Changed by a Roadblock

Overcoming All Obstacles

Life is an obstacle course that we attempt to maneuver on a daily basis. Sometimes, on an hourly basis. What is an obstacle, what does this word mean?  It means something that obstructs or hinders progress. I imagine each of us has had our share of obstructions in our life; roadblocks which either stop us in our tracks and cause us to reroute our path, or take us on an entirely different journey.

While these barriers are often seen as a bad thing, an impediment to our trek, they can just as easily be a positive experience, a time for growth and discovery we would not have, had the way been clear of all difficulty.

“Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.’ (Exodus14:13)

Obstacles sometimes force us to take a detour. But, it is on these unexpected diversions we discover new scenery, beautiful people, wondrous experiences, and exciting adventure. It might take us a while to understand and open our eyes to what is around us, but the new view can be spectacular.

Consider the Egyptians. Their escape route took them through the Red Sea, literally. God gave them a miraculous escape route – through the waters of the Red Sea. This watery obstacle became the pathway to freedom.

Now think about Paul and the obstacles he faced on all his missionary journeys; one right after another. But, they always brought him out on the other side. The danger behind him, the Kingdom before him.

Finally, take a moment to reflect on some of the obstacles you have faced. Tell about the journey, the detour that changed your path forever.  Maybe you are facing a huge complication right now. Is God preparing you for a fresh new adventure?

When your voyage gets rough, or the road ahead is not clear of debris, just maybe there is a detour in your future.

Exodus 14:13-31

Do You Love Me?

READ: John 14:15-27

If you love me, keep my commands.

There’s a love language I don’t speak well. You probably don’t either. “All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” (Romans 3:12)

Jesus, we break your commands daily. We don’t love you. Do you still love us?

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:10)

Back up to 1 John 4:8, “God is love.” Think about that. God must love because God is love. What great irony, then, that love itself is unrequited!

Ever felt that pain? Ever been driven by an obsessive desire to bless someone in any way you are able only to see your efforts come to nothing? Your gifts not received; your warmth met with coldness; your love met with apathy or spite?

Multiply the pain by seven billion and you’ve got God’s relationship with this world. Big problem, but God has a big solution: He’s going to teach us how to love him by dwelling within us in the form of the Holy Spirit.

The night I put my faith in Christ, I received this Spirit. He does what Christ promised he would do. He teaches me. He reminds me. He advocates for me. He never leaves me. 

As it is written, “When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession - to the praise of his glory,” (Ephesians 1:13-14) and, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

Glory to God! By the Spirit’s presence I see a miracle at work within me. I am learning to obey Christ’s commands, and in so doing I am learning to love my God.

Widening the Table

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

The Spirit of God empowers the church to join in reaching all people. That is why our Mission Statement is: "To Be and To Make Disciples of Jesus Christ." We can't do it on our own, that isn't how it works. 

We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to reach out to all people. That is the mission we have been intentionally preaching and teaching about for the past few years.

While this has always been our mission, it is Jesus' mission for us too. Just look at scripture and you realize it is our calling, our duty as disciples to reach out and widen our horizons. People used to speak of the priesthood of all believers. 

In Old Testament times, people did not approach God directly. There was a priestly intermediary. Now, since Jesus' death and resurrection, we can come directly into God's presence, as Hebrews 4:16 says.  Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. 

One in Heart and Mind

The title for our new preaching series is, Sent by The King. The topic for this week is, Meeting Real Needs. How do we recognize real needs? Once we identify a need, how do we step in? What is appropriate help, what is enabling? These are valid considerations, but do they matter?

In reading the Scripture verses for yesterday (Sunday), I was struck by one phrase in Acts 4:32. "All the believers were one in heart and mind." 

Whoa, that is powerful and what a goal to strive toward. We could rephrase this by substituting a word or two. All the family members were one in heart and mind, or all the employees were one in heart and mind. Or how about, the entire country was one in heart and mind? Can you only imagine?

30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.
31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. (Acts 8:30-31)

Philip recognized a need and stepped in to help. How did Philip arrive at that place? He listened to to Angel. “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (Acts 8:26) Philip obeyed, he followed the prompting of the Angel, and found someone who needed his help understanding some of the scriptures he was reading.

How many times have we been nudged to do something, to go a certain route, to attend an event, talk to a neighbor?  How many times have we followed the urge and discovered a special situation just waiting for us to step into. Could these urges be the Holy Spirit trying to get our attention?

During a quiet time, before starting the day, how often do we feel like we should do something. Maybe calling a family member, or send a note to a friend. Just one time, follow the prompting and see what happens. There just might be an opportunity to meet a real need, and opportunity to transform someone’s life. At the very least we might bring a smile to someone who truly needed one.

Acts 8:26-40