DO WE DO WHAT WE DO … because we know how to do it? OR DO WE DO WHAT WE DO … because we can? WHAT IF WE DID WHAT WE DO … because we know WHO we do it for! Would that make a difference? Hearing someone pose those questions today, struck a chord within me that hasn’t stopped playing in my spirit. I pray that is the case for my husband and I – that we do what we do – because we know WHO we do it for … and we pray that is the case for all of you who are reading this. But perhaps it’s a valid question that the Spirit of God is asking each of us to answer for ourselves, because in the craziness of this world where everyone seems to be pulled in every direction but towards God, we may not always be focused on doing what we do … for God! Maybe we do what we do – because it’s our job. Or - because we think we have nothing better to do. Perhaps we do what we do – because we don’t feel like we have a choice. More people than not, do what they do – because they’re enslaved to their debts and obligations. Most everyone has been there at one time or another. And that’s a tough place to be in. No one likes feeling stuck. No one likes feeling like there is no way out. But once again, we do have a choice, whether we think we do or not! You see, it all comes down to the tremendous power of our minds and the attitude of our hearts … of course, in the context of the relationship we have with our Lord! You might be saying, “why does everything always come back to that … to where we are with God?” Well, because that’s just the plain and simple truth. That’s just the way it is! You, like us at times, might be facing something or going through something that you think is more than you can handle. You might feel like you’re being swept under the torrential floods of despair, and you’re pleading for someone to throw you a lifeline before you go under for the final time. But you know what? Some of the very things that we think are going to be the “death” of us … are not meant to be unto death. Some of the very things we think are going to destroy us … are not meant to be unto failure. Often these very things that we fight against and struggle with, are for the glory of God! WHAT? No, please don’t accuse me of being delirious. I just know that we see things with an earthly view, while God sees them with an eternal perspective. And most often, we at first do not grasp the outcome that He already knows is in the works! We seem to have to go through this whole dramatic scenario, just like our children do. “God, why do I have to do this? Why me? Why not someone else? I can’t do this! Besides, I don’t WANT to do this!! It’s too hard, God. I don’t know how much longer I can do this. I think I’m going to die!” Sound familiar? Sounds a little too much like little kids. Have we not learned even a little through all of our trials and tests that are supposed to strengthen us and refine us? Well, hopefully we have! Yet, we need to be reminded sometimes how our lives look to God as we’re doing what we’re doing! He longs for us to know Him … r-e-a-l-l-y know Him! Sometimes in the midst of living, “we miss God”. It’s like Jesus’ conversation with the Pharisees in the Temple while He was teaching. They kept objecting to the fact that He was who He said He was. They said, “All we have is your word on this. We need more than this to go on.” Jesus reminded them that “they made decisions based on what they could see and touch … while He didn’t make judgments out of the narrowness of His experience but in the largeness of the One who sent Him, the Father.” After some more back and forth conversation, Jesus made some profound statements that should resound with us today. This is what He told them: “You’re tied down to the mundane; I’m in touch with what is beyond your horizons. You live in terms of what you see and touch. I’m living on other terms. I told you that you were missing God in all this. You’re at a dead end. If you won’t believe I am who I say I am, you’re at the dead end of sins. You’re missing God in your lives.” Right away, the Pharisees again questioned who he was – and Jesus tried to explain in another way: “When you raise up the Son of Man, then you will know who I am – that I’m not making this up, but speaking only what the Father taught Me. The One who sent me stays with Me. He doesn’t abandon Me. He sees how much joy I take in pleasing Him.” The Bible says, “When He put it in these terms, many people decided to believe.” (John 8:23-30, The Message Bible) We challenge you today to recognize that – because you know WHO Jesus is - you will also do what you’re doing … for HIM! And that will give you great joy in pleasing Him!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
- WHAT A PRIVILEGE IT IS to be a part of the family of God! From getting to drink in His presence, to sit under His anointing, to take in from His Word, to pour out our adoration in praise and song, to fellowship in conversation and sharing great food, then singing those anthems of faith until our voices nearly gave out … this past Sunday was a blessed Lord’s Day! To God be the glory!
- SPECIAL THANKS to Rogelio for filling in on sound & Power Point, to Laura for the new children’s packets for worship time, to the Rogers family for sharing garden produce and for the window coverings, and to everyone who donated items and help and time to the “all church garage sale” to gather monies for a love gift for the ministries of the Seykoras and the Lundstroms! We will still accept donations if you missed out and wanted to share in the work God has called them to! We will give you final totals when the gifts are passed on!
- LOOKING AHEAD . . .
- THIS SUNDAY, JUNE 13th:
- 10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE with the service being centered around our kids for Children’s Sunday! Actually, kids of ALL ages will be blessed, because we’re God’s children – no matter HOW old we are! It promises to be a fun morning in God’s House … so invite some friends and bring them with you! The kids are to bring money for lunch at McDonald’s, and then we will be going swimming, either to the indoor Serengetti Water Park at Holiday Inn – or the new outdoor River Springs Water Park ~ depending on the weather!
- SATURDAY, JUNE 19TH: Join Chaya at her open house celebrating her graduation from 11 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at 2030 Willowridge Place NE! Congratulations, Chaya, and God’s blessings to you!
- NEXT SUNDAY, JUNE 20th: SPECIAL FATHER’S DAY SERVICE honoring our dads! Don’t miss it!
- MORE DATES: JULY 16/17 – RELAY FOR LIFE … AUG 14 – FATHER/SON OUTING/TWIN’S GAME … MID-OCTOBER – WOMEN OF FAITH in St. Paul ~ and much more to come!
- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .
- IS GOD TUGGING AT YOUR HEART to spend more time in prayer? We encourage you to carve some focused time out of your day where it’s – just you and Jesus! Pour your heart out to Him and claim the promises He has given us in His Word: for healing and health, for provision and deliverance, for peace and joy, and a list to long to print! Remember to lift up your church family, Seykoras as they travel back home to family and supporters – and for a miracle for baby Caleb to be added to his daddy’s visa in time for their departure, our nation and its leaders, our youth as they go into their summer break from school, those who are fighting for freedom around the world, and for child-like faith to believe for a place that Elevation North can call “home”! Our God is able to do the supernatural!!!
- THIS WEEK … Remember, “When God is about to do something great, He starts with a difficulty. When He is about to do something truly magnificent, He starts with an impossibility.” ~ Armin Gesswein
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
