Month: September 2017

RENEW

Youth have a BIG problem that is new to when I grew up. When I grew up, we got our sleep, we had less homework, we didn’t get to some subjects until much later than youth today, we always had energy. Today, it is a different story.

1. Share the last time you were really tired? ____________________________
2. Share what you think contributes to your tiredness? ____________________
3. Rate your stress level right now in your life? (1 little to 10 major stress) ___
4. As a Christian, share how it’s worse for non-Christians? ________________

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2

5. Verse 1 – true and proper worship. How can the story of Mary and Martha help us focus on true worship? ____________________________________
6. What is the pattern of this world? __________________________________
7. What is transformation? (Think caterpillar into butterfly) _______________
8. How do I renew my mind? _______________________________________

TOP 10 HELPS IN RENEWAL

1. Get sleep
2. Try not to worry
3. Get what you NEED to do…done
4. Have a devotional time that you can RELAX in the Lord
5. Fortify your spirit, knowing the world hates you
6. Sin drains you spiritually
7. Play games to keep your mind sharp and to relax
8. Eat well….(think of Daniel and friends)
9. Exercise…to renew your body
10. Remind yourself, your treasures are in heaven, not on earth.

This is a crazy season for hurricanes. They are coming so quick we might need to restart the alphabet. The National Weather Service began naming tropical cyclones in 1953 (but the letters Q, U, X, Y and Z are not used). Since then, the annual 21-name list came closest to being exhausted in 1995, when 19 named storms (through Tanya) churned through North Atlantic waters.

The #1 concern for all people is being safe and protecting property and material things. What’s nice is this thing called insurance. Insurance is a basic protection for wind, flood, fire, and alien attack. (Kidding) There are two points to make today. #1 is that God is able to protect us. That is a great comfort knowing that no matter if we a completely safe or if we lose everything that God still stands with us.

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Psalm 5:1

Now, that does not sound like much protection if God is not going to protect our property and valuables. Our promise is not based on things found on earth. Our promise is fulfilled because we have been promised eternity. Scripture tells us that He is building us a mansion in heaven. It also tells us that we once we accept Jesus, we are sealed into the family of God.

I am thankful for my insurance but I am more thankful that I have a God who has promised to protect me to the end. Amen.

Yes, Irma has mostly passed us, just yesterday as a matter of fact. We were at Disney World for the Experience Conference for Worship Leaders and Irma decided to take a northern turn straight up the middle of Florida. The trek called for the hurricane to go straight into South Carolina so we immediately headed home to get our dog and grandmother.

It took us two days to get home since much of I-95 was a parking lot. As soon as we got home, we saw the trek had moved to Atlanta and the Tennessee River Valley. We were actually going to evacuate to Atlanta or Louisville, KY. Well, Irma decided to go straight there instead.

Yesterday, we did lose power twice. The first time for over an hour. We were totally in the dark though it was light outside. We had taken the precaution of boarding up our windows with some friends that did our house before we got home. The second time we lost power for only a few minutes. That night as the wind was gusting and the rain pouring, we got a tornado warning that a tornado touched down not one mile from our house.

All this to say, that our prayers are with all those in the path of the storm, for those who lost power, homes, or anything. That includes Harvey who just came through Houston a couple of weeks ago. Now, we have Jose to worry about. But we are not afraid, because we have a great God.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

No matter what, whether we get nailed by a hurricane or whether it misses us completely we know that God loves us and that He will never leave us. That is comforting in such turbulent and terrifying times. Remember that as we are at the height of hurricane season and you are faced with floods or displacement.