This Sunday in Sunday School we listened to Andy Stanley. This was no small feat since we could not connect to the internet in our classroom. After we moved to the church office we had no problem. Andy is an amazing preacher and shared some great thoughts.
The main idea that he presented was the definition of faith based on Hebrews 11:1. This verse says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Andy's definition of faith is "Believing that God IS who He says He is, and that He will DO what He promises He will do." Oh, that we would all memorize this verse and this definition and filter all the events and circumstances of our life through these ideas!
In the afternoon I attended the women's meeting about spiritual gifts. It was a blessing to listen to different women talk about their gifts and how they are used in our church. I talked about the gift of the word of knowledge. I recognize that I have an unusual desire to know and share the Word of God. I look at the books I read and they are not the regular fare that most of my friends read. I focus on non-fiction that leads to a greater understanding of the Bible. Tammy said I was a nerd, and I agree, but I'm also very happy being a nerd. I also read daily passages in the Bible and have read the Bible through each year for the past few years. I am now trying to read it in a different version each year. Currently I am reading the Living Bible.
In my church I use my gift to share these books with others who may find them useful, like my pastor and youth pastor. I also share here on my blog. Another place I use this gift is in teaching different classes at church, since teaching goes hand in hand with this gift.
Finally, last night we honored the graduates from our church. I was so happy that an old friend was there with her son, who is one of the graduates. He had recently become a Christian and has been attending our youth group faithfully. It was good for Jason to give the graduates a chance to thank people for their help in growing up, and that he also allowed the church to speak to the graduates and encourage them to continue to follow Jesus all their lives.
All in all, it was a wonderful day!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Circumstantial Faith
Today we continued our discussion of how we deal with difficult circumstances in our lives. We want answers and sometimes there are none.
I began listening this week to Andy Stanley. He is the pastor of North Point Community Church, and he is the son of Charles Stanley, a very famous preacher. He has a series of sermons going right now online that are dealing with this very topic, so I shared with the class what he had to say:
Many people fall away from the faith because they have circumstantial faith. Circumstantial faith is believing in God based on my being able to find God in my circumstances. Two main reasons cause people to abandon this kind of faith. The first reason is life-style decisions that they make. An example of this would be growing up believing that being honest is important until you get a job that requires or allows you to prosper through dishonesty. You abandon your faith because you will always opt for things that bring pleasure, and making money at this job allows you to enjoy pleasures. The second reason is being faced with unexplainable circumstances. You expect God to act in a certain way, and when He doesn't, you have a crisis of faith.
One of our biggest problems is that we are just terrible at interpreting events. In the midst of trials, you can begin to wonder how God can love you and allow this to happen. Mostly we don't allow for enough time to see what God is doing.
Circumstantial faith is nothing to stand on. It will not give you a firm foundation. Our firm foundation is found in Hebrews 12. It says there, "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the Father."
The proof that God loves us is not the circumstances we are facing. It is the historical fact that God sent His Son to die for us on the cross. That is the only firm foundation on which we can stand. It is a fact to build your life upon.
I began listening this week to Andy Stanley. He is the pastor of North Point Community Church, and he is the son of Charles Stanley, a very famous preacher. He has a series of sermons going right now online that are dealing with this very topic, so I shared with the class what he had to say:
Many people fall away from the faith because they have circumstantial faith. Circumstantial faith is believing in God based on my being able to find God in my circumstances. Two main reasons cause people to abandon this kind of faith. The first reason is life-style decisions that they make. An example of this would be growing up believing that being honest is important until you get a job that requires or allows you to prosper through dishonesty. You abandon your faith because you will always opt for things that bring pleasure, and making money at this job allows you to enjoy pleasures. The second reason is being faced with unexplainable circumstances. You expect God to act in a certain way, and when He doesn't, you have a crisis of faith.
One of our biggest problems is that we are just terrible at interpreting events. In the midst of trials, you can begin to wonder how God can love you and allow this to happen. Mostly we don't allow for enough time to see what God is doing.
Circumstantial faith is nothing to stand on. It will not give you a firm foundation. Our firm foundation is found in Hebrews 12. It says there, "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the Father."
The proof that God loves us is not the circumstances we are facing. It is the historical fact that God sent His Son to die for us on the cross. That is the only firm foundation on which we can stand. It is a fact to build your life upon.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Whirlwind
Even though we only had one student in class Sunday, we still had a great lesson and meaningful discussion. Ashley has been so faithful to come and if she were always our only student, Phil and I would still be happy to be ministering in her life. She even lets me know when she isn't coming. What a sweetie!
Our lesson this week was our last Rob Bell DVD called Whirlwind. In it, Rob addresses the age-old question, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" Rob summarizes the book of Job and all the bad things that come Job's way. After debating what is happening with his friends, Job hears from God. The better part of the movie is Rob quoting the questions God has for Job. It is such a dramatic presentation and so inspiring. It made me understand just a little of what Job might of actually felt like as God spoke. And in the end, it reminded me of how little I know and understand of God and His ways, and how arrogant I can be in questioning Him. I am thankful that I serve a God who is not upset with my questions and struggles, but He is listening and using these troubles to grow me up in Him.
I just attended my nephew's graduation and his commissioning as a lieutenant into the army. Andy had been the battalion commander second semester and was responsible for the entire group. His commander spoke about assigning tasks to Andy and the battalion. He said that often he would have to change things that were being planned 24 hours before the event, or 12 hours before the event, or whatever. I think he would do this on purpose at times just so they would have to learn to deal with making these changes and being flexible and adaptable. He said he would call up Andy and tell him about the changes, and then Andy would reply, "Yes, sir." And then he would get it done.
I would say that God is often working the same way in our lives when troubles come, when plans don't work out. What is my response.? Do I say, "Yes, sir," and go ahead and get things done? I hope I'm learning to do that. I think it would please my Commander.
Our lesson this week was our last Rob Bell DVD called Whirlwind. In it, Rob addresses the age-old question, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" Rob summarizes the book of Job and all the bad things that come Job's way. After debating what is happening with his friends, Job hears from God. The better part of the movie is Rob quoting the questions God has for Job. It is such a dramatic presentation and so inspiring. It made me understand just a little of what Job might of actually felt like as God spoke. And in the end, it reminded me of how little I know and understand of God and His ways, and how arrogant I can be in questioning Him. I am thankful that I serve a God who is not upset with my questions and struggles, but He is listening and using these troubles to grow me up in Him.
I just attended my nephew's graduation and his commissioning as a lieutenant into the army. Andy had been the battalion commander second semester and was responsible for the entire group. His commander spoke about assigning tasks to Andy and the battalion. He said that often he would have to change things that were being planned 24 hours before the event, or 12 hours before the event, or whatever. I think he would do this on purpose at times just so they would have to learn to deal with making these changes and being flexible and adaptable. He said he would call up Andy and tell him about the changes, and then Andy would reply, "Yes, sir." And then he would get it done.
I would say that God is often working the same way in our lives when troubles come, when plans don't work out. What is my response.? Do I say, "Yes, sir," and go ahead and get things done? I hope I'm learning to do that. I think it would please my Commander.
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