Volume 7 Post/Email 1 – Experiencing God
Marks led a really great discussion on experiencing God in our young adult class for Sunday night. He did an excellent job not only of mentioning applicable Scripture and examples on the topic, but also of asking good probing questions.
After referencing examples of people in the Bible who experienced God, he transitioned the dialogue with a personal question. One of the questions Marks asked was, "Have you experienced God?"
I began to think about my life and God's involvement. Different moments and thoughts came to my mind. While thinking briefly while others were sharing, Deanna made a response to Heather's comment about her belief in God's involvement in her life the day before on Saturday in a "small" way. Deanna said that if we wait to see God in the big events and do not see God in the little things or details then we do not have the close relationship with God that we should.
This makes me think about the possibility of even the more spiritually focused Christians missing the presence and voice of God. When have I not noticed God? How often am I missing an encounter with God? Do I ever miss God even in worship assemblies? Am I being humbled and transformed by the experiences for which I am aware?
These are deep and relevant questions for which I sense more reflection and meditation are necessary.
I do not know when nor what conclusions or convictions will result, but will share any in due time.
-Brian
Volume 6 Post/Email 8 – Positive Meditation
Each day we think about numerous matters. There are typically both positive and negative aspects to most situations. While we should not live in denial of any negatives, God's Word exhorts Christians to meditate on all the positives.
Philippians 4:8 reads, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."
At our job, there may be 8 positive things and 2 negative things happening in a given day. It would be easy to focus on the 2 negatives and miss the many positives. The same could be true in our family or our congregation.
Paul is writing this to Christians because we can struggle to meditate on what is pure, true and praiseworthy.
Reflection Question:
Do I (and will I) gravitate toward positive or negative meditation?
As you know, what we think about affects our attitude and even our choices.
Negative attitudes and poor decisions result from unholy thoughts.
Paul was in prison when he wrote the Philippian epistle. He could have been bummed out by his circumstance. He finds the opportunity even then to write a letter of encouragement to other believers.
Christians should be the most positive thinking people in the world!
Christians should be the most positive people in the world!
-Brian
Volume 6 Post/Email 7 – Excuses
I have begun the year with a 10-Lesson series on change. My lesson this Sunday was titled "If's" and "But's" on the topic of excuses, and how we sometimes resist transformation and offer God reasons why we cannot fully commit to discipleship. Without replicating a sermon, I will simply reference one text and one point to encourage us this Monday morning and for the week.
Luke 14:17-20 reads, "At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.' But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go see it. Please excuse me.' Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.' Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.'"
Jesus describes people who offer excuses for not participating in a banquet celebration. Of course, the banquet is a metaphor for God's divine invitation to kingdom living.
Here are a few of the reasons we offer God to reject his invitation to kingdom living (discipleship).
-There's not enough time.
-No one will notice.
-It's not my responsibility.
-I'm too old.
-I'm too young.
-I'm not smart enough.
-I'm not talented enough.
-It might not work.
-It probably won't work.
-I have never tried this before.
These are just a sample of reasons we offer to "sell ourselves short."
Excuses are beliefs that are consequential if they prevail in our life. In the poem "Excuses Are Tools" the opening line states, "Excuses are monuments of nothingness that build bridges to nowhere."
Excuses can definitely be imaginary and exaggerated.
Excuses are vehicles to "nowhere."
I think the primary point of Jesus' parable is that true Christian living is not a casual commitment.
Reflection Question: This week, take some time to identify one or two areas of your life for which you can do better and decide to stop making excuses about it.
-Brian
Volume 6 Post/Email 6 – The Good News
(While this message is being typed before the Superbowl, it will not be posted and read until afterward.)
This year a 30 second Superbowl commercial costs $3 million. It is difficult to fathom every second of communicating a message costing a company $100,000! Yet, these companies are willing to spend that enormous amount of money to advertise and potentially affect successful sales.
What about Christians? What about churches? How much are we willing to sacrifice to communicate our hope and message of salvation in Jesus Christ?
There will not be a marketed product in those commercials that people need! On the other hand, every person needs Jesus!
Ministering to others through conversations and service always have the potential of making an impression and positive difference in another's life, faith and eternal destiny.
The church in Acts was willing to sacrifice their money, time, freedom and even their wellbeing to witness to the world about the good news.
Acts 5:41-42 reads, "The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ."
We should not underestimate the time spent influencing others. Whether it's 30 seconds or 30 minutes, 30 days or 30 years, we all have opportunities to witness to, teach, encourage, and impact people in ways that glorify Christ.
-Brian