Pastor's Weekly Musing
Hey everyone!
Jesus once talked of a stunning truth in Matthew 12, when He spoke of a spirit who left a person, only to make its way back to the same person later.
Matthew 12:44-45 Then the spirit says, 'I will return to the person I came from.' So it returns and finds its former home empty, swept, and in order. Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before.
What is Jesus talking about here? He's talking about the principle of replacement.
If there's a part of my life that I'm trying to get rid of -- a sin, a bad habit, an unforgiving posture -- I can't simply STOP doing it. That's not how stopping things works, at least not in the long run.
I remember an old coach trying to teach me to think more constructively, and he was touching on this principle when he instructed us, "Try this: don't think of a pink elephant." Immediately in my head was exactly that: a pink elephant.
Oftentimes the very thing I'm trying to stop only gets worse because I'm fixated on it, and I end up "worse off than before", just like Jesus said. I have to fill my head with something else.
Did you know that you have a choice? You are in control of your focus. Even when my focus is wandering aimlessly and I feel subject to whatever comes my way, that's still MY choice! I'm either choosing it or allowing it. Either way, it's my call.
It's like the TV remote control. Or worse, my cell phone. I can flip channels aimlessly, scroll through social media haphazardly, or browse the internet randomly. When I do, I'm allowing my focus to be affected by something or someone else -- mostly by people or things that don't have my walk with Jesus in mind.
When it comes to my spiritual life, I can choose to focus on how hard it is to stop this certain sin, or on how difficult it is to forgive, or how much I want to cave in to temptation, or blah blah blah. And then that same spirit that I've been fighting against comes back even stronger than before.
Replace it. Focus your attention, fill your mind, shift your thinking to something else. Three things to intentionally focus on:
First, think about Jesus. Hebrews 12:3 says, "Think about Jesus' example. He held on while wicked people were doing evil things to him. So do not get tired and stop trying." What gives you the power to keep on going? You think about Jesus. Keep your mind on who the Bible says He is and what He's done.
Second, think about others. "Let us think about each other and help each other to show love and do good deeds" (Hebrews 10:24). Most of the people around the world think about themselves first. So anybody who thinks more about others than they do about themselves is going to shine.
Third, think about eternity. Colossians 3:2 says, "Let heaven fill your thoughts; don't spend your time worrying about things down here." Whatever you're worried about today is probably not going to matter in five years, much less in eternity. Everything is put into perspective when you think about your life in light of eternity.
Whatever situation you're facing today, stop and think about what you're thinking about. Then choose to focus on Jesus, other people, and your home in eternity. It will take the focus off of yourself, which is how God intended for you to live. And it will transform your life!
Jesus once talked of a stunning truth in Matthew 12, when He spoke of a spirit who left a person, only to make its way back to the same person later.
Matthew 12:44-45 Then the spirit says, 'I will return to the person I came from.' So it returns and finds its former home empty, swept, and in order. Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before.
What is Jesus talking about here? He's talking about the principle of replacement.
If there's a part of my life that I'm trying to get rid of -- a sin, a bad habit, an unforgiving posture -- I can't simply STOP doing it. That's not how stopping things works, at least not in the long run.
I remember an old coach trying to teach me to think more constructively, and he was touching on this principle when he instructed us, "Try this: don't think of a pink elephant." Immediately in my head was exactly that: a pink elephant.
Oftentimes the very thing I'm trying to stop only gets worse because I'm fixated on it, and I end up "worse off than before", just like Jesus said. I have to fill my head with something else.
Did you know that you have a choice? You are in control of your focus. Even when my focus is wandering aimlessly and I feel subject to whatever comes my way, that's still MY choice! I'm either choosing it or allowing it. Either way, it's my call.
It's like the TV remote control. Or worse, my cell phone. I can flip channels aimlessly, scroll through social media haphazardly, or browse the internet randomly. When I do, I'm allowing my focus to be affected by something or someone else -- mostly by people or things that don't have my walk with Jesus in mind.
When it comes to my spiritual life, I can choose to focus on how hard it is to stop this certain sin, or on how difficult it is to forgive, or how much I want to cave in to temptation, or blah blah blah. And then that same spirit that I've been fighting against comes back even stronger than before.
Replace it. Focus your attention, fill your mind, shift your thinking to something else. Three things to intentionally focus on:
First, think about Jesus. Hebrews 12:3 says, "Think about Jesus' example. He held on while wicked people were doing evil things to him. So do not get tired and stop trying." What gives you the power to keep on going? You think about Jesus. Keep your mind on who the Bible says He is and what He's done.
Second, think about others. "Let us think about each other and help each other to show love and do good deeds" (Hebrews 10:24). Most of the people around the world think about themselves first. So anybody who thinks more about others than they do about themselves is going to shine.
