Why We Fear Roller Coasters

Joshua 1:7
Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

There we were staring at a looping coaster that reached 430 ft into the skies. It zoomed past us going 120 mph. It was the Top Thrill Dragster. The 3rd ranked coaster in the world, not the US, the world.

Some of the teenagers boarded the speed trap with no second thought. Others, however, shivered as they sat down. Some made it to the front only to turn back. While many, knowing their fears, didn't even attempt to try.

Why do we fear roller coasters?

Is it because we know man is not supposed to fly 430 feet above the earth at 120 mph?

Is it because we don't want to get sick or throw up like the stories we have heard year after year?

Is it because we fear the coaster will malfunction and cause us harm or even death?

I believe the reason we fear roller coasters is because we do not control them nor their effects upon us, and we fear what we cannot control.

Christians, the reason we fear roller coasters is the same reason we fear the will of God. - we can't control the will of God.

It scares a young man to have to trust God with his life and future.

Young ladies are afraid to surrender their lives to Christ.

Why?

Because if I surrender my life, my will, and my future to God's will, I lose control of them. I am then forced to live by faith.

It amazes me how so many will eventually "get over" their fear of coasters. I remember being the scared to death shivering kid, who only rode because of my friends. Yet now, I love the highest, fastest and craziest thrills.

What happened?

Did they start guaranteeing that you won't get sick? NO

Did they start displaying inspection and service records indicating the coaster is safe and ok to ride? NO

I just decided to trust the maker of the coaster, the park, and the operator.. All of whom I do not know.

If we can live by faith at a theme park, if we can trust people we don't know with our lives....

Why can't we trust God enough to surrender to His will and live by faith in Him?

He's only saved us from Hell-
Given us the Holy Spirit-
Laid out a perfect plan for us in His will-

Don't fear- be strong and very courageous.
Trust God. Surrender to His will. Live by Faith.

God's will is a ride you don't want to miss.

#fuel

Expendable

I Sam 16:1
And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.

Expendable-   Capable of being expended (used up), not essential, easily replaced.

This may be a sobering thought to you, but you are expendable. It matters not what your name is, what your title may be, where you live nor what you think...   You are Expendable. Capable of being used up, not essential to the plan, and easily replaced.

Divorces prove spouses are expendable.

Corporations prove employees are expendable.

Death proves life is expendable.

There is no one on the Earth whose absence or attitude would halt its rotation.

Truth is whether you live or die, do right or live in sin, work or sleep in, stay married or divorce...

Everyone is Expendable.

Don't believe me...

Try being late for a Doctor's appointment, or even skipping one. Does the Doctor's office close just because you are not there?  NO. They move on to the next patient and continue the day.

Watch the traffic around a funeral procession in your town. Police officers now have to even stop the oncoming traffic for a hurse! Why? Because whoever is in that box, is expendable.

Their family moves on, their job moves on, their ministry moves on, LIFE moves on.

I am not saying people are not sad, effected, sorrowful or hurt.

But eventually, "the time to weep" is over and LIFE goes on. Whoever quit, died, stopped serving God, left, changed, etc... is EXPENDABLE.

How about in the Bible...

Moses dies... Joshua jumps into leadership.

Elijah goes away... Elisha does double.

In our text verse, - Saul is rejected.. David is elected.
God tells Samuel to move on!

David cannot build the temple... Solomon steps up.

Jesus could not do miracles in some cities because of unbelief, so he moved on to the next one.

Everyone is Expendable.

If you are a husband... you are expendable.
If you are an employee... you are expendable.
If you are a parent / guardian... you are expendable.
If you are a preacher... you are expendable.
If you are the boss.. you are expendable.
If you play sports... you are expendable.
If you work on a bus route... you are expendable.
If you teach Sunday School... you are expendable.

Everyone is Expendable.  Easily replaceable.

What is the Point?

