Giving Thanks in the Midst of Uncertain Circumstances
If one should give me a dish of sand and tell me there were particles of iron in it, I might look for them with my eyes and search for them with my clumsy fingers and be unable to detect them; but let me take a magnet and sweep through it and now would it draw to itself the almost invisible particles by the mere power of attraction.
The unthankful heart, like my finger in the sand, discovers no mercies, but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings, only the iron in God’s sand is gold! – Henry Ward Beecher
Your life is often like the iron buried in a plate of sand. Joy is lost in the particles of uncertainty. Buried beneath the sand is a heart of ungratefulness. However for those who have a thankful heart you are like the magnet finding every blessing in which God wishes to bestow, you find joy in the little things of life, and you realize that in the midst of the sands of uncertainty there is still hope.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Today, it is my hope and prayer that after searching God’s Word we will be able to do just that:
“Give Thanks in the Midst of Uncertain Circumstances”
We will be continuing to look at the book of Ruth as we journey through the Word, as you turn your Bibles to chapter 1. We are going to do a recap of Pastor Brandon’s last sermon on the book of Ruth chapters 1. Pastor Brandon pointed out to us the 3 different reactions we can have to unfortunate circumstances. Today, I want us to recognize the three primary categories of uncertainty that tend to affect our circumstances which in return affects how grateful we are. Even though we cannot often times control our circumstances, it is important that we understand the emotion of uncertainty so that we might better handle our circumstances. This will become clearer as we break down the passage of Ruth 1:1-7.
In Ruth 1:1-7 the Bible illustrates these three primary categories of uncertainty.
1. Uncertainty of Luxury – Economy, Finances, provision, Jobs 1:1
People could actually stay in their homelands, and depend on the Lord, or they could trust in the foreign land of Moab a society much like our own. In the midst of famine the first place we should turn is to the Lord.
2. Uncertainty of Life – Health, Sickness, Tragedy, & Death
Jms 4:13-14 Life is but a vapor. Ruth 1:3,5 Father and Husbands die. Men old and young. Death & disease is often times beyond our comprehension
3. Uncertainty of Love – Loss, Divorce, Separation
vs.5 loss of Ruth’s husband. We can assume she loved him dearly by how she expresses her love towards Naomi.
Whatever you are going through could probably be classified in one of these three categories.
We see that during Ruth’s days a famine had swept the land. Death had struck her Father-in-law & Brother-in-law. And she had lost her beloved husband as well. Up to this point her life could be characterized in these three categories, however we realize that in spite of the uncertainty we all still have much to be thankful for. Ruth could have allowed her life to drift away into the sands of uncertainty, but she chose to be grateful for the life she had, the love she shared with Naomi, and the Luxury of a morsel of grain.
In chapter 2:2-3 we see Ruth going into the grain fields after the reapers to scrape together every little morsel of left over grain so that she might be able to at least provide enough food for her and Naomi to survive. They were just scraping by. Have you ever felt like you were just scraping by? Trying to gather together ever piece of loose change around the house just to buy a jug of milk, a loaf of bread, or a gallon of gas. I remember a time early on in our marriage where we were doing everything we could to just put food on the table. It broke my heart when we had to borrow money from our 1 year old son’s piggy bank.
Simply, we need to be thankful for the jobs we have, the roofs over our heads & food on our tables.
Cherish and be thankful for the loved ones we still have in our lives.
Develop long lasting, loving relationships with your spouses and children, because life has it’s twist and turns. One moment their here, and the next their gone.
By acknowledging these categories of uncertainty we will become less consumed by our circumstances, and the things we once took for granite we will cherish and be thankful for.
I want to leave you with.
3 Practical steps to maintaining a Grateful Heart:
1. Seek God’s Will through Prayer (Matt. 7:7)
“Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you.”
2. Seek God’s Word (Ps.119:105)
“Your Word is a Lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path”
3. Seek Wise Counsel (Prov. 13:20 ESV)
“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”
Have everyone repeat:
God knows my circumstances.
God is present in my circumstances.
God has the power to guide me through my circumstances.
Closing: Remember to keep the holidays simple, and remember this holiday is a time to give thanks.
Identity – I AM
Even after we become Christians and make Jesus the Lord of our lives, we still struggle with sin, and it is that sin that makes it so hard to discover who we are, and what God has in store for us. This sin blinds us from our true Identities. Romans 8:1-14 talks about this very battle that we will continue to struggle with for the rest of our lives, the battle between the flesh (sinful nature) and the Spirit.
