The watched pot never boils

I remember hearing that many times as a child. I never really got it until I got older and began cooking. If your mission is to boil water for tea, you put the pot of water on the stove, turn on the burner, and wait. It can seem a very long time until the kettle boils. 

However, if you are preparing a meal and boiling pasta, you set the pot of water on a burner to boil, but your mind is racing about with other preparations- maybe chicken in the broiler and bread in the oven, and next thing you know, there's a sizzling sound of water and steam as the pot boils over.

What's the point? 

Hope Living church has been in a season of waiting on God. I personally have been seeking His direction and I've been determined not to do anything until I'm certain that I'm in His perfect will and following his instruction.

Watching and waiting can be a time of perceived nothingness, it's like that when you're waiting in a long line at Disneyland. You just kind of stand still, hoping that you'll move forward eventually. 

I recently heard a great word on waiting on God that changed my perspective:

Waiting is Serving

What is the name for the one who serves you at a restaurant ? A Waiter (or Waitress).

Webster defines Waiter as 'one who waits on another'.

When applied to God, one that is waiting upon God is actively serving Him, attending to him. 

Waiting on God is more than merely marking time while expecting Him to move! It is to be a time of pursuing His presence, serving Him with whatever He has placed in your hands and heart!

The Dreaded Call

Some friends of ours, Jeff and Julie, are walking through the process of having one of their children involved in a car accident. Though it was a bad accident, their son thankfully survived. He suffered a badly broken leg which required extensive surgery. 

I was blessed to see the reaction of the parents- gratitude to God for sparing their son. So many would be focused on ’why did this have to happen to us?’ 

First off, I know that watching your child suffer a severe injury or illness is probably the second worst thing in the world a parent may have to endure. Having lost one of our daughters in a car accident, I have experienced the worst. 

Having said that, I often think that walking with your child through terminal or debilitating illness or injury is right up there, and in some ways may be worse.

Jeff and Julie are parents of six children and as such they have watched their children go through many difficulties, they always project the kind of faith that proclaims trust in a God that is loving and a ‘very present help in times of trouble’.  Psalm 46:1 

One of the things Julie posted about was being thankful for ‘the phone call’. The caller informed her that her son had been in an accident, but assured her he was ‘banged up but OK.’ That phone call, though difficult to hear, brought reassurance.

It made me reflect on our experience when Kim was called home to heaven. That call wasn’t handled so well:

Robyn called me one morning at work, very distraught, “Mike someone (anonymously) called and said ‘Your daughter has been in an accident, if it was my child, I’d want to know.’” 

Other than giving the location, that was it. This was before cell phones were common- so I imagine he’d been at the scene, got our number from one of the other passengers and went to a nearby house and called. 

Robyn, knowing no details jumped into the car and drove the 20 minutes from our home to the scene to find that our beautiful 17 year old daughter was lying covered up on the ground on the side of the road and had passed. She heroically stood by her and proclaimed aloud, ‘God, you are greater!’ 

Meanwhile, I was at work, about an hour away. My instinct was that she would be ok. I knew that she was in school at the time-perhaps it was some mistake? I was shocked a few moments later when my sobbing wife called, saying,’ Mike, Kimberly is in heaven!’ Those words still ring loudly in my year 16 years later.

 I have little memory of the minutes, hours and days that followed- it was a blur. It was a time of being cared for by ‘angels’. However, I can tell you that Psalm 46 is true! 

I could probably write a book on our experiences since that day- maybe several and on different subjects- Faith during the Storm, Grief, Parenting, Relationships, Counseling, Marriage, etc, etc… One might be titled ‘What Not To Do if You Witness a Tragedy’. And a related volume ‘What Not To Say to a Grieving Parent’. 

I wish I could erase the pictures from Robyn’s mind that she had to see that day. If that call had been handled differently, perhaps she’d have been spared to some extent? Or at least had someone with her to absorb the shock.