1. Humility-  

Knowing we are expendable, should keep us humble. God can use ANYONE to do ANYTHING we do! God doesn't "need" any of us. At more than one point, He was willing to kill to everyone and start over. Family, ministry, work, and even life would go on if we were out of the picture.

2. Honor-

Though, God can use anyone, He chooses to use us.
Dad- He chose to make you a dad.      Mom- He chose to make you a mother.
Employee- He chose to give you the job.  Employer- He chose to bless your business.
Preacher- He called us, equips us and directs us.    
Bus Worker-  He chose to use you on that bus.
Sunday School Teacher-  God chose to give you those students to love, teach and train.

God may not "need" us, but He wants us. He loves us. He receives pleasure from our surrender and service.

If God has blessed your life, be honored. HE CHOSE YOU.

3. Hastening-

• If you are reading this and do not know Christ as Saviour, just know that if you continue without Christ, Hell will be your home. And the world, the people, and circumstances surrounding you will move on as planned. You are Expendable.

"God is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" II Pet 3:9

However, if you choose to reject God's loving plan of salvation, God doesn't stop offering it. God will continue to offer it and there will be others who will trust Him.

• If you are reading this and are a Christian, just not where you should be or used to be with God, know that God's will is still available for your life.

However, if you choose to reject truth, live in sin and serve self, God's plan marches on. God wants you involved, He wants you as a witness, He wants you surrendered, serving and soul winning, but if you are not, He CAN and WILL find someone else.

• If you are a mother, father, employee, employer, Pastor, Youth Pastor, Teacher, athlete, bus worker, Sunday School teacher, husband or wife, know that there are people who need you and count on you everyday.

However, if you choose to neglect your role, life goes on. Someone will fill the place you leave in the hearts of your followers. Good or bad you cannot decide, but there will be someone, someday who takes that spot. Because you see...

Everyone is Expendable.

Let's live the life we have for the Lord and do His will.


#fuel

How To Have a Spiritual Summer (Part 3)

We have been looking at John 17 as a Spiritual Survival Guide for the Summer. Jesus is praying for the Disciples as He prepares to leave for Heaven and He gives good advice for them as well as for us to use in our lives this summer to stay spiritual and close to Christ.

III.   Search The Scriptures

John 17:17
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Jesus reminds the Disciples here that they have the Word of God with them. Jesus was going to be crucified and would be leaving, but they would still have the Word of God. He also prays that God would reveal some things to them about His Word.

1. Spiritual Growth Through The Word

2. Simple Faith In The Word

"Sanctify them through thy truth: ..."  - Jesus lets them know that it is through the Word of God that we are sanctified. Spiritual growth is achieved through the Bible.

"thy word is truth" - The key to growing spiritually through the Word of God is to simply believe it is the ultimate, absolute truth.

Jesus did not leave the Disciples without a connection to Him or His Father. He knew they had the Word of God.

During the summer, we step away from our schedules, and we have a lot more free, relaxed time. The days are less rigorous and demanding and more relaxing and mellow.
If we are not careful we will lay down our Bibles from Sunday to Sunday and only pick them up to go to church.
In doing so, we do ourselves a great disservice.
Remember, spiritual growth comes through the word as well as simple faith.

NO BIBLE = NO GROWTH

Tell me how much you have been reading your Bible this summer and I will tell you whether or not you are headed for a spiritual summer or for a backslidden one.

Without spending time in the Word of God, we become cold to the things of God. Church is not important nor interesting, friends of God become enemies and sin is easier and more acceptable.
All of this because of not reading the Bible? YES! It is that Important!

1.  Decide to Read the Bible Everyday

If you are new to reading it, start in John, Psalms, Proverbs, or Romans. Start with 1 Chapter a day, then 2, then 3. Read and let God speak to you through the Words. The Bible is GOD's WORDS.

2.   Decide to DO What You Read

James 1:22
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Take God at His Word. Try Him. Put Him to the test. Take the Bible and put it to practice in your life. When you find a truth, a promise, a warning, or an example, take it, claim it, believe it, obey it and watch God work it in your life.

