ARE WE HAVING FUN YET?

“Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions,

and enables him to enjoy them,

to accept his lot and be happy in his work – this is a gift of God.”

(Ecclesiastes 5:19)

 

Why do so many people think Christians are boring and don’t have any fun in life?  Do we take ourselves too seriously?  Do we take life too seriously?  Do we impose so many rules on ourselves; we suck the joy right out of life? 

I believe God actually wants us to enjoy life – to have fun!  Think about it for a moment – when God created Adam and Eve, where did he place them?  He put them in paradise.  We call it the Garden of Eden, but it was truly paradise!  While we’re not in paradise yet, God still wants His children to enjoy life on this earth.  Here are a few verses that give you permission to enjoy life…

·         I Timothy 6:17 – “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain;  but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment.” – We have certainly experienced the uncertainty of wealth in America recently.  Our trust must be in God.  Then, instead of fretting over what we don’t have, God wants us to enjoy what He do have – what He has provided for our enjoyment.

·         Ecclesiastes 11:8 – “However many years a man may live, let him enjoy them all…”  Of course, in the next verse Solomon brings some balance in life, pointing out that God will judge us in the end.  But once again, God wants us to enjoy life in healthy ways!

·         Ecclesiastes 9:9 – “Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love…”  Yes, even marriage is intended, in part, for our enjoyment.  God wants us to enjoy our spouses and to enjoy life together!

So, no boring Christians, please!  Don’t take yourself too seriously.  Lighten up.  Have some fun.  Enjoy life as God intended it to be enjoyed!

And speaking of fun – don’t miss our Fifth Sunday Special this Sunday at 10:30 am.  We’re having a Southern Gospel Concert featuring “The Blackwood Legacy” and an old-fashioned barbecue on the church grounds after the concert.  Bring a friend and join the fun!!!

 

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for Your provisions in my life.

I recognize that everything I have comes from Your gracious hand.

Give me the grace to enjoy life as you intend it to be enjoyed.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

WHO’S YOUR NEIGHBOR?

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul

and with all your strength and with all your mind;

and love your neighbor as yourself.”

(Luke 10:27)

 

Upon hearing Jesus answer his question, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” the expert lawyer asked a follow-up question:  “Who is my neighbor?”  Of course, being a lawyer, he was probably looking for a loophole – “I don’t have to love people who are different than me, do I?  I love all my friends; isn’t that good enough?”

Jesus went for the jugular by telling a story we know today as “The Good Samaritan.”  You can read it in Luke 10:25-37.  He chose one of the most despised neighbors of the Jews – a Samaritan – to demonstrate that my neighbor is anybody near me who is in need; regardless of race, sex, income, or social status.

With today’s economic woes, there are plenty of people around us in need.  As Christians, we have a unique opportunity before us today to practice what Jesus taught: “Love your neighbor.”  Obviously, you and I can’t help everyone; but we can reach out and touch someone’s life – a friend, a co-worker, a next-door neighbor, an acquaintance, even an enemy? 

So, I want to encourage you to do a couple things this week – just for the fun of it…

• A random act of kindness – look around and find a “neighbor” in need and just do some random act of kindness for them.  They don’t even have to know it was you who did it?
• Invite a “neighbor” to our Fifth Sunday Special on March 29^th – “The Blackwood Legacy.”  It’ll be a lot of fun!

Let’s be good neighbors!

 

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for reaching out and loving me, even though I did not deserve Your love.

Open my eyes and help me see people around me as You see them.

And give me the courage to reach out and love them as You loved me.

Help me to be a good neighbor.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

DOVE, WIND, FIRE, & OIL

“Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit,

who is in you, whom you have received from God?

…Therefore honor God with your body.”

(I Corinthians 6:19-20)

 

The Bible tells us that the moment we trust Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit indwells us.  In other words, He takes up His residence in our lives.  My heart becomes His home.  So, what does the Holy Spirit do in us?  Several pictures of the Holy Spirit in the Bible give us a glimpse into His ministry in our lives.  He is pictured as…

ü A Dove – peaceful and tranquil

ü Wind – invisible, but powerful (just ask anyone who has experienced a hurricane)

ü Fire – used to refine and purify

ü Oil – used in the Bible to anoint God’s people for service.

Since the Holy Spirit lives in you, He is actively engaged in your daily life.  As a dove, the Holy Spirit floods your soul with God’s peace even in the midst of an unsettled world.  As a powerful wind, the Holy Spirit breathes power into your life as you live for Jesus.  As fire from above, He purifies your heart from sin and selfishness.  And, as divine oil, the Holy Spirit has anointed you for service in God’s Kingdom.

Even though you can’t see the Holy Spirit – He is very active in your life.  He is that still, small voice of the Lord in your heart and mind and soul.  Are you listening?  Are you experiencing His peace?  Are you letting Him lead you and empower your daily walk?

 

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for giving me your Holy Spirit to live in my heart and life.

Thank you for His peace, His power, His guidance, and His anointing.

 May my life truly honor the One who has taken up His residence in my heart?

Keep me in tune with Your Spirit.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ASK

“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?

Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,

how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!”

(Matthew 7:9-11)

 

I have a two-year old grandson who likes to play with rocks.  So, I can appreciate the following story…

A young boy was doing his best to lift a rock that was too large for someone his size.  He grunted and groaned and huffed and puffed as he tried various methods to move the rock.  But, in spite of all his efforts, the rock wouldn’t budge.  His father walked by and, after watching his son struggle for awhile, finally asked if he was having trouble.  The boy answered, “Yes, I’ve tried everything, and it won’t move.”  The father replied, “Are you sure you have tried everything?  Have you used every resource at your disposal?’  The boy looked up with frustration filling his face and blurted out in exhaustion, Yes!”  Gently, the father bent over and softly said, “No, son, you haven’t.  You haven’t asked for my help.”

How often are we just like that little boy, struggling with our problems all on our own but unable to solve them – because we haven’t asked for our Father’s help.  He wants to help you.  All you have to do is ask.

 

Dear Father in heaven,

I can’t do this all on my own.

I need Your strength when I am weak.

 I need Your peace and Your presence when I worry.

I need Your wisdom as I wrestle with difficult decisions.

I need Your guidance as I walk life’s journey.

I need You, Lord!

Amen.