09132015 sermon extract - finale of sermon, "Can I Help You?

God's Standards...

No Condemnation (John 3:17)

We often go through the day feeling as if someone is looking over our shoulder ready to judge our actions. My husband probably wonders why I bought that dress . . . My boss is thinking I’m taking too long with that project . . . The elders don’t understand why I can’t take on that committee . . . This isn’t how Mom would have done it . . . And perhaps the voice we hear the most is our own: Why aren’t you good enough?

Even if others praise us, the pressure we put on ourselves can drown out the latest acclaim. We put pressure on ourselves to do more—and do it better and quicker. How could God be pleased with us, we wonder, when we feel so weak?

Listen to the words in this chapter of John’s Gospel. God wants a relationship with us—not to condemn us, but to free us. He offers redemption through Jesus—not because we have done something to deserve it, but because he loves us.

Though we may read those words again and again, they can be hard to believe. But try to wrap your brain around this truth: God does not condemn you. None of the pressure you feel throughout the day is from God. In truth, you may be trying to please others or achieve your own goals more than you are trying to please God. You may feel guilty because you keep changing the standard.

Richard Foster writes, “The less we are manipulated by the expectations of others, the more we are open to the expectations of God.” Yes, we are weak. Yes, we often fail to meet our own expectations. But what does God expect of us today? To believe in his Son who set us free from sin. To believe that he is stronger than our doubts, fears, pride and ambition. To believe that he does not condemn us for who we were before we met his Son. To discover who we are in the light of his love, freedom and grace.

We may not feel "qualified" but...our God qualifies the called..."

God of Strength

Loving God, full of compassion and love. Thank you for the strength you give us to stand...even when we are crumbling inside. Thank you that in You we find all that we need to face any challenge life throws our way. Thank you for being the Ever-Present God...

In Our Anger May We Not Sin...

1 Peter 4:10/Proverbs 12:16

(1 Peter 4:10New International Version (NIV)

10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.)

(Proverbs 12:16New International Version (NIV)

16 Fools show their annoyance at once,

    but the prudent overlook an insult.)

It can be so easy sometimes to hold on to those "offenses" that we feel others have done to us. As we hold onto them we are the ones that are hurt, not those who we may be angry at. When Jesus walked this world, He was offended in many ways. But, even as He hung on the Cross, He was full of compassion and forgiveness.

Now...if the Author and Perfector of our faith can forgive even as He was crucified, how can we not do the same? As we stretch out our hand in forgiveness, we are changed and become more like Him. As we are transformed, we can affect a transformation of those around us. Just think about that…

Transforming Grace

AS WE ENTER A NEW YEAR, WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW POSSIBILITIES THAT MAY PRESENT THEMSELVES. AS WE OPEN OUR HEARTS TO GOD, HE IS ABLE TO TRANSFORM ANYTHING INTO SOMETHING OF BEAUTY. IT MAY BE DIFFICULT AND DOWN RIGHT PAINFUL AS WE ARE IN THE "PRESSURE COOKER" OF LIFE BUT GOD WILL PRESERVE US AND AS WE GET TO THE OTHER SIDE WILL WILL TASTE THE SWEETNESS OF THE LORD .

God of Time and Space

God of time and space, thank you for this New Day Dawning...this New Year given... How awesome it is to know that time is in Your hands. Thank your for the year gone by. As I look back I can see You moving in my life...I can see that in those times I thought I was alone, You were there. How wonderful it is to know that You have all the times in my life setup for me and as I trust You with my life each day comes into being. May I feel You even more present...may I see You even more often...May I know You even more fully in this coming year. Lord, God, create me a new this year. May I serve You more fully as I step out in faith into this new horizon You have created for me. May I be ever closer to Your heart as I strive to live out the life You have set out before me. May I love more passionately...May I be more compassionate with others...May I shine more brightly...May I walk more humbly all to Your glory this coming year. May You use me as Your earthen vessel, waiting to be filled and then poured out for others. I look forward to what is ahead as You use me to bring about Your Kingdom come where Your will is done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Amen...!