3.  Keep Your Bible Open This Summer

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Don't close your Bible like a book you sit on a shelf. Leave it open on your dresser. Let it stare at you every morning. Let those black and white pages stare back at you like God's eyeballs. He can see you you know!?

Maybe with the Bible open, you wont forget to read it. Maybe with the Bible open you wont listen to that song, watch that movie, say those words or disrespect your parents. Maybe knowing God is looking right at you and you seeing those pages stare back at you will "Sanctify" you.

How do we have a Spiritual Summer?

1.  Summer Fun
2.  Separation
3.  Search the Scriptures

#fuel

How To Have A Spiritual Summer (Part 2)

John 17:12
While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name:....

Ok... so we are in full summer swing... 100 degree days, camps, vacations, etc.. Last time we looked at John 17 to see that having a spiritual summer starts with Summer Fun.God wants us to enjoy our lives. He wants you to have a great time and to enjoy yourself. Contrary to popular belief,  you can have fun and remain spiritual at the same time.

As we keep reading in John 17 we see more advice from Jesus for the summer...


John 17:14-16
I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Jesus is preparing the disciples for success during the time when He would leave for Heaven. Here Jessus gives us another great tip for having a Spiritual Summer...

2.  Separation

OH NO! I just said the dreaded S-word! But especially during the summer, staying separated from the world is a key component to having a Spiritual summer. There are 3 areas of life that I must guard and maintain spiritual separation in during the summer to ensure success:

 

A. People

Prov 13:20
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

In the summer we often spend much more time with friends and family who we may not see during the school year.We must be careful to be an influence and not just be influenced. The people we hang around during the summer, will often determine the spiritual decisions we make during this time.

Gal 5:7
Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

Stay close to those who are close to God. Keep your distance from those who are distant from God. You can reach them for Christ, but if you are not careful, even good friends and close family can pull you away from Christ during the summer.

 

B. Places

Prov 4:14-15
Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

It is during the summer that we have free time to visit places that we dont usually get to visit during the year. We also have more opportunities and temptations to go places and do things we shouldnt. Just because it is summer does not mean it is acceptable for Christians to go places they are not supposed to go. The Holy Spirit of God goes everywhere you do, so whereever you go and whatever you see there, God goes and sees with you. 

 

C. Projects

I Cor 10:31
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

I am sure there will be many activities and things to do during your summer. The Devil will make sure to attempt to include sin and wrong to your calendar every day. In order to have a spiritual summer, you must separate from projects and activities that are sinful and wrong. Do not deviate from Christ, deviate from the culture.

No one wants to come to the end of summer and be backslidden, but many have and will. If you want to have Spiritual Summer remember:

1. Summer Fun
2. Separation

....to be continued....

#fuel

Avoiding The "Summer Slump"- How To Have A Spiritual Summer

John 17:12
While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name:....

Every year as the school year draws to a close, I am reminded of this passage. Students leave the safety and security of a daily routine, a Christian environment and Godly influences only to be bombarded with a barrage from the world and the Devil. From being helped and encouraged to read the Bible and pray, walk with God and obey His Word, to a freedom that the majority cannot withstand.

Statistics among Youth Departments show that 60-70 % of the young people in churches backslide, make bad decisions, and banish their Bible during the summer. This is an alarming stat. It is usually not until Camp or Youth Conference (most of which are toward the end of the summer) that teenagers make things right with God and allow him to work in their lives.

Is this how things have to be? Jesus didn't think so. He taught the Disciples how to live while He was away. He showed through His prayer in John 17:12-26, how to have a Spiritual Summer. Over the next few weeks, I am going to show you from Jesus' prayer, how you can avoid that summer slump. You can have a spiritual summer....
....a summer where you grow closer to Christ instead of colder on Christ
....a summer where you go to Camp fired up and not to get fired up and God can really work on you
....a summer where afterward, you start school and you bring Revival to your school!

