So, you're going to quit?

Remember that fable, used to encourage children, called “The Little Engine that Could”? A little steam engine is tasked with pulling a line of rail cars. A long climbing grade through mountains challenges him and he wonders if he is powerful enough to finish the job. As the train climbs, the little blue engine puffs every more slowly -  “I- think- I- can, I- think- I - can.”  It’s a great little tale that is stuck deep in my psyche!

Finishing a job, sticking with it ‘til it’s done, is something I value. God helping me, I will not only admire the principle, I will live it! It’s not that I have never considered quitting. When I am exhausted by life, I wonder where my endurance ends and my stubbornness begins.

But, I know this. Too many people rob themselves of success and joy by quitting too soon! Unfinished projects and broken promises are the monuments that quitters leave behind. We all find ourselves worn out, unable to see the finish line, and ready to quit at some point in life. Who has not said one this? “I cannot take even one more day at that place! I am so done!”  Are you there? Please stop and before you quit, take a break. A couple of days away from your problem can help you to regain hope. Somebody who will listen to you without judging you will definitely help you to think more clearly.

Are you considering calling it quits on your Christianity? No, you are not going to become an atheist, most likely. Most of those who give up on Jesus, just walk away quietly, the hope of eternal life overtaken by the urgent problems, the unanswered questions, or the seductions of pleasures to be found in the present. One example is found in Paul’s letter to Timothy, written at the end of his life, when he laments the loss of a partner in the work of Christ. “Demas,” he said, “has forsaken me, having loved this present world.”  I can imagine that being in Rome, going to visit Paul in the grim, dark, misery of his death row cell just got to Demas. Perhaps fear overtook him and he wondered if staying there would lead him to the same fate. Maybe he saw Paul and concluded, “if that is what God allows to happen to a man after 40 years of ministry, I done.”  He took off and disappeared, at a critical moment.

So, can we just stick with it with positive attitude like the little engine of the child’s fable? It helps to be positive, but that is not enough. Endurance is fueled by faith. Faith is fed by ongoing worship. The Word says "Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!" (Hebrews 12:2-3, The Message)  He suffered too. Remind yourself that He cried out in desperation on the Cross! Ask Him to be your Friend, Savior, and Hope.

The Bible tells us to ‘persevere.’ "You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 10:36-11:1, NIV)  It’s not stubbornness that keeps us going. It’s faith! Christians go beyond mere optimism which hopes for the best into the realm of faith in God. They take hold of His promise and speak to the apparently unyielding situations saying, "It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit.  … Nothing, not even a mighty mountain, will stand in (the) way; it will become a level plain.” (Zechariah 4:6-7, NLT)

The path of the godly is against the current, a calling for the courageous. Jesus told those who wanted to follow Him that "anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?" (Luke 14:27-28, NIV)

When you’re making your estimates, remember to factor in your resources as well as expenses!
Serving the Lord faithfully will demand much of you; courage, sacrifice, surrender.
And God, the Holy Spirit, will be there with you, strengthening you for each new day.

Ready to call it quits?
Before you do, call a ‘time out.’  Go spend a day in reflection and prayer. Take a long walk alone. Ask for wisdom and insight that sees ALL of your options.

Here is a familiar word from the Word. "Dear brothers and sisters, you must be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who eagerly look for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They patiently wait for the precious harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. And take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near. Don’t grumble about each other, my brothers and sisters, or God will judge you. For look! The great Judge is coming. He is standing at the door! For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. Job is an example of a man who endured patiently. From his experience we see how the Lord’s plan finally ended in good, for he is full of tenderness and mercy." (James 5:7-11, NLT)

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Lord I come, I confess,

Bowing here, I find my rest!

And without You, I fall apart,

You're the one that guides my heart.

Lord I need You, oh I need You.

Ev'ry hour I need You.

My one defense, my righteousness,

Oh God, how I need You!

Where sin runs deep, Your grace is more.

Where grace is found is where You are.

And where You are, Lord, I am free.

Holiness is Christ in me!

So teach my song to rise to You,

When temptation comes my way

And when I cannot stand, I'll fall on You.

Jesus, You're my hope and stay,

And when I cannot stand, I'll fall on You.

Jesus, You're my hope and stay.

Lord I need You, oh, I need You!

Ev'ry hour I need You!

My one defense, my righteousness,

Oh God, how I need You.

Lord I Need You

Christy Nockels | Daniel Carson | Jesse Reeves | Kristian Stanfill | Matt Maher

© 2011 sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

Sweater Weather Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

CCLI License # 810055

Here is Real Confidence

Were you ever asked to do something that you felt completely unqualified to do?  Or, have you faced a difficulty in life for which you see no obvious answer, a problem that dares you to try to find a solution?  Perhaps, you, like me, are smiling at those questions because you know about feeling inadequate too well! We all experience insecurity at least some of the time because none of us can possibly be the master of every skill or know the answer to every question. Here is good news – those fears need not control us if we receive God’s truth by faith.

Jeremiah was a young man, raised by a priest in ancient Judah. He, like his father, would be a priest. Then, one day, God showed up and turned his life inside out, calling Jeremiah to step out of the anonymous ranks of the priesthood to become His spokesman to Judah.  The message was one of judgment to come, a warning of the destruction of the Temple that the Lord was going to allow because of the sins of the nation.  What a challenging mission! Jeremiah knew it. His response reveals his fear - “Hold it, Master God! Look at me. I don’t know anything. I’m only a boy!”  (Jeremiah 1:6, The Message)  But, the Lord did not leave him. Instead He told Jeremiah several things that would be the foundation of a very hard life, full of rejection and sorrow.

