FAITH-Life_Magazine_OCTOBER_Final-HighRes

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Your Next Phase in <strong>Life</strong> Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1-2 Last month I spent three weeks on the topic of EMBRACING THE NEXT PHASE OF LIFE! If you missed any of these messages, we have CDs available, or you can go to our website and access them there. We talked about “passive” and “active” phases. A passive phase happens when an event takes place that is out of your control, such as a sickness, loss of a job, an accident, the death of a loved one, God calling you into a ministry, or even receiving an inheritance. An active phase is when you make a decision, good or bad, that dictates the direction your life will be taking, such as who you marry, having children, choosing a career, or moving to a new location. Either way, embracing any phase of life with the right “attitude” will determine your “altitude” or success level. How is your attitude, by the way? Then we looked at Joshua and his God-given phase to lead Israel into the promised land. No easy task, right? I mean Moses parted a sea, drew water out of a rock, and fed 2.5 million people every day for 40 years! How was Joshua supposed to follow that act? But four times God said, “Do not be afraid, neither be Embracing any phase of life with the right “attitude” will determine your “altitude” or success level discouraged, but be strong and very courageous.” Why did God say that? Because “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, get up and lead my people.” In other words, stop dwelling on the past. The Lord says, “See, I am doing a new thing.” Don’t talk about it; don’t think about it. Look ahead, not behind you. Focus on the “NOW” of your life and not on what used to be. If you enter into this new phase with a good attitude (meaning, thinking and believing the right things) it will determine your altitude (meaning, your success level.) Then we talked about writing things down on paper. This is done with prayer and passion. What are your desires and dreams? What do you want to accomplish? What has God placed in your heart to do for his glory? Always remember to set your heart and mind on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God in authority. (Colossians 3:1-2) As we seek his face and desire his will, like Nehemiah, we will achieve the victory no matter who comes against us. Like Esther, who was opposed by the wicked Haman, God will give us a plan for success! I love you, Pastor Gary. 2 Faith Fellowship | 577 Manor Blvd. | San Leandro | 94579 | 510-357-5723 | faith-fellowship.us
Should Christians Run for Office? 10 Things to Consider – Part 1 BY PASTOR RIC FRITZ, PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR CHRISTIAN CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, Printed with permission ROCHELLE’S CORNER The most effective way to bring God-honoring Christian influence into legislation and policy is to have Bible-minded Christians of high character and integrity in office. It is impossible to elect desirable people unless they are on the ballot to elect. And it is only possible to be on a ballot by running for office. We are in dire need for Bible-minded, God-honoring Christians to step up and run for office–NOW! The good news is there is still time for these people to file for office; the bad news is history shows many great leaders will not answer the call. THE LESSON OF THE THORNBUSHES Judges 9 emphasizes the importance of high-character people being willing to run for office and the consequences of settling for substandard leaders. Judges 9 takes place immediately following the death of Gideon where, true to form, the people once again rejected God and prostituted themselves before false gods. During the period of the judges, the nation of Israel was still expected to be led by God and self-governed under God’s authority. The closest thing to a governing body was the family-based Patriarchy. One of Gideon’s seventy sons, Abimelech, born of a concubine (slave), ran a successful campaign to be selected ruler over the people. As a middle son of a slave girl, Abimelech was not the qualified ruler to replace Gideon. Nevertheless, the people allowed and chose Abimelech to the position and gave him the power. Seemingly to prove his unqualified nature he immediately hired “worthless and reckless fellows, and they followed him.” He also had his other seventy brothers murdered to consolidate his power. Only 0, Gideon’s youngest son, escaped death. Jotham confronted the people as they were gathered to crown Abimelech as King with this parable. The passage in Judges 9 reads - One day the trees went out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, Be our king. But the olive tree answered, Should I give up my oil, by which both gods and humans are honored, to hold sway over the trees? Next, the trees said to the fig tree, Come and be our king. But the fig tree replied, Should I give up my fruit, so good and sweet, to hold sway over the trees? Then the trees said to the vine, Come and be our king. But the vine answered, Should I give up my wine, which cheers both gods and humans, to hold sway over the trees? <strong>Final</strong>ly, all the trees said to the thorn bush, Come and be our king. The thorn bush said to the trees, If you really want to anoint me king over you, come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, then let fire come out of the thorn bush and consume the cedars of Lebanon! Jotham tells the people, if they choose wisely, he hoped the best for them; but if the people were foolish he warned them of the consequences. The results were not surprising; within a few years Abimelech was killed, and thousands of citizens were dead as a result of immoral and weak leadership. THE PEOPLE MUST NOT SETTLE FOR LOW QUALITY LEADERS History has repeatedly demonstrated people desire good and righteous leadership but are quick to settle for any leader, regardless of character, in the absence of good leaders. In the parable, the trees, representing the people, first go to an olive tree, then to fig tree, then to a vine, and end up settling for a thorn bush as leader. They start out seeking the more qualified leaders but quickly move on to lower standards as the more desirable leaders refuse to answer the call. We can no longer settle for thorn bush leaders. We must convince and support those with a high-quality character and strong God-centered moral convictions to run for office. This does not mean we expect perfection–even olive trees periodically produce bad olives–but it does mean we no longer settle for candidates and elected officials who clearly do not possess a solid character or moral strength. 3
Page 1: Volume 2 ISSUE 10 | OCTOBER 2018
Page 5 and 6: Biblical Financial Peace BY DAVE MO
Page 7 and 8: (TRUSTING GOD, CONTINUED FROM PAGE

FAITH-Life_Magazine_OCTOBER_Final-HighRes

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?