That is a Spiritual Summer... Here is how Jesus said we could do it...

1.    Summer Fun    

John 17:13b    .... that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

I know, I know... not what you were expecting right? Jesus tells the Disciples that He wants them to have joy.

If you want to have a Spiritual Summer have some fun. Sleep in, go camping, go fishing, play outside, kill some Xbox, hang out with friends, attend all of the Teen Activities, help someone, get a summer job, and BY ALL MEANS... go to Teen Camp  (www.circlecbaptist.org).

Enjoy your summer. If you find yourself saying those dreaded words.... I'm Bored...  WATCH OUT! The Devil is on your trail. Do some fun things this summer. Don't get bored. Stay connected with your Youth Pastor and Church, stay busy, stay active and enjoy the Summer. Having fun is not a sin. This is the last summer you will ever have this year!  LOL... Enjoy your Summer!

#Fuel

Finish

2 Tim 4:7

It is graduation season again. Tonight we graduate 31 servants from Commonwealth Baptist College. Next week will have our Christian Academy graduation. These young men and ladies have finished.

Just like Paul, they have made it through ups and downs and all arounds. But no matter what life threw at them one thing was sure... They were not going to quit.

1. To Finish, You Must Start.

Do something for God. Start again anew and afresh. Start for the first time. If you want to Finish, you have to start. (Phil 1:6)

2. To Finish, You Must Focus

Keep God's will in your sights and push toward it with everything in you. (Phil 3:13)

3. To Finish, You Must Not Quit

In a world full of quitters, complainers, and compromisers; I believe God is looking for some young men and women who will not just start for God but will finish.

Jesus was a finisher. Paul was a finisher. We are admonished to be finishers.

Decide to Finish.

#fuel

Keeping It Real

Romans 7:14-25

Why is it that when we talk about "being real" we often are talking about doing wrong. Why does real have to be wrong? I understand, as did Paul that we are sinners, and to be REAL, we have some wrong. But I believe Paul was keeping it real here in Romans 7.

What is Keeping It Real?

1. Keeping it Real is Admitting You're Not Perfect

Romans 3:10
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
There are a lot of Pharisee and stuck up teens, who need to realize and remember that they are sinners too!

It doesn't matter if you were born in a Christian home, raised in Church, or saved from a life of sin; you are STILL a sinner. You STILL deserve Hell.

Even though I am a Preacher, I deserve Hell. I am a sinner. My works are not worthy. I am wicked and sinful. The only good in me, is the Holy Spirit God placed inside me.

Keeping it Real is Admitting that we are not perfect. This just exalts the fact that we need and must have Jesus Christ.

2. Keeping it Real is Aiming High

Phil 3:14
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

There are many teenagers who need to decide to live their lives for Christ and not for self.

In Romans 7 Paul was saying I am not perfect, but I am trying do right! Paul was pressing toward being like Christ.

Keeping it real is admitting we are not perfect, but trying to live Christ.

Failing at our walk with God may occur, but striving for a walk with God is Real.

Failing to be a witness may happen, but working to be a witness is Real.

Keeping it Real is Aiming High and pressing toward being like Jesus Christ.

3. Keeping it Real is A Decision to Never Quit

Proverbs 24:16
For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

Paul wanted to do right, but he messed up. 
Paul didn't want to mess up,but he did.

He lived in a constant spiritual battle, just like we do.

We do right one day.... mess up one day... do right one day... mess up one day...

How does a person keep from feeling like a fake when one day they are trying to be spiritual and the next day the Devil has overtaken them with sin...

Keeping it Real is not Quitting.

Keeping it Real is not being perfect, its not being sinful, its not having everything together, or letting everything fall apart...

Keeping it Real is just not quitting!

Do Right and strive to Do Right, when you mess up, fess up, and make a decision that you are never going to quit on God!

KEEP IT REAL!

#FUEL