Not by Design

   Sometimes when you go to play a file from the internet, you can receive a message from your computer that says something like; "Insufficient Programming to Play the File Requested - [Press] for more info". Or you are working under the hood of your car and need a flat head screw driver, instead of getting out from under the car you reach for whatever is there and you pick up a philips head screwdriver instead... These instances are whispering to us; "It wasn't designed for this..."
   Life is that way isn't it?!  We endure pain, experience trials and hurt so badly inside but we can't put our finger on 'why?' Let me propose something to you that might possibly bring some insight but also so encouragement.
   'We were not designed for much of what we experience in life!'  Think about it; On the 6th day of creation God created man (and later He goes on to create woman - thank God!) What He creates is in perfect operating condition. No sickness, no disease, no death, no struggle, no shame, no problem! Sounds like heaven on earth huh!? That was what we were designed for - the Garden of Eden - not this mess we are in. We were designed with the ability to love God and our spouse. Designed to be married forever to the one we love. Designed such that even though we get tired, we can rest and be restored. Designed to enjoy food in moderation, to enjoy our work with God's creation and enjoy the very air we breathe. Something happened though in those early days of man's existence. Adam blamed Eve, Eve blamed the serpent, the serpent went on in his cursed ways to inflict on mankind the horrors of horrors - death!
   'Not by design' means we were never equipped or created for loss, pain or suffering. Sin entered the world and with it came death. Let's just say there's a pretty high probability rating that we will all die; but that's not what God designed is it?
   So here we are thousands of years later searching for the answer of 'why?' when wisely we should begin asking 'what now?' Even in the moments immediately following Adam and Eve's titanic choices, God had a plan to redeem what had been lost. The Bible tells us that "all of creation groans" for redemption; for the ultimate salvation God has planned for us through faith in His Son - Jesus! In this we rejoice and are glad. By faith in Jesus' redeeming work we enter into God's family and come into possession of a life and future life as God designed - faith, hope and love. In the meantime, the Holy Spirit walks with us, talks with us, empowers us, comforts us, blesses us... all in anticipation of the complete and final salvation - Praise God for His wonderful design of saving us from sin and death...

In Christ!
 

Bearded Babies

   I was checking in on a friend of mine from Nigeria through Facebook. Mustafa has worked with churches and mission organizations his entire adult life. He served as our mission team's interpreter each trip we made to Nigeria. He speaks seven - yes seven - different languages; including arabic.  His Facebook profile picture is a picture of a Nigerian baby with a long white beard from a poster entitled 'The Characteristics of Immature Christians'.
   Among the characteristics of Immature Christians are:

• Itching Ears
• Unproductive
• Unstable
• Loosed Tongue
• Carnal Behavior…

   I am not a fan of going to carnivals. The 'old school' carnivals had what were called 'freak shows'. You know - the bearded woman, man with two heads, elephant man, evil dwarf, female sword swallower… and the list goes on. I wonder aloud now, 'Do people outside church think of church (Christians mind you…) as a freak show?'  Could it be that on the marquis of our carnivalized Christian life actually reads "Come see the Bearded Baby"?

   I want to challenge you this week to listen to and consider this past Sunday's message application, Consider the 3 Critical Steps to Understanding the Mystery of Spiritual Maturity:

1. Personal Responsibility for Spiritual Growth
2. Personal Role in Kingdom Growth
3. Personal Commitment to Unity Within the Body of Christ (thru…)

• Communication
• Consideration
• Cooperation

I look forward to seeing you guys on Sunday as we explore the 'Challenges to Spiritual Maturity'. 

Pastor Paul