Romans 8:5-6, 12-13 Reads:
“5For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 12Therefore, brethren, we are debtors – not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
We struggle just trying to discover our identities, and we continue to ask ourselves… “Who am I?” We begin to start labeling ourselves “I am …” We fill in the blanks with all sorts of things, and often times we are just setting ourselves up for failure. The apostle Paul also speaks of these things in Romans 7:15 when he says: “I don’t understand the things I do. For the things I want to do I do not do, but what I hate to do I do.”
It is not easy being Christian, but it is completely worth it. In order for us to discover our identities, and who we are we must:
- Flee Irresponsibility
Flee from the sins in our lives that are setting us up for failure. Don’t put yourself in a position where you are destined to fail, like visiting a girlfriend/boyfriend when her parents are gone, surfing the Net when no one is around, and the list goes on.
- Think Spiritually
- Live Biblically
Determine in your heart right now to live a blameless life, where “your heart is fixed on Jesus and your mind centered on God’s Word.” (W.A. Criswell)
Split into small groups, and select the top 10 most relevant issues that teens are facing today that is preventing them from discovering their identities out of a list of 50 issues. Select the #1 and discuss why.
The Bonsai Tree – “Remove the Restraints”
“The Bonsai Tree – Remove the Restraints”
Ephesians 4
I was driving home last night from the deer woods, and I noticed on our church billboard “It’s not all about you.” It really got me to reflecting about this morning’s sermon.
And the truth of the matter, to sum it all up, it isn’t all about us, but it is about loving God, and loving others – as taught in the book of Matthew chapter 22 on the great commandments.
However, I want us to looker deeper into how to remove the restraints in our lives that are stunting our spiritual growth and producing this self-centered attitude that it is all about me.
I want to use a bonsai tree as our illustration for today.
By selecting a young Japanese maple tree, the Japanese will use a technique called air layering to produce Bonsai trees. Wire restraints along with technical pruning to develop these trees. Prior to restraints and pruning these trees would grow to standard heights of 50-60 feet tall or more. However, due to this technique a tree could be 100’s of years old, and only be between 6”inches and 3’feet tall.
These wire restraints – produce what you and I would call a stunt in growth. They simply hinder any further growth. Eventually they are capable of being removed, and the tree will stay at that size permanently until death.
It is this very stunt in growth that the Church and Christians are facing today.
Fortunately here at Bethel Baptist Church, I believe we are about to experience a growth spurt.
What are some signs of a growth spurt? Anyone?
Sign/ indicator of a (Spiritual) Growth Spurt – (Spiritual) Hunger.
Here at Bethel we just had a Revival, and I don’t know about you, but that simple wet my appetite. I hope that you, like I am, are hungry for more. Hungry to go deeper in my relationship with the Lord. Hungry to reach out into this community, and meet the needs of hurting people.
Unfortunately, failure to meet that need will also result in a stunt growth.
Life Experience with Kaleb and one of His Growth Spurts.
Let us read in Ephesians Chapter 4:1-6 and discover how we can remove the restraints that are stunting our growth. >>>PRAY<<<
In order to prevent our growth from being stunt, and in order to produce a growth spurt we must remove the restraints.
1. Restraint of Separation / Division
A tree that is not equally united eventually perishes. Either half of it will die, or the whole tree.
Unity MUST take place!
Each of the branches must be willing to except the nutrients and growth from the trunk, roots, and soil.
Mental Picture: Soil being God the Father | Roots = Jesus Christ | Trunk = Holy Spirit | Branches = Christians/ Church | Blossoms=produce | Produce=Spiritual Growth Spurt
Unity doesn’t just take place, however it is something that the branches produce.
It takes three things to produce Unity:
- Christ Like Attitude and Lifestyle vs.1
- Humility vs.2
- Intentionality vs.3 – endeavoring (Greek: Spoo-dad-zo – to make an effort)
A stunt in growth often times is also a result in how we think.
2. Restraint of Stubbornness or Failure to Change
A tree that fails to adapt to its climate and conditions will perish.
Society is changing all around us. We must continue to change the way we think, and minister.
“Take a stand on biblical issues, not on matters of personal preference or methods” – Crawford Loritz
It is not a matter of Theology that is at stake, but methodology.
We must change our methods, and that starts with a “Renewing of the Mind”
We must change the way we think.
We see that starting with:
Vs. 17 Ends with the mind | Vs. 18 the understanding | Vs. 18 ignorance
Vs. 20 learned | Vs. 21 taught | Vs. 23 mind
Each of these correlate to the thinking process.
Restraints from failing to renew our minds:
- Vain Thinking / Self Centeredness vs. 17
- Darkened understanding / Close minded vs.18
- Ignorant alienation / Blindness of the Heart=Pride vs.18
- Past feelings / apathy / un-forgiveness / Stuck in the past / failure to move forward vs.19
These restraints tend to always produce corruption and deceitful lust and mind frames. Vs.22
READ – Eph.2:3
Each branch will function based upon their own precepts or preferences, but in return will hinder and stunt the growth of the church or the individual as a whole.