Third, think about eternity. Colossians 3:2 says, "Let heaven fill your thoughts; don't spend your time worrying about things down here." Whatever you're worried about today is probably not going to matter in five years, much less in eternity. Everything is put into perspective when you think about your life in light of eternity.
Whatever situation you're facing today, stop and think about what you're thinking about. Then choose to focus on Jesus, other people, and your home in eternity. It will take the focus off of yourself, which is how God intended for you to live. And it will transform your life!
________________________________________________
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES:
Sunday, March 7: Worship Lab
Anyone interested in learning more about being a part of the Meadows worship team, join Aaron and the band this coming Sunday at 2 PM. Any one with a skill in an instrument, vocals, or the sound team is invited.
Please register HERE to let us know you'll be joining us, and to get the sheet music you'll be playing together.
Saturday, March 13: Men's Breakfast
Men of all ages are invited to join the Meadows men next Saturday at 9 AM.
While we usually hold a potluck-style meal, this time we'll pre-order a safely-bagged breakfast beforehand, and enjoy it all -- and coffee! -- out in our courtyard. Then, Pastor Ron will lead a brief word and worship in the Meadows sanctuary.
In order to help us prepare, please let us know you're coming by registering HERE. You'll get an email soon after with more details on what's to come and what to expect.
Sunday, March 14: SQUARE ONE
Interested in becoming a member? Square One is our membership conference, from 2-3:30 PM, where we lay it all out there: our doctrine, our philosophy, our strategies, our personal stories, the works. It ends with the opportunity to become a member. Click HERE to register.
Sunday, March 7: Worship Lab
Anyone interested in learning more about being a part of the Meadows worship team, join Aaron and the band this coming Sunday at 2 PM. Any one with a skill in an instrument, vocals, or the sound team is invited.
Please register HERE to let us know you'll be joining us, and to get the sheet music you'll be playing together.
Saturday, March 13: Men's Breakfast
Men of all ages are invited to join the Meadows men next Saturday at 9 AM.
While we usually hold a potluck-style meal, this time we'll pre-order a safely-bagged breakfast beforehand, and enjoy it all -- and coffee! -- out in our courtyard. Then, Pastor Ron will lead a brief word and worship in the Meadows sanctuary.
In order to help us prepare, please let us know you're coming by registering HERE. You'll get an email soon after with more details on what's to come and what to expect.
Sunday, March 14: SQUARE ONE
Interested in becoming a member? Square One is our membership conference, from 2-3:30 PM, where we lay it all out there: our doctrine, our philosophy, our strategies, our personal stories, the works. It ends with the opportunity to become a member. Click HERE to register.
________________________________________________
This Sunday, we'll continue the series Q & A: Questions Jesus Asked.
So far, we've looked at questions that Jesus was asking in order to get a response, to get people to think about what they really thought or believed. And every time, His question shook them (in a good way) as they thought of their response.
This week, we'll look closely at a time when Jesus asked a rhetorical question, one in which He wasn't looking for them to answer.
The scene is found in Mark 9, when Jesus is met by a man with a son who desperately needs healing, and His disciples have been unable to cast the spirit out. A crowd had formed, the Scribes were mocking and taunting, and Jesus was fed up with the whole thing: with everyone's attitude, with the arguing, with the unbelief. Jesus essentially asks out loud, "What am I gonna do with you people?"
One person in the middle of it all was willing to step up and be honest about the reality of his situation. And Jesus' response to him was quick and complete, and shows us the answer to His rhetorical question.
Join us this Sunday for Part 5 - How long shall I put up with you?
Click HERE to register for this Sunday, and you can click HERE to get connected to our Sunday service online.
Looking forward to seeing many of you on the walkway and the rest of you in the YouTube comments!
Pastor Ronnie
So far, we've looked at questions that Jesus was asking in order to get a response, to get people to think about what they really thought or believed. And every time, His question shook them (in a good way) as they thought of their response.
This week, we'll look closely at a time when Jesus asked a rhetorical question, one in which He wasn't looking for them to answer.
The scene is found in Mark 9, when Jesus is met by a man with a son who desperately needs healing, and His disciples have been unable to cast the spirit out. A crowd had formed, the Scribes were mocking and taunting, and Jesus was fed up with the whole thing: with everyone's attitude, with the arguing, with the unbelief. Jesus essentially asks out loud, "What am I gonna do with you people?"
One person in the middle of it all was willing to step up and be honest about the reality of his situation. And Jesus' response to him was quick and complete, and shows us the answer to His rhetorical question.
Join us this Sunday for Part 5 - How long shall I put up with you?
Click HERE to register for this Sunday, and you can click HERE to get connected to our Sunday service online.
Looking forward to seeing many of you on the walkway and the rest of you in the YouTube comments!
Pastor Ronnie
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