I was more fortunate. My last image of Kim was kissing her on the forehead the night before as I tucked her into bed. I have to believe that, in His wisdom, God had a purpose in having things go the way they did that day.

 

An artist friend made a beautiful wooden angel that stood at the site for a few years. We rarely saw it though, as it was too painful to drive by that spot. (it’s actually a really beautiful spot on Highway 1 in Cambria, California). Ironically, in her job with Hospice, Robyn has to drive by the location of the accident almost every day. That too is evidence of God’s grace.

Some reading this may not believe in God. Often I hear people say, “I can’t believe in a God that would allow ___________________.” Or, ‘if I were God, I wouldn’t allow _____________’. 

 I can understand that way of thinking. I know by experience that life can be messy, unfair, painful, tragic, and unbearable! I also know from experience that :

 1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

 2 So we will not fear when ____________     Psalm 46:1-2

My daughter Kelli was able to speak in church Sunday about her walk with God, and how He was with her and Ricky during the loss of two babies, both near term. 

She boldly proclaimed the words from Joshua 1:9:

 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  

I’m so proud of her and her testimony!

There’s so much more to say, it’s sometimes hard to put into words, but when you’ve walked a hard path, and experienced God’s presence through it, you are forever changed. You don’t fear. Not really. That’s not to say it’s easy however!

For now, back to where I started, I want to acknowledge Jeff and Julie and the way they acknowledge God through all their difficulties and give Him glory. You are an encouragement to everyone who knows you!

Blessings!

Pastor Mike Kinney

God's Will: One Thing Remains

God's Will: One Thing Remains

I want us to take some time together to consider God's Will. We'll get into the biblical information and insights into finding, knowing and following God's will in the coming weeks. 

I had a thought this week (lol)! 

In all the buzzing around going on, the busyness of life, what do people want? 

I thought of significance, that people want to know that they matter. That their life has produced something that will last after they have passed on. 

For some it might be a business, a building, a piece of art or music. Maybe a memorial bench at the park, or some monument like Hearst Castle. For others, it might be a solid family, a reputation.

I came across this verse and it got me thinking:

1 John 2:17 LEB

And the world is passing away, and its desire, but the one who does the will of God remains forever. 

Some translations use the words 'lives' or 'abides' in place of remains. But looking at the context, the passage is discussing the temporary nature of this world. We are told here not to love the world and all its trappings because it's all temporary. 

I saw the word 'remain' in a different light.

So, not only are we promised that we will live forever, but we will remain! To me, the word remain speaks of permanence, of lasting significance.

What changes our lives from merely existing, to one that is meaningful and significant? 

Doing the Will of God!

Let's examine the passage together:

1 John 2:15-17 (Amp)

Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. 

Kind of harsh! What do you think John meant here? (God so loved the world...)

John goes on toexplain the statement: 

For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh craving for sensual gratification and the lust of the eyes greedy longings of the mind and the pride of life assurance in one’s own resources or in the stability of earthly things—these do not come from the Father but are from the world itself. 

Some clarity as we look at the words- lust, craving, sensual gratification, greed, pride. 

How do you know if you are 'loving the world'?

And the world passes away and disappears, and with it the forbidden cravings the passionate desires, the lust of it; 

To simplify, if you can't take it to heaven, or send it ahead to store it there, it can't occupy God's place in your heart!

but he who does the will of God and carries out His purposes in his life abides remains forever. 

If we want a life of Eternal significance, we need to know and carry out God's will in our lives!

To get us started I thought I'd ask a simple question- 

What do you think of when you hear the phrase 'Doing God's will'?  (Discuss) 

I like how Jesus said it:

John 6:38-40 The Voice

 ... I have come down from heaven not to pursue My own agenda but to do what He desires. I am here on behalf of the Father who sent Me. 

He sent Me to care for all He has given Me so that nothing and no one will perish. In the end, on the last day, He wants everything to be resurrected into new life. 

So if you want to know the will of the Father, know this: everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will live eternally; and on the last day, I am the One who will resurrect him. 

