • A guy searching online in his room—alone, who asks God to prevent him from going astray • A girl who dresses provocatively yet asks God to bring her a godly guy
Christians are called to cooperate with God, not manipulate God.
Apply – Temptation of Apathy…
1. Rejects the need to Change
- People who are most disappointed with God are the people who never fully surrendered to God.
- Christians are called to keep the gospel as the most important part of their lives.
- People who reject change do not hear from God.
2. Rejects the need for Faith
- Apathy says, “I know better than God and don’t need to trust Him.”
- Apathy kills the heart of the gospel
- Apathy removes the need for opening up to new people in our lives
Passion for God…
1. Leads to daily surrender
“…to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do 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. Romans 12:1-2
2. Leads to cooperation with God
- God speaks loudest to the people who are surrendered to Him.
- Transformed lives result in CHANGE to become like Christ.
Commitment:
- Have we lost our first love? Jesus!
- Are you passionate about changing whatever it takes for people to know Christ?
- Are you a cooperator or manipulator?
Passion for God kills the temptation of Apathy