How a can opener can help us with our church. (Sharpen or discard)

In a recent small group our fearless leader started a discussion about can openers. Maybe not the most spiritual topic to talk about, but read on – there is a point to this.

Here is the opening question: If a can opener can’t open a can is it still can opener?

After much philosophical discussion, along with breaks for oreos, fig newtons, and coffee, we concluded that it was not. But what to do with it?

Our fearless leader’s 14 year old son walked by and we asked him what to do with a can opener that did not work anymore. His answer was simple yet powerful.

“If it does not work, either sharpen it or throw it out.”

Could we not apply that to the  Church. If the church is not fulfilling its God given mission of making disciples, it should either be sharpened or thrown out.

בְּרָכָה
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Heard in my small group

Some comments from my last few small group get togethers:

After meditating on Psalm 131: Sit on God’s lap, lay your head on his chest and listen to his heartbeat.

Holy discontent – never satisfied with what you are doing for God. Always wanting to do more.

Don’t miss the moment. There is mission in the moment in doing the little things for people.

God reveals Himself in little moments.

Do you live in darkness apart from God? God is willing to meet you there, at wherever point you are in your life.

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What, me worry?

³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:31-34  (NIV)

Or as Dale  Ricenella says in Now I walk on death on death row “if we take care of God’s business, He will handle our business. “  And as he stated a paragraph later he could find no where in the NT where Jesus took that statement back!

Worry here is the Greek work - Merimnaó  meaning I am anxious about, distracted. An alternate definition is to be pulled apart.

To be pulled apart raises an ugly picture full of anxiety, fear, and uncertainty that will take your mind off of God’s plan for your life.  

Here are two verses to help with the fear and anxiety:

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

בְּרָכָה
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The wise man

The wise man

What are the characteristics of a wise man according to Proverbs 12?

• Ready to accept criticism
• Ready to admit correction
• His plans are just
• Built his house on rock, strong foundation
• He cares for the needs of his animals!
• Knows how to escape from trouble
• Ready to listen to advice
• He overlooks the insult
• His testimonies are true – Trustworthy
• His speech brings healing
• Joy in his heart
• Keeps his knowledge to himself? uses wisely!
• Diligent
• Disciplined
• He is cautious in his friendship
• His ways lead to life and immortality

Ask yourself following questions, and think of any situations in which you acted in certain ways.

• How do I react to criticism? (Positive or negative)
• Do I admit mistakes and accept corrections?
• How do I plan my daily activities? (Keep it to last moment!)
• What is the basis or motivation of my actions? (Why do I do what I do?)
• Do I take counsel for important decisions?
• How do I react to insult?
• Am I trustworthy to others?
• How do I make friends?
• Am I a good administrator of my time? (Diligence and Discipline)

http://bibleseo.com/old-testament/proverbs-12-christian-wisdom/

בְּרָכָה
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Lessons from Noah's ark

• Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.
• Stay fit. someone might ask you to do something really big when you’re old.
• Don’t listen to critics. Do what has to be done.
• For safety’s sake, travel in pairs. Two heads are better than one. If you have to start over, have a friend by your side.
• Speed isn’t always an advantage. The cheetahs were on board, but so were the snails.
• When the doo-doo gets really deep, don’t sit there and complain–shovel!
• Remember that the ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic was built by professionals.
• No matter how strong the storm is when you’re with God, there’s always a rainbow waiting.
  
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Horizontal or vertical?

Horizontal or vertical?

Ever notice that the vertical piece of the cross is longer than horizontal piece? I did not think of this until one recent Sunday the worship leader spoke about horizontal and vertical relationships. Our vertical relationship with God needs to be the primary relationship in our life as opposed to the horizontal one with people.

So when you see the cross next time, remember that the vertical arm is longer because it points to our primary focus in life. If our vertical relationship is in order, then our horizontal relationships should be good also.

בְּרָכָה
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Change

Change

The church, a group of believers, is God’s ordained place for discipleship.

Disciple - one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another.

Christian discipleship is the process by which disciples grow in the Lord Jesus Christ and are equipped by the Holy Spirit, who resides in our hearts, to overcome the pressures and trials of this present life and become more and more Christlike.

God’s plan A is for the redemption of the world. There is no plan B. 

Bottom line – God is calling us to alter our lifestyles, to give up the non-essentials of our lives so we can better invest our wealth in the kingdom of God. 

KP Yohannan – Revolution in world missions

Summary Verse

Romans12:1,2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

בְּרָכָה

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