I take it that Jesus wants us to help people 'see the Son'. We do that best by reflecting Him!

Tonight I'd like to leave us with this verse:

Rom 12:2 

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God

Knowing God's will requires a transformed mind! Have you experienced this transformation?

In the coming weeks I'd like us to dig deeper into Will of God and its application to our lives. 

Be blessed!

Building His Church : Grace

Hope Living Church

At: Cayucos School 

When: Sunday, Feb 15, 2015

Message: Building His Church

Series: "Let us do something beautiful for God."

Title:  Building His Church : Grace

Last week, the message was built on a quote from Mother Teresa: "Let us do something beautiful for God." 

The idea was that our ultimate joy is in using what God has given us to do something amazing for Him. 

Much like King David who poured his entire fortune into gathering the materials to build the Temple, we have this opportunity to build something wonderful here at Hope! A quote from last week:

Life's biggest challenge and greatest joy is doing something beautiful for God. Mike Kinney 

In 2015 I want to let Jesus take HLC to where He wants it to go. Period! 

My job, and all of our jobs for that matter, is to follow Him unconditionally! I’m super excited for the journey ahead! 

But how can we stay excited, motivated for the future of Hope Living Church? Energized about the role we get to play in this great story God is writing here?

Be expectant! Dare to dream!

But as the Scriptures say, No eye has ever seen and no ear has ever heard and it has never occurred to the human heart All the things God prepared for those who love Him.

1 Corinthians 2:9 VOICE

By this verse, it’s safe to accept the reality that we can’t begin to imagine it! 

Perhaps the whole point of this verse is that we wouldn't allow our minds to get involved, but our hearts?

Our minds try to measure and compare, to preconceive and get disappointed. 

Our hearts are much more prone to be open to possibilities, to accept everything that comes as from the hand of God.

I think about that moment when Jesus spoke a word to Peter:

  Matthew 16:15-19 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. 

Now I say to you that you are Peter which means ‘rock’, and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven...

Peter had a revelation! 

He heard from God! Jesus was so moved by the example Peter set that he chose to commend it and mark Peter with a new name!

Jesus was establishing the church- of course Jesus is the Cornerstone. But the deal is that He uses us as living stones to build his church. 

Peter himself said this:

1 Peter 2:4-5 

You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor. And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple.  What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. 

This week, we will begin to reveal the foundation for what God wants to do here at Hope Living Church! 

The thought of the day today, the keyword that drives this exciting time is GRACE! 

Everything in Christian life pretty much all revolves around Grace! Jesus is the Rock, the embodiment of grace, the foundation. 

2 Timothy 1:9

He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,

Here's the key! He saved us and called us- Because of #1- His purpose and #2- his grace!

His purpose assures me that it's all His! The responsibility for this church isn't on you or me!

His grace assures me that I don't have to 'perform',  his grace came before time began to carry us part any human limitation.

Immediately, I think of “It is by grace you are saved by faith, not of works lest any man boast.” Let’s check out this passage together:

Eph 2:4-10  NIV

4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 

6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Application:

Grace by the above scriptural description is:

Given to us in Christ before time began. 

It’s how God operates- according to His plan. We are a part of a story written before Creation!

It is about His works. He doesn’t exist to to serve our purposes- it’s the other way around!

The motivation is that He loves us! His heart is merciful towards us- ‘Rich’ in fact! - Vs 4

Made alive (merely existing before Christ!)

Raised up in the heavenlies - (vs 6) past tense, it's our current state!

His Purpose in using 'train wrecks' like us is to display his grace to all! Vs 7. People can look at us and say, wow, if God can accomplish that with them, then he can do great things in my life too!

It's a gift! Totally independant of my actions. Requires faith, not works.

The exciting part- we are his Masterpiece! He crafted  us to do the very things he designed us to do!

There's so much more! For now, let's remember the power and importance of Grace! We have been provided grace to be free in Christ to grow uninhibited into all we are destined by God to be! This church we are called to be is only possible because we have received abundance of His grace!

