Monday, January 08, 2007
Stop and Consider
New Years is one of those times of reflection; reflection over yesterday; contemplation of tomorrow; a time to think about God and His plan for your life. 2007 is a jumping-off place; a new start a fresh beginning. We’ll never have these days again
Tonight, I want us to spend just a few moments in contemplation. I don’t know about you, but 2006 has run by for me, and we’re all still running, just like usual But there comes a time when you have to STOP and CONSIDER; and STOP in ORDER to CONSIDER; a time for reflection a time for examining ourselves. Tonight, read with me in the book of Job, this one verse:
Job 37:14
14 "Listen to this, Job;
stop and consider God's wonders.
Stop – because sometimes what we are doing prevents us from being in the posture God needs us to be in.
“…stop and consider God's wonders”
Job was so busy in his own problems, that He couldn’t see God. God was demanding his attention. There are those moments when you just have to take a breather, and STOP. “My life is falling apart, but I’m going to stop. My world isn’t on the right axis, but I’m going to stop. Things aren’t the way I need them to be, but I’m going to stop. I’ve suffered loss but I’m going to stop”
Stopping is HARD. Stopping means that you have to relinquish control. You have to give up your authority for God’s authority. You have to let Him be Lord. You have to concede that you won’t be able to figure everything out on your own. Sometimes you just have to STOP
Like those moments when you’re driving in an unfamiliar place, and you get lost you don’t know where you are and the further you drive, the worse it gets there comes that point where you have to say “I’m making bad matters worse I just need to stop and get some help outside myself.”
Friend, there are times when we have to stop and get help outside of ourselves.
Stop – because consideration can’t be made while you’re running
“…stop and consider God's wonders”
We are people that go and do; go to here… work for this… do that… accomplish this; but if we are in a pattern of BUSY-NESS then our TASK GETS OUR ATTENTION. There are times when God says “YOUR TASK CAN’T HAVE YOUR ATTENTION. I have to have your attention.”
What happens when a crisis comes? We slip into crisis mode, and we trudge forward, getting the “job” done. And we busy ourselves… God is saying “It’s not my desire that you survive your trials and tribulations by busying yourself. It’s my desire that you survive your trials and tribulations, by relying upon me.” Sometimes we have to STOP when our inclination is to work. Sometimes we have STOP when it feels foreign to us. Sometimes we have to STOP when it doesn’t feel like stopping is an appropriate response.
Stop – because there is something to see
“…stop and consider God's wonders”
The passage tonight says that God is a God of WONDERS. There’s something to stop and take a look at. You’ve heard the old saying, “Stop and smell the roses?” Sometimes you have stop and experience the goodness of God. STOP in order to experience His positive qualities. There are positive attributes to God that bear our consideration.
I’m one of those “drive-by” kind of shoppers. Jannise is one of those “STOP, GO IN, LOOK AROUND, STAY A WEEK” kind of shoppers. But there are those things that you can’t see in a quick drive-by. Some things demand that we put our vehicle in “park” get out and take a look.
Friends, the vehicles of our lives are the same thing. Sometimes we have to park, stop, get out and spend some time in consideration. The goodness of God demands our time and our detailed concern
God has so many positive qualities. They aren’t experienced at the drive-through of life. They are experienced in the banquet room. There is too much of Him to experience in a moment of prayer. He must be experienced over great amounts of time. One cannot hope to experience God, unless He can take the time to slow down even STOP
“…stop and consider God's wonders”
The wonders of God are a good reason to slow down. Consider the good things He’s done. Consider the ways He’s blessed you. Consider what things would have been like without Him. Consider that every good thing you have comes from Him anyway. Consider that if it had not been for the Lord on your side where would you be? Those considerations can’t be made in the fast lane; they must be made in the secret place of the Most High, under the shadow of the Almighty.
Stop – because God demands our attention
“Listen to this, Job…”
There are times when God will STRIVE to get your attention. LISTEN, there’s something you need to learn. LISTEN, there’s something you need to know. LISTEN, you’re missing an important point. LISTEN, you need to see this
One of my biggest irritations with my kids is when I call them, and they say, “Just a minute” or “Can I do so and so first?” I feel that as their parent… what I say, and what I want takes priority over whatever they are doing at the time. I expect them to drop what they are doing and pay attention to me.
How many times does God’s voice get ignored in the name of our busy-ness? We have a problem with OUR children for ignoring our immediate will for their lives or demands for their time. But we must understand that God wants all of OUR attention sometimes, too.
Stop – because it produces a desired result
I’m going to give you a few other scripture references for times when the word tells us to stop hold still or wait. First, if you don’t stop, you can’t see God’s deliverance as clearly.
Ex 14:13-14
13 Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."
