I am now blogging at http://lfcbrf.wordpress.com/ Thanks to all who have followed. My archives are over at the new site.
http://lfcbrf.wordpress.com/
God's best to you,
Bernie Federmann
Friday, March 27, 2009
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
It is a Brand New Year - Any New Commitments?
This is that time, when resolutions and fresh commitments to things are conjured up. But what spiritual commitments will you make in 2009? What promises of the past will you rekindle in this New Year?
If you have drifted from God during this past year will you get closer to Him in 2009? If yes, what will you do? How will you do it? If you have stopped reading the bible and journaling, how about re-committing to it again on a regular basis? If you never started journaling, how about kicking it off the first full week of 2009?
If you are married and have drifted from your spouse, what will you do? What steps will you take to “fire up” your passion and heart towards your significant other? If you are a parent, what about commitments to your children and if you are a friend – what commitments will you make to those closest to you?
All good things cost us something and all great things cost much dedication and effort.
Our church is what it is due to the commitment of many and the incredible commitment of a few. Where will you become a part of the committed in 2009 that will take LFC to the next level in growth, outreach, impact and service? These are probing questions for sure, but must be asked as you look at the future.
Miracles never happen apart from commitment and movement – Peter gets out of the boat in order to walk on water, and a little boy gives up his lunch in order to feed the multitudes - commitment. Commitment is something we enjoy when we are on the receiving end of it. We enjoy people committed to doing their jobs, serving us, being loyal to us. But when commitment is on us – well that changes the way we view it. For example, we love someone committed to piloting when we are onboard an aircraft and we certainly are grateful for the commitment of Jesus as He went the distance and gave His life for us on the cross. Now that is commitment. The movement of people was often the pathway that God used to do miracles in the lives of others. Sure, God is not limited to me moving in order for Him to move, but sometimes God will not do if we do not move.
The church does not move without commitment.
People committed to praying, giving and serving. It is easy to procrastinate, but the time is now to ask God to assist you in your commitments for 2009. A simple prayer with a listening ear might be: “Lord what would you have me do – Where would you have me focus?”
When it comes to relationships, I sure like this quote from Tom Holliday's Relationship Principles of Jesus:
"True Love sacrifices. The greatest sacrifices may not be the one-in-a-lifetime sacrifices; they may well be the daily sacrifices. You give up your way and seek another person's good. No one else may even know you did it, but you'll know you acted in response to Jesus' love for you."
What commitments will you make to serve God and others in 2009?
I recall the story where Jesus told Simon the Pharisee that the measure of love we feel for God depends on the degree of appreciation we feel for the mercy and forgiveness of God we have experienced: “Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little” (Luke 7:47). So how much do we feel that God has extended mercy and forgiveness upon us? That is the degree in which we will feel compelled to commit to Him.
Could our lack of commitment to the Lord and His work stem from a lack of appreciation for the commitment of love Jesus showed to us? Could it be due to a lack of love we possess for Jesus? Sometimes we drift and allow the arrows of life to point inward. We become complacent and self-loving because we don’t really understand or fully appreciate God’s love and forgiveness and our commitment is diminished.
CT Studd, the great missionary pioneer said, “If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him”.
Let us spend time with the Lord and allow Him to shape our love for Him into commitments of service and love for others and that we might commit to His heart, worship of Him, serving Him, serving through His church, giving generously and being wholeheartedly obedient.
Let’s commit together to Him and for what He has for LFC in 2009,
Blessed New Year,
Pastor Bernie
Friday, December 19, 2008
Christmas Time Is Here – How about Peace?