Spiritual Formation: Blow up your God Box

Last week, Mark brought us a word based on the Ark of the Covenant. I got new perspective on its contents and its relevance to our lives. In his message Mark referred to the Ark as ‘God’s Shoe Box’. 

If I remember right, Mark said the things in God's box were Aaron’s budded staff which reminded us of God’s choosing of us.

The Ten Commandment tablets which remind us of God’s ‘Rules for living’ (aka His Word), and a 

gold container of manna containing one day’s provision reminding us that he has promised to supply all our needs. God's shoebox contained treasures that remind of how much He loves us!

When I was young, little boys would have a shoebox, cigar box or something similar to store their greatest treasure- yo-yo’s, baseball cards, Hot wheels cars, and stuff like that. 

As we grow older, that box gets replaced by bigger containers holding a multitude of things, things that are unlike the things in God’s box we discussed last week. 

These things, far from reminding us of God’s anointing on us, his rule book, and His provision, serve to distract us, confuse our loyalties, and keep our eyes on our own abilities to provide.

We have, in effect, put God into a nice box of our own making. We find a nice practical little box that we tuck God in to and keep him there where He won’t interfere too much with our comfortable existence. We have Him there when we need Him, when we have some spare time for Him. We can toss in our requests there as well. 

I want to be sure to separate this from a ‘Give it to God box, which is an entirely different thing. I know folks that have a box where they write down things they are releasing to God and they symbolicaly put these ‘cares’ on cards and give them to God.

I found this online and thought it interesting:

How to Make a God Box (on EHow)

To get what you want, you have to ask for it. For some it's through prayer, for others it's through personal affirmations. A God Box is a combination of both - an opportunity for you to write and send a special request into the universe, confident that the powers that be will make your dreams come true.

Things You'll Need

Magazines

Scissors

Shoebox

Craft paper

Construction paper

Glue stick

Tape

Instructions

1  Sit down with pen and paper in a quiet, relaxing place and make a list of everything you want in your life, big and small. These items might include money, a cruise, a house, a new coat, a loving relationship or the motivation to stick to an exercise regimen.

2  Collect a stack of magazines. Flip through the magazines, page by page, tearing out any word or image that appeals to you and represents what you want, whether it's a dollar sign, a picture of a polar bear in Alaska or the world peace.

3  Cover your shoe box in craft paper or construction paper in the color of your choice. Use your glue stick or tape to secure the edges.

4 Use your scissors to carefully cut a 2- to 3-inch slit in the middle of the shoebox lid, wide enough for you to put folded slips of paper through it.

5  Go through your stack of magazine clippings and cut out the images and words. Use your glue stick to cover the shoebox with these images and words in whatever design pleases you. Don't cover up the slit in the top. Arrange your clippings around it.

6  Close your box and grab your list of wants you made in Step One. Fold the list and slip into the top of the box. This is your first God Box request of the universe.

7  Keep your God Box in a personal place where you can see it every day. Every time you want something, write it down on a small slip of paper, fold it up and put it in your God Box. Then forget about it, confident that the universe will listen and respond.

Tips & Warnings

The universe operates according to the Law of Attraction, meaning whatever you think about is what you are going to get. Keep that in mind when making requests of the universe. For example, instead of writing "I want to get out of debt," write "I want to be financially free." If you're always concentrating on your debt, that's what you're going to attract.

If you have more magazine clippings than you have room for on your box, hang them on a bulletin board, make a collage or use them to decorate the inside of your box.

There's a slit in your box for a reason. You could lift the lid to put your requests or prayers inside, but then you'd see the other pieces of paper. The idea with a God Box is to ask the universe for what you want, then forget about it. There's no need to be reminded of old requests every time you have a new one.

Only when your God Box is full should you open it and look through the requests you've made of the universe. Hopefully, you'll be surprised at just how many of your wishes came true.

