ARE YOU IN THE HABIT of checking the amount on the price tags before checking out? We’ve pretty much always paid attention to the cost of what we are purchasing … but these past few years we’ve made ourselves especially aware of what follows the dollar sign on the ticket before we commit to taking the item home! We ask ourselves, “is it worth what the ticket says?” That pretty much determines if we’ll choose to take it home with us … or not! Some weeks ago, I came across these statements that talk about another cost that is usually touting a high price . . .
“Sin will take you farther than you wanted to go!”
“Sin will cost you more than you wanted to pay!”
"Sin will keep you longer than you wanted to stay!”
Yet, people pursue these wares as if they are the hottest items on the shelf – and will make them the happiest they’ve ever been. Disappointment and disillusionment follow soon after. They realize sin is not all that it appeared to be. The glamour and glitz turn grey. The heat of the moment cools down. The promises that you can “have it all” end up being nothing more than masked lies. But the inflated price doesn’t go away. Usually it increases with a daily accrual of continued remorse and regret. “If only” … becomes a repetitious phrase in daily vocabulary. There’s only one way out. That’s when our remorse and regret turn to repentance, and we find that we have a Savior who steps in and reminds us that a long time ago, HE paid the price. The entire price … the principal AND the interest AND the tacked on fees, EVEN the buyers remorse. When Jesus does something, He does it right. He does it completely. There are no invoices that show up in the mail a week later with an outstanding balance still due. There is no portion of the debt still unpaid. It’s hard to comprehend why someone else would pay the price He paid so that we wouldn’t have to! That’s because that Someone is spelled with a capital “S”! Our Savior loved us enough to invest His very life into ours, knowing that when we would say “yes” to His offer and His terms, then we’d get to enjoy the dividends of spending “forever” with Him. It’s ironic, though, that once we make that transaction, often we don’t pursue the wares of godliness and faith like we once ran after sin. And the fact is, this new life in Christ IS all it is written up to be! While it was never promised to be easy, we have God’s promise that He will never leave us alone. He guarantees that He will walk with us and carry us through and lift us above our every circumstance in life. Yes, sometimes there’s a cost, and it seems like the price is high. But instead of going after this life of faith anyway, we shrink from it. We walk the other way. “That’s just too high of a price to pay,” we say. Yet, the results and the rewards are Eternal! Why won’t our heart compute? After all, just what IS the price of a lost soul? Or a hurting heart? Can we not pay the cost for something so priceless and valuable as that? That’s why we must pursue a life of reaching out and offering to others the incredible gift of God’s Son, Jesus, no holds barred. It’s not enough to just live the life of faith ourselves … it’s putting that faith into action and walking into the appointments God prepares for us so we can share Him with those who need Him so much. Following hard after God is the only way to live life – even when that demands our all and takes us way out of our comfort zone. It would be far better to grieve over some tough places God allows us to be in for His divine purposes, than to look back later with regrets for having run from God, forever wondering just how God could have used us to make an eternal difference! We love what the apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 2 at the very close of the chapter: “This is a terrific responsibility. Is anyone competent to take it on? No – but at least we don’t take God’s Word, water it down, and then take it to the streets to sell it cheap. We stand in Christ’s presence when we speak; God looks us in the face. We get what we say straight from God and say it as honestly as we can.” (The Message Bible) So, dear ones, push on. Push through. Take a risk for God. Step out in faith. Sure, consider the cost … but then go for it! Embrace God’s Kingdom work – whatever the cost, and you’ll experience first-hand, some of His greatest opportunities for you – ever!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
“Sin will take you farther than you wanted to go!”
“Sin will cost you more than you wanted to pay!”
"Sin will keep you longer than you wanted to stay!”