(I wrote this piece and it appeared two weeks ago in the Lompoc Record Newspaper)
As I write this our church sanctuary is being decorated for the most “wonderful time of the year.” But I quickly think of how many people are not going to have the “most wonderful time” this time. Many are overwhelmed with the current state of economics, job status, job security, grocery prices, housing market and a myriad of issues that serve to; if we are not careful, remove any semblance of peace from our hearts. The Christmas season can easily bring heightened stress during a normal season, let alone one deemed by experts to be a “recession.” We must pause and be reminded of the purpose of the season. The Christmas story can be summarized by saying: God’s intention for us is to possess internal peace no matter the season. God does not run from us or from difficulty. The Christmas story takes place while people are in chaos, the economy is unstable and people are looking for an answer to their deepest spiritual needs. Recall if you would these familiar words: “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them…and said, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord… a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." (Luke 2: 8 – 14) God came right to people, simple hardworking shepherds. He came into their world and ours as well. He comes to us, right where we are. That is Christmas! Accepting the message and believing in the Christ Child opens up our hearts to the receiving of His peace that moves the “weary world to rejoicing.” It was cause for the angelic choir to sing and make connections in two realms at the same moment: Glory to God in the highest place and on the lowest place (earth) peace to men and woman and boys and girls on whom God’s favor rests upon. His favor rests upon those who have opened their heart and life to Him- those with a small amount of faith have said: “I believe.” Even a Christ-follower can push peace away as we drift from faith and obedience and become overwhelmed by situation and circumstance and forget that Jesus, the “prince of peace” and the “peace of God” who came to earth on Christmas. Jesus who like a sentry, stands at our heart and presses against that which is fierce and turbulent. “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…you were called to peace.” (Colossians 3:15) His peace keeps you from allowing the outside storms to come inside your heart and sink your life with anxiety and stress. A woman lay dying. A pastor tried to break the news as gently as he could: “They think your time is short.” “Yes,” she said, “I know it.” “Have you made your peace with God?” “No,” she replied, “I haven’t made my peace with God.” The minister did not understand. The woman seemed so peaceful. “What do you mean?” he asked. She said, “Listen! I know I am dying, yet I have no fear of meeting God. I don’t have to make my peace with God for I am resting in the peace which Jesus Christ has already made for me on the Cross – Jesus has become my peace.” He came to earth so He could purchase your salvation and provide you with peace. The peace that the angels announced at Christ’s birth is still available. “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him and allow Him to become your peace. From my heart to yours, I pray that you and our city will have a very Merry Christmas that is filled with Christ’s peace! Go ahead and seek Him.
As I write this our church sanctuary is being decorated for the most “wonderful time of the year.” But I quickly think of how many people are not going to have the “most wonderful time” this time. Many are overwhelmed with the current state of economics, job status, job security, grocery prices, housing market and a myriad of issues that serve to; if we are not careful, remove any semblance of peace from our hearts. The Christmas season can easily bring heightened stress during a normal season, let alone one deemed by experts to be a “recession.” We must pause and be reminded of the purpose of the season. The Christmas story can be summarized by saying: God’s intention for us is to possess internal peace no matter the season. God does not run from us or from difficulty. The Christmas story takes place while people are in chaos, the economy is unstable and people are looking for an answer to their deepest spiritual needs. Recall if you would these familiar words: “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them…and said, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord… a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." (Luke 2: 8 – 14) God came right to people, simple hardworking shepherds. He came into their world and ours as well. He comes to us, right where we are. That is Christmas! Accepting the message and believing in the Christ Child opens up our hearts to the receiving of His peace that moves the “weary world to rejoicing.” It was cause for the angelic choir to sing and make connections in two realms at the same moment: Glory to God in the highest place and on the lowest place (earth) peace to men and woman and boys and girls on whom God’s favor rests upon. His favor rests upon those who have opened their heart and life to Him- those with a small amount of faith have said: “I believe.” Even a Christ-follower can push peace away as we drift from faith and obedience and become overwhelmed by situation and circumstance and forget that Jesus, the “prince of peace” and the “peace of God” who came to earth on Christmas. Jesus who like a sentry, stands at our heart and presses against that which is fierce and turbulent. “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…you were called to peace.” (Colossians 3:15) His peace keeps you from allowing the outside storms to come inside your heart and sink your life with anxiety and stress. A woman lay dying. A pastor tried to break the news as gently as he could: “They think your time is short.” “Yes,” she said, “I know it.” “Have you made your peace with God?” “No,” she replied, “I haven’t made my peace with God.” The minister did not understand. The woman seemed so peaceful. “What do you mean?” he asked. She said, “Listen! I know I am dying, yet I have no fear of meeting God. I don’t have to make my peace with God for I am resting in the peace which Jesus Christ has already made for me on the Cross – Jesus has become my peace.” He came to earth so He could purchase your salvation and provide you with peace. The peace that the angels announced at Christ’s birth is still available. “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him and allow Him to become your peace. From my heart to yours, I pray that you and our city will have a very Merry Christmas that is filled with Christ’s peace! Go ahead and seek Him.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Generosity: Our Calling In Life
