Pastor's Weekly Musing
Hey everyone!
If you've ever spent any time in a dog rescue kennel, you're aware of how dogs that have been through ugly experiences -- abusive owners, lost on the streets, etc -- can have their behavior change. They're no longer a simple, sweet pooch, but can become aggressive, almost constantly on-edge and angry -- through no fault of their own! It's been burned into their brains that life is painful, no one is trustworthy, and in order to stay safe you have to fight for yourself.
Sadly, the same can be true for people, too -- people who have experienced the ugly side of humanity. Life becomes unpredictable, scary, and painful. Anyone who lives like that for too long will see their stability and outlook on life change.
Here's the thing: even those of us who HAVEN'T had horrible experiences like that can have a similar perspective. Life is hard across the board, things are unpredictable regardless of your background, and pain is inevitable. Like a pooch who's been through the worst of it, without even knowing it we can embrace a self-protective, low-grade-angry posture toward those around us.
We all know: if you don't feel loved by God, you'll struggle to show love to others. Loving people can become easy when you understand and remember the way God loves you. Like an adopted pup, we often need to be "re-trained" on how God feels about us, and how He wants us to engage in our world. Every day, you need to remind yourself what God thinks about you--not what the world thinks or what you think about yourself.
Here's a few things God thinks about you:
1- You're completely accepted.
We might spend all our lives trying to earn acceptance from our parents, peers, those we respect, those we envy, and even total strangers. But God has already settled the issue of acceptance.
2 Corinthians 5:21 says, "Christ never sinned! But God treated him as a sinner, so Christ could make us acceptable to God." (CEV)
2- You're unconditionally loved.
While our early relationships are built on a quid-pro-quo, "I'll do my part if you do your part" conditionality, God loves us with purity. He never says "I love you if..." or even "I love you because..." His love for us is not based on what we do but on who He is.
Isaiah 54:10 says, "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken." NIV
3- You're totally forgiven.
Make no mistake, ALL your sin -- past, present, and future -- was nailed to the cross with Christ. God doesn't rehearse your sin, he releases it!
Romans 8:1 says, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." NIV
4- You're extremely valuable.
Value of an item is determined by who owns it, and what somebody's willing to pay for it. You are a child of God, and Jesus paid for you with His life. That's how valuable you are to Him.
You're accepted, loved, forgiven, and valuable. Let those truths wash over you every day, and watch it change how you feel about others!
If you've ever spent any time in a dog rescue kennel, you're aware of how dogs that have been through ugly experiences -- abusive owners, lost on the streets, etc -- can have their behavior change. They're no longer a simple, sweet pooch, but can become aggressive, almost constantly on-edge and angry -- through no fault of their own! It's been burned into their brains that life is painful, no one is trustworthy, and in order to stay safe you have to fight for yourself.
Sadly, the same can be true for people, too -- people who have experienced the ugly side of humanity. Life becomes unpredictable, scary, and painful. Anyone who lives like that for too long will see their stability and outlook on life change.
Here's the thing: even those of us who HAVEN'T had horrible experiences like that can have a similar perspective. Life is hard across the board, things are unpredictable regardless of your background, and pain is inevitable. Like a pooch who's been through the worst of it, without even knowing it we can embrace a self-protective, low-grade-angry posture toward those around us.
We all know: if you don't feel loved by God, you'll struggle to show love to others. Loving people can become easy when you understand and remember the way God loves you. Like an adopted pup, we often need to be "re-trained" on how God feels about us, and how He wants us to engage in our world. Every day, you need to remind yourself what God thinks about you--not what the world thinks or what you think about yourself.
Here's a few things God thinks about you:
1- You're completely accepted.
We might spend all our lives trying to earn acceptance from our parents, peers, those we respect, those we envy, and even total strangers. But God has already settled the issue of acceptance.
2 Corinthians 5:21 says, "Christ never sinned! But God treated him as a sinner, so Christ could make us acceptable to God." (CEV)
2- You're unconditionally loved.
While our early relationships are built on a quid-pro-quo, "I'll do my part if you do your part" conditionality, God loves us with purity. He never says "I love you if..." or even "I love you because..." His love for us is not based on what we do but on who He is.
