Get Up and Go On With Your Life

Get Up and Go On With Your Life
'Then David got up...' 2 Samuel 12:20 NIV

Good Morning or is it a good morning? Sometimes we feel what's the use; and we give up. It's very easy to give up when you've made some wrong choices and you feel like life isn't what its claimed to be. If I struggle with this I know you must to. Let's look at David. David committed adultery with another man's wife, got her pregnant, then arranged to have her husband put to death in an attempt to cover it up. Then he married her and thought everything would be ok. But the child became critically ill. Desperately wanting to save the baby's life, David '...fasted and went into his house and spent the nights lying on the ground. The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food...' (vv16-17 NIV) In spite of all his praying, the child died. Why did God let this happen? Was it because the child deserved better parents? Or because the Bible says that to depart and be with the Lord is 'far better' (Philippians 1:23)? We don't have a clear answer. But this much we know: when you have repented of your sin and experienced God's forgiveness, you must get up and go on with your life. And that's what David did. 'Then David got up from the ground...washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes...went into the house of the Lord and worshipped. Then he went to his own house, and...they served him food, and he ate.' (2 Samuel 12:20 NIV)
We discover three important things in this story:
(1) Until you are willing to make things right with God and those you've hurt, you can't go forward with confidence.
(2) Until you process your emotions in a healthy way, whether guilt or grief, you will remain stuck and forfeit the joy of what God has for you next.
(3) When you've done these two things, get up and get on with your life.
When you do Gods got great things in store. So if today you are in that place, get up and go on with your life...you'll be gald you did!
You are loved.

Who Are You Relying On?

'...We stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God...' 2 Corinthians 1:9 NLT

Good Morning,
This morning in Men's Connection, (and men if you can make it I would encourage you come and fellowship and pray,) one of the topic's was how hard it is sometimes to reley on God when things seem so hard. We want to try it our way before we say ok God, it's in your hands. Jesus said, 'Here on earth you will have many trials...' (John 16:33 NLT) You solve one problem, and another one comes along to take its place. They're not all big, but they're all necessary to your spiritual growth. How do you assess the strength of something? By testing it! The Bible says: 'Don't be...shocked that you are going through testing...It will prepare you...' (1 Peter 4:12-13 CEV) Some of your most life-enriching experiences will come during your worst moments-when your heart is broken, when you feel abandoned, when you're out of options, when your pain levels go through the roof-and you turn to God. That's when you learn to pray heartfelt, honest-to-God prayers. When you're in pain you don't have the energy for superficial ones. And that's when you discover, 'The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.' (Psalm 34:18 NLT) God could have kept Joseph out of prison, Daniel out of the lions' den, Jeremiah out of the slimy pit and Paul from being shipwrecked-but He didn't. As a result, each one of them was drawn closer to God and impacted the world around them. Your problems force you to look to God and depend on Him instead of yourself. This is especially hard on super-achievers, like Paul. 'We...saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us...' (2 Corinthians 1:9 TLB) You'll never know what God can do until God is all you've got. So place your needs into His capable, loving hands, and watch what happens. You are loved!

You're Qualified! (3)

'Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it...' Psalm 127:1 NKJV

Good Morning,

Our trip to Seattle and back was a success yesterday. Amy is doing well according to her doctor. Thank you so much for all your prayers. We both appreciate it very much. Continuing on with the 3rd installment in "You're Qualified". I want you to know that this Sunday I'll be speaking on a expanded version of these thoughts. I've been praying that you'll be ready for God to move again this week in our service. In God's Kingdom, center stage is not for those who think they've got their act together and deserve public recognition. Nor is it limited to those in leadership and public ministry. It's a call to action, to you, whoever and wherever you are today. When you trust God's timing He grooms you for bigger and better parts. But there are some things you must, and must not do: (1) Don't try to make it on your own. Popular wisdom says, 'Fake it till you make it,' and you'll be tempted to debut in your own strength. Don't do it! If you do, you will get in the way of a much greater production. The Bible says: 'Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.' Trust God, and when your moment comes He will give you your cue. (2) The shadows. Are you ready to transform 'acting' into an authentic performance that reveals the real you? Fear of rejection is powerful. It takes courage to be yourself. But you gain strength from the struggle and power from the pain when you are willing to risk moving from the shadows into the light. (3) Confront your inner critic. We are all subject to the little voice within that says, 'You'll never be smart enough, rich enough, pretty enough or good enough to stand in the spotlight.' But when God raises you up, nobody can put you down. So remind your inner critic of God's promise: '...You shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.' (Jeremiah 1:7 NKJV) You are loved!

