07/17/2019
It was a busy weekend for summer sports fans.
If you followed the Scottish open, you witnessed the commitment and determination it takes to win. Wiesberger did finally gain the title against Hebert after a third sudden death play at the 18th hole. You could just feel the tension and desire as each would hit the drive and finish out a putt.
If you followed the mens’ Wimbledon match, again you witnessed a match of endurance, determination and commitment as Djokovic defeated Federer. There certainly was a moment in the match when it did not appear that would be the result. Djokovic came close to losing as he sat two match points down. The entire match was a show of endurance, determination and commitment as the match made history for its length of play.
I think that both of these events and their players have good lessons for practicing Christian faith…
1. Great commitment to practice produces endurance
2. When the opponent may seem to be a distraction and competitive, don’t give into distractions... simply focus harder.
3. If we want to be strong and competitive, the commitment needs to be year round and consistent. Part time, casual play leaves us less than we could be.
So mid summer let’s ask ourselves, are we serving as strongly, practicing as diligently, and committed enough to have the faith that God would desire for us?
Living for Jesus, Pastor Patti
Archived Posts
The Rest of the Story
I mentioned Russell Conwell in Sunday’s message. He was a famous preacher, educator, and lecturer. His sermon/lecture “Acres of Diamonds” was turned into a book and sold rather well. I used Conwell’s illustrations to talk about sharing the good news of Jesus with those closest to us first—family, friends, coworkers, and church family. The wider world is our ultimate aim, but until you invest in the people God has already put in your life, you are unlikely to have much success.
No One Said It Would be Easy
To love Jesus first is to learn to love all the other people in our lives with greater intensity and less selfishness
What’s Saved Is Often Lost
Here’s the benediction we didn’t have time for yesterday (Sunday, November 3). It’s one of my favorite quotations (portions of a newspaper column). I hope you find it as inspiring as I have
Leftovers Continued…
It’s not just the fact that God is un-impressed by our leftovers, it actually goes deeper than that. In a sense, Jesus is passionately and purposely opposed to anything leftover. To be a follower of Jesus Christ is to work diligently to make sure that in the end nothing at all is left over.
Less Stuff and Fewer Wants
Here’s a point I left off Sunday’s sermon due to time and length. In dealing with an Entitled mindset it is very helpful if you can Reduce Materialism and Consumerism.
Entitlement Can Hit You in Ways You Might Never Suspect
The people of God (Israel) were chosen by God to fulfill a unique calling—to be a light to all the other nations of the nations of the world. God chose them because of their willingness to be used by Him for His purposes. But after a while the Israelites began to think that they were chosen--not because with God they could fulfill a special purpose--but because they were a special people, uniquely favored and loved for who they were.
What Kind of Love Do You Have For God?
In Sunday’s message about Job, I talked about how important relationship is when it comes to getting answers to our questions about God. The question that Job is really being tested on is this: can he love God for who God is—or does he only love God for what God can do for him?