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- DIFFICULT INSTRUCTIONS...
- “Insert rod A into slot B perpendicular to pinion C, rotating the conjoined unit in a counterclockwise 90 degree turn to the right. Once rotated, Insert screw D into panel E, then join the newly-conjoined unit to the first unit by attaching panel F to rod G through slot H and rotating the conjoined unit in a clockwise 90 degree turn to the left.”
- Every parent has been confronted with this type of difficult instruction when attempting to assemble a child’s swing set, bicycle, bunk bed, or some other toy or gadget...
- sometimes in the wee hours of Christmas morning, only to discover at such an inconvenient time that you’re missing a Phillips-head screwdriver or it seems there is no “screw D” in the box, and you wonder how you’re going to accomplish the mission of bringing a sparkle in your child’s eyes and a smile to his or her face upon seeing the contraption for the first time.
- So, in the middle of the night comes a cry from the depths of your soul in a whispered shout...“Why can’t they make these instructions simpler?!”
- In a similar way, some of God’s instructions are difficult to comprehend, let alone obey.
- But obeying them is key to enjoying the abundant life only Jesus can give.
- Throughout February we’ll focus our attention on some of those instructions for life.
- On Sunday, Feb 5, “LETTING GO, TAKING CHARGE” will examine the Biblical truth that the only way to really “take charge” of moving forward in our lives is to let go of the direction entirely, letting God lead while we follow.
- Sounds simple, huh? But of course, it’s very difficult to do, it requires a lot of faith and goes against our natural tendency to grab hold and “make things happen.”
- On Sunday, Feb 12, the Sunday before Valentine’s Day and while we observe the Lord’s Supper together, “DYING TO LIVE” will focus on the seemingly paradoxical truth Jesus taught that to if we want to live, we have to die first.
- And, Jesus gave us the greatest example of all in that His death was for the very purpose of giving us life.
- On Sunday, Feb 19, “SERVING TO LEAD” will direct our attention to what Jesus says a true leader will look like:
- He/she will be a servant!
- That goes against everything I was taught in my business classes in college, but then again, there are former C.E.O.’s who have gone bankrupt while God is still and will always be God.
- My choice: follow God’s advice rather than man’s.
- Then, we’ll close out February on Sunday, Feb 26 as “GIVING BEFORE RECEIVING” will bring us face to face with Jesus’ difficult instruction that the way we receive the greatest blessings is by giving of our most treasured possessions. It seems to be contradictory. It’s certainly a paradox. But it’s true, and it’s an instruction we each need to follow in order to experience the abundant life only Jesus can bring.
- These truths are difficult to hear and follow, but not impossible...
- because through Him we can do all things.
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- LET’S DO IT! Together, let’s follow His lead in 2012...and accomplish what HE will do through us.
- In the meantime, know that I love serving as your pastor.
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