Isaiah 54:10 says, "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken." NIV
3- You're totally forgiven.
Make no mistake, ALL your sin -- past, present, and future -- was nailed to the cross with Christ. God doesn't rehearse your sin, he releases it!
Romans 8:1 says, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." NIV
4- You're extremely valuable.
Value of an item is determined by who owns it, and what somebody's willing to pay for it. You are a child of God, and Jesus paid for you with His life. That's how valuable you are to Him.
You're accepted, loved, forgiven, and valuable. Let those truths wash over you every day, and watch it change how you feel about others!
__________________________________________________
UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES:
Saturday, February 12: Men's Breakfast
Join my dad, Pastor Ron, and the Men's Ministry for a time of food, fellowship, worship, and the Word, brought this month by the legendary Alan Ray. Men of all ages are invited! Starts at 9 AM.
Thursday, February 24: Theology Classes re-launch!
Pastor Robyn will be offering our Theology Classes this year! If you haven't taken any of Robyn's classes, you're missing out. Each 6-week class gives a deep understanding of the truths of the Bible in an easily accessible way.
This month starts with the Theology 1 - The Doctrine of God, Jesus, Humanity, and Sin. Believe me, it's worth your time and effort. Click HERE for more info and to register.
Tuesday, March 1: Ladies Connect begins
Join the Meadows Ladies for a Launch Party, as they begin a 8-week study together. This session is geared toward learning about and creating lifelong friendships and a God-centered community that will encourage us, challenge us, and grow us.
We'll have our normal Tuesday morning gathering, at 10 AM, and for the first time ever, we'll be offering a Tuesday evening gathering as well, starting at 6:30 PM on March 1!
Ladies Connect meetings in the morning AND evening, your choice! How awesome is that? Click HERE to register and get more info.
Saturday, February 12: Men's Breakfast
Join my dad, Pastor Ron, and the Men's Ministry for a time of food, fellowship, worship, and the Word, brought this month by the legendary Alan Ray. Men of all ages are invited! Starts at 9 AM.
Thursday, February 24: Theology Classes re-launch!
Pastor Robyn will be offering our Theology Classes this year! If you haven't taken any of Robyn's classes, you're missing out. Each 6-week class gives a deep understanding of the truths of the Bible in an easily accessible way.
This month starts with the Theology 1 - The Doctrine of God, Jesus, Humanity, and Sin. Believe me, it's worth your time and effort. Click HERE for more info and to register.
Tuesday, March 1: Ladies Connect begins
Join the Meadows Ladies for a Launch Party, as they begin a 8-week study together. This session is geared toward learning about and creating lifelong friendships and a God-centered community that will encourage us, challenge us, and grow us.
We'll have our normal Tuesday morning gathering, at 10 AM, and for the first time ever, we'll be offering a Tuesday evening gathering as well, starting at 6:30 PM on March 1!
Ladies Connect meetings in the morning AND evening, your choice! How awesome is that? Click HERE to register and get more info.
__________________________________________________
This Sunday, we'll start a new series: The Heart of Christ.
We know of what Jesus has done for us, that's clear. The New Testament is filled with all He accomplished and performed and secured. But do we have any insight to how he felt about it all? I mean, we've all DONE good things while FEELING annoyed about it all. Is that Jesus? Do we know at all?
Good news: we do! In this series, we'll look closely at Gospel passages that give us special insight into what was happening inside Christ, in His heart. Every week, we'll see a different way He reveals just how He feels about us all.
Join us this Sunday for Part 1 - Gentle and Lowly.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the walkway!
Pastor Ronnie
We know of what Jesus has done for us, that's clear. The New Testament is filled with all He accomplished and performed and secured. But do we have any insight to how he felt about it all? I mean, we've all DONE good things while FEELING annoyed about it all. Is that Jesus? Do we know at all?
Good news: we do! In this series, we'll look closely at Gospel passages that give us special insight into what was happening inside Christ, in His heart. Every week, we'll see a different way He reveals just how He feels about us all.
Join us this Sunday for Part 1 - Gentle and Lowly.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the walkway!
Pastor Ronnie
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