Having the Right Tools
Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies found out that I had finished rebuilding the wall and that no gaps remained—though we had not yet set up the doors in the gates. So Sanballat and Geshem sent a message asking me to meet them at one of the villages in the plain of Ono.
But I realized they were plotting to harm me, so I replied by sending this message to them: “I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?”
Four times they sent the same message, and each time I gave the same reply.
Nehemiah 6:1-4, NLT
How many times have you heard people say, "God will never give you more than you can handle?" Personally, I hate that phrase. Why? It's not true. We have Christians all over the world that are martyred because of their faith in Jesus Christ. I'm pretty sure that they would say death is more than they could handle. I think a better phrase is, "God will always give us the resources we need to carry out the vision he has for our life."
For example, if God calls you to be a school teacher, then he is going to give you the skills necessary to teach and help you complete your schooling. But you must do your part as well. You must still work hard in school and do your best.
This week, we are continuing the Core Value of living a Visionary Life, but instead of looking at the idea of Vision, we are looking at the obstacles that will come up as we journey towards the vision God has given us. If we know obstacles are coming, then we won't be derailed when they show up. Likewise, we can be looking for whatever tools God has already equipped us with to be ready for them.
This week, think about what's going on in your life. Are there obstacles that you wish God would just take away? Is it possible that you could see them in a different light? What if God has already provided you everything you needed to work through them, you just haven't seen it yet?
Prayer:
God, there are no obstacles we confront in our lives that you have not already confronted. You have given us the wisdom and tools to be able to stand firm and overcome each obstacle. May we simply follow in your footsteps with our hearts totally focused on you, our Victor. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Blessings!
-Faith
Click here for this week's Faith Notes
Faith Parry serves as our Associate Pastor, and has been at the church since 2015. When she's not preaching and teaching, she enjoys documentaries and TV. Read more about Faith here.
Halloween: Taking it to the Streets
ENGAGING WITH OUR NEIGHBOR
Halloween offers us a unique opportunity to engage, to meet our neighbors, to Take it to the Streets and meet our neighbors. Regardless of what you think about Halloween and its traditions, we can have an open door policy that lets our community know that we are open to meeting them.
Beginning October 1st, we will have kid-friendly tracts that have a simple Gospel message and a fun game on them to complete.
Look at the simple suggestions below and take your ministry to the streets!
- Be Hospitable - Don’t just give out candy. Give out the best candy and a tract.
- Think of the Parents - consider having cider, pumpkin bread out for parents who bring their kids around the block. Make your home inviting. Consider sitting out on the drive way to be more accessible for kids and their parents, and conversations.
- Be Encouraging - comment on the kids costumes. Practice building them up with your words.
- Party - If you are into it, throw a party for your neighborhood (block party) or join one that is already planned in your neighborhood. Contribute as appropriate.
- Learn their stories - If you are out trick or treating with your kids, hang back with other parents and learn about them and their stories. Simple questions and conversations can build bridges for relationships.
- Head to the “Watering Holes” - If you don't have kids or aren't going to engage in Trick or Treating activities, consider going to the local watering hole, restaurant, or club near you. Engage with people there. Make it your goal to learn at least one person’s story, with the hope of sharing Christ with them as is appropriate. You will want to do this with others, so you don’t go it alone!
- Pay attention: Ask the Spirit to open your eyes and ears to the real needs around you - listen!
Happy Halloween, and blessings to you!
- Lori
Lori Ferguson serves as Children's Director at Navarre UMC, and has been at the church since 2015. When she's not planning or teaching, she enjoys spending time with her grandkids. Read more about Lori here.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. In the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in Susa the capital, one of my brothers, Hanani, came with certain men from Judah; and I asked them about the Jews that survived, those who had escaped the captivity, and about Jerusalem. They replied, “The survivors there in the province who escaped captivity are in great trouble and shame; the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been destroyed by fire.”
When I heard these words I sat down and wept, and mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments; let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Both I and my family have sinned. We have offended you deeply, failing to keep the commandments, the statutes, and the ordinances that you commanded your servant Moses. Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples; but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are under the farthest skies, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place at which I have chosen to establish my name.’ They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great power and your strong hand. O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man!”
At the time, I was cupbearer to the king.
-Nehemiah 1:1-11, NRSV
The Power of Vision
That question probably prompted our first encounter with vision. Our answers ranged from doctor, firefighter, pilot or whatever happened to be our current fascination at the time. For many, those first answers changed and morphed from time to time, but then something stuck and for some it started a lifelong pursuit.
Vision has been defined as a picture of a preferred future. Bill Hybels, senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church, says that vision is, “a picture of the future that produces passion.”
Can Vision Be Part of our Christian Life?
Vision is usually relegated to the sphere of businesses and organizations, but what does it mean for individual followers of Christ? Can vision have the same effect on individuals as it does for organizations?
Yes, it can! Think of an athlete striving to break a world record or will an Olympic medal. Think of a person who longs to become a physician or an attorney. That person would have to go through many years of education and training before realizing the dream. Finally, think of a sculptor working to create a beautiful figure from a large hunk of marble. All of these start with a vision of a preferred future, and that vision fills them with a passion that fuels them through the long process of realizing what was only in their mind for many years.