Once your God Box is full, it's time to make a new one. You can start from scratch or you can redesign the one you already have, repeating Steps One through Seven above. It just depends on how much space you have in your home to store all your God Boxes through the years.

When you come across slips of paper with requests that have yet to come true, you may want to add them to your new God Box, provided it's something you still want.

Today, I’d like to blow that box up! This verse ought to do the trick:

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20

Able- dynamis- to be capable, strong and powerful

Power- dunamis-strength power, ability 

inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth

power for performing miracles

moral power and excellence of soul

the power and influence which belong to riches and wealth

power and resources arising from numbers

power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts

Boom! 

(Don’t you hate it when old guys try to use hip expressions) LOL!

Twice in this verse the Power of God is referred to in an explosive and dynamic way!

I love this verse! It is such a great reminder of God’s power, of his ability to simply blow my mind with what he can and will do. 

We love to dream of what God can do FOR us, 

More than anything we could ever think up in our wildest imagination, and so He can!

But, we often forget about that little phrase that says "his mighty power at work WITHIN us." 

Have you ever really stopped to contemplate that phrase?

Some Christians have a very solid foundation in scripture. They always rely heavily on the Bible, but are cautious with the Holy Spirit. 

Their foundation is in biblical inerrancy, conservative interpretations, and absolute truth. But, somehow they believe that some of the gifts of the Spirit stopped when we received the completed word of God. According to this tradition many of God’s miracles of healing, his displays of power, have no place in our lives today.

However, as I grow in my relationship with Christ, I can’t find a scripture anywhere that says the gifts have ceased, the miracles have ceased. 

The bible reference I’ve heard to explain this  is:

They say the Bible is ‘that which is perfect’, so we don’t need the gifts of the Spirit. I don’t have time to get into that today, but I hope you can see the fallacy of that argument. 

The only ‘Thing’ perfect in this world is Jesus, and I believe this verse is a reference to Jesus His coming Kingdom. I find passages that clearly say my God never changes (Hebrews 13:8). 

Jesus himself stated that whoever believes in him will do even greater works than the ones he himself performed (John 14:12).

If Scripture teaches that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever; if Scripture teaches that we will do even greater works than Christ did while he walked the earth.

If Jesus clearly teaches that if we have faith we can move mountains (John 17:20); who am I to decide how he works, what gifts have ceased, and how he communicates to believers today?

I have reached the conclusion that I have spent most of my life putting God in a neat little box that I can tie with a pretty bow. Pretty dumb idea, right?

How silly we are when we confine God to our own limited understanding. We decide how he should act and respond to our circumstances and our world! 

I have decided that I have always had a God that I could explain rather than a God who defies explanation. 

We have lived as if the time of miracles has ceased, and we are living in a more enlightened age than the ancient biblical characters. 

I have decided that I have limited God’s work in my life.

And now I have decided that it is time to unleash God’s power in my life!

“…his mighty power at work within us…”

Let’s take a few minutes to really contemplate that power that is available to us. His power is mighty. 

But, exactly how mighty?

It’s the power that caused Abraham and Sarah to conceive a child well beyond child-bearing age (Genesis 21).

It’s the power that parted the Red Sea (Exodus 14).

It’s the power that provided meat to the Israelites in the wilderness for an entire month (Numbers 11).

It’s the power that rescued Joseph from prisoner and exalted him to leader (Genesis 37-50).

It’s the power that caused the walls of Jericho to come tumbling down (Joshua 6).

It’s the power that made the sun stand still (Joshua 10).

It’s the power that allowed the oil to keep flowing for the widow of Zarephath and raised her son back to life (1 Kings 17).

It’s the power that gave sight to the blind man, the power that allowed the lame to walk (Matthew 15).

It’s the power that healed the woman of an issue of blood (Luke 8).

It’s the power that allowed Peter to walk on water (Matthew 14).

It’s the power that raised both Lazarus and Jesus back to life (John 11, 20).

And it is that same power that is at work in me! And it is at work in you!