Last week I wrote how Thanksgiving is one of the difficult parts of faith for one reason: when things are going great, we tend to forget the importance of giving thanks. Likewise when things are going poorly, we struggle to find something to give thanks for! This is true of generosity. When things are going well, we seem to want more and actually exclude generosity from our hearts and when things are going poorly we tend to not see how it is possible to be generous. “God loves people who love to give.” That doesn’t mean that God loves people who give more than God loves people who don’t give. That’s really not how it works with God. I think that little phrase is a reminder to us that it brings God great joy and happiness when we are involved in giving to those who are in need. It brings God pleasure - gladness – delight, when we, who are God’s own children, imitate God. It’s not unlike the feeling we parents have when we see our children do, or say, what we hoped they had learned along the way. True discussions on generosity is not a church attempting to raise the income, but rather change the outcome of people’s life and cast a vision for the Lord’s work to move forward. As a church that has practiced generosity since its inception in 1940, we continue to give outside our walls and due to many who have determined to be generous and obedient to God’s truth, we are growing and expanding. At LFC we value generosity. That statement says much about our God, about our understanding of Jesus Christ, and so much about our own desires. We value generosity, bigheartedness and liberality.
This week we will be pouring out concrete foundation for our new building and we are paying cash as we go. While we remain hopeful and faith-filled that the balance needed to finish the interior of the building as well as the landscaping will come in, we are moving forward. We know God will release to us all we need to accomplish the vision He has placed in our hearts. Where God guides, He always provides. He has determined to provide through the generosity of people just like you. In a time where we could easily gravitate to a heart of scarcity and tightfistedness, we need to remember that God’s promises are not seasonal or based upon economy. His promises for the generous are the same now as they have always been.
Let’s be generous in this season of giving,
Pastor Bernie
This week we will be pouring out concrete foundation for our new building and we are paying cash as we go. While we remain hopeful and faith-filled that the balance needed to finish the interior of the building as well as the landscaping will come in, we are moving forward. We know God will release to us all we need to accomplish the vision He has placed in our hearts. Where God guides, He always provides. He has determined to provide through the generosity of people just like you. In a time where we could easily gravitate to a heart of scarcity and tightfistedness, we need to remember that God’s promises are not seasonal or based upon economy. His promises for the generous are the same now as they have always been.
Let’s be generous in this season of giving,
Pastor Bernie
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Focus: God – Our Creator and Sustainer
This morning as I prayed about our country, our church, my family and my day, one thing struck me over and over again. God is our Creator and Sustainer. In Sunday’s message I spoke about the power of Jesus to create and sustain and the compassion of Jesus to hold us close and hold us together. One of our key verses was:
Hebrews 4: 14 – 16
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (NIV)
The One Thing: Pay Attention Earlier in the book of Hebrews we are told by the writer to pay attention.
Hebrews 2:1
For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. (NASB)
What the writer to the Hebrews is saying here is that in the Christian life we must go on listening to God's Word in Jesus. He has already stated that Jesus is the word and that God spoke in the past through prophets, but in these days, He speaks to us by His Son. We must pay attention to all that God has spoken and in this days of economical challenge, uncertainty, personal challenge, family issues and more, we cannot treat hearing God as something occasional or casual. We cannot act as if we already know all we need to know, or that we have nothing to gain from listening to Jesus.
We are told to pay close attention to what we have heard. It is not just for those who are spiritually mature or for some who have a crisis in front of them. This is a word to all Christians: “we ought to give the more earnest heed…” (King James)
This is not an isolated command in the book of Hebrews. This concern to get the readers listen closely to God is repeated in various terms. Of all of them I love this one.
Hebrews 3:1Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the apostle and chief priest of our profession, Christ Jesus, (Young’s Literal Translation)
We are to consider Him. Focus on Him. Stay close to Him and keep Him in your thoughts. Learn more and more from Him every day—what He is like and what He says and the way He cares for you and how He sees the world.
Then again in Hebrews 12:1-2 (another of my favorites) "Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus." There it is again: "Fix your eyes on Jesus." Consider Jesus! Listen to Jesus!