Every organization that does good in this world started with the vision of a single person who was willing to endure hardship and setbacks to see their vision realized.
Starts with a Need or Problem
Vision starts with a person seeing a need or a problem that will not let them go. It weighs on their hearts and minds, and they cannot get rid of it until something is done. Others are attracted to their vision because of the passion they see and the tireless work of the original person. They, too, have been captured by a burden and cannot rest until it is solved.
Sunday we will explore the power of vision in more detail with the single aim of allowing God to capture our hearts with a vison to address a need that at present maybe only we can see.
You may think, “Who am I to do anything significant for God?” You are a person filled with the Spirit of God! As far as being significant, even small things can be important for one person.
My prayer is that you will come to worship with an expectation of God giving you a vision to make a difference in the world; even if it is one person’s world.
Blessings!
-Alan
CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEK'S FAITH NOTES.
Alan Cassady serves as Senior Pastor at Navarre UMC, and has been at the church since 2011. When he's not preaching and teaching, he enjoys sci-fi movies and FSU Football. Read more about Alan here.
Everyday Habits for Married Couples
“Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’” And he said, “‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”
Matthew 19:4-6 (NLT)
Priorities
The other day, I read an article in RELEVANT Magazine called 5 Things Married Couples Should Do Every Day. God created us to live in relationship with other people, but there is one relationship that is above all others, our marriage. God calls us to put God first, our spouse second, then our relationships with our children, friends, etc. third, fourth, and fifth. (Don't put your spouse above your safety. If you are living in an abusive relationship, seek assistance now!)
I was reading another article this week in Mothering Magazine from a mom talking about how her sexual life with her husband has changed after having children. One thing stood out to me in the article. She said, “our bed is no longer just ‘ours.’” This phrase got me thinking about how many of us put our children above our marriage. Here are some ways that you can put your spouse above your other relationships.
What to Do
RELEVANT lists 5 things that every couple must do:
Connect Spiritually: This could be praying together daily, talking about what you've read in your quiet time, attending a Growth Group together, or studying the Bible together.
Communicate Meaningfully: Take time every day to talk about things that truly matter. RELEVANT suggests these questions: "What was the best part of your day today?" or "What's something I can do to help you out this week?" A friend of mine uses these questions with her husband: "What are you laughing about? What are you crying about? What are you dreaming about?"
Touch Often: Make time every day to have physical touch, whether it's cuddling on the couch watching TV or while reading or even setting up a date night and time for intimacy.
Confess and Forgive: Have a safe space to share things that need confessing and forgive often. When you start keeping up with "he did this" and "she did that" you will quickly damage your relationship.
Get Away: Make time to spend just the two of you. It could be a home date after the kids go to bed, planning a date night, or taking a weekend getaway. Make your marriage a priority.
We'd like to help you make your marriage a priority. There is a powerful marriage retreat coming up in November in Destin called A Weekend to Remember. Get away and come together. Early bird registration ends October 3rd. My husband and I have been and can personally attest to how wonderful the weekend is.
Challenge today: Find a new way to show your spouse that you love them and are thinking about them.
Blessings!
-Faith
Faith Parry serves as our Associate Pastor, and has been at the church since 2015. When she's not preaching and teaching, she enjoys documentaries and TV. Read more about Faith here.
The Workers are Few
Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”
Matthew 9:35-38, NLT
Reaping and Sowing
It's all good and well to say that we need to help harvest the fields of the unsaved, but how do we actually do that? For many of us, we hate to think of ourselves as evangelists, so I propose that we think of ourselves as missionaries in our own country. Today, we have people from different countries all around us and different religions. People who's lives are drastically different from our own, so if we apply missional principles to how we "harvest" then we will be much more effective.
Don Richardson, a Canadian missionary, traveled to a remote people group called the Sawi in Western New Guinea with his wife Carol and children. The Sawi were cannibalistic headhunters with no contact with the modern world or medical treatment.
Don and Carol learned the language and customs and Carol started to treat their medical issues. They were afraid they could never break through the culture with the Good News of Jesus, but one day they did. You can watch the full story here, but here is a short video about when their son later went back to the tribe.
Don and Carol's discovery transformed missions forever. What's important to note here is that they first had to get to know the tribe, be accepted by them, and love them. I imagine it wasn't easy. They watched them kill their own and eat them for ceremony's sake. They watched them be in constant war with the neighboring tribes. But they continued to love them and follow God's guidance.
Make a Friend, Be a Friend, Bring a Friend to Christ
Eventually, God gave them a way into the culture, and they were able to transform and entire people group. 50 years later and it still affects them. In our own community, we must make a point to become friends with those who God directs us to, loving them only because God loves them.
If that person is a different culture of religion from you, learn about him or her. Be a student of the person and don't spend every moment looking for ways to "correct" them, just love them.
This week, find someone to love as God loves in a missional way. Learn about his or her life, struggles, background, and journey. Ask God how you can be and hands and feet of Jesus to this person through the relationship. Eventually, God will give you a "peace child" moment where you can speak.
Blessings!
-Faith
Click Here for this week's Faith Notes
Faith Parry serves as our Associate Pastor, and has been at the church since 2015. When she's not preaching and teaching, she enjoys documentaries and TV. Read more about Faith here.