What does this look like? How does it translate to our lives?

Honestly, I don’t fully know. That’s part of the fun, the excitement!

What I do know is that God didn’t call us to safe living. 

He called us to live out our faith, to take a chance on him. 

He called us to walk by faith, to take a risk on a God who promises to always be faithful. 

He called us to step out of our comfort zone and live in the realm of the supernatural.

He called us to live an abundant life (John 10:10).

Abundance- biblical definition

exceeding some number or measure or rank or need

over and above, more than is necessary, superadded

exceeding abundantly, supremely

something further, more, much more than all, more plainly

superior, extraordinary, surpassing, uncommon

pre-eminence, superiority, advantage, more eminent, more remarkable, more excellent

I am tired of limiting God in my life, of experiencing anything less than the fullness of his glory and grace and power. I am tired of living in fear instead of stepping out in faith. I am tired of missing out on miracles. 

I am tired of limiting God to my neat little box.

I am ready for my God to unleash his mighty power in my life. Amen?

Spiritual Formation: Back to the Future, Or....

Hello 2015!

I was watching Back to the Future 2 on New Years Day and this message took a fun turn! 

The series is one of my all time favorites! The thing that was most intriguing was the idea of the 'Space/ Time continuum, if you could go back in time and change something, it could radically change the future. The fantasy of time travel and changing the past is one of the most intriguing I can imagine. 

One of the fun things you may have seen recently is the stories of the Back to the Future World in 2015 that was predicted!

So now we stand at the beginning of a new year- 2015. Looking back at 2014 there were many moments- some really wonderful ones, and some horrible ones. 

Wouldn't it be awesome if we could jump in the time machine, go back and change the tragic and devastating things that bring people pain? 

Just set the controls on the Delorean and go back before that fated airliner takes off, or before that shooter enters the school. Or, ..... Fill in your own 

Well, back to reality! We can't go back. The only thing we can do with the past is to remember it's lessons. We can ask the Spirit of God to give us wisdom as we look forward to the future and seek to please God as good stewards of what is given to us.

Climbing on board with Jesus, we are going to discover something so much better than a time machine! Rather than just fixing the past- He says he makes everything new! We get to go forward into someplace no one else has been! Our journey with God in 2015 has limitless possibilities!

As we fasten our seat belts in the passenger seat, and wait for God to hit the gas pedal, I can think of a couple things that will stop us from the destination: 

The first is looking back-

Luke 9:62 NIV

Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” 

Jesus always speaks directly and firmly! We have to keep our eyes forward to get where God is taking us! Looking back speaks of regrets, second guessing. If we look back, we'll plow crooked! You can't enjoy the ride ahead if you keep looking back!

 Many people in life battle with bitterness over past events.  It seems to creep into their minds seemingly out of nowhere. 

And when that happens, all too often people will allow their history to rob them of their future. 

It doesn’t have to be that way!!! 

Here are five things I wanted to share with those of you who battle with pain from the past -where you did something (or something was done to you) that can cloud your mind and emotions. 

#1 –  We cannot go back in time, but we CAN move forward in Christ! 

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 

#2 – Only Jesus can take the pain of our past and turn it into progress in our lives 

Romans 8:28 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. 

#3 – Your past may be what you did, but it is not who you are in Christ! 

John 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 

#4 – God never used perfect people. Abraham was a liar, Moses was insecure, Rahab was a prostitute, Peter had a temper, Thomas doubted, Paul killed people, David committed adultery and murder…and God used all of them to do greater things that they could have ever imagined. His grace really is greater than our sin! 

#5 – Jesus knew every foolish and sinful decision we were ever going to make, and yet He still created us on purpose! (Psalm 139:13-16- days numbered, knew us before the womb).

He made arrangements for the payment for our sin (John 3:16) and He has an amazing plan for our lives! (Ephesians 2:10)

These are not just nice things for us to read. They are truths we can live our lives by!!! And they are true about you, no matter WHAT you have ever done in your past. 

