Lucky 7's? - Sept. 1, 2011
Money is a hot button topic. Everybody talks about it everywhere, but if you talk about it at church you're a shyster! The little kids ask for it, the "public" schools ask for it, the government demands it so they can waste it, the poor beg for it, the bank will take it, and you can put it in a boot on some weekends. But it has become quite taboo in some religious circles, which is unfortunate because money is important. As they say - it makes the world go round.
There is an old song (Money Honey) "You know the Landlord ring my front doorbell, I let it ring for a long, long spell, I went to the window, I peeked through the blind, and asked him to tell me what was on his mind, he said. 'Money Honey, if you want to get along with me!"
Honey, if you want to get along in life, money is very important! And even though the world has made it taboo to talk about in church - we still need too! If something is so important as to drive so much of what we do every day (and money does just that) then shouldn't we talk about what God says about it? Shouldn't we follow his prescribed plan and purpose for it?
I think you know the answer is yes! Why fumble around life with an ungodly view and an ungodly use of our finances? We should not and cannot if we plan on being successful in the kingdom. The Bible is very clear - we are to have one master, and that master is the one you serve! Matthew 6:24 ""No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."
I say we serve God and let him handle the rest - Matthew 6:33 "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." That is His promise to us. Our money can be put in its rightful place and be a blessing to us, to our family, and to the kingdom when we understand where the real answers are in regards to finances - God himself!
Some say that the number 7 is a lucky number, although I am not aware of any such truth. However, I do know in scripture the number 7 represents completion, perfection and God Himself! I will put all my trust in the perfect one - the one who has all that I need!
Philippians 4:19 "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
On A Roll
--Pastor Aaron Franz
HOT, HOT,HOT! - Aug. 1, 2011
HOT, HOT,HOT!As I write this newsletter the heat index is around 105 degrees! That my friend is Hot, Hot, Hot! As sweat drips down our foreheads for doing nothing more than looking out the window, most of us can say with a hearty AMEN that we do not like the heat. The heat can be overwhelming; it can be exhausting; it can be downright dangerous, and we can see little value in it!
The problem with most things of value is that they must be experienced before they can be appreciated! Let's be honest, we seldom set out to gain things of value in the proper sense. My grandfather used to tell us that when we cut firewood in the heat of summer we "got the heat out of it twice!" It was true and the value was doubled, I just did not care much for that particular method of procurement! That can probably be said for most things that will benefit us. In all seriousness, I do not see the real benefit of this unrelenting heat wave across the United States of America, and would prefer a much more appealing climate. However, when it comes to the things of God, we must look to times of utter "Hotness" as times of growth and stretching for the purpose of adding value and maturity to our lives.
Shad, Mesh, and Abnego did not desire the Heat of a fiery furnace burning 7 times hotter than normal, however, the value of trusting God without question brought great reward. The reward for the hot, hot, hot time in Babylon was instant for them when they came back from their firewalk with Jesus. It has also brought value over and over again to those of us who have been challenged by their unyielding faith in the God of the Universe. Those boys stood before the most ruthless ruler the world had ever seen and boldly declared - ".we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn't, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up." (Daniel 3:16-18 NLT) Not only were they ready for the heat, they walked through it unscathed to declare the praises of their Great Deliverer. God has a way of turning up the heat to see what we are really made of. This is not appealing to many, but hopefully appealing to some. Letting God change the temperature in your life will also let the position of your life change.
The king did not let these three young men stay at their previous position. They were elevated - but only after the heat. "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work." 1 Corinthians 3:11-13. The heat will show what you really made of - everything else will be gone, all the outside decorations, all the cover up - all that is left is who or what you really are. Strong and faithful, weak and unstable - whatever it is will be left! Find the courage to get in the fire. (Of course, if you suspect you are not prepared for the fire, get prepared - because hotness comes to all.)
And just remember that if you go in the fire bold and believing - you will not go alone! Isaiah 43:2 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."
Keep Warm,
--Pastor Aaron Franz