Of all the things you are facing right now, would you focus on God as your creator and sustainer? Would you look to Him so that you do not drift? When pressures come, when uncertainty hits and when the enemy of right and light comes and steps into his tactics, we are faced with the potential of drifting away.
The Christian life is first and foremost a life of contemplation—listening to Jesus, considering Jesus, fixing the eyes of the heart on Jesus. Everything else in the Christian life grows out of this. Without this the Christian life is simply unlivable. – John Piper
My wholehearted encouragement to you is to focus on the Lord. I believe that is a timely word for all of us and the very thing I will be doing. To consider my Creator and open my heart and mind full to my Sustainer. Will you do the same? How could we not want to pay attention to Him, His truth, Jesus the Word and consider Him and fix our eyes on him!
Focusing better,
Pastor Bernie
Hebrews 4: 14 – 16
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (NIV)
The One Thing: Pay Attention Earlier in the book of Hebrews we are told by the writer to pay attention.
Hebrews 2:1
For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. (NASB)
What the writer to the Hebrews is saying here is that in the Christian life we must go on listening to God's Word in Jesus. He has already stated that Jesus is the word and that God spoke in the past through prophets, but in these days, He speaks to us by His Son. We must pay attention to all that God has spoken and in this days of economical challenge, uncertainty, personal challenge, family issues and more, we cannot treat hearing God as something occasional or casual. We cannot act as if we already know all we need to know, or that we have nothing to gain from listening to Jesus.
We are told to pay close attention to what we have heard. It is not just for those who are spiritually mature or for some who have a crisis in front of them. This is a word to all Christians: “we ought to give the more earnest heed…” (King James)
This is not an isolated command in the book of Hebrews. This concern to get the readers listen closely to God is repeated in various terms. Of all of them I love this one.
Hebrews 3:1Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the apostle and chief priest of our profession, Christ Jesus, (Young’s Literal Translation)
We are to consider Him. Focus on Him. Stay close to Him and keep Him in your thoughts. Learn more and more from Him every day—what He is like and what He says and the way He cares for you and how He sees the world.
Then again in Hebrews 12:1-2 (another of my favorites) "Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus." There it is again: "Fix your eyes on Jesus." Consider Jesus! Listen to Jesus!
Of all the things you are facing right now, would you focus on God as your creator and sustainer? Would you look to Him so that you do not drift? When pressures come, when uncertainty hits and when the enemy of right and light comes and steps into his tactics, we are faced with the potential of drifting away.
The Christian life is first and foremost a life of contemplation—listening to Jesus, considering Jesus, fixing the eyes of the heart on Jesus. Everything else in the Christian life grows out of this. Without this the Christian life is simply unlivable. – John Piper
My wholehearted encouragement to you is to focus on the Lord. I believe that is a timely word for all of us and the very thing I will be doing. To consider my Creator and open my heart and mind full to my Sustainer. Will you do the same? How could we not want to pay attention to Him, His truth, Jesus the Word and consider Him and fix our eyes on him!
Focusing better,
Pastor Bernie
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
God Cares About YOU
This past Sunday was a day for me that was off the charts in my mind. Seeing God touch lives and our church be the expression of scripture, worshipping, praying one for another and God answering my prayer – I had a really big prayer for this past Sunday. Now this is not a rare prayer I pray it all the time, but I was contending deep and realizing that God was and is able to answer my prayer – matter of fact it is a prayer He loves to hear prayed. I asked the Lord for Salvation. “Please Lord, allow me to have the blessed privilege of partnering with you to see people saved!” And since God cares more about the salvation of others than any of us, I was so incredibly happy to see 18 people respond to the invitation to trust God for their salvation. Now, I have done a lot of church in my 30 years as Pastor and my 22 years of being at LFC, but there was something very unique for me about this past Sunday. The Lord had lead us to have a time of prayer in all three services – a simple, “invite people down front for prayer” moment. Our worship team, prayer team members, leaders and others who felt led came and prayed with no less than 100 people who came forward during our three services. We were living out the call of “praying for one another” and modeling for those in the congregation that LFC is a caring and ministering church where people really do matter to God. It showed people that God really cares for them and it reminded me just how much God cares to save lives – eternal hearts, right here at LFC. What a joy to be a part of this. In a couple of weeks we will have people baptized here as well. (September 21st – 6:00 PM)
The One Thing:
I hope you realize today that God cares for you! As I watched people praying for others, as I watched the hands of dear people, of all ages raise in response to salvation, I realize just how much God cares. Some of you are struggling and need to remember, God can keep whatever you commit to Him. This past Sunday’s message centered around the passage, 2 Timothy 1:12: That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. (NIV)
Are we anxious, troubled and worried? Paul tells us to "have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And [as a result] the peace of God will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:6-7). The Psalmist adds: "Trust in him at all times…pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us" (Ps. 62:8). And the apostle Peter writes, "Cast all your troubles upon God!” And if someone asks why, here is the answer: Because God cares about you" (I Pet 5:7).