In Christ we CAN move forward!!!  

The other thing that will keep us from all God's best is excess baggage!

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 

That baggage takes many forms, we often thing of possessions here. But false expectations can be weights as well! Others can place these on us, as well as ones we place on ourselves! It's bad enough just meeting the daily and weekly tasks along with fulfilling some people's expectations—ugh!—but when I include a bunch of other self-assigned projects, the stress level can approach borderline madness.

We've got plenty of people in life (including ourselves!) who frown authoritatively and tell us to get serious. We need a few who smile relaxingly and encourage us to smile, kick back, lighten up, and laugh a little more. 

It's time to drop the burdensome weights of expectation that aren't from God and really fly!

Strange, isn't it, how we tend toward extremes? What begins as self-improvement becomes self-enslavement . . .  

Which explains why The Bible so often stresses moderation, self-control, softening our sharp-cornered lives with more curves that necessitate a slower speed.

Are you spinning out of control on the fast track? 

How can you slow down? 

Where can you go to find enough stillness to rediscover that God is God? 

The psalmist calmly counsels us to "be still" so we can know that God is God (Psalm 46:10). 

Jesus Himself found it essential to escape the press of people to get His bearings. 

On several occasions He arose quite early just to be alone. 

Immediately after His Twelve returned hot and sweaty from ministry, it was His idea that they retreat and repair. 

And who can ever forget His gracious invitation? 

I often return to it just to let the words wash over me.

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, 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. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28–30)

In these days of high stress and high pressures, He offers us rest. Twice in one statement. While so many others are demanding, He's gentle. While surviving in this world is fast paced and difficult, being yoked with Him is easy. Yes, easy! 

And instead of increasing our load of anxiety, He promises to make it lighter. Is it any wonder Jesus's style and message created such a stir? While so many are piling on more guilt, more demands, He quietly offers relief.

Question: Where do you go to find enough stillness to rediscover that God is God? 

Where do you turn when your days and nights start running together? What spot becomes your hide-away so that a little perspective is gleaned as a little sanity returns? Where do you get relief from the fever-pitch extremes?

"Won't someone please stop me?"

Someone will, if you'll let Him. As in days of old, He's waiting in that little boat, ready to sail with you to a quieter shore. But getting in first requires some letting go. 

You can't haul along all of that personal luggage. 

There's only room for two.

It may not be a Delorean, but I'm more excited about this ride!  Amen?

Spiritual Formation: Patience!

Patience- the quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like.  -Dictionary.com

I like this definition! Seems like patience is something Christ followers should have down! According to Paul:

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! (Gal 5:22-23 NLT)

Notice that patience is a fruit. You can't decide to just have more of it! That would be like tying a bunch of apples on an oak tree and calling it an apple tree!

The Bible gives us so much to consider about this idea of patience. Here’s how God’s spirit produces patience in us:

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4 NKJV)

Trials are tools God uses to produce the fruit of patience in us. It is the work of the Spirit in our lives that forms Christ in us!

Remember those t-shirts and bumper stickers that proclaimed ‘Be patient, God isn’t finished with me yet’?

Well I never cared for them much- I think a lot of Christians hide behind this slogan to cover their lack of progress, growth or maturity.

The Scriptures do however, remind us that we are not in control, we are on God’s timetable.

 

Philippians 1:6  The Voice (VOICE)

6 I am confident that the Creator, who has begun such a great work among you, will not stop in mid-design but will keep perfecting you until the day Jesus the Anointed, our Liberating King, returns to redeem the world. 

I receive this word as an encouragement to pursue all that God has for me. True, I need to be patient and not get ahead of Him in the process, but I also need to be aware that things can get in the way.

I really enjoyed Mark’s word to us last week! 

I especially appreciated his illustration of the seed! We like to plant things- like flowers, vegetables, churches, etc… We know that if we put seeds in the ground, with the appropriate water and fertilizer, and at the right time, after awhile, something will pop up from the ground. 

