Preacher made some interesting points today...
And as always, I felt like he was directing his sermon right towards me. Isn't it funny how God has a way of doing that? It just goes to show you that His Word and wisdom are perfect for everyone, no matter what. He never goes out of style!
First I want to start off by saying our pastor went out on a real limb today. It isn't often that you'll hear a Baptist Minister starting a series leading up to the Celebration of the Day of Pentecost. In my history of good ol' Baptist churches (no offense- I love them) I haven't ever heard a preacher talk of being filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues and such. But today, that's what happened and I'll be honest, we saw some squirmin' in the congregation. In any event, it was a remarkable thing to see and hear because our pastor made no apologies. He spoke only what God called him to teach about.
So, the first little tid bit I left with today was that we are like pickles.
Whew! Talk about theologically deep! I almost couldn't keep up!
Seriously, pickles are just cucumbers soaked in vinegar right? Once they are so fully saturated and well, pickled, that's when we can name them 14-day or dill or bread and butter. Being fully immersed in vinegar for a set amount of time and what used to be a cucumber now resembles something totally different.
That's how we are as Christians. Christ sent the Holy Spirit to be our Comfortor and Guide. He dwells within us and we are to live in relationship with Him. He wants to direct every minute aspect of our life. And we can so fully immerse ourselves in Him and His will, leaving all of our junk behind, that we too become something totally different from what we once were.
Preacher prayed we all be saturated with the Holy Spirit so as to be different in the name of Jesus!
The second thing I learned today was that the most miserable person on this planet is not the lost person, but instead it is the saved person still living outside the will of God. I thought this was an interesting quote and oh so true.
It reminds me of frequent conversations with my best friend. We love Jesus with our whole hearts, yet we still fall into disobedience at times. I'll admit, it's hard for me to kick myself to the curb and let God control my mind and my emotions. The consciouness of this behavior is what is the most painful because Christ died on the cross for me and all of my hang-ups. My junk has been taken care of since before I was even a thought. We as Christians are so aware of our sins that it hurts.
Yet another reason to ask God to "pickle" you.
I'd love to hear what you learned this week at Church! Won't your share your lessons with us so that we might be reminded to walk in Truth all throughout the week?
Drop me a line!!
And as always, I felt like he was directing his sermon right towards me. Isn't it funny how God has a way of doing that? It just goes to show you that His Word and wisdom are perfect for everyone, no matter what. He never goes out of style!
First I want to start off by saying our pastor went out on a real limb today. It isn't often that you'll hear a Baptist Minister starting a series leading up to the Celebration of the Day of Pentecost. In my history of good ol' Baptist churches (no offense- I love them) I haven't ever heard a preacher talk of being filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues and such. But today, that's what happened and I'll be honest, we saw some squirmin' in the congregation. In any event, it was a remarkable thing to see and hear because our pastor made no apologies. He spoke only what God called him to teach about.
So, the first little tid bit I left with today was that we are like pickles.
Whew! Talk about theologically deep! I almost couldn't keep up!
Seriously, pickles are just cucumbers soaked in vinegar right? Once they are so fully saturated and well, pickled, that's when we can name them 14-day or dill or bread and butter. Being fully immersed in vinegar for a set amount of time and what used to be a cucumber now resembles something totally different.
That's how we are as Christians. Christ sent the Holy Spirit to be our Comfortor and Guide. He dwells within us and we are to live in relationship with Him. He wants to direct every minute aspect of our life. And we can so fully immerse ourselves in Him and His will, leaving all of our junk behind, that we too become something totally different from what we once were.
Preacher prayed we all be saturated with the Holy Spirit so as to be different in the name of Jesus!
The second thing I learned today was that the most miserable person on this planet is not the lost person, but instead it is the saved person still living outside the will of God. I thought this was an interesting quote and oh so true.
It reminds me of frequent conversations with my best friend. We love Jesus with our whole hearts, yet we still fall into disobedience at times. I'll admit, it's hard for me to kick myself to the curb and let God control my mind and my emotions. The consciouness of this behavior is what is the most painful because Christ died on the cross for me and all of my hang-ups. My junk has been taken care of since before I was even a thought. We as Christians are so aware of our sins that it hurts.
Yet another reason to ask God to "pickle" you.
I'd love to hear what you learned this week at Church! Won't your share your lessons with us so that we might be reminded to walk in Truth all throughout the week?
Drop me a line!!
2 comments:
Your posts ROCKS!
Well, What I learned at church is that obedient steps of faith through baptism is amazing. Seeing and Being apart of Allison's baptism was wonderful... God is never done with us! AND you never know how He is using you in the process of someone elses life! PRAISE THE LORD!
Also, not so much from church but conversations with my best friend ;) and God... that I love because God loved me first. I can't tell you how full of love my heart is right now for Sandra... and I spoke with her on the phone this morning... God used you, they kid's tee ball games on Saturday, a message on the machine to prepare me for the wonderful heartfelt conversation that took place this morning... I can't wait to see how God is going to move in this relationship! Thanks for your counsel...
We love pickles (and cucumbers) in our household, so I definitely appreciated your (and your pastor's, I suppose) analogy. Still in the process of getting pickled here. And I agree - the toughest is being "saved" and then still walking in some disobedience. I am SO grateful for the Holy Spirit to keep us on track. I used to be really neurotic and fearful about being able to keep myself on track. I just knew that I couldn't do it and I would fail miserably, and lived in some fear about that. But slowly, the Holy Spirit reminded me that that's HIS job and He is great at it! I have finally been able to relax and let Him do His job, and to "poke" my conscious when I need it - through dreams, experiences, sermons, etc. He shows me things I would never come up on my own, and I would preoccupy myself with what I think are "issues", when really those are just bunny trails, keeping me from what really needs attention in my life. God is so good, and I am ever thankful that He is the Author and Perfecter of my faith. I'd be so lost on my own! Your post was a good reminder of that. I need His help every day!
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