Tuesday, June 29, 2010

A Thought for the Day

"Therefore, at the beginning of they day let all distraction and empty talk be silenced and let the first thought and the first word belong to him to whom our whole life belongs." Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together, p. 49

Monday, June 28, 2010

Sunday's sermon: Next steps

Good morning.

Yesterday's sermon text was from 2 Kings 2:9: "And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, 'Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?' Elisha said, 'Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.'" The subject was "A Double Portion."

Take time to think today about your "next steps" and what you will do as a result of the sermon on your faith journey.

1. After hearing the sermon yesterday, can you identify areas in your life where "process" is at work? Remember, God takes his time.

2. Since the call is up to God, but the response is up to us, how have you responded to God's call on your life? Read 1 Kings 19:19-21

3. What have the storms or whirlwinds in your life taught you? Read 2 Kings 2:1.

4. You may acknowledge that you have not passed every test. But can you see where you are making progress? Remember, promotion is not based on perfection, but on progress.

5. What is your priority or passion? What drives you? Read 2 Kings 2:9.

6. Whose life inspires you by their passion or devotion so much so that you want to emulate that? What stops you or makes you think you couldn't be that spiritual or passionate?

Continue to pray for our church. I believe that God sent us a "test" yesterday during our worship, and I pray that we passed that test in a way that pleased God. I particularly want to thank the men of Memorial for the way you stepped up and responded.

If we are serious truly about being the Lord's church, such tests will come from time to time, and we must be ready to do what the Lord would have us do. We cannot be apathetic, casual or erratic about this if we really want that "double portion." It will take a seriousness of pursuit that frankly we have not always shown. We pray God's forgiveness and grace on our efforts when they have been less than the best we could do, and pray for God's grace and strength to do better as we make progress.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Thought for the day: "Next steps"

Greetings.

Starting today and each Monday, I am going to e-mail those of you on our list and ask you to consider the "next steps" regarding the sermon you heard and the worship experience you shared on Sunday. There will just be a few questions you will ask of yourself that I pray will encourage, challenge and support you on your faith journey.

Yesterday's sermon at Memorial was from Luke 8:35: “Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind.” The sermon title was "A Brand New Man."

Think for a moment about your "next steps" and what you will do as you continue on your faith journey.

1. After hearing the sermon, can you identify an area in your life where you need God's guidance to grow or mature?

2. What "storms" in your life do you think are keeping you from getting to Jesus, or keeping him from getting to you?

3. If you are confident that Jesus is on his way to help, save or deliver you, are you ready to let him do what he wants to do now, or will you send him away? Read Luke 8:37.

4. Read Luke 8:30. Who "named" you? What issues define you? What is God saying to you about this?

5. Where and to whom is Jesus sending you to witness to his goodness in your life?

You do not have to respond to me unless you feel the need to dialogue about your journey, but I trust that you will take time to reflect on these questions as we continue together to develop in our daily walk with God.

Monday, June 14, 2010

A Thought for the Day

"Let God be as original with other people as he is with you" (Oswald Chambers). In other words, give God room and time to work in the lives of others in same way he has taken time and been given room to work with you.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Scripture Thought for the Day

"Let the godly strike me! It will be a kindness! If they correct me, it is soothing medicine. Don't let me refuse it." Psalm 141:5