ESSENTIALS! I think that is a word that has gone extinct
in today’s world, and if it is not quite extinct, then its meaning has changed
drastically. It used to mean “necessary”
or “indispensable element”. It meant
“vital, fundamental, elementary, and basic.”
It also was interpreted as “inherent, intrinsic, and important.” At least that’s what you find when you do
some simple word research! What does it
mean now? Well, just about the
opposite! Our world interprets
essentials in life to mean, “If I want something, it is absolutely
necessary. And I’d like it now!” There is no putting into place needs before
wants. There is no planning for doing
things in priority of importance. Our
society has lost the value of the realization that essentials are an
inseparable part of seeing the desired result in any and every area of our
lives. In real life, there are no
shortcuts, not when it comes to what is most important. First things come first. The foundation gets laid before even the
simplest structure or the most ornate cathedral is built upon it. If not, they both will crumble and fall. It’s pretty difficult to argue with the
basics. They are what they are. And we need them, more than we realize! I love this quote by Lysa TerKeurst that
states so simply yet profoundly:
“Morning essential: Exchange
whispers with God before shouts with the world.” If only we understood fully what a difference
that would make in each of our days!
Racing into our new day without prefacing it in the presence of God produces
some crash and burn episodes. Then we
wonder what happened. Essentials in the
race car world demands full preparation of the vehicle so that it will perform
at its maximum output on the track. The
same goes for us. We will experience
maximum performance throughout our day only if we are fully prepared with a
fill of God’s Word, a passion for the race, an injection of the power of the
Holy Spirit, and a commitment to reach the finish line of our daily track. Let’s revisit that quote again: “Morning essential: Exchange whispers with God before shouts with
the world.” Makes a lot of sense,
doesn’t it? Our day gets out of control
and the shouting starts because we missed the indispensable element that would
have eliminated the chaos. Well at least
within. We cannot control the chaos
without that surrounds us, but it does not need to engulf us and control
us! What we CAN control is choosing to
begin our day with the all-important essential:
that of spending time with our Creator, the one who knows us better than
we know ourselves. Those moments in time
will become the foundation for the remaining hours to be built upon, and we
will experience a rock-solid peace that will not allow us to be blown here and
there by unexpected twists and turns that otherwise would send us spinning and
reeling. Living above the storms of life
are vital to experiencing victories and miracles, but can only be done by our
decision to make God the main essential in every part of our lives. He is the One who calms the waves - and
stills the raging seas that rock our boats.
He is the One who brings order to utter disorder; the One who transforms
the messes we’ve made into God-successes.
Oh help us, God, to hunger and thirst after you at the dawning of each
new day, so that if we miss a meal now and then, it will not be the
all-essential breakfast with You, dining together and conversing in whispers
before the world starts its engines … and the race is on!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
A SPECIAL
WELCOME to John, Javan, Phaith, Promise, Olevia, Emmeri, & welcome
back to Pam! May God bless your family!
10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP
10:30 A.M. – KIDZONE
CHURCH
WED, MAY 01ST:
3:00 P.M. – RE:FUEL YOUTH
THU, MAY 02ND:
7:00 P.M. – NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
“Concert of Prayer” / Pray for America!
NO MID-WEEK
BIBLE STUDIES this week
SAT, MAY 04TH:
CMA “Run for the Son” event; see Wayne
SUN, MAY 05TH:
10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP/Communion
10:30 A.M. – KIDZONE CHURCH
ELEVATION NORTH SPOTLIGHT!
CMA "Run for the Son" event takes place this coming Saturday on May 4th! You have seen the video clips of the amazing ministry work this group of motorcyclists does all around our nation - and all over the world! Please turn in your love gift/offering to Wayne and Verla on one of the provided CMA forms, and keep your recceipt. Be in prayer for this event, for safety, and God's blessing upon the funds that will be raised and used for bringing others to Christ!
RE:FUEL YOUTH changes ... please note that we will be meeting every Wednesday afternoon at the church at 3:00 p.m. starting this week! Bring a friend or two or more!
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
