At what point do you decide that you are through with trying to “control your destiny”?  Most of us have heard the phrase, “I’m going to give it over to God.”  In fact, you have probably even used this phrase to describe your course of action when faced with a problem that was beyond the scope of what you think you can handle.

The key word is action.  Jesus promised that he would not allow us to be tested beyond what we were able to handle.  However, if we are not depending on the Holy Spirit for our power we cannot expect to handle even the smallest problem in a righteous way.  When we divvy up our problems and circumstances between our flesh and the Holy Spirit we are missing out on truly living the victorious life that Jesus promised.  Action is the key.  We must change. 

Simply Humbly Obey Christ

This is a short one.  Direct and to the point.

Vices, Addictions?  What is it in your life that has shamed you.  God said in His Word, “Lay aside the sin that so easily entangles and run with perseverance the race marked out for you.”  He also promised that he would complete what He has started in you. 

Jesus saved you from yourself, sin, death, the world, the devil, etc.  He did this for a purpose.  He has a purpose for your life.  Your life has meaning, in Christ.  In order to experience the blessings and peace of God you must trust in Him and serve Him as your Lord.  Don’t let sin be a master over you. 

You have a choice.  You will choose to serve God, or you won’t.
It is that black and white.  If you choose today to serve the Lord then confess your sins and failures to Him.  He promised that He will cleanse you from it.  You can have a blank slate!!!

You are a child of the King of kings!
We are ambassadors in the service of the most powerful ruler in the universe.  What an honor!

Do I believe in my kids?  You betcha! 
When they fail (and they do), I still love them and I instruct them and help them to grow. 

Does God believe in His kids?  You betcha!  
God saved you for a purpose.  Do you know what that purpose is?  I guess its time to start figuring that out.

Everybody needs a friend, Right!.  In fact, when you first started your Myspace account you were frantically looking for “friends”.  “Anybody, will you be my friend.”  “Dude, I’m here, hook me up with some friends”.  You know the drill. (btw.  hook me up with some friends )

I am blessed to have a large family and to minister alongside a group of strong pastors.  It is in those resources that I can be the most candid and open without fear of judgement or worry that I may lay something on them that is to heavy. 

Some of you who may know the basic history of Jesus and the 12 disciples.  Well, there were actually a bunch of disciples (more that 12).  However, there were the 12 that Jesus called that stuck by Him and didn’t walk away from Him.  Of those 12 there were 3 that were the “heavy lifting” friends of Jesus: Peter, James, and John.

Matthew 26:36-38 “Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee (James and John), and began to be grieved and distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.”

My soul is grieved, to the point of death.  Talk about laying some heavy stuff on somebody.  This is Jesus – about to be offered up (naked, beaten, scurged, pierced beyond the point of recognition) on the cross of crucifiction – leaning on 3 men. 

One of those men, Peter, denied 3 times that he even knew Jesus while Jesus was being led away to be judged and sentenced to die.  We know that Jesus died on that cross, and then 3 days later He rose from the grave and is now seated in Heaven at the right hand of God (that is the power hand – but that is for another day ;o) )

Jesus went to Peter.  Peter had denied knowing Jesus 3 times, and Jesus asked Peter 3 times, “Do you love me?”  Their relationship was restored. 

How many times have you denied knowing Jesus with your lips or by your actions?  Tell Him that you love Him today.

Think of who your “heavy lifting” friends are.  When they fail you remember Peter.  Forgive them, and give them an opportunity for restoration.

Are you a “heavy lifting” friend to someone?

Peter, the disciple that I most relate to, was always nearby, timid, and afraid.  However, in his eyes he wanted so badly to rise up.  I was reminded of Paul’s statement in Romans chapter 7 about the struggle with not doing the good that he wants to do, etc. 

Jesus told his disciples that he would send the Helper (the Holy Spirit).  Remember that Peter’s denials of the Christ were pre-crucifixion.  Paul says, in Romans 7 (and I can insert my own name in there), “Wretched man that I am, who will save me from this body of death?”  He then praises Jesus because what the law was unable to do, God did through Jesus death on the cross of torture. 

Jesus was the only man in his day that could stand for the Truth in such a way b/c Jesus was the only man who had the intimate relationship God the Father and was infused with power from the precious Holy Spirit.  After the Holy Spirit came with power at Penticost, Peter, the disciple who denied Jesus, stood up before the very men who called for the crucifixion of Jesus and preached the Good News of Jesus Christ boldly.

 Praise God, because He has given us that same power.  Let the spirit live and let the flesh die.

Pastor Keith