Pastor's Weekly Musing
Hey everyone!
In the 12th century, the smartest people of the day spent a lot of time in a form of speculative thought that tried -- among other things -- to turn base metals like lead and copper into silver and gold. It's called alchemy. Scientists and philosophers of the day believed that there was an indiscernible connection between the Earth and the heavens, or what they called "the stars", and alchemists spent their lives searching for a way to harness this power, this connection.
Of course, no one figured out how to actually pull it off, since humans aren't capable of changing the molecular structure of matter. It's an interesting thought though, right? What if we could change something that seems worthless into another thing entirely, a thing that has immeasurable value? We'd look at "worthless" things differently, wouldn't we? Every item on Earth would have intrinsic value, because of its potential to be turned into something great.
Here's the thing: believers know that God does exactly this every day!
God takes the mundane and even painful parts of our lives, and through His divine ways, turns them into something beautiful in us. What the enemy meant for our demise, or our depression, or even our destruction, God turns for our good. He's the only successful alchemist!
Consider what happened to Paul the Apostle. He's planting churches all over the world, spreading the Gospel and building leaders, and right in the middle of it all, he's arrested and imprisoned. Tough break, right? It's over, or at least it seems like it is.
But not to Paul. He saw something greater at work. He knew that God -- the great alchemist -- had bigger and grander plans, even with his imprisonment.
Philippians 1:12-14 says "And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God's message without fear."
Paul refused to see his scenario through his own human lenses. He saw in real time how God was turning this around. Paul preached to high-level Roman guards that were chained to him every day, and one by one he converted them all. The Gospel transformed Rome from the inside of a prison cell! What a God!
Paul knew that God had even grander plans that he wasn't even aware of at the time. He essentially looked at his difficult and impossible situation and thought: "I wonder how God is going to turn this into gold!"
What a great way for us to look at our difficult circumstances. We know God specializes in turning ugly things into something beautiful, and that He's true to His word. Knowing this, what if I thought like Paul and said the same thing: "I wonder what beautiful thing God is making out of this?"
May that perspective shift cause us to grow in our trust and faith in Him, the only true Alchemist. He still is in the gold business!
In the 12th century, the smartest people of the day spent a lot of time in a form of speculative thought that tried -- among other things -- to turn base metals like lead and copper into silver and gold. It's called alchemy. Scientists and philosophers of the day believed that there was an indiscernible connection between the Earth and the heavens, or what they called "the stars", and alchemists spent their lives searching for a way to harness this power, this connection.
Of course, no one figured out how to actually pull it off, since humans aren't capable of changing the molecular structure of matter. It's an interesting thought though, right? What if we could change something that seems worthless into another thing entirely, a thing that has immeasurable value? We'd look at "worthless" things differently, wouldn't we? Every item on Earth would have intrinsic value, because of its potential to be turned into something great.
Here's the thing: believers know that God does exactly this every day!
God takes the mundane and even painful parts of our lives, and through His divine ways, turns them into something beautiful in us. What the enemy meant for our demise, or our depression, or even our destruction, God turns for our good. He's the only successful alchemist!
Consider what happened to Paul the Apostle. He's planting churches all over the world, spreading the Gospel and building leaders, and right in the middle of it all, he's arrested and imprisoned. Tough break, right? It's over, or at least it seems like it is.
But not to Paul. He saw something greater at work. He knew that God -- the great alchemist -- had bigger and grander plans, even with his imprisonment.
Philippians 1:12-14 says "And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God's message without fear."
Paul refused to see his scenario through his own human lenses. He saw in real time how God was turning this around. Paul preached to high-level Roman guards that were chained to him every day, and one by one he converted them all. The Gospel transformed Rome from the inside of a prison cell! What a God!
Paul knew that God had even grander plans that he wasn't even aware of at the time. He essentially looked at his difficult and impossible situation and thought: "I wonder how God is going to turn this into gold!"
What a great way for us to look at our difficult circumstances. We know God specializes in turning ugly things into something beautiful, and that He's true to His word. Knowing this, what if I thought like Paul and said the same thing: "I wonder what beautiful thing God is making out of this?"
May that perspective shift cause us to grow in our trust and faith in Him, the only true Alchemist. He still is in the gold business!
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Wasn't Family Sunday awesome? We baptized 10 people, dedicated 3 babies, and ate several hundred tacos. What a day. It's always so encouraging to see people take the leap of baptism, and to spend the morning in prayer, Communion, and community.
I love this church!
I love this church!
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UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES:
Sunday, May 1: SQUARE ONE
Interested in becoming a member? Or just want to hear a little more about Meadows and your pastors? Square One is the perfect place to start.
This conference is 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, May 1: SQUARE ONE
Interested in becoming a member? Or just want to hear a little more about Meadows and your pastors? Square One is the perfect place to start.
This conference is 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 start a news series: What is a Christian?
The word "Christian" can have a myriad of different definitions to different people, and the answer you get largely depends on who you ask. So it's good to take a step back and discuss the characteristics that unite believers, that make us followers of Jesus.
For the month of May, we'll take a close look at different attributes that define the believers identity and life. I'm praying and believing it will encourage and unite us more than ever!
Join us this Sunday for Part 1 - Beloved Child.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the walkway!
Pastor Ronnie
The word "Christian" can have a myriad of different definitions to different people, and the answer you get largely depends on who you ask. So it's good to take a step back and discuss the characteristics that unite believers, that make us followers of Jesus.
For the month of May, we'll take a close look at different attributes that define the believers identity and life. I'm praying and believing it will encourage and unite us more than ever!
Join us this Sunday for Part 1 - Beloved Child.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the walkway!
Pastor Ronnie
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