By faith, place your troubles, your concerns, your kids, your marriage, your loneliness upon the broad shoulders of our loving and merciful God. When God was here in human form, in Jesus, He experienced the same kinds of issues we face. Now He did not have children but He loved them. He did not do some of the things we do today, but, the same heart-felt issues you deal with, He dealt with. "We have in Jesus, a high priest who understands what we go through, because He did. This should give us incredible confidence to run to the presence of God and receive His mercy and grace to help us in our times of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-6).
He's not afar off - but present with us through every situation. Moses wrote: "The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deut. 33:27). A dear friend recently shared with me: “Of all the things that could happen to me, I never want to be away from God’s presence.” And I know why they said that. They have experienced His presence and transformation in their life. They have seen God in tough times too. Their statement is a reminder of what we need in tough times – we need His presence. The God whose power created the heavens and the earth has also the power to see us through all those dark tunnels through which we wander. His presence is our guide – because God cares.
Let's use every "means of grace", every resource God provides, to receive the truth in our heart – God cares. And let God take upon Himself our cares as He has promised!
I was supposed to tell you today (and I did) that God Cares About You!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Bernie
The One Thing:
I hope you realize today that God cares for you! As I watched people praying for others, as I watched the hands of dear people, of all ages raise in response to salvation, I realize just how much God cares. Some of you are struggling and need to remember, God can keep whatever you commit to Him. This past Sunday’s message centered around the passage, 2 Timothy 1:12: That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. (NIV)
Are we anxious, troubled and worried? Paul tells us to "have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And [as a result] the peace of God will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:6-7). The Psalmist adds: "Trust in him at all times…pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us" (Ps. 62:8). And the apostle Peter writes, "Cast all your troubles upon God!” And if someone asks why, here is the answer: Because God cares about you" (I Pet 5:7).
By faith, place your troubles, your concerns, your kids, your marriage, your loneliness upon the broad shoulders of our loving and merciful God. When God was here in human form, in Jesus, He experienced the same kinds of issues we face. Now He did not have children but He loved them. He did not do some of the things we do today, but, the same heart-felt issues you deal with, He dealt with. "We have in Jesus, a high priest who understands what we go through, because He did. This should give us incredible confidence to run to the presence of God and receive His mercy and grace to help us in our times of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-6).
He's not afar off - but present with us through every situation. Moses wrote: "The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deut. 33:27). A dear friend recently shared with me: “Of all the things that could happen to me, I never want to be away from God’s presence.” And I know why they said that. They have experienced His presence and transformation in their life. They have seen God in tough times too. Their statement is a reminder of what we need in tough times – we need His presence. The God whose power created the heavens and the earth has also the power to see us through all those dark tunnels through which we wander. His presence is our guide – because God cares.
Let's use every "means of grace", every resource God provides, to receive the truth in our heart – God cares. And let God take upon Himself our cares as He has promised!
I was supposed to tell you today (and I did) that God Cares About You!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Bernie
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Don't drop the Stick
This past Sunday on the back of our bulletin I wrote a piece in regards to the dropping of the baton (stick) during the Olympics. It was almost surreal as both our men's and woman's 400 meter relay team dropped the stick. Rather than repeat what I wrote, let me offer these thoughts.
