4 obstacles that come with every great opportunity

Great opportunities do not come without challenges. Often, the greater the opportunity, the greater the challenge will become. If it were always easy, people would be walking into something new all the time, and you would never hear anyone complain about never getting a break. Preparing now to meet those challenges will keep you from being surprised and give you courage to overcome each one.

Here are 4 of the biggest obstacles that come with every opportunity.

1. Sacrifice.

•If people only did the same things that have always been done, we would still be living in caves and using leaves for clothes.
•Great advancements come when someone is willing to sacrifice, because they are passionate about what was possible.
•Whether it is time, energy, money, fame, or popularity, as you set your priorities you will have to sacrifice certain things to make the most out of any great opportunity.

2. Knowledge.

•Many times the full potential of an opportunity is never realized because the people involved simply didn't know enough.
•That fact has kept many people from trying to accomplish great things.
•As you undertake any great opportunity, there will be times when you feel like you just don't know enough, but that doesn't mean that you are not the right person for the job.
•Make the choice now to study and surround yourself with wise people and you will succeed where others have failed, even if you don't always immediately know the answer. 

3. Distraction.

•There is so much going on in the world, culture, society, so many things that try to grab and keep your attention.
•If you don't choose to stay focused, you will get tripped up by one of the biggest obstacles to opportunity. 
•Those who can maintain their focus and see vision through to reality are the people who will be able to seize the opportunity and make the most of it.

4. Fear.

•The single biggest obstacle to success of any kind is fear.
•Fear will cause you to freeze and question if you really can do anything at all.
•Fear can make you say "what if" instead of "why not."
•If you allow yourself to look at opportunity through eyes of fear you will watch each opportunity pass you by and miss the great rewards of making a stand.
•God does not want you to reach out of fear; He wants you to enjoy all the blessings of moving past that obstacle and making the most out of your opportunities.

2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline."

the table

We've had a powerful series this month and tonight we'll conclude on the thought of "what are you bringing to the table?"

Romans 6:13 "Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God."

1.When Paul uses the term "instrument of evil," he uses a word that can refer to a tool or weapon.

1.Our skills, capabilities, and bodies can serve many purposes, good and bad.

1.In sin, every part of our bodies are vulnerable.

2.In Christ, every part can be an instrument for service.

1.It is the one to whom we offer our service that makes the difference.

3.Will you give yourself completely to God, asking him to put you to good use for his glory?

2.What part of your body have you not completely given to God?

1.Your mind? Choices, attitudes, wandering.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NLT) "We are human, but we don't wage war as humans do. [4] We use God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. [5] We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ."

1.Your Spirit? The true inner workings of God in you. Your emotions, character, true you. The you God knows.

1.Omnipresent-God is present everywhere all at the same time.

2.Omniscient-God knows all things.

3.Omnipotent-God's unlimited power, able to do anything.

Hebrews 12:9 (NLT) "Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn't we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?"

1.Your members?

1 Corinthians 9:27 (NLT) "I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified."

1.Discipline your mind, your spirit and your body to do what you want and need it to do for God.

2.Don't disqualify yourself by not hearing and responding to the voice of God.

3.Don't disqualify yourself by knowing what to do then refusing to make yourself do it.

4.Your body and all it's 2000 parts is a terrible thing to waste but such a powerful thing to surrender.

Proverbs 6:16-19 (NLT) "There are six things the Lord hates- no, seven things he detests: [17] haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, [18] a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, [19] a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family."

1.Haughty eyes.

1.Arrogantly superior.

2.Lying tongue.

1.Refusal to tell the truth.

3.Hands that kill the innocent.

1. Abortion, murder.

4.A heart that plots evil.

5.Feet that race to do wrong.

6.A false witness who pours out lies.

7.A person who sows discord in a family.

1.These sins are in a provoking manner to God, which are hurtful to the comfort of human life.

1.These things which God hates, we must hate in ourselves; it is nothing to hate them in others.

2.Let us reject all such practices, watch and pray against them;avoid, with marked disapproval, all who are guilty of them, whatever may be their rank.

1.When I think about what I bring to the table, what I personally offer, I want to be loyal to God, loyal to His message, loyal to His mission and not just faithful.

1.There is a huge difference between being loyal and being faithful.

2.Many people faithful to the core but disloyal to the cause.

Loyal-showing firm and constant support or allegiance to a person or institution.

Faithful-constant, reliable.

1.It could be that your current life challenge is just God giving you an opportunity to do something you've never ever done before?

1.To be a voice of God to this generation you must know who and what you are to this generation.

2.God has gifted you, open your mouth to speak for Him, open your heart to serve for Him, open your ears to the injustice in this society, and open yourself to others they desperately need the message.

Romans 12:9-10, NLT "Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other."

1.Most of us have learned how to pretend to love others--how to speak kindly, avoid hurting their feelings, and appear to take an interest in them.

