Greetings Church Family,
I hope and pray that last week’s message on my identity in Jesus Christ was an encouragement to all of you! Knowing who you are in Jesus Christ directly affects your emotions and actions! This coming Sunday we will begin a new series focusing on what it means to live a new life in Jesus Christ!
I’m looking forward to this coming year, and all that God has in store for us. What will happen? I’m not sure. But I know that my attitude will make a difference. So will yours. I recently shared a devotional thought about having a positive attitude this new year. Some of you may have already read it. If so…read it again. 🙂 If not, enjoy….
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17
I was watching a NCAA Basketball game recently and was alarmed by something I saw. The stadium was filled with a crowd ready to see their ranked team bring home another victory. The whistle blew, the ball was tossed in the air, and the two teams began their competition. However, the visiting team came out quick and took a strong lead to the game. The home team trailed into the second half and finally began to show some hope for a comeback. It was at this time, with three minutes left in the game, the home crowd finally made some noise when their team showed a little life. This place was packed and yet quiet, until their ranked team made some good plays. In spite of a valiant effort, the home team lost. And the fans quietly left the stadium with the same intensity they displayed during the game.
As I watched most of the game, I felt like I was watching a bunch of “Fickle Christians” and that is what alarmed me! What do I mean?
Fickle Christians live with no sense of urgency. As God’s children we belong to the ranked team and we are victorious over darkness. Yet, we can’t expect just to walk into opposition thinking, “We are the ranked home team, we are supposed to win.” We must still live with an urgency to win and not underestimate our opponent.
Fickle Christians sit back and expect others to get the job done. It appeared that the crowd was not going to participate unless they liked how the team was going to perform. It reminded me of how the church can act at times, the majority sits and watches a few lead, and refuses to cheer or help unless they see something good. The only time they make noise is when they don’t like what they see. Regardless of what we see taking place around us, we must engage in helping, serving, or cheering on those who are!
Fickle Christians complain instead of cheering. It is so easy to complain and whine about things that don’t go our way. Blame it on the refs. Blame it on the coach. Blame someone! Instead of blaming or complaining, let’s use words of encouragement. Instead of pointing out the negative, can we offer encouragement and something positive?
With a sense of urgency, let’s help, let’s engage in serving, let’s cheer on others as they too serve. Here’s a simple exercise to start and end the day.
In the morning pray something like this; “God, thank for this new day! Help me to be alert to living in a positive manner. Give me opportunity to serve and encourage others.”
In the evening before you go to bed complete the following statements:
I am thankful for __________.
Today I accomplished____________.
Let’s not be caught with having a fickle, complacent, and indecisive attitude this New Year. We are new in Jesus Christ and therefore we live with Jesus Christ working through us!
Looking forward to seeing you all Sunday!
Pastor Rex
I hope and pray that last week’s message on my identity in Jesus Christ was an encouragement to all of you! Knowing who you are in Jesus Christ directly affects your emotions and actions! This coming Sunday we will begin a new series focusing on what it means to live a new life in Jesus Christ!
I’m looking forward to this coming year, and all that God has in store for us. What will happen? I’m not sure. But I know that my attitude will make a difference. So will yours. I recently shared a devotional thought about having a positive attitude this new year. Some of you may have already read it. If so…read it again. 🙂 If not, enjoy….
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17
I was watching a NCAA Basketball game recently and was alarmed by something I saw. The stadium was filled with a crowd ready to see their ranked team bring home another victory. The whistle blew, the ball was tossed in the air, and the two teams began their competition. However, the visiting team came out quick and took a strong lead to the game. The home team trailed into the second half and finally began to show some hope for a comeback. It was at this time, with three minutes left in the game, the home crowd finally made some noise when their team showed a little life. This place was packed and yet quiet, until their ranked team made some good plays. In spite of a valiant effort, the home team lost. And the fans quietly left the stadium with the same intensity they displayed during the game.
As I watched most of the game, I felt like I was watching a bunch of “Fickle Christians” and that is what alarmed me! What do I mean?
Fickle Christians live with no sense of urgency. As God’s children we belong to the ranked team and we are victorious over darkness. Yet, we can’t expect just to walk into opposition thinking, “We are the ranked home team, we are supposed to win.” We must still live with an urgency to win and not underestimate our opponent.
Fickle Christians sit back and expect others to get the job done. It appeared that the crowd was not going to participate unless they liked how the team was going to perform. It reminded me of how the church can act at times, the majority sits and watches a few lead, and refuses to cheer or help unless they see something good. The only time they make noise is when they don’t like what they see. Regardless of what we see taking place around us, we must engage in helping, serving, or cheering on those who are!
Fickle Christians complain instead of cheering. It is so easy to complain and whine about things that don’t go our way. Blame it on the refs. Blame it on the coach. Blame someone! Instead of blaming or complaining, let’s use words of encouragement. Instead of pointing out the negative, can we offer encouragement and something positive?
With a sense of urgency, let’s help, let’s engage in serving, let’s cheer on others as they too serve. Here’s a simple exercise to start and end the day.
In the morning pray something like this; “God, thank for this new day! Help me to be alert to living in a positive manner. Give me opportunity to serve and encourage others.”
In the evening before you go to bed complete the following statements:
I am thankful for __________.
Today I accomplished____________.
Let’s not be caught with having a fickle, complacent, and indecisive attitude this New Year. We are new in Jesus Christ and therefore we live with Jesus Christ working through us!
Looking forward to seeing you all Sunday!
Pastor Rex