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For the past 40 days we've taken an intentional journey in search of God's purpose for our lives both corporately and individually. And now we are faced with the decision that Christians have been faced with since the early church. Will we fulfill our God-given purpose or ignore it? It's the same question my parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents had to answer. I am living proof of their decision to strive after God's purposes and plans.
I believe that it's time for believers everywhere to take aim & shoot! Will we miss the mark at times? Yes. Will life potentially messy? Absolutely. Will we get it perfect? No chance. But I am convinced we have a better change of hitting God's bulls-eye if we take aim and shoot than if we do nothing. Those who never shoot always hit their target; which is nothing. Nothing changes in their life, no forward progress, no blessing. But when we make the decision to live for God's purposes and turn that decision into practical everyday choices we have the chance to change our lives and positively impact our world.
What are you waiting for? Take a shot. Make the everyday life choices to serve God's purpose. You won't be disappointed!!!
Pastor Mark
But those who wait on the LORD will renew their strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not be weary, they will walk and not faint. - Isaiah 40:31
Sometimes the hardest thing in life to do is wait. It just doesn't seem that we're naturally good at that; at least I know I'm not. We live in a culture where the physical act of waiting just seems unreasonable. Let's face it, we get mad when we have to wait in the drive-thru line for more than 5-minutes. If we have this much trouble waiting for a Big Mac or a Whopper, how much harder is it when it comes to waiting God?
Amazingly, this verse in Isaiah 40 tells us that one key element to growing in our faith is the action of waiting. That may sound silly because I said waiting is an action, but it's true. Tricia is a wonderful cook. Like most families, our meals run the gamete from fast food to home cooked. But some of the best meals are the ones she puts in the Crockpot at 8 a.m. and then simmers all day long. Sometimes it's a roast with carrots & potato's, other times it's a whole chicken smothered in BBQ sauce. Regardless, if you leave it alone, keep the lid on and let the Crockpot do it's thing, the meals come out tender and delicious. Now if you need a meal cooked in 10-minutes, then the Crockpot is not the cooking method of choice. That's when you use the microwave. The microwave will get the meal done in minutes. It is possible to get a tasty meal using this method, but more often than not the meal turns out dry, over or under cooked, and you are typically going to get 3rd degree burns in your mouth when you bite into the food.
In our daily journey of faith it's easy to take the shortcuts, circumvent God's time-line, and ultimately get there faster. That's what I call "Microwave Faith." It's definitely faster but the end product isn't all that God meant for it to be. As hard as it is to wait for, "Crockpot Faith" is usually what works best. That's where we place our lives in God's hands and trust his timing, allow him to season our lives along the journey, and produce in us an end result where our faith is properly developed. Waiting is so hard, but it is so worth it. As we simmer in God's Crockpot, we are slowly but surely developing the flavor of God; his character, attitude, and integrity. Have you ever noticed how the house smells after the Crockpot has been on all day? Even a guest in your home can smell the aroma as soon as they enter. I love what 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 say.
"For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who
are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life."
Make it your goal to develop Crockpot Faith. Wait on God this week and allow yourself to simmer in his presence. The end product is so worth it!!!
Have a GREAT week!
Pastor Mark
When's the last time you heard that phrase? Maybe high school or college? As you read through the Bible you'll find hundreds of people that got to experience this concept first hand. I think the reason many believers struggle through problems is because we always view problems as bad. We think that a good Christian shouldn't have problems. Unfortunately, that's just not true. Jesus said we would have troubles of many kinds. And sometimes they will hurt; a lot!
In John 21:17 it says, "Peter was hurt....." On Mark Batterson's blog (Evotional.com) he wrote this. "Why was he hurt and who hurt him? Well it was Jesus who asked Peter the same question three times: do you love me? Peter was hurt that the Lord asked him three times, but I think it was His way of dealing with Peter's three denials. He didn't want to gloss over the issue. He wanted to deal with the denial. So in a brilliant fashion, Jesus healed Peter by hurting Peter." For me, I've always learned the most about myself and about God in the middle of my problems and my struggles. He doesn't allow the problems to destroy me, he allows them to refine, shape, and grow me. My attitude always determines whether the outcome is positive or negative. He is still trying to "work all things together for my good."If we want to grow in our faith, problems are part of the process. And sometimes it's the pains of our lives that position us for the blessing of our lives. Don't despise your situation, consider it the training grounds that position you for future success!
Have a Great week!
Last night many people watched two teams battle each other. For the past 5 months each team trained, practiced, and played for one solitary purpose; a Superbowl victory. And once that goal is achieved, every player wants to get their hands on the Lombardi Trophy, simply to hoist it over their heads one time. For them it's not just a sculpture or piece of metal. It's the prize that symbolizes the work, effort, and achievement that they've focused on since Jr. High. For them it's not just A prize, it's THE prize!
I wasn't all that prolific in High School sports. The highlight of my athletic career was in eighth grade basketball. That year I was the tallest kid on the team and averaged 10 points per game. Unfortunately I haven't really grown much since eighth grade. So freshman year proved to be a little startling to my basketball career when I showed up for tryouts and I was one of the shortest guys. Regardless, I've received a few trophies in my life, although none as significant as the Lombardi.
But to be honest, the prize I'm striving to achieve isn't available in this lifetime. Oh, I've derailed at times and tried to gain the world's accolades, but they never seemed near as shiny once I got them. The ultimate prize I want to achieve is mentioned in Philippians 3:13-14.
"One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Our first struggle in winning the prize is forgetting the past. I need to learn from my past but I don't need to dwell on it. I can't change my yesterdays but I can change my todays. Our second problem is focus. The idea of straining toward what's ahead is such a great visual. It takes effort, it likely won't be easy, but it's definitely worth it. We just have to stay focused on the prize. I love the way Philippians 3:12-16 reads in the Message Bible (paraphrase).
"I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it."
This week press on toward the prize God has for your life!!
Have a GREAT week!
Pastor Mark
For the past 40 days we've taken an intentional journey in search of God's purpose for our lives both corporately and individually. And now we are faced with the decision that Christians have been faced with since the early church. Will we fulfill our God-given purpose or ignore it? It's the same question my parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents had to answer. I am living proof of their decision to strive after God's purposes and plans.