Yet, people pursue these wares as if they are the hottest items on the shelf – and will make them the happiest they’ve ever been. Disappointment and disillusionment follow soon after. They realize sin is not all that it appeared to be. The glamour and glitz turn grey. The heat of the moment cools down. The promises that you can “have it all” end up being nothing more than masked lies. But the inflated price doesn’t go away. Usually it increases with a daily accrual of continued remorse and regret. “If only” … becomes a repetitious phrase in daily vocabulary. There’s only one way out. That’s when our remorse and regret turn to repentance, and we find that we have a Savior who steps in and reminds us that a long time ago, HE paid the price. The entire price … the principal AND the interest AND the tacked on fees, EVEN the buyers remorse. When Jesus does something, He does it right. He does it completely. There are no invoices that show up in the mail a week later with an outstanding balance still due. There is no portion of the debt still unpaid. It’s hard to comprehend why someone else would pay the price He paid so that we wouldn’t have to! That’s because that Someone is spelled with a capital “S”! Our Savior loved us enough to invest His very life into ours, knowing that when we would say “yes” to His offer and His terms, then we’d get to enjoy the dividends of spending “forever” with Him. It’s ironic, though, that once we make that transaction, often we don’t pursue the wares of godliness and faith like we once ran after sin. And the fact is, this new life in Christ IS all it is written up to be! While it was never promised to be easy, we have God’s promise that He will never leave us alone. He guarantees that He will walk with us and carry us through and lift us above our every circumstance in life. Yes, sometimes there’s a cost, and it seems like the price is high. But instead of going after this life of faith anyway, we shrink from it. We walk the other way. “That’s just too high of a price to pay,” we say. Yet, the results and the rewards are Eternal! Why won’t our heart compute? After all, just what IS the price of a lost soul? Or a hurting heart? Can we not pay the cost for something so priceless and valuable as that? That’s why we must pursue a life of reaching out and offering to others the incredible gift of God’s Son, Jesus, no holds barred. It’s not enough to just live the life of faith ourselves … it’s putting that faith into action and walking into the appointments God prepares for us so we can share Him with those who need Him so much. Following hard after God is the only way to live life – even when that demands our all and takes us way out of our comfort zone. It would be far better to grieve over some tough places God allows us to be in for His divine purposes, than to look back later with regrets for having run from God, forever wondering just how God could have used us to make an eternal difference! We love what the apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 2 at the very close of the chapter: “This is a terrific responsibility. Is anyone competent to take it on? No – but at least we don’t take God’s Word, water it down, and then take it to the streets to sell it cheap. We stand in Christ’s presence when we speak; God looks us in the face. We get what we say straight from God and say it as honestly as we can.” (The Message Bible) So, dear ones, push on. Push through. Take a risk for God. Step out in faith. Sure, consider the cost … but then go for it! Embrace God’s Kingdom work – whatever the cost, and you’ll experience first-hand, some of His greatest opportunities for you – ever!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
- SERVING GOD JUST GETS BETTER AND BETTER! That’s how we feel every Sunday morning when we gather together to worship our Lord! How we love coming to Elevation North to meet with our church family and with frequent visitors who join in with us! What a privilege that is!
- A SPECIAL WELCOME to Johnny & Kamara who came to worship with us for the first time this past Sunday; it was great having you with us, and we pray God’s blessings upon you!
- DOUBLE BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to our grandson, Isaiah, who will be 5 years old on August 7th, as well as to Mom Jones, who celebrates her birthday on the same day! You are both loved more than we can say! And, special birthday wishes to Merv, who will be celebrating on August 5th; God’s best to you always!
- LOOKING AHEAD . . .
- THIS SUNDAY, AUGUST 1ST: 10:00 A.M. – A MISSIONS SUNDAY with JOSH & SARAH and Noah and Caleb, as they bring to life a renewed passion for sharing Christ at home and among the nations! Serving with Youth With a Mission in Perth, Australia, they are back in the states visiting churches and supporters. You will discover that God is alive and well and at work all over the world as they share about their ministry!
- 11:15 A.M. – SUNDAY SCHOOL – with Josh & Sarah sharing a multi-media presentation on global missions during class that will inspire and challenge your hearts! You won’t want to miss this! There will be classes for the little ones, while the teens will be joining the adults!
- SUNDAY, AUGUST 8TH: Pastor Doug will be continuing with another message in the “Fingerprints of God” series; why not invite some friends to worship with us?
- AUGUST 13TH: YOUTH: RE: FUEL summer session with movies and snacks, devotions, and lots of fun at Pastor Doug’s and Debbie’s home! Watch for more details!
- AUGUST 14TH: “ALL ABOUT GUYS” outing – taking in the Twin’s game vs. Oakland at 6:10 p.m. at Target Field!
- AUGUST 15th: CHURCH LEADERSHIP/PLANNING MEETING for all adults as we set our fall schedule!
- OCT 22/23: WOMEN OF FAITH CONFERENCE – celebrating an “Over the Top” theme at the Xcel Center!
- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .
- There is nothing too large and nothing too insignificant for God! He wants to be involved in our everyday lives, in all the things that matter to us! So let’s not hesitate in asking Him for all His benefits: this week let’s claim healing for Tina, for Julia, for an urgent unspoken need, for financial provision, for Shirley for upcoming surgery, for Justin on his military assignment, for relationships, for our nation, and for outreach! May God be glorified through His faithfulness and through answers to prayer!
- THIS WEEK . . . Remember, “Your Heavenly Father knows your needs. He will always give you all you need from day to day … For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.” ~ Luke 12:30-32
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
