Hitting My Pause Button “I feel somehow prevented from moving forward in life; is there a way out?” Lazarus is deathly sick, so Mary and Martha send word to the One most caring and capable. What did Jesus do when the sisters presented their pressing concern to Him? What God often seems to do in my life; nothing. And yet, He was doing something; nothing…on purpose. Before doing anything, Jesus paused, listening and looking to His Father. Just as Jesus did, hitting our personal pause button in the face of real needs means we believe something else is more real, and that Someone Else may have something He’d like to do. This intentional pause brings the life and working of God in us to the front of our life. It becomes our new delight, opening a new way to live! John 11:1-6; John 5:19; 1John 2:5-6; Romans 6:12-14  The Pursuit of Trivial Nobility “How can I get off this treadmill of dissatisfaction?” What God has made of us is far better than anything we could ever achieve in this world. The true nobility given believers through the new birth in Christ makes every other pursuit of worldly nobility trivial in comparison. We must pursue something, but if our adversary can keep us distracted by a pursuit other than seeking to know who and what we have become, we will be stuck making comparative mud bricks in Egypt! That pursuit offers nothing real except frustration and futility. The other pursuit is the path by which you will marvel at God’s grand opinion of us. This path means genuine awe and delight, revelation from the Spirit, and finally experiencing the promised new life. There is no greater sense of purpose or fulfillment than living the life for which you were singularly created. Hebrews 10:9-14; 2Corinthians 5:21; 1Peter 2:9-12 He Ain’t Heavy “Is the Holy Spirit’s biggest interest in my life just keeping me in line?” Beginning next Monday at 7:00 a.m., the Holy Spirit will take over your life for twenty four hours. He has free reign to do with you anything and everything He sees fit. What would you expect your day to be like? In our “media enriched” society, the Holy Spirit has become the sort of loose cannon of the Trinity, the “Heavy,” the One responsible for all the fireworks and conviction, making us shy and standoffish about His efforts with us. However, His 24/7 ministry is the production of righteousness in us and through us. While the ministry of the law, which rightly condemned us, brought out our failures, the ministry of the Spirit brings out His success. Offering ourselves to Him throughout the day releases His activity in us. And what’s better than that? 2Corinthians 3:6-11; 2Thessalonians 2:13-14 Friendship With Our Friend “Does God really want to get close to me?” In our desire to inspire great works for God, we have, I think, over-emphasized our servant status while neglecting our desirability as friend of God. Who of us thinks of himself as daily sought after by God for anything more than a semi-stern talking to? Anybody really believe He likes to be around you because He believes you’re His friend? “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:15 NIV, italics mine) In our day, we measure ourselves by the amount and quality of our service, but rarely by the enjoyment of our friendship with our Friend. This is really the only thing He needs to change about you, and He enjoys the work! Ephesians 1:4-8; 2Corinthians 5:14 The Plan For Life “How come I can never quite seem to figure out God’s plan for my life?” God’s greatest plan and calling for your life and mine is that we discover and know Him, reveling in what we find. That’s it! And that’s fantastic! God is perfect - perfect in love, perfect in peace, perfect in ability, perfect in grace. He is the plan! Every bit of direction or instruction we receive is subject to that most important aspect of life; there is nothing higher or better than Him. Keep knowing Him as the plan for your life, and your feet will move in accordance with His leading and grace. You’ll have a song in your heart, and you won’t be the usual grumpy egg! Philippians 3:7-11 A Resume That Catches God’s Eye “I’m always messing up. Am I disqualified?” Why is it that the Bible is so full of misfits and failures, malcontents and ne’r-do-wells, men and women who, despite their fumbling, are blessed by God? Because God chooses the weak and the foolish to shame the strong and the wise, in order to make Himself stand-out in a flawed vessel. Where would He be more obvious?! God loves to give Himself to those acutely aware of their need of life, strength, grace and ability beyond what they have and can pull off. If your experience shows your need too, if that’s what fills your resume, you’re perfectly qualified. God has His eye on you! 1Corinthians 1:26-31 Pinocchio’s Lot “Why do I still struggle to tell the truth? Why do I think a story I whip up tops the one I’m living?” To begin with, your problem isn’t your problem. You may think that lying is your problem, but that’s not your problem - believing is. And you can easily do something about that, which will invigorate you and set your life on the proper course. When the story of your life is truly better than anything you might conjure up, and when the crazy-good love of God is revealed to you, then you’ll no longer be deceived and you’ll become best friends with the truth. Plus, like Pinocchio, you’ll have real life! Ephesians 1; 1John 4:18,19 Adam Was Right “I know following sinful desire is wrong, but how come my behavior says it’s right?” Adam had life in the Garden as it should be and yet chose something else. From that first taste of rebellion, we’ve all struggled with powerful desires which lead us away from the life we want most. Following after those desires means we’re affirming Adam’s move centuries after he fell, taking us with him--now we’re all fruit eaters. However, there is a way to turn away from the life-killing desires of Adam, a way the Second Adam lived and gave us as a rich inheritance. If you’re stuck affirming Adam, there is a way to prove him wrong. Romans 5:12-21; Romans 6: 8-14; 1Corinthians 15:39-57 warming up the stone within “Why does my love for God feel cold?” Perhaps you’ve grown weary of hearing others talk about their passion for God because that kind of excitement seems so distant. Maybe you believe the fire of love in your heart has grown cold beyond rescue. It’s not at all true! God Himself lives in your heart and His specialty is the kindling of affections and passions which match His own - and nobody has more than He does! If just now you’re bothered by the lack of heat in your heart, then He has set you up for His work of grace and love. This session will get you ready! Psalm 139:13-18; Ephesians 1  Click here to return to page one.Speaking_Topics.htmlSpeaking_Topics.htmlshapeimage_3_link_0


LifeCourse Ministries  -  1508 Lark Bunting Place  -  Longmont  -  Colorado  -  80501  -  Phone: 303.772.6247  -  Email