I probably don’t have to remind you that life is filled with stupid stuff that happens. You know, things you didn’t plan on, or wouldn’t particularly know how to avoid even if you knew it were GOING to happen. Just read about the owner of the Segway company. You know, the two wheeled odd little scooters you have to balance on to drive. Seems he was riding one & took a header over a cliff. The scooter was found next to his body. Nothing funny about that, just in the category of ‘weird.’ Life is filled with things that happen; it’s just dependent on how we react to the actions.
I have a few words of encouragement & I’ll quote my pastor on this one, “I’m going to speak to myself, you can just listen in.” Forewarning: the ‘preacher’ in me is about to come out as I alliterate. When stuff happens in my life that I can’t control I will respond in one or two ways. One set of ways leads to a header over a cliff, while the other response is how God would have me react.
DISTRACTED. That’s pretty much what happens when weird things go on & I don’t ask for God’s advice & take His direction. I end up chasing rabbits down dead end roads! I end up focusing on the wrong things & can’t see the forest for the trees.
DISGRUNTLED. When stuff happens & when I have been offended I can easily get out of joint & upset if I have the wrong perspective & outlook. When I look at life as if I deserve better, then that lays the groundwork for my being disgruntled.
DESTROYED. The Evil one has a plan: to ‘kill, steal, and destroy.” When I continue the course of the first two, then the ultimate end is destruction on my part & those to whom I have to do!
Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me. For troubles surround me—too many to count! My sins pile up so high I can’t see my way out. They outnumber the hairs on my head. I have lost all courage. Please, Lord, rescue me! Come quickly, Lord, and help me.
Psalm 40:11-13 NLT
When I ASK for God’s help, salvation, & direction He helps me:
FOCUS: I can’t see tomorrow, or the end of the day for that matter! When I have the right perspective the stuff that happens doesn’t derail me! Hebrews12:1-3 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2012:1-3&version=NLT
FORGIVENESS: I NEED forgiveness & need to give forgiveness to others. When I hold petty grudges & become disgruntled, it really doesn’t even bother whoever ticked me off. They usually don’t even know or care. Just festers & eats away at me! Matthew 6:14-15 NLT
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206:14-15&version=NLT
FAITHFUL: I can’t remain faithful on my own power & steam. When I’m infused with God’s direction & power He helps me remain faithful to His purposes for life. Matthew 25:14-28
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2025:14-28&version=NLT
Here’s just a few thoughts of encouragement on how to handle when stuff just happens. Of course, the first action to take in our lives & turning over our very lives to the Lord of life! Otherwise, the rest of our lives are spent in REACTING to stuff that happens, rather than acting in the way God would have. Any thoughts or prayer needs send my way & I’ll join pray for you as you pray for me.
Dave Jackson on facebook
www.myspace.com/davejacksonnewport.
ASUN website www.bcmasunewport.org
Cell: 870-217-9376
Dave Jackson-Campus Minister djackson@absc.org
Dave’s Desk - http://bcmasunewport.blogspot.com
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
-Shaken Up-
Several people & a few reptiles were shaken up this past week when a ‘notorious wildlife smuggler’ had his bag break open at an airport in Malaysia. 95 boa constrictors came out! That’s a way to shake up any flight!
All of us have had unsuspected things happen. I’m sure you’ve been in the car with a beverage of some kind, only to have it spill out on you. The only thing that can spill out is whatever is IN the cup. The same goes for our lives. When problems & irritations arise, what comes out of us is what’s inside of us!
This summer has been a particular challenge for my family. As I look around, though, I find there are many folks/families I know that have faced even greater difficulties. Many have faced life’s crisis with grace & peace. They show God’s peace because they are filled with God’s peace.
We can only continue to carry on for so long without renewed power & strength. God created us just like a battery to have to be renewed daily. Without His filling & power we are spent & empty. When jarred & shaken, raw emotion overflows & spills over others.
This past week I studied the passage from the Psalmist, David, as he shared God’s admonition:
“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.
Psalm 46:10-11 NLT
The words, ‘be still,’ in the original language, meant ‘Let go. Relax.’ One could use the phrase, “Let go & let God.” It means to quit trying &
start trusting God. We often try to run & do until there’s nothing left within us. All along God wants us to understand, apart from His power & strength, we are just wasting time & spending energy.
For the Christian, it’s a reminder that we have to daily empty ourselves of ourselves & be filled with His power & presence. John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus, said, “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” John 3:30 NLT. When we are shaken up, His peace comes out.
For those who’ve never given their lives to God’s leading, it’s a challenge that God is …well, GOD! If you spend the entire of your life you will never be satisfied deep within. You’ll go from one experience & activity to another & never find contentment. There will never truly be peace until you know the Prince of Peace. Not just religious talk, reality!
So, basically, for ALL of us it comes down to this: drop all the things we hold to & trust in God. I was reminded first hand this week, when I’m shaken up, what comes out is what’s inside!
www.myspace.com/davejacksonnewport.
Dave Jackson on facebook
ASUN website www.bcmasunewport.org
Cell: 870-217-9376
Dave Jackson-Campus Minister djackson@absc.org
Dave’s Desk - http://bcmasunewport.blogspot.com
All of us have had unsuspected things happen. I’m sure you’ve been in the car with a beverage of some kind, only to have it spill out on you. The only thing that can spill out is whatever is IN the cup. The same goes for our lives. When problems & irritations arise, what comes out of us is what’s inside of us!
This summer has been a particular challenge for my family. As I look around, though, I find there are many folks/families I know that have faced even greater difficulties. Many have faced life’s crisis with grace & peace. They show God’s peace because they are filled with God’s peace.
We can only continue to carry on for so long without renewed power & strength. God created us just like a battery to have to be renewed daily. Without His filling & power we are spent & empty. When jarred & shaken, raw emotion overflows & spills over others.
This past week I studied the passage from the Psalmist, David, as he shared God’s admonition:
“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.
Psalm 46:10-11 NLT
The words, ‘be still,’ in the original language, meant ‘Let go. Relax.’ One could use the phrase, “Let go & let God.” It means to quit trying &
start trusting God. We often try to run & do until there’s nothing left within us. All along God wants us to understand, apart from His power & strength, we are just wasting time & spending energy.
For the Christian, it’s a reminder that we have to daily empty ourselves of ourselves & be filled with His power & presence. John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus, said, “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” John 3:30 NLT. When we are shaken up, His peace comes out.
For those who’ve never given their lives to God’s leading, it’s a challenge that God is …well, GOD! If you spend the entire of your life you will never be satisfied deep within. You’ll go from one experience & activity to another & never find contentment. There will never truly be peace until you know the Prince of Peace. Not just religious talk, reality!
So, basically, for ALL of us it comes down to this: drop all the things we hold to & trust in God. I was reminded first hand this week, when I’m shaken up, what comes out is what’s inside!
www.myspace.com/davejacksonnewport.
Dave Jackson on facebook
ASUN website www.bcmasunewport.org
Cell: 870-217-9376
Dave Jackson-Campus Minister djackson@absc.org
Dave’s Desk - http://bcmasunewport.blogspot.com
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