Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. Matthew 14:29
Routine is a good thing. At least in some situations it is. For example with exercise, the more consistency you can develop in your workout routine the more likely you will be to go and work out. However, routine can also cause you to hit a plateau, a place where you level off and stop growing.
Just like in a workout, routine can be both good and bad in your spiritual life. If you have the routine of daily bible study and prayer, it is a great thing. Much like weight lifting you only get stronger if you are working out daily. But we can also reach a point of plateau in our spiritual lives. We become complacent with where we are and how God is using us and we level out. The plateau is easy and comfortable but it is also stale.
When was the last time that God did something major in your life, something that rejuvenated your spirit and made your grow by leaps and bounds? If you are having trouble thinking of a time then maybe you have reached a plateau in your spiritual life.
When working out the only way to get past a plateau is to change something about the workout, do something you wouldn’t normally do. In your spiritual life if you are at a plateau then it is time to step out in a new way and take your relationship with God to the next level.
If you do not practice a daily quiet time with God then it is time to start. If you do that but haven’t served in your church yet, then find a ministry to get involved in. Where ever you are, take it to the next level.
I think if we are honest with ourselves then most Christians have reached a plateau in our spiritual lives. My challenge to you today is break the plateau by doing something you might normally never do. Invite a stranger to church with you this Sunday, if they won’t come invite another until your find someone to come with you. Offer to buy them lunch, I don’t care pay them to go with you. What ever it takes bring someone to your church this Sunday and you just may be a part of God changing someone’s life forever. What would be more invigorating than that? What could launch you off that plateau more than that?
It may be uncomfortable to walk up to a stranger and invite them to church or to start a conversation with that neighbor that you only ever see when they mow the lawn, but when God asks us to do something uncomfortable and we do it. Then miracles are usually the result.
Jesus went walking out to the disciples on the water. Peter opened his big mouth and said “Lord if it is you tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus called his bluff and told him to “come.” Then something amazing happened. Despite the waves, despite the wind, despite the fact that people can’t walk on water, despite the fact that the boat was comfortable and he was just fine there in the boat, Peter got out of the boat. Jesus asked him to do something out of the ordinary something uncomfortable, and Peter got out of the boat. Because of his willingness to get out of the boat, out of the box, or out of his comfort zone; Peter “walked on the water and came toward Jesus.”
If we will get out of the boat, then we will experience miracles. Remember if God asks you to do something uncomfortable then get ready because he is about to work a miracle in you, if you will only get out of the boat.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
When God Says No
Then Job replied to the LORD:
2 "I know that you can do all things;
no plan of yours can be thwarted.
3 You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?'
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know.
4 "You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.'
5 My ears had heard of you
but now my eyes have seen you.
6 Therefore I despise myself
and repent in dust and ashes."
This morning God used my cat to teach me a lesson. I had just gotten back from the gym and started fixing breakfast. Out cat Romeo, who is only compassionate in the morning when he thinks he might get some coffee creamer as a treat, was all over my feet and watching me cook breakfast. When my eggs were done I dumped them in the plate and started to wash out the skillet in the sink. Then out of the corner of my eye I saw Romeo on the counter getting ready to walk right across the ceramic top of our range.
I Shouted “Romeo No!” Though it startled him he barely slowed down. The dish brush was full of water; desperate to make him stop I flung the water from the brush right at his face. Romeo jumped down from the stovetop and ran to the couch put his paws on it and looked back at me almost as if he wanted to punish me for throwing water at him, by doing something I don’t like.
Then it hit me, Romeo doesn’t know that I was frantically trying to save him from danger. That the stove was still hot enough to hurt him very badly, it had only been off a matter of seconds. He doesn’t understand that sometimes when I say no it’s for his own good. If you have children then you know how often you have to say no to protect them. When they are young they can’t understand the dangers that you’re protecting them from, and as they get older they just think that you are trying to take their freedoms away.
God used that feline fiasco to remind me of a valuable lesson. Sometimes when God says no, He is protecting us, and what he commands he commands for a reason, it is better for us to obey them. We have to trust that he is God and knows what is best for our lives and that he has the power to do what he wills.
Job was a man who, even though he was righteous and didn’t deserve it, lost everything he had. He family and his friends tried to convince him that God was wrong and encouraged him to curse God and die. But because of his faith Job never turned his back on God. He learned through his experiences that God is good and in control of everything that humans face, and we must trust that God knows what is best for us, even when he says no.