When things are a mess when the world is against us when things aren’t working out like we’ve planned our first inclination is to FIGHT. God doesn’t want us to do that. Sometimes the best answer is just to stand still. Just hold still and see what God’s going to do. We don’t always understand why God does things the way he does them but He is still God. I love what verse 14 says…
“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."
God doesn’t need our help. God doesn’t need our help at Bethel Church of God. He doesn’t need our assistance to fix things. God’s been in the fixing business since the Garden of Eden. He doesn’t need our help. HE’LL FIGHT FOR US all we have to do is hold still. Just BE STILL
Anybody ever ask their mama “Mama, look at this little booboo in my scalp…” or “What this little lumpy thing on the back of my neck?” And you lay down in mama’s lap and she proceeds to check it out before long you get fidgety and you start fussing. “I just wanted you to look I didn’t want you to pick at it” And her reply is “HOLD STILL. I’m still working on this thing. I’m still looking at this thing. HOLD STILL. DON’T MOVE. You’ll make me hurt you if you jerk or pull away. HOLD STILL.”
Folks, LET GOD WORK ON YOU. Don’t move. HOLD STILL. You’ve asked Him to perfect in you what you need to be perfected. Sometimes that means HOLDING STILL. HOLD STILL. If you don’t stop, you won’t fully recognize the sovereignty of God, and His Lordship.
Ps 46:10
10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
One of the positive benefits of holding still is that you recognize who He is. When you hold still, you can see His majesty in action. If you don’t stop, you can’t adequately worship Him as He deserves.
Hab 2:20
20 But the LORD is in his holy temple;
let all the earth be silent before him."
God is in His house. Let HIM BE GOD. If you don’t stop your strength will never be renewed.
Isa 40:31
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
The scriptures promises us that one of the positives of STOPPING is that you get REST. Don’t we all need that from time to time? If you don’t stop Your ability to continue is hampered.
Ps 27:14
14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Psalm 27 tells us that when we WAIT He strengthens our heart. That word for heart literally means your WILL He will strengthen your WILL to continue your will to survive. If you DON’T STOP and wait on Him and allow him to bolster your will and your drive, you won’t be able to continue with as much strength.
And finally STOP so that He can exalt you at the right time
Ps 37:34
34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
He knows how to take care of his own; but sometimes He demands our attention. LISTEN. STOP AND CONSIDER the wonders of God. STOP AND CONSIDER. STOP so your busyness won’t hinder your hearing. STOP so you can make consideration. STOP because God’s got something for you to see. STOP because He’s working all these things out in you. STOP AND CONSIDER THE WONDERS OF GOD.
In this New Year at this time of valuable reflection let’s stop and consider the wonders of God.
Tonight, I want us to spend just a few moments in contemplation. I don’t know about you, but 2006 has run by for me, and we’re all still running, just like usual But there comes a time when you have to STOP and CONSIDER; and STOP in ORDER to CONSIDER; a time for reflection a time for examining ourselves. Tonight, read with me in the book of Job, this one verse:
Job 37:14
14 "Listen to this, Job;
stop and consider God's wonders.
Stop – because sometimes what we are doing prevents us from being in the posture God needs us to be in.
“…stop and consider God's wonders”
Job was so busy in his own problems, that He couldn’t see God. God was demanding his attention. There are those moments when you just have to take a breather, and STOP. “My life is falling apart, but I’m going to stop. My world isn’t on the right axis, but I’m going to stop. Things aren’t the way I need them to be, but I’m going to stop. I’ve suffered loss but I’m going to stop”
Stopping is HARD. Stopping means that you have to relinquish control. You have to give up your authority for God’s authority. You have to let Him be Lord. You have to concede that you won’t be able to figure everything out on your own. Sometimes you just have to STOP
Like those moments when you’re driving in an unfamiliar place, and you get lost you don’t know where you are and the further you drive, the worse it gets there comes that point where you have to say “I’m making bad matters worse I just need to stop and get some help outside myself.”
Friend, there are times when we have to stop and get help outside of ourselves.
Stop – because consideration can’t be made while you’re running
“…stop and consider God's wonders”
We are people that go and do; go to here… work for this… do that… accomplish this; but if we are in a pattern of BUSY-NESS then our TASK GETS OUR ATTENTION. There are times when God says “YOUR TASK CAN’T HAVE YOUR ATTENTION. I have to have your attention.”
What happens when a crisis comes? We slip into crisis mode, and we trudge forward, getting the “job” done. And we busy ourselves… God is saying “It’s not my desire that you survive your trials and tribulations by busying yourself. It’s my desire that you survive your trials and tribulations, by relying upon me.” Sometimes we have to STOP when our inclination is to work. Sometimes we have STOP when it feels foreign to us. Sometimes we have to STOP when it doesn’t feel like stopping is an appropriate response.
Stop – because there is something to see
“…stop and consider God's wonders”
The passage tonight says that God is a God of WONDERS. There’s something to stop and take a look at. You’ve heard the old saying, “Stop and smell the roses?” Sometimes you have stop and experience the goodness of God. STOP in order to experience His positive qualities. There are positive attributes to God that bear our consideration.