Further still down the road, the plant will begin to bear fruit. Like Mark suggested last time, it would be foolish to look for ears of corn the day after planting the seed. Fruit requires growth, growth requires (among other things) time. 

Passing time requires PATIENCE.

James 5:7-8 (VOICE)

7 For this reason, my brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the return of the Lord. Look! The farmer knows how to wait patiently for the land to produce vegetables and fruits. He cannot harvest a freshly planted seed. Instead, he waits for the early and the late showers to nourish the soil. 8 You need this same kind of patience, so in the meantime, strengthen your resolve because the Lord will be coming soon.

I’m no farmer, but I know the farmer doesn’t merely toss out some seeds and then go sit on the porch and sip lemonade. There’s endless weeding, fighting off predators like birds and insects and thieves. There’s irrigation and fertilizers, etc… James states that the kind of patience we need is to ‘strengthen our resolve’! He is direct in his insistence ' you NEED patience! To get it we need RESOLVE:

Resolve: doggedness, determination, tenacity, firmness. 

No room for couch potatoes here! 

And James continues in verse 9:

9 Brothers and sisters, don’t waste your breath complaining about one another. If you judge others, you will be judged yourself. Be very careful! You will face the one true Judge who is right outside the door. 

Interesting placement of this word on complaining and judging in the middle of speaking about patience, eh?

10 The prophets who declared the word of the Lord are your role models, my brothers and sisters, for what it means to live patiently in the face of suffering.

11 Look, we bless and honor the memory of those who persevered under hardship. Remember how Job endured and how the Lord orchestrated the triumph of his final circumstances as a grand display of His mercy and compassion. James 5:7-11 (VOICE)

We're reminded of the prophets and Job as examples for patience. I think the Job thing is a killer! 

Patience, perseverance under hardship, during the growth process can be very difficult in this ‘instant gratification’ era. Like Mark said last week- often times the growth we desire to see is happening under the surface.

1 Corinthians 15:36  The Voice (VOICE)

36 Don’t be a fool! The seed you plant doesn’t produce life unless it dies. Right? 

Wow! So patience requires something- something has to die! 

Me growing into Christlikeness requires me dying to MY-likeness!

Contrasting the patience of a farmer, we are also given the example of the patience of a runner:

Let us run with patience (Hebrews 12:1).

To run with patience is a very difficult thing. 

Running suggests the absence of patience, the eagerness to reach the goal. 

We commonly associate patience with ‘have a seat’, ‘take a Chill’,  RELAX, Don’t worry, be happy!

There is a patience which I believe to be harder

--the patience that can run. 

To be still in the time of grief, to be quiet under the stroke of adverse fortune, requires a great strength; 

I know of something that implies a strength greater still: 

This More difficult Patience is the power to keep moving under a burden; to have a great weight at your heart and still be able to run; to have a deep anguish in your spirit and still perform the daily task. It is a Christ like thing!

The hard thing is most of us are called to exercise our patience, not in our easy chair, but out in the street!

We are called not to bury our sorrows and suffer silently, but in active service--in the marketplace, in the workplace, in our social activity, in the contribution to another's joy. 

There is no bearing of sorrow so difficult as that; it is the "running with patience."

This was the patience of Christ! 

It was sometimes waiting and other times,  a running. 

A waiting for the goal but a doing of the lesser work meantime. 

We see him at Cana turning the water into wine to meet a mundane human need. 

We see Him in the desert feeding a multitude with bread just to relieve a temporary hunger. All, all the time, he was bearing a mighty grief, unshared, unspoken. 

Some ask for a rainbow in the cloud to be reminded of his promises; but let’s ask more from Him! 

Let's ask rather that we would be, in our dark cloud, ourselves the rainbow -- to minister to others' joy and needs. Our patience will be perfect when it can work in the Vineyard bearing fruit in it’s time!


Be patient! God’s not finished with me yet?

But let that patience be with our roots actively growing down into Jesus!  

Let it be life in motion, running the race! Amen?