Created For Living

How do we make decisions? Do we make spreadsheets, weighing the pro’s and con’s, and mapping out every possible outcome? Others of us may just fly by the seat of our pants, and do what feels best in the moment. In today’s message, Pastor David challenges us to take an honest look at where God fits in our decision making process. He needs to be at the absolute center of it. Every decision we make should involve seeking God’s will and then trusting Him as we follow His lead.

Too many believers are trying to wander through this life with a “just me and Jesus” mindset. Yes, Jesus is our primary need, and we must have intimacy with Him, but we also need intimacy with one another. Our relationships with our fellow Christians provide discipleship, accountability, and joy. In today’s message, Pastor David stresses the importance of culturing honest, intimate fellowship with other Christians. We need to make time, and be purposeful about the time we spend together.

Our fellow Christians are more than just friendly, smiling face that we see on Sunday morning. We are all humans with struggles and needs. We need Christ and we need each other. It may be as simple as helping each other move, or with some yard work, or maybe just having an honest conversation over coffee, but as Pastor David encourages us in today’s message, if we are willing to pour ourselves into those relationships, we will find that Christ pours more of His joy and love into our lives.

It’s scary to open up and be vulnerable with people. We often feel like our struggles are unique and if they are exposed, we will be seen as weak. Largely because of this fear, the Church has moved away from having true intimate fellowship, and instead has settled for surface level relationships that consist of little more than shaking a few hands on Sunday morning. As Pastor David challenges us in today’s message, it’s time to get real with each other and engage in meaningful fellowship.

Fellowship is a wonderful, vital part of the life of every believer. It is something we should be purposeful about. As we interact and connect with our fellow Christians, there is, however, a danger of being exposed to false teachings and doctrines. As Pastor David encourages us in today’s message, we need to be careful. We need to be prepared with prayer and devoted study of Scripture, so when those false teachings present themselves we can recognize them for what they are.

God’s plan for us goes far beyond simply securing our eternity with Him. As much as we can look forward to being with Him in Heaven, God wants to start bringing His Kingdom in us right here on earth. He wants to purify us by His Word and use us as pure vessels to pour His grace out over a lost and dying world. As Pastor David challenges us in today’s message, it’s time for us to go beyond the shallows and go deeper into the water. Jesus has called us out, and in faith we need to follow.

It’s intimidating to follow Jesus. It will require stepping out of our comfort zones. On our own, we can’t accomplish God’s will. When we try to do it under our own power, we inevitably fail. As Pastor David reminds us in today’s message, it is only when we place ourselves on the altar and allow the Holy Spirit to mold us and shape us that we will be equipped and empowered to accomplish the will of our Father. It may seem impossible from a human perspective, but nothing is impossible with Him.

Following Jesus is not day at the beach. It’s not all sunshine and warm breezes. It often means going out into the storm, subjecting ourselves to circumstances that are challenging and even frightening. In today’s message, Pastor David challenges us to surrender ourselves to the incredible depths of what God has called us to. We are called to step out of our comfort zones and follow Jesus. It may be scary, but we can take courage in knowing that He is guiding us and will equip us for the task.

No one would wear scuba gear simply to walk around in knee deep water. It’s a funny thing to imagine, but it would be a big waste of potential. Unfortunately, many believers are doing exactly that. As Pastor David explains in today’s message, we have been given supernatural power through the Holy Spirit. We have access to the omnipotent God of the universe, yet we are content to just wade in to a safe level. If we want to experience the fullness of God, we need to fully submerge ourselves in His power.

Scuba diving offers us a great metaphor for our Christian journey. If you want to be successful and safe as a diver, you’re not going to start out using complicated equipment in deep shark infested waters. As Pastor David explains in today’s message, our journey with Christ can sometimes feel like jumping into the ocean. It requires that we abandon comfort and control and give ourselves over to his power. When we come to that point He will take us to greater depths of faith, than we could ever imagine.