Time For Letting Go

In his blog Truthful Conversations, my friend Mike Glenn observes: "Ecclesiastes tells us there is a time for everything and a season for every purpose under heaven. Our lives, like the world around us, have seasons. Our seasons, however, don't necessarily line up with the seasons of nature, which means we have to pay close attention in our lives so we can discern what season it is for us.

"You don't have to be an economist to understand that right now, at least in the economy, it's winter. Winter is a time when plants die back and the soil replenishes itself in preparation for the growth of spring. Winter's work is deep and unseen, but vital to a healthy life.

"Winter is the time for reflection and discernment. Activities are weighed against our values, and our lives are reevaluated in terms of our long-term goals. Is what we are doing allowing us to become the person we want to be? Winter is the time when we rethink our priorities and then focus our lives to achieve these new priorities.

"Winter is also a time for letting go. The current economic crisis is causing a lot of anxiety in our country and in our own lives personally, but winter does some important work if we will let it.

"For instance, most of us are overcommitted. Now is a good time to resign from those commitments that no longer serve their original purposes. Make a phone call. Write a letter. Resign with regret, but resign. Create space and capacity in your life for God to do something new.

"Most of us are stretched financially. Cut back on those things that you don't have to do. Drop club memberships. Quit 'anything of the month' clubs you are in. Times are hard...haven't you heard? Drop what is no longer helpful or needed in your life; and yes, build up your savings.

"Most of all, remember the true treasures in life can't be bought with money. I know it sounds cliché, but it's true. Refocus your life on being with those people you love and doing the things you love to do. Don't be surprised if in getting back to the basics of life that you don't find yourself closer to God, as well.

"It's not always spring. We are not always growing. There are seasons in our life and each is important for its own reasons. Winter does some important work. Let it do its work. It won't always be winter. Spring will come, and when it does, you will have created the capacity and space for the new thing God is doing."

By Michael Duduit, Editor Preaching Now

Revival - Sunday Night

Fresh Fruit - Galatians 5:22-23

1. The fresh fruit of LOVE is evident in a supreme love for God
a. Love the Lord above the list of things to do
b. Love the Lord above competing loyalties
c. Love the Lord above life's pursuits ans comforts
d. Love the Lord above longing for relationships

2. The fresh fruit of LOVE is evident by a sacrificial love for others
Philippians 2:1-4 Love is not selfish
Ephesians 4:30-32 How to love Agape

"Take out the trash and replace it with better attitudes and thoughts"

For Women Only

Twitter

5 Enemies of an Organization:

5 Enemies of an Organization:

1. Poor Communication
2. Gossip - telling a person who cannot deal with the issue is gossiping
3. Unresolved Disagreement
4. Lack of Shared Purpose-Share the vision often
5. Sanctioned Incompetence Demoralizes

In the book Returning to Holiness it describes how 2 or 3 people can disrupt the work of an entire church. Are you an enemy of the church?

Be Holy

I Peter 1:16

Be Holy for I am Holy
My life I gave for thee
I became the atoning sacrifice
As I hung upon that tree.

Some have trampled the Son of God*
And scorned His precious blood
Oh Holy Spirit, we need you
Please fill us with Your love!

Lord, make us willing, pierce our soul
Have tender mercy on us
May we not insult or enrage you
But in you, have confident trust.*

Be Holy for I am Holy, the spotless Lamb was slain
With outstretched arms and a heart full of love
My death is your eternal gain.


*Hebrews 10:29& 35

Temptation

It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king's house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful. And David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, “Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” So David sent messengers and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her. 2 Samuel 11:2-4

Have you ever felt yourself pulled into a forbidden but exciting situation? You sense red flags but convince yourself you can handle it. “I’m just having a little fun. This won’t ever amount to anything. It just gives me a little something to look forward to.”

That’s the way a friend of mine felt when a nice guy at work started paying attention to her. Her marriage was hard and she was tired of trying so much. She found herself putting extra effort into getting dressed in the morning and being more than willing to work late.

She felt a spark in her heart every time he came near. Soon, they were talking in secret. Texting in secret. Meeting in secret. And down the slippery slope she went.

The slippery slope has one major tell tale sign—things are done in secret.

The minute we start hiding things from those who love us, doing things in a sneaky way, lying or telling half-truths, and figuring out ways to cover up evidence of our activities—we’re on the slippery slope. And we’re headed downhill fast.

Satan is the master of darkness. As long as he can keep us operating in our dark secrets, we are deceived. In the Message, Acts 26:17-18 we are reminded:

“‘I’m sending you off to open the eyes of the outsiders so they can see the difference between dark and light, and choose light, see the difference between Satan and God, and choose God. I’m sending you off to present my offer of sins forgiven, and a place in the family, inviting them into the company of those who begin real living by believing in me.’”

Oh sweet friend, we need to see the difference between dark and light and choose light. We need to bring our choices out into the light of Jesus so He can expose the truth. Only then can we truly discern the difference between being led by Jesus or deceived by Satan.

Things done in secret are an indication of being led by Satan. That’s a strong statement but one worth really considering.

Satan keeps dangers off our radar screen and blinds us to the harsh realities coming our way. My friend was blinded. And when she finally woke up to the deception, the devastation horrified her.

If you’re keeping secrets today, bring them out into the light:

• Find a trusted Christian friend and ask them to help you hold your choices up to the truth.

• Get honest with people who love you.

• Build accountability measures in your life.

• Ask Jesus for help, forgiveness, and a clear understanding of how to put on the brakes and throw things in reverse. Let His truth speak louder than the feelings that are begging you to keep things hidden. Like the end of verse 18 says, “begin real living by believing in me.”

The path to real living—the living that will sustain you and lead you to a true discovery of real love, real provision and real satisfaction—is found only by following Jesus.

______________________________________

In my lifetime, I have looked 2 married men in the eye and said, "I know where this is headed and I'm not going there with you." It doesn't matter who you are, what you look like, or how committed to Christ you are. The temptation to sin will always be there and sexual sin is one of the most devastating because it effects so many around you.

This Fall we will offer a Bible study called For Women Only. It discusses the difference between men and women and how we think and feel. It will give us insight into our men's lives and how to help them remain godly and righteous before the Lord.

Married, single, and everyone in between is encouraged to join us starting September 27 (evening) and 29 (morning) for this dynamic study on relationships. See the women's table in the foyer for more information. - Barbara