Go to the home page: Do You Need A Winning Game Plan For Your Life?
II Thessalonians 2:13 - 3:5
Some in this room have reached a milestone. You have just graduated from high school and you will leave home to go to college. As a congregation we want you to know that we, along with your parents, have tried to set an example for you. In addition to teaching what the Bible has to say about how to be a success in life, we have some traditions and your family has some traditions that we all hope you continue.
Just as Paul encouraged the church at Thessalonica with these words, we want to challenge you to remember them as you leave the safety of your home and this community.
The Message translation reads...
We've got our hands full continually thanking God for you...take a firm stand, feet on the ground and head high. Keep a tight grip on what you were taught...we have great confidence in you. May the Master take you by the hand and lead you along the path of God's love and Christ's endurance.
You will be tempted by many new people to do and try things you were not exposed to here. And, be aware that you will be even tempted by laziness since there will be no parent pushing you to complete a task. Hold on to what you know is right, take a firm stand and ask Jesus to stand with you.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Run to God
Go to the home page: Do You Need A Winning Game Plan For Your Life?
John 4:43-54
This was an overwhelming week for many of the people in this room today. Special events that accompany the end of a school year pile on top of the regular schedule. There are dozens of details that have to be handled and when the week finally came to an end we look forward to taking a deep breath and a nap!
Just when you think you'll get to relax, death comes knocking. Really. A neighbor who is close to us had a massive stroke that left him with no brain activity. Rather than taking a nap, we were at the hospital with the wife who was in shock. This was all moving so fast and took such an unexpected turn to the very worst it is only natural for us humans to ask, "Why is this happening to the father of four children who need him?"
What do we do? Where do we go? The Godless run to alcohol or drugs or as far away as they can get from the sadness.
However, the only reaction that follows the teaching of the Bible is to run to God.
Or, stay with God. Trust God in every situation then even though grief will come it can be turned into something good when placed in God's hands. Nothing good comes from what so many do with tragedy. Running away or to substance abuse destroys relationships and productivity. You can end up losing much more that what the crises brings to you.
In John 4:46-48 we read about the man who begged Jesus to heal his son. Jesus was a bit irritated when he said, "Unless you people are dazzled by a miracle you refuse to believe." Jesus is right. We all want what we want and we want it right now but Jesus is saying that God's ways are not our ways. We have to trust God with our lives even when it seems God is ignoring us.
Our simple faith, trust and submission allows God's plan to work.
John 4:43-54
This was an overwhelming week for many of the people in this room today. Special events that accompany the end of a school year pile on top of the regular schedule. There are dozens of details that have to be handled and when the week finally came to an end we look forward to taking a deep breath and a nap!
Just when you think you'll get to relax, death comes knocking. Really. A neighbor who is close to us had a massive stroke that left him with no brain activity. Rather than taking a nap, we were at the hospital with the wife who was in shock. This was all moving so fast and took such an unexpected turn to the very worst it is only natural for us humans to ask, "Why is this happening to the father of four children who need him?"
What do we do? Where do we go? The Godless run to alcohol or drugs or as far away as they can get from the sadness.
However, the only reaction that follows the teaching of the Bible is to run to God.
Or, stay with God. Trust God in every situation then even though grief will come it can be turned into something good when placed in God's hands. Nothing good comes from what so many do with tragedy. Running away or to substance abuse destroys relationships and productivity. You can end up losing much more that what the crises brings to you.
In John 4:46-48 we read about the man who begged Jesus to heal his son. Jesus was a bit irritated when he said, "Unless you people are dazzled by a miracle you refuse to believe." Jesus is right. We all want what we want and we want it right now but Jesus is saying that God's ways are not our ways. We have to trust God with our lives even when it seems God is ignoring us.
Our simple faith, trust and submission allows God's plan to work.
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