Tag: Commitment

“Passion and Progress”

Date: 06-04-15

My Thoughts:

How do you measure your passion and progress in your walk with Jesus? What metrics are convenient for you to use? How much time you read the Bible or spend in a quiet time? How frequently you attend Bible studies and celebration services?

Or do you use the Fruit of the Spirit growing in you? You know: “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Gal. 5:22-23). Or how about thinking about the now proverbial (and near trivialized) WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) prior to ever decision you make?

I have seen quiet passion and subtle progress in myself and others, and I have seen massive grow and explosive passion, as well. I think there is room in the Kingdom for both. Do you?  Oh, and how do you measure being ‘more patient’ with someone?

Your thoughts?

Main Text: — Romans 12:11-13 — 11 Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, 12 cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. 13 Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. [The Message]

Additional Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. — 1 John 3:16-18 (NIV84)

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. —Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV84)

  Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life. — Philippians 2:14-16a (NIV84)

 Heavenly Father, ignite in me a passion for Your Son that will make Your Light in me first blind and then reveal the Lord Jesus Christ. Keep my mind and thoughts stayed on Him. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Pastor Mike

“If we kept our promises…”

Date: 03-29-15

The Big Idea: Would keeping our commitments, promises and convents really change the world around us?

My Thoughts: Would your life be any different if people in your life kept their promises? How different would it be?

This is a question that I find fascinating. I know that I would be less tired. How about you? Who would benefit if I kept all my promises, commitments and covenants? How much different would their lives be?

What are your thoughts? As we discussion these questions, let’s add one more: How much different would the world be if believers in Jesus kept their commitments, promises, and  covenants?

What do you see? What do you think the answers might be?

Main Text: — Nehemiah 9:38— 38 “In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it.”  [NIV84]

Additional Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. — 2 Corinthians 8:10-12 (NIV84)

 Don’t be afraid of what you are going to suffer. Look! The devil is going to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested. For ten days you will undergo suffering. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the victor’s crown of life.   —Revelation 2:10 (ISV)

 I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.  — 2 Timothy 1:5-7 (NIV84)

 Lord Jesus Christ,  forgive me for the promises I have forgotten and/or failed to keep. Forgive me for those commitments and covenants I have casually made with little or no intention of keeping. Create in me a pure heart that I might walk in the Light as You are in the Light. Rekindle the fire in my soul as You become my Strength & Integrity empowering me to keep my promises, commitments and covenants. In Your Name, Amen. 

Pastor Mike

“Suspenders, Belts, & Handshakes”

Date: 03-28-15

The Big Idea: It is like wearing suspenders and a belt. Just in case one fails, there is a back up.

My Thoughts: Have you ever seen someone wear suspenders and a belt? Some make fun of them; while others laud them. Of the former, it is said they are pessimistic; of the latter: they are prepared. What do you say?

I guess you’re wondering what I’m using this as an illustration for? A handshake with a written covenant. Our word is our bond so all we need is to “shake on it!” But, alas, now-a-days we have to have everything in writing. Really, though, is this so different from yesteryear? Notice in the main text below: They made a verbal agreement, put it in writing and then signed and sealed it! Why? I guess it is like wearing suspenders and a belt. Just in case one fails, there is a back up. Or it could be that they were pretty serious about keeping this covenant?

What are your thoughts? Should our word be our bond only sealed by a handshake? Or should we also put it in writing? You know, the suspenders and belt routine….

I truly value your input.

Main Text: — Nehemiah 9:38— “In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it.”  [NIV84]

Additional Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of God. — Ecclesiastes 5:4-7 (NIV84)

Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.   —Matthew 5:37 (NIV84)

Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” — Luke 9:62 (NIV84)

 Lord Jesus Christ, be my Strength & Integrity as I keep my promises, a commitments and a covenants. In Your Name, Amen. 

Pastor Mike

“Is There A Difference”

Date: 03-26-15

The Big Idea: I’d like to have a discussion on what you think the difference is between a commitment, a promise and a covenant.

My Thoughts: As I prepare for this message I have been pondering the difference between a promise, a commitment and a covenant. Do they vary in degree or are the virtually the same, just synonyms? Does one involve a ceremony, and the others just a handshake or a spoken word?

I’d like to have a discussion on this. What do you think is the difference between a commitment, a promise and a covenant?

And does it matter that we distinguish between the three words?

I truly value your input.

Main Text: — Nehemiah 9:38— 38 “In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it.”  [NIV84]

Additional Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of God. — Ecclesiastes 5:4-7 (NIV84)

Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.   —Matthew 5:37 (NIV84)

Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” — Luke 9:62 (NIV84)

 Lord Jesus Christ, enlighten me as to the difference between a promise, a commitment and a covenant. In Your Name, Amen. 

Pastor Mike