2.We may even be skilled in pretending to feel moved with compassion when we hear of others' needs, or to become indignant when we learn of injustice.

1.But God calls us to real and sincere love that goes far beyond pretense and politeness.

2.Sincere love requires concentration and effort.

3.It means helping others become better people.

4.It demands our time, money, and personal involvement.

1.We are the change the world is waiting for.

2.We've got a love the world is desperate for.

1.Use my calling, use my gift to change the world!

1.Now, right now is my time I am the voice to this generation I abandon all to you God and only to you will I surrender.

2.Carry hope, let love shine and show this world that mercy is alive.

3.Whatever you are bringing to the table is what is being consumed by this generation, by this culture, by society, by your friends, your family.

1.So it's imperative that you bring your very best, your anointed, your reason and calling from God to this table.

4.The world needs your testimony of hope, your testimony of passion, your testimony of salvation, your testimony of rescue, your testimony of His Spirit's power working in you!

Acts 4:32-33 (NLT) "All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. [33] The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God's great blessing was upon them all."

1.God's great blessing was upon them all.

1.God's great favor and protection was upon them all.

2.Your love in us has given us the power to change the world.

3.Your love in us is how we change the world.

the table (what attitude are you bringing)

 

 

1.What attitude are you bringing to the table?

 

Luke 18:9-14 (NLT)

Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: [10] "Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. [11] The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: 'I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don't cheat, I don't sin, and I don't commit adultery. I'm certainly not like that tax collector! [12] I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.' [13] "But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, 'O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.' [14] I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

The attitude of the Pharisee.

•    God I belong here.

•                God I thank you that I'm so much better than the rest of the world.

•                God I'm so glad that you chose me, called me, destined me for greatness and you bypassed so many others.

Or the attitude of the despised tax collector.

•    God be merciful to me.

•    Forgive me.

•                I don't always live life right.

•                I'm not perfect.

•                There are times I am so selfish God, change me, shape my thinking, rearrange my life.

 

2. Attitude of gratitude or an attitude of entitlement?

•    People live in a attitude of entitlement rather than gratitude.

•                Entitlement says you owe me, gratitude says you owe me nothing. 

•                Entitlement says what will you give me, gratitude says what can I give?

•                Entitlement says give that to me now, where gratitude says I'm so thankful for what I have now, what I am now, and God what you are doing in me in the now.

 

3. Attitude will determine your altitude in every situation.

•                Attitude will make or break your future, your perspective on life, in life, and all through life.

•    I've seen people give up on life, give up on people, give up on themselves, and worst of all give up on God.

•    God never promised ease, never promised abundance, never promised that hard work would not be a part of our every day, and never promised us simple solutions to our every problem.

 

Acts 2:46-47, NLT "They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity--all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved."

 

1.They worshipped together.

1.We have to worship in unison, we have to come together in a plan, a strategy that will change ourselves, culture, society, and everyone who would connect themselves.

2.You have to choose to worship God and go all out to Him.

3.Forget bystanders, forget the Devil, forget society, ,forget shallow relationships, forget anyone that would try to keep you from worshipping Him and worship!

4.They prayed for each other and deeply cared about the well being of their community and those entering their community.

2.Shared with joy and generosity.

1.What? 

2.They shared their food with what?

3.Joy and generosity.

3.Continually thanking God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people.

1.goodwill-Friendly, helpful, or cooperative feelings or attitude.

2.Thanking God is an action.

1.You have to speak it, act it out, declare it, and live in it with a sincerity about you.

4.A healthy Christian community attracts people to Christ.

1.Like a moth to a flame.

2.Like kids to candy.

3.Like a magnet to metal.

1.The church's zeal at this time for worship and concerned love was contagious.

2.A healthy, loving church will grow in numbers.

4.What are you doing to make your church your student ministry the kind of place that will attract others to Christ?

1.We each have to ask the question in and of ourselves what am I doing or not doing to grow myself, grow others, and grow the global church by reaching others for the cause of Christ?

1.We can each make excuses, we can each choose to be connected or disconnected, we can each choose what our attitude will reflect but ultimately it's the world that suffers.

2.It's our family that suffers, it's our peers that suffer, heaven suffers, and it will eventually make us suffer.

 

1.In these verses we have the history of the truly primitive church, the first days of it; its state of infancy and the state of its greatest innocence.

2.These Christians kept close to the plans and purposes of God, overflowed in respect, reverence, devotion for God; for Christianity.

1.God continues to remind me that He is able.

2.He continues to remind me that He is able to do the impossible.

1.God spread the good news of Jesus Christ sacrifice to a world without cell phones, Internet, Facebook, twitter, and email.

2.God did it without speakers, flyers, concerts, conference, guest cards, electricity, planes, trains or automobiles.

