FOTFD - April 13, 2008
April 13, 2008
I am worn out.
Do you ever feel that you are running full speed and are still losing ground? That is the way I have felt for the last week or two. My work load has jumped up lately, both at church and at home, and it feels like I am constantly scrambling to get stuff done, but am struggling just to keep up.
It amazes me how easy it is to slip into this state and how I tend to get very focused on the jobs at hand. A negative aspect of that focus is that I also tend to lose the big picture when I start to grind. I get frustrated with little details that don’t run smoothly. I get annoyed with people around me and how their “insignificant needs” get in my way and keep me from getting accomplished what I consider to be my top priorities.
In the midst of this chaos, God gave me a reminder that there are greater things in life than my “to do” list. On Wednesday morning, some of the Prestoncrest ministers attended the Dallas Leadership Prayer Breakfast and listened to Dallas Mavericks coach, Avery Johnson, speak. Avery spoke about what a blessing it is to serve the Lord. I can imagine how busy a professional coach’s life can be and hearing about his relationship with Jesus reminded me that I need to turn control over to God, daily, whether I feel overwhelmed by life of not.
That is a challenge to me, to give up control, especially when things get busy. That is when I am most tempted to hold on tighter. But I am reminded over and over to give control to someone who is must stronger than I am, someone who has much greater power.
I have been touched deeply by the stories that you have shared with me over the last couple of weeks. God has spoken to me through many of you and I love to see what happens in our church when we really open our lives up to one another. What are some of your biggest struggles in trying to keep control of your life when you really should turn them over to God? Let me know. Reply back with email or share below in the comments section if you feel comfortable so others can be blessed by your life as I am.
My thoughts this morning were triggered by a song I heard this week called Strong Tower by the group Kutless. It reminded me of God and his strength, especially in the times where I am weak. Watch below and enjoy.
You are my strong tower
Shelter over me, beautiful and mighty, everlasting king
You are my strong tower
Fortress when I’m week
Your name is true and holy
And your face all I see
Your face is all I see
- Strong Tower – Kutless
Now join me as we “Focus on the First Day.”
God bless,
Mike
Communion
Covenant, a promise, an agreement.
Jesus described the supper as a covenant, which reminds me to do more than just think of Jesus and His death. It is the reminder of what God offers to us through Jesus sacrificial death. It is the reminder of what His death means to me, today and forever. My life is His because He asks for it in response to His death. Remember that during our time of communion.
Sermon
“Heart: Looking Up or Down” (Bob Chisholm)
Luke 18:10-14
For God, attitude is everything. It makes the difference in our relationship with God. Compare a life of humility with that of someone who is full of pride. How does each attitude direct their response to God? The wrong attitude can even damage a relationship with God in spite of a deep knowledge of God’s word. Join us this Sunday as Bob continues a look into the parables of Jesus with the story of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.
Prayer Time
Jesus calls us to gather with Him. We do that each week as we worship, bringing praises in song, share in the communion, study His word, and pray with one another. On Sunday, do more than gather in one building, take the time to get together with others and pray together, for one another, during Prayer Time.
Sunday Night
“Search: Looking for God” (Bob Chisholm)
Psalm 73
Even though God is everywhere, we often have trouble finding Him. Why is that? Do we look in the wrong place or perhaps the wrong way? This Sunday evening Bob will help us in our search as we return to the Psalms to look for God.
We are encouraged to be a family of believers that choose to come together each week in worship. Come this Sunday with a desire to not just come to church, but come to truly be the church.