stay true to God

There’s nothing more exciting than a new season of life.  There is nothing filled with more fear, or potential fear, than a new season of life.  Yet a life without challenges, without risks, or without adventure is not much of a life at all.

My most recent book that I am beginning to read makes the observation that “if your dream doesn’t scare you, it’s too small.”  That is from Mark Batterson.  Listen.  It was Batterson’s In A Pit With A Lion On a Snowy Day that began with us a journey we now know as The Community Fellowship.  I look out across this place today, I recall who is serving at the speedway today, I let rattle through my mind the events of the last month or so and there it is.

Staying true has a lot to do with remembering what God has done and often getting back on coarse because you are going to trust God.  Nothing is going to keep you from following His past.  No one can keep you tied down so that you will live meaningless.

Let me remind you of the Lion Chaser’s Manifesto that we read 10 years ago, 5 years ago and will begin to look at again through the next 10 weeks at The Community Fellowship:

Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Run to the roar. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-given passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Stop pointing out problems. Become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past. Start creating the future. Face your fears. Fight for your dreams. Grab opportunity by the mane and don’t let go! Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze new trails. Live for the applause of nail-scarred hands. Don’t let what’s wrong with you keep you from worshiping what’s right with God. Dare to fail. Dare to be different. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away. Chase the lion.

What is your dream?  I am not asking about your desire to win the lottery or get rich quick.  I am asking about what fuels your passion.  What keeps you going or gets you going or makes your heart pound faster?

Have you noticed that the older you get or the closer to God that you get that often the things that fuel your passion are things that matter more.  It is about people.  It is about making your life count or about leaving a mark on the world.  It is about making sure that the glory is all for God and not for you.  It is time, my friends, to let the pursuit of God take over.  Last week we talked about some of the pursuit as Paul said, “I forget what lies behind and press on to the prize that God holds on to me with.”  I want what He wants.

Paul is finishes the book of Philippians with some strong truth.  He wrote this letter to the church he helped start in Philippi.  He is writing from a prison cell and pouring out his heart.  His pursuit was for God, and everything that Paul did, that we have written in the Bible, is that he lived so that others could like.

That sounds like our men’s Bible study mantra of “so others may live”.  For our lives to count most we will help others count.  Listen in to how Paul started this chapter.

Philippians 4:1  NLT

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.

He is writing to Christian family, to people who have chosen to follow Jesus.  He loved these people.  Now he pleaded with them to stay true to God.  He went on to say that they gave him lots of joy.

Our lives ought to bring God glory and out to help others do the same.  In this last chapter of the book of Philippians Paul puts the proverbial signature at the end of the letter by sending well wishes from the people he is closest to. 

For our lives to count we will stay true to God.  We will stay tight with Him on a daily basis.

Some of the most powerful people in the world seem to be the weakest.  It is like a little old lady that can get your attention and make you do almost anything.  It is all because you respect her.  By having the right view of God we will do anything to go His direction and to please Him.

Philippians 4:8  NASB

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.