You're Qualified! (2)

'...Whoever makes himself great will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be made great...' Matthew 23:12 GNT
Good Morning,

Do you remember Rosa Parks, the black woman who refused to surrender her seat to a white man and move to the back of the bus? There was more at stake that day than just a ride home from work. By simply being herself, Rosa suddenly moved to center stage. She wasn't playing games. She was the real thing, and God shone a light on her soul that day that changed history. That's how it works: when God's light shines on your efforts, little becomes much. I can remember back when I was just a young man struggling in youth ministry trying to find my way. I'd pray to God and ask Him to make me like those other youth pastors because I thought they had it all. Their ministries seemed so much better than mine. But one day God informed that He liked me just for who I was. That I was qualified under a different system. Thats why Jesus said that everyone 'who learns to be humble will find promotion.' (Matthew 23:12 PHPS) Now, since God is the only One who knows when your time will come, you must be prepared. 'How do I do that?' you ask. The Bible answers: '...don't be proud. Put yourselves under God's mighty hand. Then He will honor you at the right time.' (1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV) Allow the Holy Spirit to be your agent and advance man. Don't get ahead of Him. Just be faithful; when the time is right God will shine His spotlight on the next stage and assign you an even bigger role. And when the moment comes for you to stride confidently into the spotlight and fulfill your God-given role, try to remember that there's no room for self-importance and pretence. For God has qualified you just as you are! You are loved....

You're Qualified

'...You shall go to all to whom I send you...' Jeremiah 1:7 NKJV

Wow is all I can say! I looked at the clock and three hours had gone by just like that. Every time we were about to shut down the Spirit moved in another way. What an incredible move of God's Spirit in our service yesterday. God exponentially answered my prayers for each and everyone of you. I'm excited for what God has instore for Calvary moving forward. God has something special for each and everyone of you to do. Don't let Satan tell you, you can't. You must just embrace it! Jeremiah told God, '...I cannot speak, for I am a youth.' (v6 NKJV) Have you been saying, 'I don't have what it takes'? God told Jeremiah, 'Do not say, I am a youth, for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you...' (vv 7-8 NKJV) When actors audition for a part, the director conducts what are known as 'callbacks'. At that point the actor either gets the part or it goes to somebody else. But when an actor is experienced and well-known, sometimes the director offers them the part without them even auditioning for it. Understand this: God doesn't do auditions and callbacks! That's because He's already designed a role for you that nobody else could fill. Even if others were to study you endlessly they still couldn't be you. When God says, 'I know you by name and you have found favor with Me' (Exodus 33:12 NIV), be careful about responding to any other call except the one that comes from Him. Since God designed you with all the built-in qualifications you need, you don't have to compromise your convictions, manipulate, drop names or do special favors'. The part is yours! And don't be jealous or intimidated by anybody else no matter how talented they are. In God's eyes there are no other contenders; you're it! You're the only one who can fill the slot because He created it with you in mind. When you feel insecure and unqualified, remind yourself of that. You are loved!

Always Do What's Right

'...This is what [God] requires...to do what is right...' Micah 6:8 NLT

Morning Team,

Man I love our church! What a incredible time of fellowship and prayer this morning in our Men's prayer connection. Thanks men for making prayer a priority in your lives. It sure gets my Weekend started being with men who want to pray. Here's the question today? Do you struggle sometimes with doing what's right? Focusing solely on what you can , without first deciding what kind of person you should be, is a mistake. Your talent may make your name known, but your character will determine what people associate with it. Your talent may dictate your potential, but your character will determine your legacy. What is character? It's the will to do what's right, even when it is not easy. It's deciding ahead of time what's truly non-negotiable. Count on it, the day will come when so-called 'progress' calls for compromising your convictions. In that moment, what hangs in the balance is your moral authority. So you must be clear about your convictions. You'll be tempted to believe that once you reach a certain level of success, these challenges disappear. No, success doesn't make anything easier, it just raises the stakes. What was once applauded is now simply expected. It's a lot easier to win the title than defend it. Furthermore, with success comes the inclination to see yourself as the final authority on right and wrong. Look around you and you'll see that it's not uncommon to find leaders playing by a different set of rules. Everything really does look different at the top! Once intoxicated by success, you start to believe that the rules don't apply to you. And that can be fatal. In the final analysis your reputation is how you're known before men but your character is how you're known before God. You say, 'But why cling to something that's outdated or has the potential to slow me down?' The Bible answers: 'This is what [God] requires...to do what is right.' So do what's right! You are loved...

(Just reminder that this Sunday is our Missions Conference with Teen Challenge. Please being your Missions faith Pledges for 2012 and a offering for Teen Challenge. After service we will share a meal so Last names a to m please bring a hot dish, and n to z a desert and salad. Invite a friend and we'll see you Sunday)

Refuse To Pull Back!

'You will spread out to the right and to the left...' Isaiah 54:3 NIV

Good morning,

The sun is shining and we have so much to be thankful for in our lives; yet there are many who cry doom and gloom. We must all be ready for what lies ahead spiritually because Gods word tells us so. But there is a time we may be tempted to try and pull back because of our fears. Let me ask you a question? Has all the gloom and doom in the news caused you to become fearful and begin to pull back? Take a moment and read this: 'Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child...shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband...Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right hand and to the left...Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.' (Isaiah 54:1-4 NIV) Satan will try to plant all kinds of fear in your mind about things that are not even likely to happen. He will tell you that your children are going to be lost; that because cancer, Alzheimer's or heart disease runs in your family, you too are going to get it. His goal is to stop you dead in your tracks. He knows God's plan for you is to 'spread out to the right and to the left,' not pull back. 'How long will this attack last?' you ask. Quite possibly as long as the longest stand you've taken against Satan in the past! What can you do? 'Take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day...' (Ephesians 6:13 NKJV) Stand squarely on God's Word and refuse to pull back. When you do Gods Spirit will confirm it in you and that feeling is something you can stand on for a long time. You are loved...