September 23, 2012

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Sermon Handout       Things God Has Been Teaching Me - Psalm 103      9-23-12

THE LESSON  (Source Unknown)

Then Jesus took his disciples up the mountain and, gathering them around him, began to teach them, saying:

Blessed are the meek . . .

Blessed are they that mourn . . .

Blessed are the merciful . . .

Blessed are they who thirst for justice . . .

Blessed are you when you are persecuted . . .

Blessed are you who suffer . . .

Be glad and rejoice, for your reward in Heaven is great.  Remember what I am telling you.

And Simon Peter said:  “Do we have to write this down?”

And Andrew said:  “Are we supposed to know this?”

And James said: “Will we have a test on this?”

And Phillip said: “What if we don’t know it?”

And Bartholomew said: “Do we have to turn this in?”

And John said: “The other disciples didn’t have to learn this!”

And Matthew said: “When can we leave?”

And Judas said: “What does this have to do with real life?”

And the other disciples likewise.

And one of the Pharisees who was present asked to see Jesus’ lesson plan and inquired of Jesus his terminal objectives in the cognitive domain.

• From time to time it's good to look back and reflect on the lessons we've learned in our faith. 
• When I let God lead me, I discover things I never expected to find and I learn lessons that make a difference in my life.

Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; who pardons all your iniquities,

Who heals all your diseases; who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with loving kindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things,

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle. The LORD performs righteous deeds

and judgments for all who are oppressed. He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel. The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness. (Psalm 103:1-8 NASB)

Life Lesson #1 - People are placed in my life for a reason - I am placed in people's lives for a reason. 

Life Lesson #2 - Churches and Christians have remarkable power to bless AND to hurt.

Life Lesson #3  - Never wrestle with a pig - you both get dirty and the pig likes it.

He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His loving kindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust. As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, and its place acknowledges it no longer. But the loving kindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children's children, (Psalm 103:9-17 NASB)

Life Lesson #4 - You are where you are because you have been sent where you are.

Life Lesson #5 - Doing things for God is not the same thing as knowing God Intimately.

To those who keep His covenant and remember His precepts to do them. The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all. Bless the LORD, you His angels, mighty in strength, who perform His word, obeying the voice of His word! Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, you who serve Him, doing His will. Bless the LORD, all you works of His, in all places of His dominion; Bless the LORD, O my soul! (Psalm 103:18-22 NASB)

Life Lesson #6 - You are either moving toward God or moving away from God. 

Life Lesson #7 - Just because I don't understand "why" today - doesn't mean I won't understand "why" tomorrow.

“I’d Pick More Daisies” by Nadine Stair

If I had my life to live over again,

I’d dare to make more mistakes next time.

I’d relax.  I’d limber up.

I’d be sillier than I’ve been this trip.

I would take fewer things seriously.

I would take more chances,

I would eat more ice cream and less beans.

I would, perhaps, have more actual troubles but fewer imaginary ones.

You see, I’m one of those people who was sensible and sane, hour after hour, day after day.

Oh, I’ve had my moments. If I had to do it over again, I’d have more of them.

In fact, I’d try to have nothing else - just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day.

I’ve been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot-water bottle, a raincoat, and a parachute.

If I could do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.

If I had to live my life over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall.

I would go to more dances; I would ride more merry-go-rounds; I would pick more daisies.

We don’t have a chance to live this life over again.  We get one life – with chances to make adjustments along the way. 

We are each called to be disciples who make new disciples. It all begins with drawing close to Him - and learning – every day!