"This is what God said: “Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you: A prophet to the nations— that’s what I had in mind for you.” (Jeremiah 1:4-5, The Message) "Don’t be afraid of a soul. I’ll be right there, looking after you.” God’s Decree." (Jeremiah 1:8, The Message)

I made you!

I knew all about you before you were born!

I laid plans for you prior to your birth!

I will be with you through it all!

Go back and read those four lines again, out loud, and this time; insert your name at the end of each declaration. (Just do it!) 

Those truths, and they are true about you just as they were for Jeremiah, are foundational to a life that overcomes fear with faith. The sure knowledge that you and I are not accidents in time, that there is a purpose for our existence that was designed by the Creator of the Universe, makes us bold. When tough times come, and they do eventually come to all of us, if we know that God is with us, we will stand without wavering, hold onto hope without questioning, and avoid the traps that destroy so many who are driven by their fears.

Self-confidence, as wonderful as it might be, has limits. We cannot talk our way around some situations.  They are just too big to overcome by our own cleverness or strength. God-confidence is secure, making us unshakeable.  I am made by Him. He knows me inside and out. He has a purpose for me, in this very situation. He is with me, right now.  "I wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken." (Psalm 62:5-6, NLT)

Paul, the apostle who appears to be a man of such great confidence, actually experienced awful rejection throughout his life.  He endured all the difficulties, not by building an impressive power image or learning how to project self-confidence.  His words reveal the source of real confidence.  Take this word from the Word and answer God’s call to you – readily saying, “Lord, I’ll go wherever You lead, do whatever You command, as long as I know You’re with me.” 

"We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves. Our only power and success come from God. He is the one who has enabled us to represent his new covenant. This is a covenant, not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old way ends in death; in the new way, the Holy Spirit gives life." (2 Corinthians 3:4-6, NLT)

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There's nothing worth more that will ever come close

No thing can compare You're our living hope

Your Presence

I've tasted and seen of the sweetest of loves

Where my heart becomes free and my shame is undone

In Your Presence Lord

Holy Spirit You are welcome here

Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere

Your glory God is what our hearts long for

To be overcome by Your Presence Lord

(Your Presence Lord)

(Your Presence)

(Oh God how we love Your Presence Lord)

Let us become more aware of Your Presence

Let us experience the glory of Your goodness (Lord)

Holy Spirit

Bryan Torwalt | Katie Torwalt

© 2011 Capitol CMG Genesis (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

Jesus Culture Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

CCLI License # 810055

Jerry D. Scott, Pastor

FAITH DISCOVERY CHURCH

www.FaithDiscovery.com

Who do you think you are, anyway?

A broad streak of independence runs through American culture, doesn’t it? We value our freedom.  We like to think that anyone who works hard enough should be able to succeed, regardless of his or her background. “Rags to riches” stories are part of who we are.  We do not have a titled aristocracy and do not want a king.  Criticism of those who are in positions of authority comes readily to us whether we are speaking of the President or local police. Since the colonial times freedom and independence have been foundations of America.  But, what happened to respect and honor?

There was a time we realized that there was a difference between the person and the position. Even if we felt the person was incompetent or a fool, we gave respect to his position. Honor provided a basis for social order and kept our independence from devolving into anarchy.   

From where I stand that understanding is lost to many of us today. Ask any person who tries to lead – pastor, local official, coach, police officer, teacher  – if the work is more difficult and the answer will almost certainly be an emphatic “yes!” An exaggerated sense of Self is tearing our society apart.  Given direction we are prone to say, “who do you think you are, anyway?”

Honor is taught throughout the Scripture.  Christians need to practice it and teach it. Honor starts at home. The fifth commandment says “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you." (Exodus 20:12, NIV) The command is repeated for the Church. "Children, do what your parents tell you. This is only right. “Honor your father and mother” is the first commandment that has a promise attached to it, namely, “so you will live well and have a long life.”  (Ephesians 6:1-3, The Message)  

Honor is to be a part of the structure of God’s family, too. "Respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other." (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, NIV)  "The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching." (1 Timothy 5:17-18, NIV)  "Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit." (Hebrews 13:17, NLT)

Christians are repeatedly instructed to be good citizens, too. Paul’s inspired words challenge our libertarian ideals, but they are truth that speaks to us, not as a suggestion, but as a command. "Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. … The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. … So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do." (Romans 13:1-6, NLT)

Parents, Pastors, and Politicians are not always honorable people! Can we use that an excuse to avoid respectful obedience? Not according to the Word. Sometimes it is the office not the person that we honor and we, as God’s holy people, do this for the Lord’s sake. One does not need to be a social scientist to observe the breakdown in American society and to understand that we are headed for very difficult times unless we recover basic civility and respect. The Christian church can and should take the lead to model what God in His wisdom teaches.

Are you a Christian who holds authority in contempt? 
Are you failing to understand and apply the Word in this area of your life, blinded to God’s truth by cultural values?

Pray for wisdom to understand the importance of honor.

Pray for an attitude of willing cooperation with those entrusted with authority.

Got issues with the way that authority is being exercised?  Here is what God says – “Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.” The Message  1 Timothy 2:1-3

Think about it!