Coasting - 11/19/97

Dear All,

Wow, what a last couple of weeks. Sorry for the delay on my thought of the week.

First, let me say thanks for your prayers on the tongue issue in our Student Ministries. God has been faithful and true.

Second, I want each of you to know that at different times you have been in my prayers. I pray that God will bless each one of you. Keep pressing on toward Him who loves you very much.

The thought of the week comes from a talk I had with a lady. But, let me give you some back ground why this talk was important. You see, a week ago I asked a question to our men's prayer group that meets on Thursday morning. The question was, "If for some reason our ministry ceased to exist, what would our community miss?" or "Would they even realize we stopped existing."

Well, this lady has been living in Merrill (population of 900) for about 4 years. As we began to talk she found out that I was a youth minister. I found out that she was a Christian and when her family moved to Merrill they searched for a church and found one that they liked in an another town.

Then she asked me where I was a Youth Minister at and I told her Merrill Wesleyan Church. She replied, "Where is that?" I began to tell her where it was located and she still didn't have a clue. I thought that surely she had heard about our Student Ministries and the things we have done as a Ministry. But, she still didn't know anything about us.

This wouldn't have bothered me if we lived in a huge city, if we weren't one of the biggest churches in the three neighboring towns, or if she was not a with-it type of person. It bothered me to the very core of my being that possibly there were people who didn't know that Merrill Wesleyan existed. Not that they need to come to our church or think that we are the greatest church on earth. But, not to know we existed - that bothered me.

The question that came to my mind was this - Could it be that I was in a "COASTING MODE". "THE FINE ART OF JUST GETTING BY"

You might say, "why bring up COASTING?" Good question! Could it be possible that if you are not having an impact like you should have that there could be signs or attitudes of "COASTING"?

I realized a long time ago, that you only coast in one direction... "DOWN HILL"

"The Art Of "Just Getting By" Some examples:

• 2 Chronicles 26:1-23 "King Uzziah"
  • "But after Uzziah become powerful, his pride led to his downfall" v. 16
• 2 Chronicles 32:24-33 "King Hezekiah"
  • "... God left him to be tested, and to see all that was in his heart" v.31
• Acts 4:36 - 5:4 "Ananias and Sapphira"
  • "Why have you conceived this thing in your heart...you have lied to God" v.4

IT HAS BEEN SAID, " If you could kick the person most responsible for your troubles...YOU probably wouldn't be able sit down for a week!

Remember, "Going through the motions - with out the emotions, will sooner or later lead to a demotion"

Look at these 6 "Coast-Busters" Usually these are what lead to coasting.

1. The greatest enemy of progress, Is yesterdays success. - Relying on the past to get you through the present.
2. It doesn't matter how brilliant your idea is, if you can't explain it. - Do you just throw things together.
3. Never say no to something that's impossible. - Are you doing things only God can do and trying to do it in your own human effort.
4. God Judges Pride Harshly.
5. You can impress people from a distance - but you can only influence them when they are up-close.
6. If your Ministry ceased to exist, what would your community miss?

Questions:

• Are you just trying to get by in what God has called you to do?
• Have you forgotten that it is only through God?
• Are you doing things that only God could do?

Have a great day and know that you are loved!

God is Good All The Time!
"He Must become greater, I must become Less"
John 3:30
Brad

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