THE ONE THING: Think about this one thing: What is in your hand? (Exodus 4) What has God asked you to do? Has He nudged you lately? Of course we know God did not need Moses' help - God knew full well what Moses had, but He wanted Moses to catch it. We could say to Moses ( since we know his story) "Moses, God will use you and as great as you are you do not want to miss the opportunity to pass on your baton to the next generation and currently to the next miracle. God will use you Moses to do great things. He i s even going to use your stick - give it to Him and watch what He does. If you hold on, you will miss it all. But if you let go, God will do great things with what you have."Significance in life does not come from status because there is always someone who has more than you. It does not come from salary, there are others who will always make more than you. it comes from serving. It comes from laying down what God has given you for His usage. It comes from giving yourself away. No matter how great our skills are, if we cannot get the stick handed off to God and handed off to others, we cannot finish our race and live out our calling. No matter how fast our US athletes can run - they were disqualified for dropping the stick. We cannot drop our assignment, our faith and or minimize our gifting and calling.
Giving your life away. If you will only allow God to use what you have available to you, He will make it into whatever it needs to be in order to fulfill the task He has called you to.
The story: Moses throws down the staff and it becomes a snake and then he picks it up and God turns it back into a staff. What do you possess? Moses is a shepherd and he was busy pursuing shepherding and it is in sheep he finds his fulfillment. His staff is also a symbol of his influence. He moves the sheep - that is what he does and his future is contingent upon a good sheep market. But God wants him to lay it down. God wants to do some things through Moses and what he possesses but He cannot do it without surrender. You make the connections here to your own life. What do we do with what we have been given? What are we passing onto God and onto others? Who of the next generation are we impacting so that they might run their race? We have an option, just like Moses did. We can let go and trust or hold on and contend on our own. What if Moses would have held on? If Moses had held on to the staff he would have remained a shepherd of sheep. He would have spent the rest of his life protecting and counting sheep. Here's the bottom line: if you hold on to whatever is in your hand you'll never experience the miracles God wants to perform right in front of you and through your stuff. There is too much at stake to not let go to God and give away to others. There is a race to run and we must run it - TODAY, Tomorrow and equip those beyond us to run it too.
We are running for so much more than Gold, Silver or Bronze. We are running for the Lord. Pastor Bernie
THE ONE THING: Think about this one thing: What is in your hand? (Exodus 4) What has God asked you to do? Has He nudged you lately? Of course we know God did not need Moses' help - God knew full well what Moses had, but He wanted Moses to catch it. We could say to Moses ( since we know his story) "Moses, God will use you and as great as you are you do not want to miss the opportunity to pass on your baton to the next generation and currently to the next miracle. God will use you Moses to do great things. He i s even going to use your stick - give it to Him and watch what He does. If you hold on, you will miss it all. But if you let go, God will do great things with what you have."Significance in life does not come from status because there is always someone who has more than you. It does not come from salary, there are others who will always make more than you. it comes from serving. It comes from laying down what God has given you for His usage. It comes from giving yourself away. No matter how great our skills are, if we cannot get the stick handed off to God and handed off to others, we cannot finish our race and live out our calling. No matter how fast our US athletes can run - they were disqualified for dropping the stick. We cannot drop our assignment, our faith and or minimize our gifting and calling.
Giving your life away. If you will only allow God to use what you have available to you, He will make it into whatever it needs to be in order to fulfill the task He has called you to.
The story: Moses throws down the staff and it becomes a snake and then he picks it up and God turns it back into a staff. What do you possess? Moses is a shepherd and he was busy pursuing shepherding and it is in sheep he finds his fulfillment. His staff is also a symbol of his influence. He moves the sheep - that is what he does and his future is contingent upon a good sheep market. But God wants him to lay it down. God wants to do some things through Moses and what he possesses but He cannot do it without surrender. You make the connections here to your own life. What do we do with what we have been given? What are we passing onto God and onto others? Who of the next generation are we impacting so that they might run their race? We have an option, just like Moses did. We can let go and trust or hold on and contend on our own. What if Moses would have held on? If Moses had held on to the staff he would have remained a shepherd of sheep. He would have spent the rest of his life protecting and counting sheep. Here's the bottom line: if you hold on to whatever is in your hand you'll never experience the miracles God wants to perform right in front of you and through your stuff. There is too much at stake to not let go to God and give away to others. There is a race to run and we must run it - TODAY, Tomorrow and equip those beyond us to run it too.
We are running for so much more than Gold, Silver or Bronze. We are running for the Lord. Pastor Bernie
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