Father, forgive me for always desiring clarification. Deliver me from my addiction to reassurance, asking You to say again what You have already made clear before. I see that this is an issue of trust in my heart and not some breach in Your reliability. There is something within me that fears that You might forget, that You might change your mind, that You might go in some other direction and fail to tell me. When You have spoken it is the end of a matter but something works against my confidence in that and I find myself inwardly churning at times; I suppose I am a little suspicious of You because my own personal comfort has never been Your chief aim. Maybe it is because I have disappointed so many times before in others who asked for my trust. Vulnerability has not always offered to me a handsome reward. It could be because, more than once, I have been wounded from a surprise ambush and I consequently feel the need to insulate myself from another. All I know is that it cannot please You to see me and Your other children hesitating, struggling to move forward or waiting on some signal that the way is open and safe before us. Today, Father, let us trust in what You have said and not presume upon You to restate it. Help us to act on what we do know. Help us to be vigorous in humility instead of hesitant in pride. We give glory to You today because You are the Father who has never failed and You always make known those foggy parts of your plan after we step into that fog and begin to walk. Help us not to presume upon clear vistas and uninhibited pathways, smooth waters and pristine shorelines. Help us to joyfully and confidently go forward upon what You have said, no longer addicted to being reassured. Give us ears to hear Your next commands as we move forth in Your former ones. You are worthy of our complete trust today and our hearts are open to Your power and precision. We look to You today and we wait.
“Hear and give ear; be not proud, for the Lord has spoken. Give glory to the Lord your God…” – Jeremiah 13:15-16
Great sermon sunday. I’ve been able to visit your church on 3 or 4 separate occasions..Its a pleasure to be greeted with a smile when you come thru the front doors and no hassle parking. You preach your heart out & bit surprised that you only get a few claps or few amens..people seem to be shy or not want to be heard or seen.. At times I’ve truly felt the spirit moving but others don’t seem to notice. I have to admit the lack of enthusiasm is missing.(except from you of course) While sitting there & looking around, most seemed to be paying attention; just not much movement.
While cosmetic, do you think a change of paint on walls would liven things up? Although, I didn’t notice it so much until heard younger people beside me say, felt like a funeral home inside with type of flowers sitting around & dark old paint on walls with color of pews; no wonder so many older people here & still playing all old songs no body knows; wonder why they don’t play some of the good Christian music out there that we can relate to? (Guess this is the time in which we live-sad-wonder how much sermon they heard?
WOW ! Maybe Mama Mia needs to attend several weeks in a row and pay attention herself rather than looking around to see what others are doing and saying. Our music is a variety and a Blessing if one allows it to be. When people pay attention they shouldn’t be “moving around”. Pastor Lyle preachs from his heart and
Christians should be sensitive to what the Lord says to us through our Pastor. I would think that most have not even paid that much attention to the walls or flowers. We are there to hear Gods’ Word.
Pastor Jeff you preached a good service Sunday morning and even better on Sunday night–The Holy Spirit was present !
Mercy, no truer words spoken. I will be keeping this prayer copied and pasted on my computer.
Wow, very convicting and sobering. Thank you for this.