Power with Purpose!

Yes, summer time is here and along with it all of the things which distract us and take up our time until we find ourselves wondering, "What happened to spring?" It is so easy to find ourselves taking advantage of warm weather and paid days off in order to rest and recreate. It is also very easy to lose track of time. The next thing you know, you are fighting guilt because you let opportunities to serve slip by.

Then again, maybe you are using your time in the most efficient way you know how. There just simply isn't enough of it! We've all been there. Some of us continue to dwell there. I feel a series about time management coming on...

We completed the study of Romans 12 a couple of weeks ago. For my procrastination in releasing this report, I apologize. I think if everyone in the group would be honest, all of us have been allowing ourselves to be distracted by things, events, and circumstances. My prayer is that; while we all have to take time for personal sabbath, let that time be for what it is intended: a time for refreshment, relaxation, and refocus. Often we go off on a tangent, intending to get revived and come back strong and focused, ready to continue the effort. But what generally happens is, we lose our focus even more because relaxation doesn't take a whole lot of effort. Neither does allowing circumstances to control our lives. Maintaining strong, positive, and lasting relationships; whether it be with God or each other, does.

We have developed a new appreciation for the Word of God over the past several months. It has lit our path. We can see plainly that being a Christian is so much more than just going around telling ourselves and each other that we are Christians. We have learned first and foremost that our actions must line up with our words. Otherwise we become liars and make God out to be one as well. This is something that should frighten anyone who believes in the awesomeness and sovereignty of God to repentance.

Romans 12 is the executive summary of Christianity. It is and should be the forward reading of every new convert, and should be a thoroughly familiar chapter to all believers. Let us break it down into the sections as listed in the study guide:

Romans 12:1 - Be surrendered to God. Total surrender brings peace and contentment to you soul, no matter what your circumstances. It also gives you strength to ride out the rough times when you surrender to, and trust in our all powerful God.

Romans 12:2 - Be separate from the world system. This does not mean leave and start a monastery in the mountains. It means our way of living and dealing with the issues of life must line up with God's instruction. The world's ways are not God's ways. This separation is imperative if we are to live for God as He intends us to.

Romans 12:3-8 - Be sober in your self assessment. This is simply being realistic about where you are, being knowledgeable about where you need to be, and being humble about how to get there.

Romans 12:9-16 - Serving in love. It's a lost and dying world. There are many people in need. Not just for food, clothes, and the gospel. People need to see and experience the love of Christ as it flows through us! People are hungry for a real move of God and this is how it gets accomplished.

Romans 12:17-21 - Supernaturally responding to evil. In a nutshell, what did Christ do during his last day as a man? He didn't call in the angels to bail him out. He didn't argue his point with the leaders and governors. He didn't respond in-kind to the horrible things that were done to him. Bad things are going to happen to good people - it is a fallen world. How we respond to the evil aimed at us is vastly more important than the circumstance itself. After all, we are preparing for eternity, right?

I have enjoyed the group time that we have had in this study tremendously. Even more importantly - I have watched God move on everyone in the group and have had the privilege to see how he has helped everyone grow. His power and Spirit have manifested themselves among us in an awesome way and I believe that the strength we have gathered from these sessions is going to carry us into a promising future if, as Paul says, we hold fast to our faith.

And finally, I was asked the other day, "Why don't you do the audio blogs anymore?" The answer is simple - I haven't until now, allowed myself the time it takes to produce these. That is going to change however. I enjoy doing them and will be making it a point to plan them for the future. Please be in prayer that God will provide the resources.

If you are interested in the Romans 12 study series from Chip Ingram, please go to the Highly Suggested resources link on the right side of this page and click on Living on the Edge. Thanks to all and God Bless!