3.He used His Spirit.

1.Maybe we should rethink our strategy, plans, programming, and structure.

3.These Christians were part of a regenerating grace.

1.God refuses to close heavens mercy, refuses to close heavens grace so that all may come to know Him.

2.God "so loved the world, John 3:16" not God so hated us, not God is so displeased with us, not God can't wait to catch you doing something wrong but God "so loved" us that His Son chose to trade His perfect existence for our imperfect one.

4.Christ's attitude was of overwhelming, confusing difference to culture, society, religion and law than that of any other king since the beginning of time. Exuding character, compassion, forgiveness, humility, servitude and vision.

 

Acts 4:32-33 (NLT) "All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. [33] The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God's great blessing was upon them all."

 

1.God's great blessing was upon them all.

1.God's great favor and protection was upon them all.

 

Philippians 2:4 (NLT)

"Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too."

 

This was the life of Jesus.





October Series


 

Faultless (guest blog by Caitlin Etoh) goddess Aphrodite

Greek mythology was based off many gods, goddesses that represented the things of human culture, society, and how the world functioned.

However, these Gods and goddesses were everything but perfect for they within their own divinity fought, killed, committed adultery, stole from others, tricked, and destroyed whatever kept them from what they wanted.

Aphrodite
The story goes that Cronus who was the son of Uranus, had a fight and Cronus castrated Uranus and threw his parts into the sea. Sea foam began to form and from it, a beautiful woman raised, which would be known as Aphrodite, the Goddess of love and beauty.

She had the ability to make anything beautiful, and she could make humans fall in love with someone else or something else, put in the feelings of desire and lust for things that people coveted.

She will help you for a price whether it is money or just you being faithful to her in worship.
She did things no matter if it was deceitful, dishonest, or hurtful.

James 3:14-16
"But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice."

Everyone has desires and hopes, and wishes for things that they don’t have.
But when you are filled for only your own selfish desires, it’s hard to attain the things that God has for us.

When we fill ourselves of only things we lust for, we get blinded then things that are wrong seem right and things that are right seem unnecessary.

So when Aphrodite would do the things she did, it will affect not only the people she made fall in love, but it affected the people who they were their spouses, parents, children, sometimes even the whole Greek society because of fulfilling wishes of the selfish and giving tainted hope.

(*Note to self: Talk about summer camp how students were filled with the holy ghost, the vision and calling from God, how easy it is to see things clearly and how we are more receptive and accepting to the things God tells us when you’re isolated with nothing but the presence of God.)

James 3:17 "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."

When you fill yourself with God’s word, His dreams and vision, your desire will turn into His desires He has uniquely equipped for you.

Our God is about our best interests and what’s best for our lives.

He doesn’t have to scheme and be deceitful in order to give us the desires of our hearts.

Psalms 37:4 "Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."

But the key to this is that you must take DELIGHT, gladness, acceptance in God himself, not only for the things He can do for you or just His blessings; only then will He give the desires of your heart, as long as the glory is Kingdom driven and not motivated for your own selfish reasons.

So how can a god who was only born for beauty, lust, love, and desire have the best interest for you?

SHE CAN'T!

But there is good news our God is FAULTLESS!

He never had to be created for He always was, He didn’t have to create love because He is love.

John 1:1,3-5 (NLT)
"In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. [3] God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. [4] The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it."

Since God is already these things and He is our creator, in which we are created in His image, He created us with those things inside us as well.

Aphrodite encouraged people to covet and had no problems of breaking covenants between people.

She had a favorite son named Eros; also known as Cupid.
•Eros was equipped with a bow and arrow and the arrow was dipped in a love poison.
•Whoever Eros shot, that person will fall in love with the first person they see.

Aphrodite used Eros to make people fall in love with the person or the person that someone coveted over. But only sometimes will be it be out of good measure.

Difference between covet and covenant
•Covet: to desire wrongfully, inordinately, or without due regard for the rights of others: to covet another's property. to wish for, especially eagerly.

•Covenant: an agreement, usually formal, between two or more persons to do or not do something specified.
•the conditional promises made to humanity by God, as revealed in Scripture

When your God’s child there’s no need to covet over someone else’s stuff, husband, car, or whatever it is because He already has the things that are meant for you that He wants to give you.

When you put your own selfish desires and wants before His, you compromise the promises He gave us when we accepted Jesus as our savior.

Of course, there had to be a price paid in order for Aphrodite to call upon her son for your need. If you were that desperate for that love of the other person, you did everything you could to pay the price that Aphrodite gave for you to pay.

But God paid the ultimate price then showed the greatest love when He sent His only son Jesus Christ to die for our sins to give humanity everlasting life.

All we have to do is accept it!

It’s a gift, we don’t have to buy love from God, God is love and He already loves us.

For that reason alone makes Him FAULTLESS!