At the end of the book of Job, when Job finally understands he says to God, “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?' Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.” Job realized that God is loving and no matter what happens or how he answers us we know that he is always going to do what is best for us.
Today make sure that you are thankful for God’s leadership in your life, even when he says no or asks you to do something you aren’t comfortable with. Show him you’re thankful by doing something that will bring him Glory.
______________________________
2 "I know that you can do all things;
no plan of yours can be thwarted.
3 You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?'
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know.
4 "You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.'
5 My ears had heard of you
but now my eyes have seen you.
6 Therefore I despise myself
and repent in dust and ashes."
This morning God used my cat to teach me a lesson. I had just gotten back from the gym and started fixing breakfast. Out cat Romeo, who is only compassionate in the morning when he thinks he might get some coffee creamer as a treat, was all over my feet and watching me cook breakfast. When my eggs were done I dumped them in the plate and started to wash out the skillet in the sink. Then out of the corner of my eye I saw Romeo on the counter getting ready to walk right across the ceramic top of our range.
I Shouted “Romeo No!” Though it startled him he barely slowed down. The dish brush was full of water; desperate to make him stop I flung the water from the brush right at his face. Romeo jumped down from the stovetop and ran to the couch put his paws on it and looked back at me almost as if he wanted to punish me for throwing water at him, by doing something I don’t like.
Then it hit me, Romeo doesn’t know that I was frantically trying to save him from danger. That the stove was still hot enough to hurt him very badly, it had only been off a matter of seconds. He doesn’t understand that sometimes when I say no it’s for his own good. If you have children then you know how often you have to say no to protect them. When they are young they can’t understand the dangers that you’re protecting them from, and as they get older they just think that you are trying to take their freedoms away.
God used that feline fiasco to remind me of a valuable lesson. Sometimes when God says no, He is protecting us, and what he commands he commands for a reason, it is better for us to obey them. We have to trust that he is God and knows what is best for our lives and that he has the power to do what he wills.
Job was a man who, even though he was righteous and didn’t deserve it, lost everything he had. He family and his friends tried to convince him that God was wrong and encouraged him to curse God and die. But because of his faith Job never turned his back on God. He learned through his experiences that God is good and in control of everything that humans face, and we must trust that God knows what is best for us, even when he says no.
At the end of the book of Job, when Job finally understands he says to God, “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?' Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.” Job realized that God is loving and no matter what happens or how he answers us we know that he is always going to do what is best for us.
Today make sure that you are thankful for God’s leadership in your life, even when he says no or asks you to do something you aren’t comfortable with. Show him you’re thankful by doing something that will bring him Glory.
______________________________
- Don’t forget this Sunday is Easter and we have a great service planed and you will want to be a part of it.
- Have you thought of someone to invite to church next week? We have the greatest information in the world how to have eternal life in heaven, let’s be bold about sharing it.
- Don’t forget about the Easter egg hunt Saturday at 10:00. Bring lots of friends, a basket, and your camera it will be a blast!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Sunday Night Reflections
We had a couple of great services today. God is really moving at Happy Hill. Here are some thoughts about the day.
- It was great to have the sanctuary painted and decorated today. The back wall of the baptistery looks awesome. (Thanks, Danny, Dean, Dan and Fran)
- I love to see God moving in our church.
- Even I felt convicted by my challenge for our need for passion in evangelism today. I hope you will all take seriously the challenge to bring someone un-churched to service next week.
- Sunday Night was a great look at Paul’s ministry and how we need to depend on God’s power for success in ministry.
- I saw lots of little green shoots coming up in the Garden today and I am getting excited about serving the community at harvest time.
- The choir stayed in the choir loft today. I enjoyed having them up there. My prayer is that next week for Easter our sanctuary will be so full there would be no hope for the choir to sit in the pews.
- I am already looking forward to next week’s service I am planning to really stretch myself with my sermon. You will need to be there to see what I mean but I promise you will not want to miss it.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Blessed Steeple
I found this picture online while setting up my flicker account. It is an incredible photo of our church. Thank You to the photographer.
God is incredible, I love it whenever I have the opportunity to recognize the beauty of his creation. Take time today to remember all that Christ has done for you.
God is incredible, I love it whenever I have the opportunity to recognize the beauty of his creation. Take time today to remember all that Christ has done for you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)