I’m one of those “drive-by” kind of shoppers. Jannise is one of those “STOP, GO IN, LOOK AROUND, STAY A WEEK” kind of shoppers. But there are those things that you can’t see in a quick drive-by. Some things demand that we put our vehicle in “park” get out and take a look.
Friends, the vehicles of our lives are the same thing. Sometimes we have to park, stop, get out and spend some time in consideration. The goodness of God demands our time and our detailed concern
God has so many positive qualities. They aren’t experienced at the drive-through of life. They are experienced in the banquet room. There is too much of Him to experience in a moment of prayer. He must be experienced over great amounts of time. One cannot hope to experience God, unless He can take the time to slow down even STOP
“…stop and consider God's wonders”
The wonders of God are a good reason to slow down. Consider the good things He’s done. Consider the ways He’s blessed you. Consider what things would have been like without Him. Consider that every good thing you have comes from Him anyway. Consider that if it had not been for the Lord on your side where would you be? Those considerations can’t be made in the fast lane; they must be made in the secret place of the Most High, under the shadow of the Almighty.
Stop – because God demands our attention
“Listen to this, Job…”
There are times when God will STRIVE to get your attention. LISTEN, there’s something you need to learn. LISTEN, there’s something you need to know. LISTEN, you’re missing an important point. LISTEN, you need to see this
One of my biggest irritations with my kids is when I call them, and they say, “Just a minute” or “Can I do so and so first?” I feel that as their parent… what I say, and what I want takes priority over whatever they are doing at the time. I expect them to drop what they are doing and pay attention to me.
How many times does God’s voice get ignored in the name of our busy-ness? We have a problem with OUR children for ignoring our immediate will for their lives or demands for their time. But we must understand that God wants all of OUR attention sometimes, too.
Stop – because it produces a desired result
I’m going to give you a few other scripture references for times when the word tells us to stop hold still or wait. First, if you don’t stop, you can’t see God’s deliverance as clearly.
Ex 14:13-14
13 Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."
When things are a mess when the world is against us when things aren’t working out like we’ve planned our first inclination is to FIGHT. God doesn’t want us to do that. Sometimes the best answer is just to stand still. Just hold still and see what God’s going to do. We don’t always understand why God does things the way he does them but He is still God. I love what verse 14 says…
“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."
God doesn’t need our help. God doesn’t need our help at Bethel Church of God. He doesn’t need our assistance to fix things. God’s been in the fixing business since the Garden of Eden. He doesn’t need our help. HE’LL FIGHT FOR US all we have to do is hold still. Just BE STILL
Anybody ever ask their mama “Mama, look at this little booboo in my scalp…” or “What this little lumpy thing on the back of my neck?” And you lay down in mama’s lap and she proceeds to check it out before long you get fidgety and you start fussing. “I just wanted you to look I didn’t want you to pick at it” And her reply is “HOLD STILL. I’m still working on this thing. I’m still looking at this thing. HOLD STILL. DON’T MOVE. You’ll make me hurt you if you jerk or pull away. HOLD STILL.”
Folks, LET GOD WORK ON YOU. Don’t move. HOLD STILL. You’ve asked Him to perfect in you what you need to be perfected. Sometimes that means HOLDING STILL. HOLD STILL. If you don’t stop, you won’t fully recognize the sovereignty of God, and His Lordship.
Ps 46:10
10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
One of the positive benefits of holding still is that you recognize who He is. When you hold still, you can see His majesty in action. If you don’t stop, you can’t adequately worship Him as He deserves.
Hab 2:20
20 But the LORD is in his holy temple;
let all the earth be silent before him."
God is in His house. Let HIM BE GOD. If you don’t stop your strength will never be renewed.
Isa 40:31
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
The scriptures promises us that one of the positives of STOPPING is that you get REST. Don’t we all need that from time to time? If you don’t stop Your ability to continue is hampered.
Ps 27:14
14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Psalm 27 tells us that when we WAIT He strengthens our heart. That word for heart literally means your WILL He will strengthen your WILL to continue your will to survive. If you DON’T STOP and wait on Him and allow him to bolster your will and your drive, you won’t be able to continue with as much strength.
And finally STOP so that He can exalt you at the right time
Ps 37:34
34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
He knows how to take care of his own; but sometimes He demands our attention. LISTEN. STOP AND CONSIDER the wonders of God. STOP AND CONSIDER. STOP so your busyness won’t hinder your hearing. STOP so you can make consideration. STOP because God’s got something for you to see. STOP because He’s working all these things out in you. STOP AND CONSIDER THE WONDERS OF GOD.
In this New Year at this time of valuable reflection let’s stop and consider the wonders of God.
# posted by PastorChris @ 7:06 PM 
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