Apostle Paul is not only speaking to the Church of Ephesus as the body as a whole, but also individually on a personal level.
The fact of the matter is:
We must Renew our minds: vs.23
- Putting away lying / Being honest in all aspects of your life vs.25
- Be Angry and Do Not Sin / Control our tempers vs.26
- Work Hard, and be generous to others vs.28
- Don’t speak corrupt words / Speak words of encouragement (Edify = to build up) vs.29
- Do not grieve the Holy Spirit / Refusal to change our old ways vs.30
3. Restraint of Strife
Strife Produces: vs.31
- Bitterness
- Wrath
- Anger
- Clamor
- Evil Speaking
- Malice / Hatred / Wickedness
- Un-forgiveness
We must love one another: vs.32
- Be kind one to another
- Be tenderhearted / compassionate
- Forgive one another
Results from Removing the Restraints vs. 15-16
Recap –
Restraints of Separation, Stubbornness, & Strife – Result in Stunt Growth
Removal of the Restraints – Result in Growth Spurt
What restraints do you have in your life?
Never Too Early – Distortion
Never Too Early – Distortion / 1 Tim. 4:12-16
Ever felt worthless, or like you had no purpose?
Ever wished you were older, or better in a certain area of your life?
Then you probably have let the distortion of this world cloud the way you look at your life and very nature. The world tells us to be all we can be, and then turns around and points it’s finger in our faces, and tells us to sit down and shut-up. It fills our minds so full of crud about how we are to be perfect. The most beautiful, most talented, most athletic, smartest, etc…
In reality that mind frame is crippling today’s youth. It instills insecurity in our lives, and leaves us helpless with a sense of failure.
>>> SUICIDE <<<
Oh, it seems like such a simple solution, but in reality it is a device of Satan with permanent consequences.
“The rate of teenage suicide in the United States remains comparatively high in the 15 to 24 age group with 3,971 suicides in 2001 and over 132,000 suicide attempts in 2002, making it the third leading cause of death for those aged 15 to 24.” – Wikipedia
These numbers are estimated to have doubled from 2002-2009. Out of the thousands of teen suicides every day, each of these consist of teenagers from all sorts of backgrounds.
Suicide is a result of distortion.
- What is emotional/spiritual distortion? 1 Tim. 4:1-2
- Is your life filled with distortion?
- What do you think some of the signs of distortion are?
- Have you bought into distortion?
- Is the distortion getting louder?
- Do you feel yourself slipping away from God, and into a life of distortion?
- What can, or are you doing about it?
There is hope. Apostle Paul wrote to young Timothy here in 1 Timothy 4 about the distortion amongst the people in Timothy’s culture.
Here are some key principles to eliminating distortion out of our lives: 1 Tim. 4:12-16
- Let no man despise your youth
- Be an example to others
- Give attention to reading God’s Word
- Do not neglect the gift that is in you.
- Give yourself entirely to these things – that your progress my be evident
- Take heed to yourself and doctrine – save both yourself and others.
You will never find peace from the distortion in your life, until you commit yourself to living a life that glorifies God, and you can start today by making that commitment, and discover that gift that is in you.
Take “Spiritual Gifts Survey” – Lifeway Christian Resources
How To Build A Grappling Dummy
In Search of the Ultimate Training/Grappling Dummy.
About 4 months ago I decided I wanted to purchase a grappling dummy that I could train with when I had no partners around. I didn’t just want any grappling dummy, I wanted one that was fully capable of taking on many different positions, as well as capable of submissions. Everything I found looked too stiff, or non-functional f
or the purposes that I desired until I came across the Submission Master. Unfortunately it was out of my price range. I would highly recommend that if you have the financial capabilities to purchase the Submission Master, however if you don’t feel free to use the following design. Be prepared this is no walk in the park project. It will take some time, energy, as well as some ingenuity and creativity.
First I started by gathering my supplies. It cost me about $80 compared to that of $500+ for one already made.
Most important: 4/0-4/0-2/0 200 amp service entrance cable / aluminum electrical cable ($30)(Lowes) (Frame) This is 3 separate cables sold together.- Condensed Foam ($20)(Wal-Mart) or use an old couch cushion to save money.
- Pool Noodles ($10) (Wal-Mart) or pipe insulation
- Canvas Painters Tarp ($10) (Lowes) – Optional, you could just leave duct tape as your final coat.
- 3-5 Rolls of Mid-Heavy Gauge Duct Tape ($20-$35) (Lowes)
- 5-10 lb Sand Bag ($5) Adds weight and makes it capable of punching.
