Broken Tools

In tonights lesson we talked about tools.  One of the main points we talked about was that how God can use people of all different types.  We were each created for a special God given purpose.  Just like a hammer was created for pounding and pulling nails, a screwdriver for turning screws, and pliers for gripping and cutting things.  God has a purpose for us.

Sometimes we may have a hard time deciding what we were designed for, either because we don't know our gifts, like the tool below.

 

Sometimes it is because we think we can do everything.

  And sometimes we are rusty, broken, or damages and think that God can never use us.

All we really need to realize is that God designed us for a purpose, even with our brokenness.  All a rusty pair of pliers needs is a little oil, or in some cases a really good soaking in oil.  The Bible refers to the Holy Spirit as oil.  We need to allow God to take us in his hands and apply his "oil" to our lives so that we can come out clean, new, and ready to be used.

The Winter Storm of 2011!!!!

Due to the poor road conditions and low temperatures we will not be having GECKOS and CREW456 tonight.  Please keep safe and warm and we will see you next week.

Becoming Best Friends with God

Since we were restored to friendship with God by the death of His Son while we were sill his enemies, we will certainly be delivered from eternal punishment by his life. – Romans 5:10

In the Garden

In Eden, Adam and Eve had the perfect relationship with God.  Exactly how God designed it and wanted it to be.  Unhindered by guilt or fear, they delighted in God, and He delighted in them.

Only a few people in the Old Testament had the privilege of friendship with God.  Moses, Abraham, David, Job, Enoch, and Noah.  Fear of God was much more common.

God wants to be your Friend

It may be hard to understand, but “He is a God who is passionate about his relationship with you.” – Exodus 34:14

Becoming a Best Friend of God

You will never grow a close relationship with God by just attending church, reading your bible every day, and praying before bed.  Friendship is built by sharing all your life experiences with him.

Point to Ponder

God wants to be my best friend.

Verse to Remember

“Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him.”
--Psalm 25:14

Question to Think About

What can I do to remind myself to think about God and talk to him more often throughout the day?

"The Heart of Worship"

The Heart of Worship is Surrender. We give ourselves to God, not out of fear or duty, but in love, “because he first loved us.”

After spending eleven chapters of the book of Romans explaining God's incredible grace to us, Poaul urges us to fully surrender our lives to God in Worship. Romans 12:1

True Worship – bringing God pleasure – happens when we give ourselves completely to God.

Three Things Block our Surrender.

1. fear – We overcome fear through trusting God and learning that he loves us. Love casts out all fear.
2. Pride – We don't like to admit that we are just creatures and not in charge of everything. The oldest temptation” “You will be like God” We desire to have complete control.
3. Confusion – We are confused in thinking that surrender is passive. God often calls surrendered people to battle for Him. It is far from passive.

The best way to live.

Everybody eventually surrenders to something or someone. If not to God, you will surrender to the opinions or expectations of others, to money, to resentment, to fear, or to your own pride, lusts, or ego.

Point to Ponder

The heart of worship is surrender.

Verse to Remember

“Surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes.”

--Romans 6:13

Question to Think About

What area of my life am I holding back from God?

The Hug Poem

Tonight in the CREW 456 room we had something a little different.  After our normal worship service I performed Bradley Hathaway's "The Hug Poem" and we followed it with a time of prayer in three groups.  At the end of the night we prayed for Blake as a group.  I found the night to be filled with touches from God.  I hope the kids got as much out of it as the staff did.

What Makes God Smile

The smile of God is the main goal of your life.

• Ephesians 5:10

So how do we find out. By the example of Noah:

• Genesis 6:8 – Noah was a pleasure to the Lord
• Genesis 6:9 – Noah loved God.

When we love him supremely

“God made you to love you, and he longs for you to love him back.”

• Hosea 6:6 – God wants a relationship over sacrifices.
• Matthew 22:37-38 – Love God with all your heart.

When we trust him completely – FAITH

“Trusting God completely means having faith that he knows what is est for your life.”

• Hebrews 11:7 – Noah acted in faith.
• Genesis 2:5-6 – Noah never saw rain before the flood.
• Psalm 147:11 – God takes pleasure in those who honor him.
• Hebrews 11:6 – We cannot please God without faith.

When we obey him with our whole heart.

“Every parent knows that delayed obedience is really disobedience.”

“Instant obedience will teach you more about God than a lifetime of Bible discussion”

“Wholehearted Obedience is done joyfully, with enthusiasm.”

• Genesis 6:22 – Noah did everything exactly as God commanded.
• Psalm 100:2 – obey Gladly
• Psalm 119:33 – David has the same attitude.
• James 2:24 – We please God by what we do,
• John 14:15 – If we love him we obey him.

When we praise and thank him continually.

“Worship works both ways. We enjoy what God has bdon for us, and when we express that enjoyment to God, it brings him joy – but it also increases our joy.”

• Genesis 8:20 – Noah offered a sacrifice of praise.
• Hebrews 13:15 – the sacrifice of praise
• Psalm 116:17 – the sacrifice of thanksgiving
• Psalm 69:30-31 – David praised God in Song
• Psalm 68:3 – The righteous are Glad and rejoice.

When we use our abilities.

“Every human activity, except sin, can be done for God's pleasure if you do it with an attitude of praise.”

“God especially enjoys watching you use your talents.”

• Genesis 9:1-3 – Be yourself, do what God designed you for.
• Psalm 37:23 – He delights in every detail of your life.
• Psalm 33:15 – He shaped us each, and now watches everything we do.
• Isaish 45:9 – Don't ask why?
• 1 Timothy 6:17 – God gives us everything to enjoy.
• Psalm 103:14 – He knows what to expect from us.
• 2 Corinthians 5:9 – Paul's goal was to please God
• Psalm 14:2 – God is looking for us to please him.

Point to Ponder

God smiles when I trust Him.

Verse to Remember

“The Lord is pleased with those who worship him and trust in his love.” – Psalm 147:11

Question to Think About

Since God knows what is best, in what areas of my life do I need to trust him most?

Something To Think About . . .

THE SITUATION 

In Washington , DC , at a Metro Station, on a cold January morning in 2007, this man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes.

During that time, approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

After about 3 minutes, a middle-aged man noticed that there was a musician playing.

He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds, and then he hurried on to meet his schedule.


About 4 minutes later:
The violinist received his first dollar.  A woman threw money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

 
At 6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.


At 10 minutes:
A 3-year old boy stopped, but his mother tugged him along hurriedly.

The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head the whole time.

This action was repeated by several other children, but every parent - without exception - forced their children to move on quickly.


At 45 minutes:
The musician played continuously.  Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while.

About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace.  The man collected a total of $32.

After 1 hour:

He finished playing and silence took over.  No one noticed and no one applauded.  There was no recognition at all.

 No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world.

He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars.

Two days before, Joshua Bell sold-out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100 each to sit and listen to him play the same music.


This is a true story.  Joshua Bell, playing incognito in the D.C. Metro Station, was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities. 

This experiment raised several questions:

      *In a common-place environment, at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?

      *If so, do we stop to appreciate it?

      *Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?


One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world,

playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made.

How many other things are we missing as we rush through life?