Knocked Down But Not Knocked Out

Emmitt Smith was a running back in the NFL for 15 years, most of them with the Dallas Cowboys. In his career he ran for over 18,000 yards - that works out to over 10 miles. Considering the number of actual running plays, Emmitt Smith average 4 yards per carry. This means that each time Emmitt ran he was knocked down every 12 feet (on average). And in spite of being tackled every 12 feet, he still managed to amass over 10 miles of yardage in his career.

The apostle Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy while in prison, presumably awaiting execution. Paul had been beaten, stoned and shipwrecked, all for preaching the Gospel. Yet he writes to Timothy, in verse 7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

Paul's words and Emmitt Smith's career show us that there is a difference between being knocked down and being knocked out.

The enemy, Satan wants us to quit. He wants to knock us out of the game. Keep your eyes focused on the goal, knowing that with Christ's help, you may be knocked down, but you will not be knocked out.

Facing the Giants

In First Samuel 17:1-54 we read about David and Goliath. Now to set up the story, the people of Israel are facing off with their dreaded enemy the Philistines. The two armies are on opposite sides of a valley. Then, the Philistine army steps apart and out comes Goliath. A huge man, nearly 10 feet tall carry 200 pounds of armament - a sword, spear, shield and armor. As Goliath approaches, he taunts the army of Israel.

Enter David, the youngest of his brothers, he is carrying supplies. David does not understand why the other soldiers are just standing around. He knows that God is with him and so, decides to confront Goliath. Goliath laughs but David is not intimidated.

David loads his slingshot, takes aim and hits Goliath right between the eyes. David then takes Goliath's sword and beheads the giant. The Philistines flee with the army of Israel in pursuit.

We face our own Goliaths everyday. So what can we learn from David?

1. Facing giants is an intimidating experience - remember, Goliath towered over David.

2. Doing battle is a lonely experience. Your Goliaths are your Goliaths. They may not be gigantic to anyone else, but they are gigantic to you. The battle is for you and God to fight - together. Friends can stand with you , but you must cross the battle line yourself.

3. Trust in God - David was calm knowing that God was with him.

4. Remember your victories- when the next battle comes, you will remember how God was with you.

Thanks to Chuck Swindoll's book titled, David: A Man of Passion and Destiny.

Lessons from Nehemiah

When the Babylonians sacked Jerusalem and took many of the people captive, Nehemiah was among the captives. Nehemiah became "Cupbearer to the king" which really meant he was the king's food tester. But God gave Nehemiah another task - go back to Jerusalem and rebuild the wall.

The task was enormous - not only were the walls destroyed, but the volunteers were unskilled in repairing stone walls, Nehemiah's enemies were all around and there was no shortage of criticism.

But Nehemiah persevered - he established some guidelines. Everyone was responsible for the section of wall directly in front of them. They made sure that they help each other. To combat the enemies, the workers held their tools in one hand and there sword in the other. Finally, they focused on their goal - to rebuild the wall. Eventually the wall was completed - to which God got all the glory.

Here are some lessons we could learn from Nehemiah (From Chuck Swindell - Nehemiah: A Model of Pioneer Determination):

1. Never let life's difficulties surprise you - problems will come.

2. Be positive - remember God is in control - focus on building the wall.

3. Fight your battles in prayer.

4. Don't do this alone - a cord of three strands is not easily broken.

David's Mighty Men

In First Chronicles 12 we read of David's Mighty Men. These were warriors described as "brave warriors, ready for battle and able to handle the shield and spear." They were "able to shoot arrows or to sling stones right-handed or left-handed" and had "the faces of lions, and they were as swift as gazelles in the mountains."

Aside from these abilities, David offered this warning, "If you have come to me in peace, to help me, I am ready to have you unite with me. But if you have come to betray me to my enemies when my hands are free from violence, may the God of our fathers see it and judge you."

So, are you a Mighty Man (or woman) of God? Do you rely upon your talents and skills only? Or are you joined with God, to be used by Him? Because if you are, God is with you. However if you are duplicitous, with evil on your heart, then God will judge you accordingly.

Two Crosses

In Luke 23, we see two criminals that were crucified with Jesus. The reason there are two is to show the grace of God and to demonstrate that there is a choice to be made. Grace is an unearned gift from God - the Gift of Salvation. Now, the first choice is refusal - denying Christ - not accepting the Gift. The second choice is acceptance - reaching out and grabbing the gift.

We are all guilty of sin. We are all deserving of punishment. Some will deny their guilt while others will acknowledge their guilt. Likewise, some will accept God's Gift of Salvation and others will refuse it.

There were two criminals that day - one on His left, the other on His right. In a very real way, each one of us is one of those two criminals. We are all guilty of something, some of us acknowledge our guilt, and others deny it. Some accept the gift of salvation, others refuse it. Each of those men eventually dies on their cross and stands before God to give an account of himself – alone. However, if there were only two crosses that day, who could be reconciled with God?

With Jesus in the middle, suddenly the responses of each of the men take on a new meaning. The first man denies his guilt, the other acknowledges it. Both die, but the second man joins Jesus in paradise. Standing in judgment before God, only the second man has Jesus as his substitute. The first man stands before God alone. Consider how close salvation was to the second man yet he died in unbelief. The first man only asked that Jesus remember him.

There were three crosses on the hill that day. Each of us takes our place on either side of Christ. The one that you identify with, the one that represents your view of Christ will indicate where you will spend eternity.

Both criminals die and both will appear before God. Those that refuse the gift will stand alone. Those that accept the gift will stand with Jesus.

Which of the two criminals are you?

Checking Our Motives

Sunday's message was from John 7:53-8:11, "The Adulterous Woman" - we should check our motives before condemning someone - remember God is our ultimate judge and He looks into our hearts.

The weather held off but the ground was very wet and muddy so we worshiped inside the Community Tent. About sixteen of us were dry and warm inside the tent.

New 'Community Tent'

We have a new 'Community Tent' - complete with wood stove, propane lighting, seating for about twenty, some donated Bibles and a pulpit. Perfect for preaching in inclement weather - which based upon weather reports is scheduled for this weekend.

What is God asking you to do?

Sunday, September 20, 2009 - In Scripture, Mark shows us that we all can have a part to play in God's plan. After spending time in ministry with Paul, Mark returns to Jerusalem. Perhaps he wasn't sure of his duties, but God had another plan for Mark, writing the Gospel account that bears his name, The Gospel of Mark. What is God asking you to do?