- Odds and ends like socks, clothes, and various other materials
I already had some of these items, so that helped me to cut some cost. The only things that are a must is the Service entrance cable and duct tape. Every thing else could be supplemented.
I started by assembling my frame. I took the two 4/0 gauge cables and intertwined them to form what I call a cross body frame. The left arm and right leg are actually the same cable, and the right arm and the left leg are actually the same cable. By crossing them like so, it will help provide stability, and durability. At the ends of the cables I curled them to form the 
hands and feet. As far as measurements, I used my own body lengths plus two extra inches all around to form the frame. I am 5′10″, and the dummy is probably 6′2″-4″. I would recommend your body length plus one or no extra inches. I started from my fingers tips and measured to my chest bone, down to the tip of my opposite toes.
I then used the 2/0 gauge cable to twist around the spine to provide support, and I used the remainder of the cable sticking up to form a skull . I then covered the frame with noodles, and condensed foam. For the hands and feet I used old sparring gear, but I wish I would have just covered them in noodles and a sock. They would have been more dimensional. I added a sand bag to form the head and up
per torso. I wrapped it heavily in duct tape to provide the capabilities of handling punches. After that I just kept adding condensed foam and duct tape. I shaped him the way I thought he should look. To finish it off I used a painters canvas drop cloth for his final layer. I simply cut and glued, and used duct tape on the seems. If one was capable of doing upholstery they could probably sew the finished canvas. I used extra strength duct tape around the hips to finish him off.
The only thing I had left to do was clothe him, and name him. I used an old karate uniform, but you could use some old sweats. The dummy weighs about 50 lbs.
This dummy is great for Passing the guard training- over and over (the legs stay up!)
* Guard training – triangles, arm bars, guillotine, razor locks, sweeps… do it all!
* Knee bars…
* Leg locks…
* Heel hooks…
…from inside the guard, side mount, knee on stomach… every position.
* Turtle position
* “Start” position (sitting up on knees)
* North South position
* Mount and Side mount
* and, it’s great for striking, too!
It is fully flexible, and also capable of all of the techniques in the following video.
Final thought. This is only a proto-type, and I cannot guarantee how long it would last. If you are looking for the best quality grappling dummy without all of the hard work, get the Submission Master Grappling Dummy by CLICKING HERE. They even offer a payment plan, and satisfaction guaranteed offer.
Feel Free to Contact me if you have any questions. CONTACT
Peter Pan Syndrome “Spiritual Maturity”
Most of us probably remember the story of Peter Pan – a boy who refused to grow up. Wishing to escape the responsibilities of adulthood, Peter Pan was determined to stay eternally young and carefree in Never Never Land. There is something about living a carefree life. It offers us joys of adolescence without the responsibilities of adulthood. And those who embrace this lifestyle become like Peter Pan, caught between the man he didn’t want to become and the boy he could no longer be.
Spiritually speaking, there are many people who become children of God, but never become adults and grow to spiritual maturity. Although they may be in their 20’s or older, they remain spiritual teenagers. The Bible gives us several examples of Christian adolescents wrapped in adult bodies. *For example a man by the name of John Mark in Acts 12&13 “a man who walked away”, or Demas in 2 Timothy 4 “a man who loved the world”, or Diotrephes in 3 John “a man who wanted his way.”
Each of these men fell under 3 different Characteristics of Spiritual Adolescents.
- Instability when the going is rough. “When confrontation came John Mark ran.”
- Irresponsibility when the world is appealing. “Demas loved the things of this world over heavenly.”
- Insensitivity when the will is challenged. “Diotrephes was not open to the counsel of others. He was stubborn.”
Do you see any of these traits in your life?
- Instability – avoids any type of difficult situation
- Irresponsibility – selfish
- Insensitivity – stubborn
Facts About Spiritual Maturity
- It’s Not Automatic Hebrews 5:12-13
“You have been Christians for a long time now, and you should be teaching others, but instead … you still need someone to teach you … When a person is still living on milk, it shows he isn’t very far along in the Christian life … He’s still a baby Christian!” Invest your time and energy into becoming like Christ.
- It Is A Process 2 Pet. 3:18
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Never stop learning.
- It Takes Discipline
“Exercise thyself rather unto godliness.” 1 Tim 4:7b
“Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.”
Dedicate yourself to growing deeper in your walk with the Lord.
Many of us are like Peter Pan, caught between the person we never wanted to become, and the person we no longer can be. There is no turning back the pages of time. We can only look ahead, and continue to grow spiritually.
*Chuck Swindoll – Growing Up in God’s Family – (1985 – Insight for Living)
