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Articles
Words from Wayne
Well, here it is the end of January and another year is going to fly by. It seems that the years are going by much faster as we get older. We seem to put our priorities in a different position as we grow older. We also think more of the hereafter and we sonder if we are going to measure up to what God is holding us accountable to accomplish. In Acts 1:8, God tells his disciples that when the Holy Spirit comes upon them, they will be witnesses first in Jerusalem, then in Judea and Samaria, and then to the uttermost part of the earth. Paul was the apostle God chose to carry the gospel to the gentile nations. If God could change a life such as Saul of Tarsus and use him to carry the gospel to the ends of the known world, he can do the same with whomever he chooses. We, as Christians, are chosen to be the instrument God uses to carry out His great commission. I recently visited the Philippine Island and witnessed what God is doing, not only in the Philippines, but around the world. I was impressed with how much the Filipino’s love and want to serve God. I was given the opportunity to travel to be a part of the wedding party of two members of our church and was able to visit an orphanage and the Aparri Bible Seminary. In Matthew 28: 19-20 Jesus tells us to go and as we go, we are to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe my commandments and he gave his promise to be with us always, even unto the ends of the earth.
I was totally impressed with the family unit in the Philippines. How they love and care for one another. It reminded me of the way family life was here in the states when I was growing up. As Christians, we are apart of the family of God and we should care for one another as God cares for us. After all, He is our Father and the head of the family. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us that if we trust in God completely and lean not to our own understanding that He will direct our path. We, unfortunately, try and direct our own path and usually run into trouble when we do. The trouble with our nation as a whole is that we have lost the fear of the Lord in our lives. Ecclesiastes 12:13 says “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man”. I pray that you haven’t lost the fear of the Lord in your life. Trust Him with your life and He will make your paths straight. May the Lord bless each and every one of you as we serve him together here at Santee Christian Church.
Pastor Wayne Dabney
Wow … It seems like only yesterday we were preparing for Christmas; and now, mid-way through January 2012, Christmas and New Year’s are quickly fading into “distant” memories. Time moves on without our help and with no thought of slowing down for us. There just never seems to be enough time to get everything done we’ve planned, even with the latest technological gizmo to control organize our lives.
Why is that? Did God fail to make a day long enough for all the things we need to do? No, it’s more likely that we’re trying to do more than we should. I’m not suggesting that time wouldn’t ever be a problem in a perfect world, but I have to believe that God provided sufficient time for us to do most of what needs to be done. The issue isn’t time; rather, it’s our priorities.
Do we set our priorities according to Kingdom principles, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit? If not, then we may be setting them according to the world’s system. And who controls the world but Satan? Jesus tells His followers to “Seek first [God’s] Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33) And He gives this Kingdom principle right in the midst of telling the crowd that they need not worry about what they will eat or drink or wear, because our heavenly Father knows we need them. He will provide. In fact, He says to them in Matthew 6:32 that, “the pagans run after all these things.” It’s an easy trap to fall into, to run after the things we need, just like those whose faith is misplaced. But it’s not the way those of us who belong to the one true God are to live.
Seek first the Kingdom of God. If God’s Kingdom is second or third – or hard to find – on our “to do” lists, then our priorities are out of whack. By seeking first God’s Kingdom and His righteousness, we learn to recognize that many of those things we “have” to get done really aren’t that important in the Kingdom scheme of things. To be a bit silly, if Jesus were to return today, He wouldn’t tell you, “Sorry, but you need to get that workout in before I can take you home to be with me.” Yet, we sometimes act as if that were the case. Listen to the words of Psalm 127:1-2:
1Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. 2In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat – for he grants sleep to those he loves.
And where does the Holy Spirit come into play? The Holy Spirit works in ways that can be hard to express, but He will correct us and direct us if we’re seeking first the Kingdom of God. Read about Paul’s experience in Acts 16:6-7. The Holy Spirit wouldn’t let him preach the word in the province of Asia! Even when our desires and actions are intended for the service of God, He might say, “No.” He may have had other reasons for stopping Paul from preaching, but He often wants us to stop and rest – “He grants sleep to those he loves.”
Seeking first the Kingdom of God is about trusting God to be God, and allowing Him to prioritize our lives. Before things get out of hand – or if you’re already too busy – stop and ask God to take control of your life.
Come join the Young Adults on Wednesday evenings, 6:30 -8:30, where we discuss difficult issues like this one … as iron sharpens iron. Don’t let the name of our group fool you … all ages are welcome to join us!
My website is http://www.FortheLoveofTruth.net/ - John Davenport
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